Chapter 30: Chapter 30

ETHAN

The next morning Scarlet and I get into a long debate since she insists she wants to help out at the shelter while I’m in my meeting with the Silver Shadow Pack.

We agreed before that she wouldn’t go anywhere without me, and now with the witch attack last night, I’m even more on edge.

“I just need to get away. I don’t even like the idea of being in the same building as that man. I don’t care what you have to do to feel comfortable with this, but I need to go do something. I need to get my mind off everything that happened last night,” she insists as she holds my gaze, her hands clinging to my biceps, urging me to listen.

I stare into her pleading eyes, and with a sigh I answer reluctantly. “Fine, but I’m going to triple your number of mated guards. You are to stay with them at all times.”

“Deal. I’ll only be gone a few hours. Just long enough for you to finish your meeting and for the Silver Shadow Pack to get the hell out of town.”

I lean forward and kiss her forehead before she turns to go get ready.

I head to the infirmary to check on the status of everyone now there. I don’t like that the numbers are growing in the infirmary…and our cemetery.

The faint beeping of monitors and the soft murmurs of the healer create an almost serene atmosphere, despite the tension underlying every breath. I nod at Bethany, who gives me a brief, worried smile before turning back to her work.

The first bed holds the injured guard, still pale but conscious. He struggles to sit up as I approach, wincing in pain. I place a hand on his shoulder, gently pushing him back down. “Easy there,” I say softly.

He looks up at me, his eyes filled with concern. “Alpha…what happened? Where’s Jenkins?”

I take a deep breath, meeting his gaze. “Jenkins didn’t make it. The attack was from a witch, but she’s dead now. You did your duty, and you helped keep the pack safe. The healer says you’ll be just fine.”

He swallows hard, nodding. “Thank you, Alpha. I…I wish I could have done more.”

“You did enough,” I assure him, my voice firm. “Rest and recover. That’s an order.”

Leaving him to rest, I move to the next bed where the Silver Shadow pack member lies. Despite the bandages and bruises, he looks restless, trying to sit up as I approach.

“Alpha Ethan,” he greets me, his tone respectful but frustrated. “I don’t need to be here. I’m fine.”

I shake my head, giving him a stern look. “You took a direct hit from that witch. You need to be monitored. You’re our guest, and we value your safety and swift recovery. If you need anything, let me know. I’ll personally take care of it.”

He sighs, but nods in acquiescence. “Thank you, Alpha Ethan. I appreciate it.”

I’m thankful that both men will be okay, but my heart sinks as I reach the two she-wolves who have been ill. Their conditions have worsened, their breathing shallow, their skin pallid. Bethany joins me, her expression grave.

“Ethan,” she says quietly, drawing me aside. “I haven’t made any progress. I tried to reach out to my sources, but they only got me so far. One of them has the root to try and figure out the enchantment, but she’s only gotten so far as to see that it’s powerful, dark magic. I fear they may die soon.”

I nod, my jaw tightening. “I’m working on finding a cure, too. Don’t lose hope, Bethany.”

She searches my face, seeing the determination there, but also the secrecy. She knows better than to ask more, simply nodding in return. “I’ll do everything I can.”

“Thank you,” I reply, my voice heavy with gratitude and worry.

I leave the infirmary, heading toward the conference room to plan our next steps. The hallways are eerily quiet, my footsteps echoing softly. As I turn a corner, I feel a strange energy, and a shimmer of light catches my eye. Cassia materializes before me.

I scan the hallway to ensure we are alone and then point to the room next to us. “Project into the room. I don’t want anyone stumbling upon this conversation.”

She nods and vanishes completely. I push open the door to the empty office next to me, stepping inside. Moments later, Cassia reappears, her figure shimmering in the dim light.

“You should have warned me the attack was going to happen last night,” I growl, my anger barely contained. “One of my men is dead because of that witch. Who knows what information they got while they were here?”

Cassia’s face contorts with regret. “I didn’t know that was when the attack would happen, Ethan. If I had, I would have warned you.”

“Not good enough,” I snap, pacing the small room. “For all I know, you could be working against me, using me for your own purposes.”

She looks stricken, her form flickering slightly. “I swear, Ethan, I am on your side. My coven has gone power-hungry, and I’m trying to stop them. As proof, I have good news.”

I stop pacing, my eyes narrowing. “Good news? What could possibly make up for the death of one of my men?”

“I’ve figured out the enchantment on the Hexwort that’s making the she-wolves sick,” she says quickly, her voice pleading. “I’m working on getting another witch to create a potion that will cure them.”

Relief mingles with my lingering anger, and I take a deep breath. “Work fast. The she-wolves are close to dying.”

“I’ll do everything I can,” she promises, her eyes earnest. “I want to help, Ethan. I want to stop the madness my coven has unleashed.”

I study her for a moment longer, searching for any sign of deceit. Finding none, I nod curtly. “Fine. But know this, Cassia. If you betray me, I will find you, no matter where you hide.”

She meets my gaze steadily. “I understand. I’ll be in touch as soon as I have the potion.”

She fades from view, leaving me alone in the empty office. There’s so much at stake, and trust is a rare commodity these days. I need to be cautious.

Exiting the office, I continue down the hallway toward the conference room. My mind races with thoughts of the witch, the illness, and the tangled web of alliances and betrayals. Cassia’s information offers a glimmer of hope, but I can’t let my guard down.

As I reach the conference room door, I pause for a moment, gathering my thoughts. There’s no room for error. My pack is counting on me to lead, to protect, and to find a way through this. With a deep breath, I push the door open and step inside.

I find Caleb, Alex, and Xander are all there along with my gamma, Jonah, my delta, Garrett, and a handful of guards. The pack lawyer is seated at the table across from another man that I don’t know. I assume he’s the pack lawyer for the Silver Shadow Pack. They are both sitting quietly as though they aren’t comfortable being in the same room as each other.

A minute later Lucien steps into the room with his beta, gamma, delta, and own guards as well.

Once we have all taken our seats, the Crescent Moon Pack lawyer stands up and clears his throat.

“Lucian,” I begin, inclining my head slightly in respect. “I want to apologize for the attack last night. Your man is in our infirmary, and he’s doing well. He should make a quick recovery. I assure you, his safety is our top priority.”

Lucian leans back in his chair, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “I know. I’ve already spoken to him. He told me everything he could remember. What I want to know is what you’ve done to get witches so angry with you, Ethan.”

I don’t hesitate, my expression remaining neutral. “I don’t know,” I say smoothly, the lie slipping off my tongue with practiced ease. There’s no way I’ll tell him the witches are after Scarlet or about the new power I witnessed from her last night.

Lucian’s eyes narrow slightly, as if he’s weighing my words. “Really? Because it seems like there’s more to this than a random attack. Witches don’t just go around targeting alphas for no reason.”

I hold his gaze steadily. “I assure you, I’m as in the dark as you are. But I’m taking this threat seriously, and we’re doing everything we can to ensure everyone’s safety, including your pack.”

There’s a long silence, the tension in the room palpable. Finally, Lucian nods, albeit reluctantly. “Very well, Ethan. But if I find out you’re hiding something that puts my pack at risk, there will be consequences.”

“I understand,” I reply, my tone firm but respectful. “Your concerns are valid, and I would feel the same in your position. Let’s focus on working together to resolve this threat. Onto the treaty, yes?” I gesture to our lawyer.

“Here is the contract that we wrote up based on your previous conversations. You’ll find that everything is there, including the training for any new recruits you have,” my lawyer says as he hands out copies of the alliance treaty we previously agreed upon after I announced that I had found my mate.

Lucien flips through the pages with a scowl for a moment, though it doesn’t seem like he’s reading any of it. It’s seconds before he sets the contract back down and turns to face his own lawyer.

He gives him a curt nod, and the man stands up, smoothing out his suit jacket before passing out his own stack of papers.

“Due to the attack on a Silver Shadow pack member, and the threat that Alpha Lucien received on his life last night from Alpha Ethan, here is a revised version of the treaty,” he states, and I notice sweat beading along his hairline. He’s nervous. Very nervous.

I look at him skeptically before turning my gaze to Lucien, who seems perfectly relaxed with a smug smile on his face. My eyes narrow at him as I turn my attention to the packet sitting in front of me.

“~I want you to read every line in this. I don’t trust them. Make sure there are no crazy loopholes or demands,~” I urge through mind-link with the pack lawyer.

He meets my eyes with a slight nod before he begins reading through his own copy. The room is completely silent as we all read over the supposed revisions. Suddenly, my lawyer adjusts uncomfortably and clears his throat again.

“Alpha, you’re going to want to look at line fifteen on page seven.”

I quickly flip to the section he mentioned at the same time that Lucien finally decides to speak.

“Oh yes, that is my most important request if you want this alliance treaty to go through.”

I frantically find the line, my wolf letting out a ferocious growl.

“I want to seal the deal with two marriage contracts. You will still marry my daughter, Nicole. And I get Scarlet.”