A Dark Discussion Pt.1

They had just finished eating when Lara and company entered through the curtain of water. The growing group of supporters was welcomed for sure, but the size of the cave wasn't going to hold many more if they insisted on collecting more wolves for their cause.

It was awkward for both Ajax and Myranda to see the 'opposition' across the way.

Myranda looked to Lara and glared just a little bit while she snaked both of her arms around Metas' possessively.

Ajax also glared just a smidge at Metas and gently pulled Lara to his side protectively.

It was clear that neither of them intended on losing their mates again. Even if they knew that it was a little ploy, it didn't stop them from having just a little bit of resentment towards those who were once competition.

Lara and Metas exchanged awkward looks as they both realized that their respective partners were not comfortable. It was a bit funny to see them so jealous when there was nothing to worry about.

"Ajax, I want to apologize. I didn't mean to leave you out of the loop. We just didn't want anyone to know about our plan. We felt it better that way. Will you please accept my apology?" Metas asked and gave a soft bow towards the very tall, thin male who had long silver hair tied back into a low ponytail, and two bright peridot eyes.

Ajax shook his head and replied, "Not right now, Metas. You should have told me. We're best friends - we all grew up together, and you didn't trust me. I haven't even really forgiven Lara yet. Can you please just give me some time?"

"Of course. Let me know when you're ready," the strong Alpha replied and gave him a strong nod.

"Thanks, Metas..." he replied lowly.

"Myranda, I am also sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, we just wanted to protect you. I'll never lie to you again, my Luna. I answer to you now," the white-haired beauty said and gave a deep bow to the dual-toned woman that was hanging onto her best friend.

"Oh...uhm... It's fine, I completely get it. I kind of lied to my sister for a while - so...I understand why you would do such a thing - plus you answered to Metas as you should have. We have no issue. Thank you, Lara" Myranda smiled and laced her fingers into her mates' lovingly.

"Thank you, my Luna" Lara replied and gave her another bow.

"Has anything drastically changed since yesterday afternoon?" Metas asked as he got right to business.

"Yeah. Silas is excited about his reign - and they're moving into the castle," Jyriah answered and crossed his arms. His face looked very sour, as though something went wrong earlier.

"He's gone through a lot of trouble to let everyone know that he is the victim, and I don't much like what he is saying about you - and I hate what he is saying about my little sister. Do you know how hard it is to not punch him in the face?"

"We appreciate your sacrifice, Jyriah" Myranda teased, but he could tell she also meant it.

"Thanks" he replied curtly, and just as he had - she could tell he mean it, too.

"He really has been very good. I'm proud of him," Joss boasted and reached out to touch his mate's shoulders in support.

"Now what did we all meet here for? You said it was important," Lara interjected.

"Yes - Myranda, would you please scout the area with your brother?" Metas suggested and turned his attention to his Luna, who he gave a soft look.

"Absolutely, my Alpha - when should we return?" she inquired and returned his affectionate look with her own.

"Not too long - I will worry if you are gone for more than an hour. I have a feeling Silas has scouts out there, so if you can track them, please do. Don't start any trouble, though - stay far back" Metas answered and leaned down to press his forehead against hers lovingly.

"I will return, my handsome king" she said before she let go of his hand.

"Eeeew" Jyriah teased, which earned him a soft smack against his arm.

"You stop it" Myranda hissed and smoothly transitioned into her wolf form.

"YoU sToP iT" Jyriah mimicked back before he too turned into a wolf whose size was quite larger than his little sister's.

"I'm going to drown you in the river..." she said to him as they made their way out of the cave.

Metas laughed once at their banter, which surprised the rest of them. He wasn't known to laugh - but Myranda's good nature had made him a little more receptive to joyful moments.

He cleared his throat, regained his composure, and then stared to speak again "at any case - now that they are gone, will you tell me what he has been saying about my mate?"

"Well..." Lara started uneasily.

"He's using words I wouldn't use in the polite company of females..." Joss alluded softly.

"Mmmmm" Metas hummed out with a growl in his chest. "I'll just add it to the list..." he added begrudgingly.

He didn't ask about himself, as he didn't care what anyone said about him, but attacking Myranda was out of line. He'd make sure they would apologize to her eventually.

"So. You wanted to talk to us about something?" Lara chirped out.

"Yes. I need you to go into the cells and look for someone named Veltar. He is apparently Syrana's true mate. I have a sinking feeling Silas is using some kind of blood magic to control her with. As long as the blood is fresh, the crystal used can diffuse it into essentially the scent of another. It was an old practice from before the agreements and alliances were formed. It was supposed to be locked away with other magical artifacts, but it seems my father may have given Harbinger access. There is no other way he could get in. Only my bloodline can access the vaults," Metas explained.

"No offense, Alpha - but what draws you to that conclusion?" Joss asked. Even if Metas was his leader, he still felt obligated to ensure that every step made was calculated and for a good cause.

"Myranda told me about Veltar and how he and her sister bonded quickly. She was told he died in a mining accident, but she didn't die with him. Instead, she apparently got very, very sick. That's not normal for bonded mates. Syrana shouldn't be alive. Once we bond, its nearly impossible to remove one from the other. Harbinger was the one who punished Veltar, and who is Harbinger's adopted son? Silas."

"...Okay...but your highness, that's still a little farfetched" Joss replied evenly. He wasn't afraid to to tell Metas the truth, and Metas in return was grateful for his honesty.

"Silas is abusing Syrana. Yet he shares none of her bruises or pains, not even a little bit. Myranda and I were hiding in their house while we waited for the traffic to die down so we could escape. They came home early, and we heard them arguing. Syrana was clearly upset - and instead of feeling that empathy, he scolded her and said she wasn't supportive. Again, that is not normal" Metas answered.

"That isn't normal indeed...." Joss trailed off and grabbed his chin to ponder on the idea. "So why do we need to free him so soon if he is down there?"

"No Alpha has ever ruled well without a Luna. If Syrana could reunite with the mate she is still so in love with, she could fee safe to take Syri and find shelter with him. We all know how important it is to be with our pair, and I have a feeling she won't leave Syri fatherless" Metas explained and took in a measured breath.

"I can't imagine he's healthy if he's been down there that long..." Joss surmised out loud.

"Not all of them. If he has strong will, he can survive. There are quite a few strapping males down there who still have muscle mass," Ajax interjected.

"You go down there?" Joss asked with a quirked brow.

"Yes. It's part of my job. I'm a palace guard," Ajax answered. Lara only confirmed his words with a nod.

"So, do you happen to know their names?" Metas asked.

"No. We aren't allowed to address them by name. No one is. Harbinger's sick rule to break their spirits and sense of self. A lot of them have forgotten their names since they've been down there for so long. Maybe if you knew what he looked like I could check - but they live in total darkness unless we come down with a crystal lamp," Ajax informed uncomfortably.

"I do not like the practice, just to add. I find it barbaric," he tacked on quickly.

"That is absolutely disgusting. I had no idea it was that bad," Metas revealed and even put a hand to his mouth as his stomach churned.

"Yeah - it's really bad down there. Most of us don't like going down there, because it's hard to look at them. Some have lost their sight, some their sense of smell, and a lot of them just lose their sanity. We will bribe each other to get out of cell checks," Ajax continued and shook his head.

The four of them looked very ill, and the air not only grew silent, but stagnant as well. Everything just got more and more complicated as Metas continued on his path to the throne.