Sloane

"Again." Kane says as Sloane lands on her back with a groan. The tip of the sword hovering over her.

"That's not fair," Sloane narrows her eyes at Kane who just threw dirt into her face. "You cheated."

"You think that someone will take it easy on you?" Kane frowns, "Again, Sloane."

Sloane grabs her sword, hearing Joshua chuckling from the sidelines. He's already bruised and tired. He doesn't like sword fighting—in fact, the only person who loves it is Sloane. Joshua prefers hand-to-hand combat. He finds it to be a bigger stress relief.

Sloane is adamant to be good at sword fighting. After watching her father get killed by a silver sword, she's determined to be able to defend herself. Now that she's sixteen, she's had eight years of practice and even still, Kane manages to surprise her.

Sloane takes a deep breath—her wolf pushing her forward as she tries to reel her back in. She can't let her wolf's frustration and anger get to her. It only gives her tunnel vision. There are ways her wolf can help her—hearing, speed, agility. But when she gets too angry, it can be intoxicating.

She only just recently shifted about a year ago. Her and Joshua have been trying to learn how to control their wolves as Kane teaches them his tricks. For starters, the three of them go on runs now.

Sloane clutches the hilt of the sword, Kane eyeing her with a small smile. "Advance."

She does as told, hammering her way towards her mentor. Swinging and slashing. Her breaths ragged as her muscles ache each time their swords clash. Until finally, Kane has to take defensive steps. His pace increasing as his body strains while he watches his little student suddenly maneuver herself in a way he's never seen.

"Oh shit," Joshua nearly laughs as he watches. He stands up, eyes wide with pride and fascination.

Sloane let's out a small scream, her eyes darkening over in black like the eye of a storm. She slashes her sword so hard that it causes Kane's to clatter on the ground. Both of them panting as she holds the sharpened tip to his throat.

"Yield." Her voice low.

Kane smiles brightly, his eyes sparking with pride. He puts his hands up in surrender and Sloane drops the sword.

"I'm proud of you," Kane tells her sincerely. He grabs her hand, pulling her into his embrace and laughing into her hair as she smiles into his chest.

Kane will never forget the two disheveled kids he saved. How lost and confused they were. The night he brought them to his hideout, they were so afraid. Joshua didn't let Sloane out of his sight. He made sure to keep her close, protecting her the entire night like a guard dog. Despite being exhausted, Josh stayed awake the whole night as Sloane slept peacefully. The next day, he slept while she looked over him.

"You look like my daddy," Sloane said to Kane in her small voice. Joshua's head resting on her lap as she sits on the sofa. A blanket closely wrapped around her shoulders.

Kane had gone to get them food and clothes. Sloane's onesie is disgusting, and the poor child needs something warmer. Joshua's jeans are tattered and broken. He made sure to get them some sweaters and new pants. Now that the winter was starting to arrive.

Kane eyed her over—unsure what to say. So he asked in a gentle tone, "What happened to your parents, Sloane?"

She became so sad—fear lacing her. "They killed them. The Wiccans with the fire."

Kane's wolf started howling in his head causing him to look away. He knows exactly who caused those raids. The raids that killed his own Mate and child. What used to be despair was gradually becoming anger. Heating slowly like a pot over the stove. He didn't know how far it would go until it boiled over.

"I want to kill them." Sloane's little voice said. Kane turned to face her—unsure whether this little girl meant it. But her eyes did mean it. The way they spiraled like a storm. Full of rage.

"Train me," She asked him. "So I can kill her."

"Who?" Kane frowned.

"The one that killed my dad."

Kane squeezes the teenager now who just showcased her refined talents. Her features have slowly been coming in. Dark brown hair that she always has pulled back into a braid. Joshua learned how to braid her hair because she said her mother used to. They care about each other. A bond that is undeniable.

He's happy he taught them how to defend themselves. Especially, Sloane. She's growing into a beautiful young lady with her intense gaze, dark hair, and her sharp features. Kane's biggest worry was always her attracting unwanted attention. He see's her has his daughter—the girl he was meant to have. And his wolf believes full-heartedly that Sloane was placed in their path to help mend the void.

Kane grabs the hilt of his sword, swirling it around his hand as Sloane turns towards Joshua. She sits beside him, throwing her head back to bask in the sunlight.

"Can't believe you kicked his ass," Joshua chuckles under his breath. He turns to eye Kane, "Maybe you're turning into an old man, old man."

Sloane let's out a small laugh and even Kane grins. Having these kids in his life has truly brought him out of the pit he was in when he found them. They bring him joy and pleasure. Even if they are a bit troublesome.

"You know," Kane steps towards them. He crosses his arms, his eyes blazing at them with excitement. "I think you're both ready."

The next few weeks, they planned their first ever mission. They spent hours researching, traveling, and moving around the entire country. They learned how to map out packs and where to avoid unwanted attention. They ate off the road or hunted together in the forests.

Kane took a seat back—so did Joshua. They let Sloane lead. They let her tell them what to do. This was her fight, not theirs. And after months of research, months of trying to find information. They found her.

"I can't believe he let you go." Sloane eyed the Witch up. For good behavior and lack of resources, she was no longer being kept in the Royal Dungeons. She had been released a few years prior—just when King Aiden Ascended. If that didn't fuel her fire more, she didn't know what else would.

"I have no powers anymore." The Witch confesses. It's the only way they were able to get ahold of her without her shooting fire out of her hands. She's an Elemental—a lower tier class of Wiccan but still powerful. "The Coven banished me."

She's sitting on the floor of her living room, where Sloane and Joshua ambushed her. A small drip of blood falling down her forehead where Joshua clubbed her in order to tie her.

Sloane eyes the Witch's face. Remembering her all too well. Sloane recalls that little eight-year-old girl, watching her father die at her hands. Seeing the silver sword impale him.

Sloane kneels in front of the Witch, "I want you to tell me where those friends of yours are. The one's that burnt my pack. The one's that attacked other packs."

The Witch is too full of anger. She's always hated wolves. Always thought they were nothing but scum. They can't even control themselves properly. There's a reason they aren't allowed around magic.

"I found these," Kane appears around the corner. In his hand is a belt with two sheaths. The smell of silver hinting in the air as he pulls out one of the swords.

Sloane stares at the silver sword. Her heart beating in her chest as she recalls that it was used to kill her dad. She stands up, walking slowly to Kane and taking the belt in her hands. Her eyes darkening at the sight. Her breathing becoming heavier.

She can hear Tommy's cries in her head. Hear her mother asking her to run. Feel the fire that burned down her house. Sloane closes her eyes, her hands shaking at the thought. Trying to push back her wolf.

I'm here for you Sloane. Her wolf encourages you, Whatever you need.

Her wolf wasn't there to protect her when her pack was burned down. Ever since she's arrived, all her wolf wants is the same revenge. Watching her human go through what she had to go through has fueled her.

"Where are they?" She snaps at the Witch. Without realizing, Sloane had taken one of the swords, now pressing the sharpened edge to the Witch's throat. "Where are the rest of your raiders?"

"Most of us are dead now or powerless." The Witch admits lowly.

"And the rest?" Sloane's eyes glare.

"Under watchful eye of the King." She narrows her gaze. "The most dangerous."

"Why?" The question had bothered Sloane since she was a child. Her voice faltering slightly. Her eyes beading with tears. "Why my pack?"

The Witch narrows her eyes at her, "No answer will ever bring you the justice you seek."

Sloane's canines protrude. Joshua calls out to her, but she pretends not to hear it. Sloane takes a deep breath, "What is your name?"

The Witch hesitates. "Hala."

Sloane smiles, "Not anymore."

She slashes her sword across the Witch's neck. Her body falling to the ground as a puddle of blood suddenly forms. Sloane looks away, her eyes shifting to the ceiling as she tries to recollect herself.

Sloane's wolf paces in her head—growling. Her energy coursing through her. Trying to help her calm down but simultaneously wanting to be more destructive. She wants to hunt. Her instincts high as they try to push away the terrible memories of that awful night.

Neither of the men move, their gazes on Sloane as she wipes the sword with a cloth before sheathing it. She holds onto the belt before strapping it on herself. Claiming it as hers.

"Sloane..." Joshua walks up to her slowly. His eyes concerned as she holds her chin up. A stray tear falling down her cheek as she realizes what she's done. What she never thought she was capable of doing.

Joshua pulls her into an embrace. She lets him. He strokes her hair, pressing her face into his shoulder. Letting it comfort her. For a few moments they stand there as Kane watches.

"What would you like to do now, Sloane?" Kane asks quietly.

She looks at her mentor, her surrogate father. His eyes bearing into hers. Her body is starting to shake. She can't tell if it's because of the adrenaline, anger, or possibly anxiety for what she did.

Her wolf sends her energy. Sends her what she needs to process it all. Her pack was destroyed for being weak. For not being worthy of the King's attention, while he protected others. What gives one man the right to choose some over others?

"I want the King to know my name," She says clearly. Her voice strong, "I want him to feel the fear that I did. The pain of losing everything. I want him to know me for this—a monster created by his neglect. For him to know that Hala was born because of him."

Kane and Joshua share a look. The energy in the room rising as all their wolves suddenly rush with energy. They all hate the King. They lost everything they loved because the King didn't protect him. The one job he vowed to do.

Kane turns to Sloane, nodding his head slowly as a smile overtakes his lips, "Then we've got work to do."

***

"Repeat what you said," One of the Advisors is in shock. Everyone's jaws on the floor as Jake tells us again how King Aiden stripped Alpha Bren his wolf. Turning him...human.

We know about the small war that was fought between the Spartan pack and the Valley pack. For a while, it actually benefitted us. The Spartan pack was one of our biggest aggressors. Their wolves known for being warriors. Their habits a bit...extreme. We only have a handful of wolves who are from the Spartan pack that we were able to successfully recruit.

Months ago, Sparta started to fall apart. The war was the tipping point. It's the first "war" that was fought between packs in years. From what we understand, the Spartan's lost and Alpha Bren was demoted—at least—that's what our intel told us. And now, the Spartan's have a new leader. A new Alpha who is building an incredible alliance with the Crown.

"Are you certain that the King took away his wolf?" Another says. I look over at Kane, his elbow leaning on the arm rest as he eyes over Jake.

"I was there." Jake's eyes flare with anger. "I went with Bren to the Royal Island. He entered a room with the King and came out without his wolf. His entire body reeked of humanity."

"How is that even possible?" Josh stands next to my chair, his arm leaning against the back of my seat. "What did your Alpha do that compelled this...monstrosity?"

"Does it matter?" I ask looking up at Josh. Then turning to the rest of the council. I can feel my wolf itching to come forward. "One man has the power to strip us of our wolves. Our identity. What does it matter the reason? That's barbaric."

All eyes are on me as I lean over. When I first heard of this, I was repulsed. My wolf panicked and furious. I can't imagine not having her—not being able to shift. Being a wolf is who we are. It's heinous for someone to have the ability to take a part of us away.

"When a single man has this kind of power it doesn't do anything but ricochet fear." I say with a scoff. "King Aiden has done it once now. What will stop him from doing it again? No one has ever heard of this. This should be a crime!"

"Sloane..." Kane's voice a warning but I ignore it. I can already feel myself boiling over.

My fist clenches at my side, "Let us not forget this isn't just about our current monarch. But for future generations. What's to stop Aiden's offspring from becoming dictators? From stripping us of our wolves simply to prove a point? Look at the monarchs of the past. Only have we had a handful that we collectively consider good leaders."

We've had Kings who were atrocious. Alpha Kings that raged war between packs or committed genocide with other supernatural creatures. Most of our Royal history is tainted with evil and darkness. There are naturally Kings who were forgotten or King's that we consider "good." The tides change and it's time we strip away the world of this tyranny.

There's a long silence that falls in the tent. All the advisors and council pondering my words carefully. The longer I look at Jake, the more I realize how angry he is. He looks at me approvingly—a tinge of respect. I've noticed he already has the Rebel Brand on his wrist. Displaying it rather proudly. Having a man like him—from Sparta—could be beneficial.

"Jake..." Kane gets his attention. "Thank you for bringing this information to us. And for joining our cause."

"One more thing, sir." Jake pulls out a bundled piece of paper from his pocket. He unfolds it before stepping towards us. Instead of walking towards Kane, he walks towards me. Surprise etched on many faces but then I remember that I'm the one that guided him here. The one that listened to his story.

"I took this from the Royal Palace," He says quietly before handing it to me. "I don't know if it'll be useful, but I thought it, better for you to have it than not."

I look down, it's a torn piece of paper. I can't read it. The script on it is some ancient language that looks more like random symbols than anything else. The page itself is glowing slightly. My fingertips can feel the magic coming from it.

I offer him a soft smile, "Thank you."

I hand the piece of paper behind me to Joshua who also eyes it over. We'll have to do research on it. Joshua loves to do puzzles, that's for sure.

Jake exits the tent—retreating to whatever position has been allocated at the camp. I lean back in my seat, turning my attention to Kane who offers me a kind grin.

"Do we all agree then," Kane asks the council. "Are we in favor of drafting a mission for the upcoming Ball?"

We have to have majority—it's the only way we plan everything. We don't want to be like the King—we want a democracy—we want to choose what we believe is best but there has to be a majority that rules. And if the minority feels very strongly against what we want to do, then they're allowed to voice their concerns until we find a compromise.

In this case, everyone raises their hand. A vote of all confidence. My wolf purrs. The idea of a creating a mission excites me.

Time to stir the pot, my wolf's anticipation evident.

"Does Hala have any ideas?" One man asks Kane.

"Hala does..." Kane's jaw clenches. He hates this idea. We haven't even told Joshua because we know he'll be furious. "We all know attempts on the King's life are rather useless. And no matter how much research we've conducted, there are no answers to what his weaknesses are. Hala proposes that a singular person lead a mission to infiltrate the Palace. To gather information."

"One person?"

"Not a team?"

Questions start flaring about. I feel Joshua stiffen behind me, his eyes watching me carefully. His hand holding onto the back of my chair. He's not stupid. He has an idea of what's about to happen.

A councilman scoffs, "Who would Hala trust enough to sign them up for this suicide mission?"

"Me." I smile defiantly. "I've already volunteered."

Josh's chest starts to rumble. I know he's pissed. I can feel it leaking out of him suddenly. Kane watches me carefully as all eyes shift back to me. A few of the men laugh, like they think this is some kind of joke. A loud snarl escapes my lips, my eyes narrowing at them demanding respect.

"Sloane," One of them says. "This isn't one of your little sword fights. This is espionage."

As if we haven't been secret agents for all these years, my wolf scoffs. Idiots.

"Then who do you suggest?" I ask with an eyeroll.

"This is dangerous." One man stands up, "You are part of this council. They have a Mind Warper. If he were to get into your mind, you would expose the Rebellion. All of our holdings, our faces, everything."

"The Mind Warper is part of the King's closet council. Is he truly going to bat his eyes twice for a servant girl?" I challenge. "Most of the servants in the Palace are women. Who do you truly believe to be more strong-willed than me? If you have suggestions on who should conduct this mission, please, I implore you to speak forward."

The only person who speaks is Kane, his voice softer, trying to provide reason. "Hala and I agree that there is knowledge in the Palace. Ancient texts and books. Information we need to acquire."

"This is a suicide mission." One man says with a sigh. 

No one says anything. They're all hesitant. We've already voted that we should take action, but we'll have to vote again on the mission. Eyes shift to Kane who licks his lip before nodding. "We will come up with a plan within the next few days. If it does not receive majority, it will not move along. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Everyone choruses.

My wolf feels giddy. She's excited to slip into the Royal Island again. We haven't been there in years—since our first mission. The Rebellion used to have a stronghold on the Royal Island. We know what to expect on how to get in and out—we have spies on the island itself, but we can never get close to the Palace.

Except now. This is our chance. My chance—to make my name known. To find his weaknesses. To bring down Alpha King Aiden. 

***

A/N: Aiden's going to have put in that work huh

How we feeling about Sloane? ;) Too hardcore? I hope not. Pls comment your thoughts ^-^

Btw, I'm really not sensitive to this but got my first hater comments today lol we love that. Honestly, idc because I know many of you all like my stories--more importantly I LOVE MY CHARACTERS. My only piece here is that if you're ever not enjoying a story, then just stop reading it...? What's the point of reading something you're not enjoying? 

Plus, from a writers perspective, we take so much time and effort to write. Other people may be more sensitive to hateful things. So just be a bigger person and walk away. No need to be a b*tch about it, you know? If you don't like it, then go write your own story. 

Anyways, that's my two cents. Ready for Aiden's chapter <3