Chapter 81: The Life within

A heavy stillness fell over the forest as Reika came down the stairs from her chambers, the soft echo of her feet upon the cool stone walls the only sound. She had hardly slept since her meeting with her advisors. The image of that mysterious figure at the edge of the forest lingered in her mind, reminding her there were always eyes upon her, even within the safety of her pack's borders. Ileus and Kael sat at the long, wooden table in the dining hall, deep in heated discussion. Their voices hushed as Reika entered, her sharp gaze slicing through the tension. Daisy was there, as usual, standing near, her apron nervously twisted in her hands while she waited for orders. Reika nodded to her mate and Beta in turn, then turned to Daisy. "Could you bring me some tea? I have a feeling it's going to be a long day." Daisy bobbed her head and scurried off, leaving Reika alone with the two men. She could feel their unease even before Ileus spoke. There's been movement near the western border," Ileus said, his voice even, though laced with urgency. "The scouts reported unfamiliar tracks leading into the forest. We believe they belong to spies of the Dawn family." Kael leaned forward, hands clasped together. "This is not reconnaissance; they are searching for a weak link in order to strike anytime. Reika's jaw flexed. "And what of the Warlord? Anything arrive on their response to the challenge Orik threw in the air?" Kael shook his head. "Not yet. But neither can we afford waiting a lot longer. In which case, if those Warlords are lost to them, too, with alignments to the Dawn family, then it will be war when we're not yet prepared. Until Daisy came around behind Reika's shoulder and set a steaming cup before her. "Here you are, my queen," she said with a grin. She thanked her and took a sip, the warmth spreading in her like a slow-heating coal, but setting the cup down, an odd tingling ran over her. In her abdomen, there flowered a dull ache that was insistent rather than sharp. She pushed the feeling off and didn't want to make it clear that anything was wrong. Kael, though, felt her hesitation. "Reika, are you okay? You look pale. 'I'm fine," she said. Ileus frowned, his eyes narrowing. 'Reika, you've been pushing yourself too hard. If you're not well—" 'I said I'm fine," she snapped, cutting him off. But her sharp tone only deepened the concern etched on his face. Kael exchanged a glance with Ileus but said nothing. --- The Plan Takes Shape Reika looked past her discomfort and to the task at hand. "Kael, double patrols on the western border. I don't want any would-be spies slipping past us. Ileus, take the pack to a wartime footing. It would seem the Dawn family believe threats are all it takes, and that is a notion that needs remedy." Kael nodded wordlessly. "And about the duel against the Warlord? You're really going to do it, aren't you? Reika's eyes hardened. "Yes, the Warlords have to see our strength with their own eyes. This is the only way they wouldn't side with the family of Dawn." Ileus leaned back into his chair, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "And the mysterious visitor that left you that scroll-are they to be trusted?" Reika hesitated. The warning of the cloaked woman still fresh in her mind, she replied, "I don't trust her. For now, though, what little she provided does support our suspicions. We proceed with caution." --- Unexpected Visitor Just then, the meeting was adjourned, and a young guard burst into the dining hall, his face red with urgency. "My queen, there's someone at the gate. He says he has urgent news for you." Reika stood, her wolf stirring at the sudden interruption. "Who is it?" The guard hesitated. "He didn't give his name, but he claims to have information about the Dawn family. Reika exchanged a look with Ileus and Kael. 'Bring him to the council chamber. We'll hear what he has to say." --- The Warning He was led inside the chamber of the hall council; the air was thick with tension, a gloomy atmosphere. The wiry stranger had sunken eyes, a disposition that fluttered with nerves, with shaking hands clutching onto an old, tattered satchel. Reika's voice was cold and commanding, "Speak fast. What do you know about House Dawn's plan?" He swallowed hard as his gaze darted round the room, as if expecting an ambush at every moment. "They would attack," he stuttered, "not only your pack but all the alliance-to break every unity amongst packs and to take their territory's control. Kael leaned forwards, narrowing his eyes. "And how do you know this? The man stumbled forward, reaching into his satchel and pulling out a stack of papers. "I-I used to work for them. I was part of their intelligence network, but I could not stand by and witness what they were planning. These documents contain their plans, troop movements, the location of their allies, among others. Reika read the papers; her face unreadable. "Why are you bringing this to us? What do you gain from betraying them?" The man's voice shook. "I am a dead man if they find out I have betrayed them. All I ask is your protection in exchange for the information." Ileus snorted. "How convenient. You betray your employers and now expect us to clean up the mess. Reika raised a hand to quiet him. "If this information is valid, it may be just what we need. But if you are lying." The threat stayed unsaid, but her wolf's growl marked an underscore to the words. The man paled, his face going sallow. "I swear upon my life, 'tis truth. As the man was dragged from the chamber, Reika turned to her advisors. "Verify the information immediately. If he's telling the truth, we need to act fast." Kael nodded and left to begin the investigation. Ileus stayed behind, his eyes latched onto Reika. "There's something you're not telling me," he said quietly. Reika stiffened, her hand instinctively going to her abdomen. "What do you mean? Lately, you have been easily distracted, Ileus finally says to the figure before him, his tone soothing and firm all at once. And I do see how you wince when you think no one's looking. What happens, Reika? She hesitated between the will to protect him and the weight of her secret; the words stammered out, stuttering, till a sigh finally escaped. "It's all so big, Ileus. All in good time, all shall be revealed. For now, just trust me." Ileus held her gaze long into the silence before finally nodding his head. "Always. He did leave the chamber; Reika, upon his leaving, couldn't but feel a pang of her guilt; she knew quite soon she was not in a position to hide anything from him. The looming battle needed to be her immediate concern. She let her gaze flow across the stack of papers on the table, her mind racing with the possibilities. If this was as dangerous as the plans of House Dawn claimed this stranger was, then it was far from over. It wasn't until she had turned to go that the ache in her abdomen sharpened all over, a stark reminder of the life growing inside and what was at stake in this war she was about to engage in.