Chapter 13 Torben
Torben
Watching my mate fight and kill those two men is one of the hardest things I have ever done. The brutal efficiency with which she dispatched them still haunts me. And now, we stand before this so-called alpha, a pretender who dares to question my mate's word.
"Your betas are poorly trained," I declare, stepping forward but keeping a protective stance behind my mate.
"My mate ripped them to pieces with barely any effort on her part.
" I can feel the heat of my anger rising.
"Then again, she trained against a Kodiak and a basilisk for months.
" The moment I mention our training, the male's face pales.
He stumbles back and sinks onto his throne, fear evident in his eyes.
"Who is your father?" he asks, his voice trembling as he stares at Feray.
"Claridon Jokull." The name leaves Feray's lips with a force that makes even my heart skip a beat. The power in her tone, the unmistakable dominance of an alpha.
The male's face drains of all color, and I see his hand shaking as it grips the armrest of his stolen throne. "Impossible. He's dead." He tries to smirk, but the expression falters.
A low, threatening growl builds in Feray's chest, and the room seems to grow colder. "And how do you know that?" Her voice is rough, her tail deadly still behind her.
"I..." He stutters, eyes darting around the room in a futile search for support.
A dozen wolves emerge from the shadows, but their presence does nothing to ease his obvious fear.
"Watch..." Diaval's hand grabs my shoulder, stopping me from stepping forward.
Feray shifts back to her fully human form, her bare feet making soft sounds on the wooden planks.
Her gaze sweeps over the other wolves, commanding their attention.
Then her white wolf rips free from her human body.
Her beast is magnificent—larger and more imposing than any wolf in the hall.
I watch with awe and pride as she swings her head side to side, and one by one, the wolves submit to her dominance, lying down in acknowledgment of her authority.
Pride swells in my chest as I witness my mate bring her father's pack to heel.
Her eyes lock onto the alpha before her, and she advances with slow, deliberate steps.
Her hackles rise along her spine and neck, making her look feral.
If anyone had asked me months ago whether the terrified girl I met after her home burned would one day command a pack, I would have said hell would freeze over first. But here she stands, a true alpha, and I am in awe of her.
"Impossible!" The male's voice cracks as he launches himself out of the chair in a panic.
Feray doesn't hesitate. She lunges forward, her jaws snapping with a ferocity that sends chills down my spine.
The man stumbles, falling back into his chair, scrambling to retreat further.
The moment Feray's front paw touches the stairs leading to the dais, the other wolves rise in unison, their eyes locked on her, ready to follow her lead.
Diaval motions for us to move. We trail behind the dozen wolves, their presence an intimidating wave of muscle and fur. As Feray shifts back to her human form, still fully dressed, a collective gasp escapes from the onlookers, the alpha included.
His shock is palpable. She shouldn't be able to do that.
"What do you know of my father's death?" Feray demands, her voice cold and unwavering. She raises her hand, pointing a single finger at the alpha. The wolves around us respond to her movement, circling the alpha with a menacing growl that reverberates through the hall.
"Khal? If you would be so kind." Feray calls over her shoulder, her gaze never leaving the alpha.
Khal's shift is instantaneous. His basilisk form rises high above Feray from behind, his presence commanding absolute attention.
The guys and I move up behind Feray, our senses on high alert, awaiting the alpha's answer.
"A mage... He came here seeking the alpha," the current alpha stammers, his voice shaky. The scent of his fear saturates the air.
"To what end?" I interject. Feray's glare turns on me, her eyes a terrifying mix of wolfish amber and deadly red flecks. It's a warning I know better than to ignore.
"A benefactor wanted a wolven army. He didn't say what for," the alpha quakes.
"Where is the mage?" Easton asks.
The alpha's eyes dart away, his silence speaking volumes. "No..."
"Where is the mage?" Feray's voice transforms, each syllable a low, menacing growl.
"Never... He'll kill my family..." The alpha's plea is a fatal mistake.
Feray lowers her hand and draws in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
Her muscles tense in her shoulders and back.
Time itself seems to slow, almost stopping, just like that vampire had done.
Except it's not magic that freezes me in my tracks—it's the shock of what my mate is about to do.
Her right hand comes back, and as her fingers shift, claws suddenly adorn her fingertips.
"I'll see you in hell." With a swift, savage motion, her claws tear into the alpha's throat.
Crimson sprays across the walls, splattering the wolves to her left.
Some of the blood coats Diaval's suit. A frustrated roar escapes Feray's lips as she tilts her head back.
Her pain-filled scream morphs into a howl, a haunting song of agony.
The sound reverberates through the hall until her voice grows hoarse.
When she finally falls silent, she lowers her head, her eyes burning with fierce, unyielding resolve. Dozens of wolves, forced out of their human forms, fill the alpha house. With a slight toss of her head, Diaval moves to remove the alpha's body from the dais.
Feray finishes climbing the remaining stairs and takes a seat, her gaze sweeping over the gathered wolves. Khal moves to coil up behind her, resting his head at her feet. Easton steps forward, placing Feray's mother's diadem on her head. The silence in the hall is thick and oppressive.
Diaval motions for me and Easton to follow him off to the side.
"She's speaking to her people mind to mind.
They are telling her about what happened before and after her father and mother fled.
" My eyes dart from Diaval to Feray, then back again.
My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline of the moment still surging through my veins.
"The violence isn't like her." My eyes fixate on the rivulet of crimson slowly rolling across the wooden floor.
"She said her wolf sheltered her from what was done. She didn't see her talons ripping his throat out." Easton's voice is heavy with concern. Diaval nods silently, his gaze locked on our mate.
"So what now?" I ask, glancing back at her.
She's running her fingertips over Khal's scales, her head tilting slightly as she looks between several different wolves. There's a distant, haunted look in her eyes that breaks my heart.
"She wants to investigate the actual alpha's house, the one her father had occupied with her mother when they moved between packs."
"Wait—her dad was a master carpenter. Do you think...?" I trail off, staring at Diaval.
"If you're thinking what I assume you are, she's already thought the same thing," Easton interjects. The feather he gifted her glows brightly, indicating that she's either in conversation with him or allowing him to listen in on her thoughts.
Eventually, the wolves rise and bow before Feray, then leave in single file.
Her face remains blank, her eyes glowing with the power of her wolf as she watches them go.
A single male returns and closes the twin onyx doors.
The resounding noise echoes through the room, and only then does Feray finally turn to face us.
The amber and crimson fade from her eyes, returning to their human blue.
I close the distance between us and take her in my arms, holding her tightly. "Are you okay?" I whisper, peppering her face with kisses.
She leans into me, her body rigid.
"I'm here," I murmur softly. "We'll get through this together."
Feray turns to me, her eyes shimmering with unspoken emotions, and kisses me softly. "I'm okay. The wolves are hopeful about my return. Several of them said I am almost an exact copy of my mom." Her smile is tender, and she lowers her eyes before stepping away.
She moves next to Diaval, allowing him to check her over. "You are stronger than your mom, Feray. You did inherit her cunning. It will be helpful in the future." He gifts her a rare, genuine smile before kissing her softly and offering her to Easton next.
Easton reaches up, his fingers tangling gently through her fiery tresses, pulling the feather forward.
His eyes burn with intensity as he looks her over.
Their silent conversation is a mystery to me.
He kisses her softly, and finally, a genuine smile spreads across Feray's face as she takes the diadem off her head and hands it back to him.
"What did I miss?" Khal asks, pulling the thermal over his head.
"We're going to investigate Feray's father's home here."
Khal pulls Feray into his arms next, kissing her several times. "You did amazingly today," he murmurs, his fingertips grazing over her cheeks.
"Where did the wolves go?" I ask.
"Un-boarding my father's home. The minute they suspected he had passed, they boarded it up per tradition within the pack. Since I am his only heir, it's now mine." She draws in a deep breath. "I believe the answers I need are there as to who or what drove them to leave."
Feray steps closer, snuggling into my chest, clinging to me. "Let's go. They're done." Her voice is soft but resolute.
I tighten my arms around her, ready to face whatever comes next together.