The Alpha Weredragon's Favorite

Ryan

Before we could dive deeper into our plan, a sharp knock on the door echoed through the room. The door creaked open slowly, and an emissary from The Silver Tail pack stepped inside. "Alpha Thorton," he started, his tone heavy, "Please forgive the intrusion. I bring news from Alpha Hemptok, Whitney's father."

I turned to face the emissary. My curiosity piqued by his unexpected arrival. "What news do you bring from Alpha Hemptok?" I asked, my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. Whitney's betrayal still fresh in my mind, I couldn't help but clench my fists at the thought of her actions against Lyra.

The emissary cleared his throat, his eyes darting between the members of my council before settling on me. "Alpha Thornton... Alpha Hemptok suspects that his daughter acted under the influence of dark magic."

Skepticism filled the air, like a thick fog rolling in. I looked over at Liam, my brows furrowed in suspicion. Was there something more to this story that we didn't know?

I had already taken care of Sheila. Under the cover of darkness, I left Lyra sleeping, on the very night of the last Luna trial. I made sure a guard 'accidentally' left her cell open. I followed her as she ran through the woods, abandoning her innocent husband. Moon Goddess, the way she screamed when I set her on fire still echoed in my ears.

In a very pleasant way.

I saved Whitney for a trial of her peers. Whitney wasn't a distant relative like that guard from Silver Tail had been. Whitney was Alain Hemptok's direct kin. I couldn't dispose of her like I had Sheila. Much to my regret.

I

guess it was a good thing as the emissary made my interest grow with each passing second. "Dark magic? What makes him believe that?" I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk as I waited for the emissary to continue. He shifted uncomfortably, clearly unsure of how to proceed. "There have been... incidents. Over the last few weeks, Whitney's mind-links with her father had become erratic, and we've heard from her landlord that strange things have been happening around her... secret meetings late at night. Whispers and strange lights coming from her room. Alpha Hemptok would kindly ask you to hold off on judgment of his only child, and begs your assistance in investigating the matter." I nodded slowly, considering the implications of his words. If Whitney was indeed influenced by dark magic, it could pose a significant threat to both our packs. There could be more traitors in our midst than we first realized. Harming a guilty Whitney, although justified, would cause an outright war in itself, but if she were innocent... that was a different story. Yes, my anger towards Whitney remained, but I knew I had to put the well-being of my pack first. I glanced around the table, gauging the reactions of the others. Liam's brow was furrowed, deep in thought. Conner was watching me, waiting for my next move. Killian and Wista shared a look, uncertainty clear in their eyes. "We need more than just suspicion," I said, standing up and pacing around the room. "We can't risk our plan based on a hunch."

The emissary nodded. "I understand your concerns, Ryan. But the Alpha is desperate. He's willing to do anything to help his daughter."

Wista spoke up, her voice steady. "I can perform tests to see if Whitney was indeed under dark magic's influence. This time, we can minimize any risk by having her drink a potion before I enact the spell."

I flicked my hand, not caring one minute if Whitney suffered the same fate as Jacques... unless she was truly innocent. "That would work for me. Ask your Alpha if he is in agreement."

The emissary closed his eyes briefly, establishing a telepathic connection with his Alpha. Moments later, he opened them again and relayed the decision.

"The Alpha's coming here tomorrow to oversee Whitney's test himself," the emissary informed us. "He's offering a century-long truce between our packs, no strings attached. And..." He paused, as if receiving another telepathic message from Whitney's dad. "If Wolfsong's responsible, Silver Tail will join forces with Moonshadow to take them down. But... this truce hinges on Whitney going back with her father, whether she's guilty or not."

I leaned back in my chair, weighing the pros and cons of what he was trying to sell me. The prospect of having Silver Tail as an ally against Wolfsong was tempting, but the condition of Whitney's return gave me pause. I drummed my fingers on the armrest, my brow furrowed in contemplation.

My father's words came to me as they always did when I needed them most, "Always do what is best for the pack."

After a long moment, my decision was made. I met the emissary's gaze head-on, "We accept the truce as a gesture of good faith," I said cautiously, my voice firm but not without reservation. "However, I want to make it clear that Whitney's fate will be determined by the outcome of the test, not by any prior agreements. If she is found guilty, she may leave with her father, but if she puts so much as a toe in Moonshadow territory, such a transgression will ensure her immediate death." And no it wouldn't be pretty.

The emissary opened his mouth, but I stalled him off by standing and looking him in the eye. "We appreciate Silver Tail's willingness to stand with us against Wolfsong, but justice must be served, regardless of pack affiliations. Is that understood?"

The emissary nodded, a flicker of respect in his eyes. "I will convey your message to the Alpha. He will arrive tomorrow, as planned."

I inclined my head in acknowledgment, my mind already racing with the preparations that needed to be made. The truce was a step in the right direction, but the true test lay ahead. And I would stop at nothing to uncover the truth, no matter where it led.