Chapter 41 CHAPTER 41
Chapter 41 CHAPTER 41
LUCAS (SKYLIGHT PACK)
"...you lot kill your weak…"
"...everyone knows that…"
"...we hate the Skylight pack…"
I didn't want it to be true.
That the pack I love and cherish and protect with my whole being is capable of such evil.
It just didn't make sense.
And yet, it did.
All those missing people. The abandoned homes and children. The secretive cliques that just seem to know everything.
Is it possible? Is this my pack?
"Lucas! Where the hell have you been man? You missed a lot."
I turn to see Taylor, -Tay for short-, jogging up to me.
"Hey, Tay. What's up?"
"The Alpha gave a speech. One that sent shock waves through everyone. And then he had former Beta Dawson and that clique of his killed. In front of everyone."
"What?! Why?"
"They have been killing pack members. Culling, as it was mentioned."
"Culling?"
"Yep."
"Culling what?"
"Weak members. Can you imagine? They, in their infinite wisdom, took it upon themselves to rid the pack of those they considered weak. Of course, that list also includes those who stood up to them or those they just didn't like. Despicable."
"What the hell?'
Faye was right.
"And that's not all. Tammy, his daughter, also continued in his footsteps. She was the one that caused Catherine's disappearance."
"Catherine. What did she do to her?'
"From what I gathered, Tammy had her beaten and then thrown into the river to die. But, she somehow survived. Then Tammy had someone go after her to kill her but she was rescued. No one knows where she is now."
I bet I can make an accurate guess.
The Blackwater pack.
I couldn't understand how a high-ranking member like Faye would know the name of a runt in our pack.
They must have saved her.
But… why?
"And now, Alpha is having every resource used in searching for her," Tay continues.
"Why?"
"What do you mean why? She is his mate."
"He rejected her."
"Ehn must have had a change of heart. Though you can't blame him too much."
"I can't? Tell me, if she was your mate, could you reject her?" Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
"Whoa, calm down man. Why are you so worked up?"
"I am not worked up. Answer the question."
"I don't know. I don't have a mate. They say finding your mate is the most wonderful feeling. That it makes you feel complete. I don't know what I would have done."
I turn away from him in anger.
Not at him, but at the whole situation.
What do I do?
Should I tell the Alpha about my suspicions of Catherine's whereabouts?
Can Faye forgive me for that?
He is her mate and our Luna.
"Don't you dare."
"What?!'' I ask my wolf.
"You will keep numb about your suspicions of Catherine. It doesn't concern you and you will for sure lose our mate. Just shut up."
BLACKWATER PACK.
DAMON.
"War?' I ask the crazy woman as she walks into my study.
"Yes, war."
"With whom?" Cathy asks.
"With everyone."
Yeah. Crazy.
"I am not fighting a war with everybody," I tell her. "I have spilled enough blood for this month."
"Not all wars entail bloodshed," she says as she takes a seat. "You are both aware of your heritage, right?" she asks.
"Heritage? What heritage?"
"Wolf King and Wolf Queen."
"Oh. Yeah. Wait, how do you know about that?"
She gives me a droll look with those opaque eyes of hers and it is unsettling. There are no pupils in there but I can still feel her gaze.
Crazy and creepy.
"It is good that you have started gathering allies. It is the first step in affirming your position."
"I am not yet the Wolf King or whatever," I drolly tell her.
"You are already the most powerful and far-reaching pack. Your influence and might are undeniable. It makes people antsy. Having allies will give them cause to be careful in their dealings with you. And once you become the Wolf King, once you become recognized, there would be no cause for jealousy. The reputation will be earned."
"I do-"
"If you are not talking about bloodshed," Cathy interrupts me, "what kind of war did you have in mind?"
"The battle of wits. You already know that The Collector's latest act is going to cause a storm. An opportunity for your detractors to tear you down. This battle is going to be won by those with the most intelligence and the ability to use it. Luck for you, I am a fountain of intelligence."
I see a gleam crawl into Cathy's eyes.
"You are going to tell us things about them," she says, causing me to whip my head back at the Falcon.
"I am going to tell you secrets that they would rather die than let anyone know. How you use them is entirely up to you."
Maybe I was a bit harsh in my judgment.
"Please, a moment," I say as I get to. "I need to get Melissa."
MELISSA.
"What do you mean he was here?!" I snap as I turn to look at Faye in shock. "Is he insane? Does he not know of the animosity between both packs?" I continue ranting.
"He is aware," she responds far too calmly for my taste.
Does she not understand the gravity of the situation we are in?
"He doesn't care. He believes that it is just a stupid fight between Alphas," she says.
"Stu-, between Alphas? They kill their wolves!" I scream.
"I know that. But he didn't."
"What?"
"He didn't know they were being killed. He thought they were just deserting the pack," she says.
Wow.
Just wow.
"And what did he think when you told him?" I ask snarkily.
"He didn't believe me."
"Naturally."
"He said he will go find out for himself."
"Did he now? Really, of all the wolves that could have been your mate, how do you end up with one from the Skylight pack?"
"What?!'
We both turn around to see Damon standing behind us, his face looking like a thunderstorm is making its home there.
"Oh shit!"
I concur.