Chapter 86: The proposed War

Alpha Ileus leaned forward, and his gaze cut through the air in the room. "We strengthened the southern borders and scouts into the Dawn family territory. What's their move?" Kael tapped his fingers on the table. "It isn't the Dawn family we should be worried about; Vincent's threats aren't empty threats. And if they're summoning allies, then being outnumbered just may well be a fact. Reika's voice cut through the murmurs. "Then we shall play wiser, not harder. They're waiting for some sort of mistake on our part. That advantage we will not be willing to give them." Daisy cleared her throat. "There is something I should bring into the light." But for a moment, all ears were hers. She spoke so little during such meetings, and each time she did, there was weight in what she said. "What?" Reika pressed softly. Daisy hesitated, took a deep breath. "My brother sent another message. He wants to meet. He says he has information about some sort of weapon the Dawn family is developing in secret." Kael snorted. "And you trust him?" "No," Daisy said. "But I think it's worth investigating. If it's true, we can't afford to ignore it." Reika's eyes narrowed. "And if it's a trap? "I'll go alone," Daisy said firmly. "If it's a trap, it's my life at risk, not the pack's." "No," Reika said immediately, her wolf growling in protest. "You're not going anywhere alone. If this weapon exists, we'll find it another way." >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The meeting broke up deadlocked, no way forward in sight. The others having filed out of the chamber, Ileus hung back, his expression troubled. "You are holding something back," he said, closing the door behind himself. Reika blew a sigh, leaning back in her chair. "I don't have the luxury of being entirely open and honest, not even with you." Ileus's face furrowed into a frown. "Reika, we're supposed to be partners. If you don't trust me, how am I to protect you? It's not about trusting you, she exclaimed-frustration lacing her tone. It is about keeping everyone safe. The more who know, the more vulnerable we become. Ileus crossed his arms over his chest. And what happens when your secrets begin to run on the cost of lives? Reika stood, the wolf surfacing. "You think I don't know what's at stake? Every decision weighs upon me like a thousand stones. If you so much as think you can do better, then bloody well take my place!" The word softened the angle of Ileus's face then, and curbed his anger in that moment. "It wasn't what I meant, Reika. I only- I just don't want for you to bear this on your shoulders alone.". The silence between them hung thick for a moment before Reika finally relented, laying her hand on his arm. "I'm sorry. I know you're trying to help. Just trust me, Ileus. I have a plan. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Later that night, she wandered along the edges of their territory, treetops reaching up to a low sky, bathed in an eerie, full-moon glow. Her wolf prowled restless inside, scenting a storm building there. She thought of Riftan, her brother in life-her flesh and blood, whom she loves and to whom she has given her bond of trust. He of course was her killer-a death that in every regard she died-so to take his life in a sort of way cut soul from heart. The memory of the brand of betrayal he laid upon her yet seared, and with it so did the faint echo of that which once had lain between them. She had walked several feet when, suddenly, the rustling in the underbrush ahead brought her to a stop. The wolf growled low. "Who's there?" she snarled louder. Kael stepped into the light hunched guardedly. "Easy, it's me." Reika narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing out here?" "I could ask the same question of you," he threw back at her. "Could I sleep tonight?" Reika blew out heavily, running a hand through her hair. "Something like that."   Kael leaned in closer, eyes searching. "You're thinking of Riftan, aren't you?"   Reika said nothing.   Kael scowled. "You cannot let him survive, Reika. You know that. He threatens everything you've built."   "I know," she returned with quiet softness. "But in knowing, that does not make it easy." Kael laid a reassuring hand upon her shoulder. "You will not have to do it alone. Allow me to aid you. Reika shook her head. "This is my burden, Kael. My decision." Before he could reply, a shrill howl pierced through the night, slicing through like a knife. Both became taut, their wolves bursting forth. "That's the northern watch," he said seriously. "There's a problem." With a spring, Reika and Kael went further into the forest taken by the wolves to the watch north, where chaos greeted them-warriors fighting off the shadowy figures of a group of assassins from the family of Dawn. Reika flowed into wolf as if the shape had merely been slipped in through silk, diving headfirst into that strong body. Feral precision tore through attackers, teeth and claws little more than a blur of motion. Beside her, Kael fought no less fiercely, his wolf moving with hers in concert. Despite that, the attackers were pros, and relentless. One broke through the line, charging straight for Daisy, who'd gotten caught in the crossfire. "Daisy!" Reika bellowed, somersaulting backward into her human form as she ran. She flung herself at the assassin just before he reached her friend and snapped his neck. Daisy stared at her, eyes wide. "I thought you said I wouldn't be in danger." "You should know by now that danger follows me everywhere," Reika said, offering her a hand. "Stay close to Kael." It wasn't until the pack chased them away that the fight finally let up. By the time it was finally quiet the dust settled and Reika was still standing amongst the bloodshed, heav­ing heavily. "This wasn't random," she stated cold as ice. "They knew exactly where to strike." Kael just nodded. "They're testing us. Trying to see where we're weak. Reika's jaw hardened. "Then we make sure that we're not." By the break of dawn, Reika came back to camp, her body was in pain from the fight that night. No time to catch her breath-it was then that Ileus was before her, his face grim. "We found something," he said. Reika took it, her eyes running down the words: "Your borders are only the beginning. Surrender or your secrets will be spread around." Ideas swirled like madness in her head as, with fingers fumbling, her hands coldly folded over the parchment came over-something which would inflame the family Dawn knew well enough to totally destroy her when in view. "What does that even mean?" Ileus whispered low. Reika met his gaze. With fear said "I don't know Alpha."