Chapter 142
“He’s probably brushing his beard again,” Ash said under his breath.
“For the seventh time,” Daxon added.
“I heard that,” Bram’s deep voice rumbled from inside the room. “And I will sit on both of you.”
Ash snorted. “Promises, promises.”
A few more seconds passed before the door creaked open and Bram stepped out, fully dressed in dark leathers and a simple black tunic that stretched over that massive chest like it was stitched by terrified seamstresses.
He looked down at me, his eyes soft. “Ready?”
I took one last sip. “Now I am.”
We walked together, my entire wild, ridiculous, too hot for their own good pack of mates, through the stone corridors of Stormclaw Keep toward the dining hall. Morning light poured through the high windows. It should’ve felt peaceful. But there was tension in the air. Like something was coming.
The dining hall doors opened and there they were…..everyone. Alpha King Draven and Luna Aelira, at the head of the long table, already speaking quietly over black coffee.
Isolde and Alaric, standing near the fireplace, brooding with thick Scottish accents and matching frowns.
King Halrik and Luna Nira, seated like regal giants, watching everything like hawks.
Taya and Rylen, side by side as always, Taya talking with her hands while Rylen tried to act unbothered (and failed).
Jace and Amaris, murmuring quietly across their plates.
Lya Monroe and her lion mate Lyle, both glowing with golden eyes and silent intensity.
The energy shifted the moment we entered. Everyone noticed.
We joined them at the table, our plates instantly filled with eggs, bacon, roasted potatoes, biscuits, and fruit. I didn’t hold back. None of us did. War was coming, and we all knew it.
I took my seat between Bram and Daxon. Ashrian passed me hot sauce. Lachlan slid another mug of coffee in front of me without a word.
“You’re spoiling me,” I whispered.
“Aye,” he said with a smirk. “Gotta keep the goddess happy.”
Breakfast was fast. Focused. Everyone could feel the storm creeping closer.
War Room
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11:28 Wed, Oct 8
Chapter 142
The Calm Before the Fire
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62
Once our plates were cleared and coffee drained, we moved as a unit into the war room. The ancient stone chamber was already humming with magic, maps glowing with live updates, enchanted runes flickering across the walls, Fae portal data maps.
I stepped forward, claiming the center of the table. My mates flanked me like living shadows. Everyone else circled in quietly, waiting.
“The goddess came to me,” I said. “She warned me that The Aegis and Hollow Creed are planning an ambush. At the portal. Soon. Like two days. They think we’ll go there for help and they can capture me.”
Eyes narrowed. Voices dropped.
“She said it was coming fast,” I added. “And if we don’t act first, we’ll lose people.”
“Then we won’t wait,” Draven said coldly. “We set the trap.”
“Aye,” Alaric growled. “Let them walk intae our jaws.”
Plans formed. Defenses built. Taya threw out ideas. Amaris called on mage reinforcements. Rylen adjusted the patrol units. Lachlan, Alaric, and Isolde muttered in sharp, accented bursts about terrain advantages and shadow warding.
We were readying for blood….Ring. Ring.
A sharp ringtone cut through the magic heavy air. Beta Graeme near the corner fumbled for his phone, his brow furrowing as he answered.
“Hello?” Silence. Then…“…What?”
He stepped back, his hand shaking. “No. No, gods, no, what do you mean?” The phone slipped from his fingers. Crashed to the floor.
“My daughter… the school… they were all…” He dropped to his knees, sobbing. Everyone went still. Cold. Silent.
“They were killed,” he whispered. “The whole school. Everyone. Dead. And Vaela… Soria…”
He couldn’t finish. Taya gasped. Ashrian’s jaw clenched. Lachlan cursed under his breath. Daxon looked like he was two seconds from shifting and tearing down the damn walls.
I stepped forward, rage burning in my throat. “They took them,” I said. “They think they can break us.”
Lyssira’s voice echoed through my mind like a war drum.
“Then we break them first.”
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