31- Iris
“Kanniel must be stopped.
I know you might have once loved this man, but I know a monster because I was once one myself. I was filled with greed, loathing, and insidious intentions just as he is now,
I know you might have married into a different pack even against your will, but please do not forget about those that you were forced to leave behind. The fever curse has resumed, and it is slowly turning into a plague this time around. Our once beloved pack will be ravaged until there is nothing left, like the same fate other packs have suffered. Please do not let that happen. I plead with you
I know you were behind the first cure that saved our pack. I know that you let that minister take credit for what you did. The pack doesn’t know the Alpha they have chosen. They have been deceived, something that they did nothing to deserve.
You must save then, however way you can. Don’t do this for me. Do it for the innocent who will suffer under his tyranny. He will do anything to stay ins power, even if it means turning the pack to ruin
I have to tell you one more thing. The alcove underneath the Alpha Castle harbors something that Kavriel has kept hidden. I do not know what it is, but it could be a key to toppling him from the Alpha throne and saving the pack.
I know this a lot, but there is a lot at stake. Hease, do not turn a deaf ear to my pleas
A final reminder: Do not let it be revealed that you have a cure to the fever cume, for your own safety.”
My mind was left in a knot after I finished reading the letter. I held the letter tightly, my knuckles turning white as a storm of emotions surged through me. The memories of my past life with the pack came flooding back, each one a bittersweet reminder of what I had lost–one that I had been forced to leave behind.
Kavriel. His name alone sent a sliver down my spine. Once, he had been charming, persuasive, and ambitious, qualities that had drawn me to him. He had been the kindest soul. But behind that façade lurked a darkness I had only begun to understand too late. When he had a knife in my back and a blade to my mother’s throat. I had facilitated his descent, he had become Alpha because of me. I was to blame for what my pack was going through
now.
Kavriel had mentioned the fever curse coming back, but the information had been displaced by all that had occurred in such a short period that it had completely skipped my mind.
I had seen the effect of the deadly fever all my life. I have seen how it turned normal were folk into savage, grotesque monsters. Cravens. Men. women, children, all defenceless against the agony it brought forth. Parems bereaved, children orphaned, couples widowed. The fever carse was an affliction second to none. And the thought of its return was daunting and horrific. How many would have been infected, buried and killed, burned and disposed of.
And the Alcove, what could Kavriel be hiding there? If it was powerful enough to secure his downfall, then it might also be dangerous enough to bring about total destruction to the pack. There were so many questions with too few answers,
But I knew the answer to the present predicament of my former pack. My blood. But how would I get it to the right people and not to the tyrannical Alpha? I had no allies here. I had no one that I could fully trust with something so dire.
Then dark eyes and midnight hair flashed through my mind.
“lone,” I muttered her name.
I had not been forthcoming with pressing issues with her despite her kindness, but I was not making that mistake again. I just hoped that I was being foolish again
A knock on my door pulled me out of my panicked reverie. When I went to answer, it was a servant. She informed me that dinner was ready
I was still shaking when I went down the stairs for dinner, Cassian made his second appearance at the dining table and we commenced eating.
My mother–in–law cleared her throat and I braced myself for what she would say, “So, Casian, have you to decide who will teach our new Luna” she spat the word ‘Luna like it was poison.
Cassian did not give mine to get tone. “I have not come around to that decision.” He answered causally.
I glanced at my mother–in–law and I could tell that she was beyond displeased at his answer.
swer. “Son, you take this far too lightly,” she grounded out.
“This woman is to rule our pack.”
I was sure that everyone at the table was aware that what she had said was a lie. I was simply a figurehead. I was not ruling anything, not like I planned
Cassian cast disinterested eyes on his mother. “Why don’t you make a suggestion then?” He offered.
I stopped mid–swallow and choked. I knew that we had come to some sort of agreement not too long ago, but I was anything but keen on her making that decision for me.
Cassian seemed to consider his mother’s words for a moment, but his eyes flickered toward mine, searching for a reaction. I steadied myself, hoping my face didn’t betray die turmoil within.
“I appreciate your eagerness, Mother, Cassian said finally, his tone measured. “But I believe Luna should have a say in this matter as well. After all, she’s the one who will be undergoing the training.”
His mother shot me a sharp look, her eyes narrowing in displeasure. “Very well, let her decide then,” she said, her voice dripping with
condescension.
I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of their gazes upon me. “L… I appreciate your offer,” I began, choosing my words carefully, “But I think it would be more beneficial for me to learn from someone closer to my own experience. Someone who understands what it means to be an outsider adjusting to a new pack.”
Cassian raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “And who do you have in mind?“
“lour,” 1 replied, my voice steady. “She’s heen kind to me since l’arrived, and 1 believe she can offer me
valuable insights.”
I saw lone turn her head sharply in my direction at the mention of her name.
His mother’s lips thinned into a tight line, but the said nothing but glared daggers at her. Thad to wonder why a mother would so openly show contempt for her own daughter. Had it always been that way or had something happened to cause a rift?
Cassian tumed to his sister. “Sister?”
fone simply nodded once she got over her initial shock.
Suddenly, Zahila got on her feet, her eyes blazing. “Of course you would agree.” She spat. “You are used to catering to outsiders.” Her voice filled with disdain that I watched as lone shrunk back in her seat.
A glare from Cassian put Zahila back in her seat.
“Watch yourself, Cassian, Rolan growled.
“Watch your wife, Rolan,” Casian countered.
“Zahila is not wrong, Cassian, his mother said. “You know what happened last time we let it happen.”
Cassian was quiet, the silence, loaded, then he spoke. Then Zahila will do it.” He said as he rose, his decision final.
Zahila turned to me, her expression poisonous.
I turned away, not quite about to stomach her stare. I knew well that I would detest the experience, but I had no choice, it seemed. Cassian’s mother, on the other hand, looked pleased as one would experi
I followed lone out as she left the dining table, not willing to be left alone with either of them or the cunning Rolan
I trailed her a bit before I called out her name as she neared what looked like her room.
“Tone!” I called.
As I trailed behind tone through the dimly lit corridors, my thoughts churned with apprehension. I needed her help, and I had to ensure I hadn’t already alienated her by naming her in front of everyone. When we reached a secluded balcony. I found my opportunity to speak.
“Tone.” I called softly, and she paused, turning to face me with a guarded expression.
“I’m sorry for putting you on the spot back there,” I began, my voice eamest. “It wasn’t fair to you.”
She studied me for a moment before replying, her voice flat and detached. “There is no need.” She replied before she began to turn away from me and looked at the night sky.
“I am really sorry for tricking you. Believe me. I thought I had no ally to turn to Tam sorry I used you.”
Despite the wall she tried to build around her, I watched her hard gaze, softened into a sad expression. “I won’t be the first time.” She said, her voice distant as though she was replying to a sad distant memory. “It won’t be the first tube that I am used”
“It is why they treat you that way, isn’t it” I said gently.
I watched as her eyes glazed over with hidden grief, but before I could try and console her, she turned on her heel and fled.
32 – Iris
