XIX

Gathered around the table, Maximus was recapping the facts of the missing wolves to the beta pair, Troy and Amelia. Selene was listening carefully, trying to find any information that maybe they missed. Ben came up empty, not finding anything else they could use from the involved packs. In a flash, a thought crossed her mind. She remembered something. How could I miss this?

„What did they look like?"

„What?"

„Their wolf forms. Do you know what colour their fur was?"

„Alpha Magnus, of the Opal Pack, was very vague. He said something about a normal dark brown wolf and a more orange one, lighter. Why?" Selene had a mortified look on her face.

„What is it love?"

„I...I think I killed one of them." None said anything.

„Moon, how could you have..." Maximus shut his mouth. „It was one of the rogues, no?"

„Yes"

„The ones from the Bloodwood Forest? But how is that possible? The ties with the pack weren't severed, they couldn't have become bloodthirsty." Ben was making good points.

„But that's the thing. They weren't seeking blood, to feast, like all the others. Believe me, it took me a long time to adjust to the idea of killing them just like that, when I was little. I can recognize their nature through their eyes. But these wolves...they were not bloodthirsty, they were almost like...seeking to kill."

„You mean they just went on a killing spree? They go missing and a week later they turn up to be rogues that just want to kill?" No one answered.

„Who is killing?" Their heads turned towards the sound of Mathias, holding 2 flowers.

Selene stood up and walked fast to him, grabbing him in her hold. „No one little wolf. Don't mind us, we're just playing a game."

„A game? Can I play?"

„I'm afraid it is a game for grown-ups. I promise once your bigger, you'll play with us too." Selene sent him a warm smile.

„Ok...this is for you". Mathias gave Selene one of the flowers he was holding, a peony. She melted at his gesture.

„Thank you, little wolf. It's beautiful." He leaned into her ear to whisper something. After a moment, Selene nodded her head at let him go. Mathias ran to Gen.

„And this is for you" He was very sweet. Selene wondered if it was safe enough for the children to roam freely on the grounds.

„Why don't you go play in your room for now and I'll come tuck you in when it's time for bed?" Amelia suggested him.

„Ok mommy" And he ran up the stairs in a hurry, probably to get as much play-time as he could. An uncomfortable silence fell around the table.

„Let's round up the facts." began Maximus. „There are 11 wolves missing, from a total of 3 packs. The only possible way for them to disappear like that is if there is a traitor, one of high status. Some wolves turned up in the Bloodwood forest, rogues, different from any we have ever seen. These...people that keep abducting them know of Selene's powers, which certainly puts us in a difficult position. If there is a mole in Ironblood, we need to find him or her, fast. This wolf can do a lot of damage if we don't manage it."

Everyone nodded their heads, except for Ben. „What is it?"

„I was just thinking...what if the traitor is indeed of a high rank?"

„What do you mean? We've already established that."

„I mean...the highest rank." Stunned at his accusation, Maximus growled lowly.

„Ben, you know that is the highest possible accusation. I know all the Alphas, personally, there isn't one that would do this."

„I am telling you, as your beta, Alpha Magnus is involved. He was the first I talked to. I received no relevant information from him. No specific location, not a mention of the witnesses. The only thing I was able to hear, and not even from him directly, but from his Beta, was the identity of the wolves and their fur. Think about it. Who would even dare question the Alpha?"

„I don't see a motive. An alpha wouldn't do this to their own pack members." Gen said with a slights tint of confusion.

„I believe you." They all turned their heads to Selene. „Don't look at me like that. I am the only one with an objective view. I don't know any of the alphas. Maximus, you said so yourself...they can become corrupt, missleaded by their own greed."

„Well, I did say that... But that doesn't mean it's true"

„Ben strongly believes that's the case and I trust him. What reason would he have to lie or accuse this alpha?"

„Thank you, Selene." Ben sent her a look of gratitude.

„You know I can't just go around, throwing the guilt without proof."

„Then let's get some. He will be at the challenge. Let's appoint someone to keep a close eye on him, maybe he will be careless, talk with the mole in our pack. After all, we have to use every resource." Maximus was proud of Selene's Luna qualities. Her plan was good, but it also only relayed on one Alpha's possible mistake.

„It's a good idea, moon, but there is a higher chance he will be careful and not risk talking with the traitor with so many people around."

„There's an easy solution to that."

„What, Troy?"

„We fake a dissaperance of our own."

„What?" Troy threw them a look of mischief, finally locking gazes with Selene, who understood what he implied. She continued for him.

„I think what Troy want so say is... If we fake a missing wolf from our own pack and Alpha Magnus finds out at the challenge, he will be surprized for sure. If he is involved, he should know what packs are targeted. If they didn't come to Ironblood until now, it means they are scared of us. News like this would make him think the traitor took action without his consent. He would be forced to meet with the wolf." Everyone was impressed.

„Ok, let's get started."