"I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of nature."
-Paulo Coelho

As we moved closer to the central hub of the territory, I was struck by the sheer size of the ice buildings—much more significant than I had initially expected. The Beta noticed my captivated gaze and anticipated my unspoken question.

"Most of the pack sleeps together in the winter months," he explained. "When it gets warmer, we typically sleep under the sky unless the weather is bad."

"We'll replace the huts with log houses covered in pelts," Darmon continued, a smile spreading across his face as he sensed my curiosity. "There are no secrets or modesty within packs."

"That must be an amazing community to be a part of," I replied, my voice filled with awe. The thought of such trust among members was exhilarating. I cherished my small group of friends—people I considered family—but the idea of the entire manor embracing that same bond felt overwhelming.

Darmon's smile widened, his eyes shimmering with pride and joy for his pack. "It is. Being alone is a painful experience for the wolf. Our people protect each other in whatever way they can."

We made our way to the most prominent structure, its ice façade intricately carved with elaborate designs—symbols of a language I couldn't speak or read. My curiosity about the markings was fleeting. As we reached the entryway, the Beta held aside the furs that kept the warmth inside. Jaxon gestured for me to enter first, and I obliged.

The warmth hit me like a comforting embrace, a striking contrast to the chill outside. I quickly removed my cowl, and a bead of sweat formed on my upper lip. Jaxon and Darmon followed behind me, shaking the snow from their bodies. I found my breath hitching in my throat as I watched the Prince. Would the sight of him ever cease to take me by surprise?

Jaxon looked up, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, undoubtedly aware of how my heart raced. I averted my gaze, trying to hide the flush creeping up my cheeks, and turned my attention to Darmon, who was approaching a stunning dark-haired woman.

Where his features were fair, hers were rich russet and midnight black. His eyes were blue and tinged with gray, while hers were nearly as dark as her pupils, yet they held pools of wisdom. The way she carried herself—poised and graceful even while seated—spoke volumes about her confidence.

It was impossible to miss their deep connection as Darmon finally reached her. Their embrace was tender and passionate, and he wasted no time before capturing her lips with his own. My cheeks flushed deeper as I averted my gaze to the ground, allowing them their moment while I waited, caught between admiration and the pangs of longing.

"I'd like to introduce Bianca, my wife and mate." Darmon's eyes never left her face as he spoke, an undeniable warmth in his gaze. "She'll be here to keep account of what we discuss. She's also the pack gossip."

Her laughter rang out, vibrant and unapologetic. "That's very true! Someone else would have to step up if it wasn't me."

Jaxon and I joined in the laughter, the infectious energy between them lightening the mood, if only for a moment. Darmon gestured for us to gather around a massive tree, its trunk carved in half to serve as a table. But the lightheartedness faded as Jaxon cut straight to the heart of the matter.

"Darmon, I wish we were here under better circumstances, but we've come seeking help from your pack. A war is brewing, and I'm sure you know the Cathcart prejudice since Denallsh took the Lordship?"

In an instant, the warmth in Darmon's demeanor vanished, replaced by a deep-seated fury. A throaty growl rumbled in his chest. "He's coming for the crown because we have something he wants."

Bianca's gaze flickered toward me, and a chill ran down my spine. She must have known who I was if she kept all the pack's secrets. I could only guess she suspected I was the "something" he wanted.

Jaxon continued, oblivious to her knowing eyes still scrutinizing me. "We have various forms of protection in place for our people; however, compared to the forces we've counted on his side, we're sorely outnumbered."

"Yes, we've heard he's aligned with one of the largest packs. I don't know what he promised them, but I doubt he'll keep his word," Darmon said, his voice thick with anger and pain. "He's already slaughtered so many of my brothers and sisters who dared to stand against him."

His mate held out her hand, a calming gesture that worked precisely as intended. A breath of contentment swept through the Beta without him pausing his thoughts. "We've suspected something big was coming; the winds have been shifting. We will follow the Queen and help you. There's no question about that."

Relief flooded my heart. They would fight with us! For once, a plan was coming together. Protection and fighters were a solid start, but I still felt uneasy about confronting Denallsh. I turned to Darmon, and my gratitude was evident in my voice. "Thank you, Darmon. I promise our guard will do everything in our power to protect your pack."

Jaxon nodded in agreement. "We will arrange a more formal agreement once your Alpha is available. Our appreciation will be reflected then."

Darmon and Jaxon exchanged another respectful handshake before leading us back out of the territory. I stole one last glance at the group around the bonfire, their eyes still following me. I hoped Bianca would portray us in a favorable light when she shared the details of our meeting with the rest of the pack.

The warmth enveloped me as we returned to the Jeep, a stark contrast to the cold air outside. My fingers began to numb, but I breathed relief when my body sank into the seat. Jaxon chuckled softly, maneuvering the car back along the path we'd come. A few moments of silence stretched between us before he finally broke it.

"We should prepare for Darmon to bring the Alpha to fully discuss the terms of our alliance as soon as we get back. If I know my mother, she'll likely turn it into a party." Jaxon rolled his eyes, but his affection for his mother was unmistakable. He would endure party after party if it meant making her happy.

"It's been quite a long time since I've been to a party," I mused. Becca would undoubtedly have a blast dressing me up, and it would be a fantastic experience.

"Would you mind being my plus one?" The Prince's gaze flicked from the road to me, genuine concern etched across his face as if he feared I might say no. But how could I?"Jaxon, I would love—"

Without warning, the car jerked to a stop, throwing me violently against the seatbelt. Pain ignited in my abdomen, sharp and immediate. Whispers in the back of my mind grew louder, trying to warn me, but I was too disoriented to grasp their meaning.

A wave of invasive magic surged through my body against my will. My vision faded to black, and my limbs refused to obey no matter how hard I struggled. I wanted to cry out for Jaxon, to ensure he was okay, but even my voice betrayed me. Panic twisted the whispers into screams, desperate and futile, with no escape. Hands seized me with ruthless intent, and the magic blinded and bound me as a rough cloth was forced into my mouth and tied tightly around my head.

Struggling sounds echoed behind me, and I clung to the hope that Jaxon could fend off whatever dark sorcery had ensnared us as I was dragged through the wet, frigid forest. All I could do was submit to the unknown.

It felt like an eternity before they finally stopped. My heart thundered in my chest, threatening to burst free from my ribcage. Rough hands forced me down into the freezing snow, which seeped into every part of me. Another body was jostled beside mine, and I instinctively knew it was the Prince.

As the magic receded from my vision and throat, the darkness of the woods closed in, illuminated only by a small campfire before us. It was considerably smaller than the grand bonfire of the wolf pack, barely providing warmth.

Chanting and growling swirled around us, animalistic sounds echoing through the trees. Whooping cheers rang out, making it impossible to discern how many voices were calling to one another. A fresh wave of terror coursed through me. Jaxon lay slumped, his eyes closed and unmoving.

"Cum divis volentibus quodque bene eveniat!" The figures in the dark chanted, their voices repeating the unfamiliar incantation. They remained shrouded in shadows until they approached the flickering fire, and then I caught sight of their masks.

All their faces were hidden behind various disguises—some covered just their eyes, while others concealed their entire faces. Glimmering red jewels caught the flickering light of the flames. Cheers erupted as the figure closest to the fire tossed something significant into the flames. The smoke billowed upward, and despite my fear, I found myself mesmerized by the bizarre scene unfolding before me. We were in grave danger.

My mind raced with a chilling thought: these people were the antithesis of the wolves. Instead of humans transforming into wild beasts, they were carnivorous figures draped in skin clothing. Their sounds were unlike anything I had ever heard, a primal cacophony that echoed through the night as they danced around the sacrifice. The magic binding me refused to wane, and just as despair threatened to swallow me, one of the figures locked eyes with me.

Their movements halted, an eerie stillness settling over the clearing.

"STOP!" a booming male voice commanded, cutting through the tension like a knife. "SILENCE!"

Everything froze. The creatures obeyed the voice without question. The large figure never broke his gaze and stepped away from the group, slowly removing his mask. Something about his face tugged at my memory, but I couldn't place it. I watched in disbelief as he hurried closer to where I lay bound.

"I can't believe it. Marie?" His eyes widened in disbelief, but I couldn't focus on his reaction. He untied the cloth from my mouth, and I spat at him in disgust.

"Marie is dead!" I glared at him, willing him to do his worst. I struggled against the magic, pinning my arms behind my back. I needed to fight. I needed to protect the Prince.

The man disregarded my defiance, his shock deepening. "Madelyn? Is it really you? I never thought I'd see you as a woman. You look so much like your mother."

My struggle began to falter. "Who the hell are you?"

"Madelyn, honey, I'm your father."

What did she get involved with? Will she be able to escape from the man who claims that he's her father? Is Jaxon okay? Find out next time!

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