CHAPTER TWENTY SIX


    +25 Bonus


    CHAPTER TWENTY SIX


    Talia’s POV


    I barely sleptst night, tossing and turning as my mind was filled with questions. Who was the guest important enough to spook my brother and summon warriors suddenly? As soon as sunlight entered my room, I slipped out of bed, got dressed, and quickly exited my room without waking De, who had crashed on the couch.


    Outside, I wasted no time to mindlink Solon.


    “Solon, what happened yesterday?” I blurbed it out as the link went through. My stomach twisted in knots as I was trying not to blurt out all the questions running through my mind at once.


    “Alpha Nn is here. He’s the guest,” Solon said in frustration.


    My heart sank and I asked, “What did he want?” I couldn’t bring myself to ask the crucial question: are we going to war?


    “He didn’t say,” Solon replied. “Anyways, we’re holding a banquet tonight. You will be attending too.”


    “A banquet?” I asked in confusion.


    I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was danger ahead and that’s what scared me. Alpha Nn wasn’t acting like his usual self from what De said. This felt like we were walking into a trap.


    Solon sighed. “Nn is dangerous and short-tempered. Just be cautious with him.”


    That night, I dressed in a simplevender gown that matched my eyes. De curled my hair into soft waves and dusted my cheeks with a faint blush. She made light conversation, but I could see the slight tremble in her hand. Eyen she couldn’t hide her worry.


    “Are you ready?” De asked as she handed me a pair of silver heels.


    I took a breath. “I wish you were handing me a dagger instead, but yes, as ready as I’ll ever be.”


    De looped arms with me and said, “Let’s go then.”


    The banquet hall was already bustling when we arrived. The long tables were adorned with embroidered runners in our pack colors and tters of roasted meats and fruits. Omegas moved between guests, topping off drinks and taking orders.


    I could easily tell the Blood Moon pack members apart. It wasn’t the fact that they were dressed in ck with blood-red ents but they had a serious aura about them as if they were on guard.


    “They’re so serious,” De muttered.


    “This could be the beginning of the war. They don’t know what to expect just like we don’t,” I responded.


    Then the doors to the banquet hall opened.


    Alpha Nn strode in with Beta Marco just a step behind him. They were both dressed in ck tailored suits, red silk details at the cuffs and cor. Nn’s long ck hair was pulled back in a low tie, emphasizing his sharp jaw and piercing eyes. He was tall and imposing.


    His eyes swept over the gathered guests until theynded on me. For a heartbeat, our gazes locked. I was stiffened by his dominant and familiar aura. There was a sh of curiosity and something else in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant.


    CHAPTER TWENTY SIX


    +25 Bonus


    I walked over to stand by my father’s side with Solon on his right. My father stood up from his seat at the head of the table to greet him and Alpha Nn stopped only a few feet away.


    “Wee Alpha Nn, Beta Marco,” my father said smoothly.


    “Alpha King,” Nn replied with a slight bow. “Thank you for your hospitality.”


    “Silverfang is open to all visitors. But don’t mistake our courtesy for trust or weakness.” Father said.


    Nn’s lips twitched into what could almost be called a smile as he sat down. “Of course not.”


    “To what do we owe this visit?” Solon asked, getting straight to the point as we sat back down.


    Nn picked up the wine ss at his seat, taking a sip before saying, “I’m here on business. Two of my warriors were killed in a rogue attack. One of them fled into Silverfang territory.”


    “That’s not possible,” Solon said quickly. “Our borders are secure. No rogue would be able to make it past our warriors.”


    Nn raised his eyebrows at Solon’s quick response before chuckling. “Are you sure about that? I made it through just fine without your warriors noticing.”


    I kept a neutral expression, but I was panicking. What did Nn mean he entered our territory without our warriors noticing? How was that even possible?


    “Did youe here to gloat Alpha Nn? If not, get to the point or leave,” my father stated.


    “Very well. I intend to conduct my own investigation and find the killer hiding in Silverfang territory,” Nn exined as if he was discussing dessert options.


    Solon bristled, his voice rising. “You don’t get to walk into Silverfang and start throwing usations. This is ournd, not some rogue’s den for you tob through at will.”


    Nn slowly turned his attention to Solon. “And yet,” Nn said, his tone almost bored, “the Alpha King failed to deliver results when I submitted a simrint years ago. Perhaps this time, if I walk the territory myself, I’ll get results.”


    Solon’s wolf surged forward. His canines elongated slightly and his Alpha aura pulsed. His chair scraped against the floor as it was thrown back as he stood. “You dare to nder my father?” Solon demanded.


    “I would do no such thing,” Nn responded. “The Alpha King knows better than all of us what I am referring


    to.”


    ‘Solon, calm down. He’s trying to bait you!’ I warned through our mindlink, panic tightening in my chest.


    But Solon wasn’t listening. “This isn’t Blood Moon, Alpha Nn. Watch your tone. Show some respect, or I swear


    A thunderous roar cut him off. The chandeliers above shook from the force.


    “Enough!” my father’s voice boomed across the hall with his Alphamand as he mmed his hands down on the table. “Solon.”


    All anger that Solon had been feeling vanished as he turned to my father, dropping his head respectfully. “Yes, Alpha.”


    “Escort your sister out. Now,” fathermanded.