XXVII

It felt like deja-vu. Again sitting at the same table in the pack house, they were all looking between each other, trying to set the facts.

„Ok... So, we know Alpha Magnus is involved, maybe even the head of all this. He got somehow to Clay, who is dead, so no concern there." Gen received looks of dissaprooval. „Oh, give me a break. He was a traitor. He betrayed our Luna and our pack. I don't care about anything else." They all knew she was right, but still felt pity for his unexpected death. For his mate and child.

„I don't think Alpha Magnus is in charge."

„Why do you say so moon?"

„At the challenge...I didn't feel anything but fear coming out of him. His aura felt weak to me, like he was afraid of us and of the situation he was in."

„Ok..then who?" Selene didn't know if she should say something or wait. Her suspicion came from her powers, not solid proof.

„Selene, tell us what you keep wondering about. I can feel your distress." Her bond with Troy gave her away.

„I don't know..I think its.. the elder." She looked at her hands that rested in her lap, anctious to see their reactions. To her surprise, they didn't say anything, but looked at her to continue. „I have never met them, until the fight. I felt their need for everyone to submit to them, which happened. However, none affected me."

„That may be because of your Queen status, moon. We can't be certain."

„Or because she is technically human." Ben added.

„No, it's not that. It's not the fact that I didn't feel it, because I did. But it somehow felt...wrong to do it. Like everything in me told me they didn't deserve this apraisal and worship."

„Again, that may be because you are not a werewolf." Selene shook her head.

„No. I think it's because my power can feel their darkness. I am telling you...I saw his soul, the one in charge. It was...like it came from hell itself."

At her words, you could see the whole table rummiging. They've never received good feelings from the High Order, but they were respected among all the werewolves and have never done anything to prove them otherwise. Still, they couldn't deny the small fragile truth that lingered in Selene's confetion. They trusted her with everything and she has, since she became part of their pack, always been right.

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„AHHHH" The chair flew in the air, hitting the wall, living a small hole. „You are useless! Useless!"

„Brother, calm down." In an instant, the young man was dangling in the air, struggling to breath.

„You dare tell me to calm down? Who do you think you are?"

„Brother, please.." His airways began shrinking. With devil eyes, he let go of his brother, who fell on the floor, head bent down. The other were looking at the image with straight faces, knowing that they should be silent or it would be their necks instead.

„You are all useless! I have to do everything by myself." He was pacing back and forward, thinking. „Are the wolves ready?"

„No.." Stuttering and cowering back, the 2 man watched him carefully.

„And why is that?" He gritted through his teeth.

„It was hard to take so many in such a short time. They are even harder to break, our people are doing their best."

„I WANT BETTER!" He screamed so loud, his rage felt by the whole house.

„Yes brother."

„I want them ready by the end of the week. It's time." The 2 man shared a knowing look between them and lowered their gazes.

„Yes brother" They both approached their younger sibling, dragging him outside of the room.

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At night time, Selene held her head on Maximus's chest, enveloped in silence. She didn't know what to do. Now, she had a huge responsibillity and she could feel it hard. Being in charge of protecting so many wolves was getting to both of them, especially after the news they received that afternoon. 10 more.. 10 more wolves were taken from their homes, probably going to end up like the rogues in her forest.

Selene and Maximus could talk with their friends and most trusted all day, but they couldn't figure out why someone would do this. She was convinced it was the elder. Alpha Magnus was not a man with the power to control such a scheme, but the elders... The High Order had all possibilities and means. She sighted.

„What is going through that head of yours, moon?" Maximus turned to look at her. Like always, she took a moment to analyze him. I'll never get tired of looking at his handsome face.

„I'm just worried about everything. We have to find whoever is doing this."

„I know Selene. I'm just as concerned as you. I do not take lightly to my wolves being kidnapped and made rogue, but we have no information."

„I'm telling you it's.."

„The elder, I know." He let out a breath. „Moon, we can not accuse someone without proof, especially one of the elders. Think about the consequences. It would be treason." She contemplated for a minute.

„Maximus, we can not just sit back and..." A loud noise was heard. They both stood upwards in the bed.

„Alpha!" They heard coming from the first floor. They stood up fast and ran downstairs.

„What is it?" 3 patrolling wolves stood in the living room, holding a man by the arms.

„We caught him sneaking around the border. He was trying to get past us, but we smelt his scent."

„Who is it?" the 3 wolves looked at each other, nervous faces.

„We think...it's one of the elders, Alpha." They let him go and pushed him on the ground. Standing on four, the man slowly held up his head. Maximus and Selene didn't let out a sound and suddenly got tense. I was indeed one of the elders. One of the younger ones.

„What is the meaning of this, elder?"

„Alpha King..."

„When we caught him, he said he wants to talk with the Luna." Maximus listened very carefully to their words, assesing them.

„What bussiness do you have with your Queen?"

„Alpha Maximus.. I mean no harm." He stood on both feet, arms held up, in a surrendering stance. Maximus watched him. Satisfied, he nodded his head to the wolves.

„Get me the Beta pair and gamma Troy."

„Yes Alpha." They rushed out of the house. Selene showed the elder at the table, starting preparing tea. The atmosphere was tense, not one word coming from anyone. Suddenly, the door flew open.

„Who the hell decided to wake me up at this hour? I'm going to.." Reaching the table, Gen stopped her rumbling when her eyes fell on the elder, frozen. Troy and Ben were standing right behind her.

„Alpha..?"

„Take your seats." After they were all seated around the table, the elder struggled to get out words. „Tell me, what do you want with the Queen?" Maximus's voice was hard, deep.

„I came to warn you."

„Warn me? About what?"

„About what is coming. You are the only one who can stop it." Maximus growled loudly.

„Spill. Now."

Trembling, the elder fidgeted in his seat. „The wolves...the missing wolves.."

„What do you know about them?" Troy stood up, leaning his hands on the table.

„My brother...he is the one who has been taking them."

„What?"

„Acheron... he has something planned. He has been ordering the kidnapping of the wolves, for months now." Selene felt her word was crumbling around her. She approached the table, tea pot in hand.

„The one in charge, no?" The man nodded his head slowly. „Why?"

„He wants your position." He gazed at Maximus. „He wants to be king." Maximus understood now what it was all about...Power.

„Why have you decided to tell us this?"

„He is out of control. My brothers...they are terrified of him. None of us wanted this to happen. We want peace, not a monster rulling the Kingdom. Especially one that would.." The elder realized his words must be carefully selected or he would find himself with no head on his shoulders.

„One that would what?" Ben continued for him. The elder looked at Selene, and then straight into Maximus's eyes.

„One that would kill the Queen." Selene saw Maximus freeze all together. At first, she didn't catch the meaning of his words, but when the elder looked at her again, she could see what he talked about.

„He is planning on killing Selene?" Troy shouted at him. The elder nodded his head again, but continued, with the words that would change everything.

„Like he did...with the previous Queen, your mother."