hapter 66


    Everything moved so quickly today as we prepared to meet with our alliance. We would be reiming the neutral vige, and from there we all knew it would lead to war with the vampires.


    "You be safe." Lyle prodded my nose and I wrapped my arms around him tightly. It felt weird leaving Lyle behind, but it was either him or me. One of us had to stay behind and I didn''t volunteer myself. However, I doubt Darren would have permitted me to stay now. After their investigation, he was still very cautious. I found out that most of the nobles and Waiting Ladies were truthful. None of them had bad feelings toward me.


    In fact, we found out that the nobles were over sending their children to be potential mates to the king. They all wanted to strengthen their lines by finding fated mates. This was true for all of the families except for Dara''s. Dara had been beaten by her family and cast out for being sent away from the castle. The noble family was within their rights to cast her out. Darren reluctantly had her brought back to the castle. She had served her kingdom and held up her end of the bargain. Because of that, he didn''t want to abandon her in her time of need. She would be watched, but after she was questioned by Finn, they "concluded she wasn''t a threat.


    "Alright, that''s enough." Darren''s hands gripped my shoulders as he pulled me back to his side. "I don''t want his scent getting on you." He proceeded to rub his chest over me, making me giggle.


    "Ren, I''m going to take care of things here, so don''t worry. I''ll


    nervous about his well-being. He seemed to be lost and just needed time to figure things out. He loved her but had realized it all started because of her toxic behavior. I couldn''t imagine how hard it was on him ... on all of them.


    "I don''t know what will happen after this battle. We might continue to push, using our momentum and not giving them a chance to organize back. We could be gone for a while. If it is too long..." Darren nced at me and then back to Lyle. "Therger our pup grows, the harder things will be for Ally. We''ll y it by ear, but if she has to return before me ..." He pursed his lips together and Lyle smiled.


    "Then, I will continue to stay here and watch over her. She is cooking the future heir. She doesn''t need to be stressed. I''ll keep her protected and safe."


    "As if I really need to be protected," I scoffed, listening to the two men chuckle. "When you''re lugging a bowling ball in your stomach, you''ll appreciate the extra set of hands. Even strong pregnant lycans need help," Lyle chuckled. "But hopefully, it won''te to that. Fingers crossed this war is over quickly."


    "Let''s hope so." Darren rubbed my back and looked around.


    "We''re ready to move out," Ivan yelled from the truck. We would be taking an entourage of vehicles to the meeting ground. Several supply trucks would being with food and tents. It was obvious from the supply trucks that they thought we would be away for a while.


    Darren nodded to Lyle before leading me to the truck. As I


    inside, I noticed Finn was also inside.


    "I looked into it, Darren." Finn said as Darren scooted next to me. "It was a dead end. And I don''t know what that means."


    "What did you look into?" I asked, looking at Darren for


    answers.


    "Into Alfred''s whereabouts. Besides your letter, we have no evidence showing he crossed our borders. There''s a good chance we will run into him during all the fighting." His eyes connected


    with mine.


    "Okay, but if we see Ivy, I call dibs on crushing her throat." I listened as Finn snorted and a smile curled over Darren''s face.


    "Such a vicious queen I have." He chuckled, shutting the door.


    "You couldn''t have asked for a better queen.” Finn leaned his head back. “I can''t believe the time has finallye. I know it''s going to be a long process, but I will finally be reiming my kingdom. I owe all of this to you, Darren."


    "You don''t owe me anything. We haven''t aplished anything yet."


    "Just promise that we will all be good friends for the years to


    "That one is obvious. I''ve never had friends like you guys. And you have won my heart with your strong will ... and cooking." He winked at me as Darren grumbled. "Sorry kingy, I got to taste your mate''s cooking first. And it was to die for." Chapter 66 lines."


    "You know, no matter what, whether I live or die, I will always be the one that tasted your mates cooking first." Finn beamed at Darren triumphantly.


    I smiled, looking out the window, watching the scenery go by. I wasn''t thinking about the war, but of meeting the tiger shifter Asta again. The one who gave me my father''s watch. I wonder what she knew. Deep down, I was hoping that if she had my father''s watch, she knew what happened to my father.


    My attention drifted back to the blurredndscape rushing past. The chaotic scenery mirrored the tumult of my thoughts. So many unknowns. It would be nice to have closure with my father... no matter what that was. I just wanted an


    answer.


    I gripped the watch and pursed my lips together. What if this tiny mechanism was a Pandora''s box, ready to unleash a torrent of painful truths? My heart clenched, imagining the possibilities. My dad''s disappearance was shrouded in mystery for so long. What if there was a far darker exnation than I''d allowed myself to consider? He disappeared without a trace ... already foul y. Was my dad targeted? And if he was have to do with my mother?


    that was


    ...


    did it


    "You doing okay?" Darren''s voice snapped me to the present.


    "Yeah, why?"


    "You''ve been staring out the window quietly for some time."


    I blinked, realizing the surroundings outside were entirely different. "I was just


    pondering things."


    "Like?" Darren pried, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.


    "Like, why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways? You know, the really deep things." I listened as he chuckled. I nced up at Finn, but it was obvious he could see right through me. A small smile yed on his lips. What a cheater. He shouldn''t be allowed to use his skills all the time. At least he wasn''t saying anything to Darren.


    "The clearing is just up ahead. We will meet with all the leaders while our soldiers set up our station. Are you ready? It might get a bit intense." Darren''s eyes were now looking at me with


    concern.


    "Of course I''m ready." I leaned forward a little more to look at the window in front


    of us. "Are we attacking tonight?"


    "We will attack as soon as we mobilize. The vampires will be aware of our presence, since we''re so close to the vige. Let''s not give them time to prepare." As Finn finished speaking, we glided over the hill. Tents were being set up everywhere. Beyond them was a massive army that was assembling. It looked like they were already a step ahead of us and ready to march.


    I might not get the chance to talk with Asta not until after this first battle was over. I


    felt Darren curl his hand around mine and I nced up at him. His concerned eyes were staring at me and I gave him a brave smile. I know he was worried about me. but I was going to be fine. I ced my other hand over his and nodded my head.


    "Ready?" he asked as the vehicle rolled to a stop.


    "Ready."


    A Luna for the Lycan King