11
Scott woke to the baby kicking and Fynn's arm across his belly. The morning light came through the window, and the nest smelled of pine and sleep. Fynn stirred behind him.
"That was a strong one," Fynn murmured. "The little one's awake."
Scott pressed a hand to his stomach. "I think they're turning somersaults." He shifted, and Fynn helped him sit up. His belly was round but still manageable. The events of the night before surfaced, Hope meeting a stranger near the tree line, the folded paper passing between them.
"I need to tell Rukheim about Hope," Scott said.
Fynn's expression tightened. "We will. Let's get dressed first."
They washed and dressed slowly. Fynn walked with Scott into the main room, where Rukheim sat at the table with Norrix, a map spread between them. Both looked up when Scott entered.
"You look tired," Rukheim said. "Did you sleep?"
"Some." Scott lowered himself onto a chair. "I saw Hope last night. Near the tree line by the north edge. She met someone and gave him a note."
Norrix straightened. "I saw her near the north gate at dawn. She was carrying a basket and speaking with a trader."
Rukheim set down his cup. "What time was this?"
"Just after first light," Norrix said. "I thought it was harmless. She talks to traders often enough."
"Which trader?" Rukheim asked.
"I didn't recognize him. Tall, dark cloak, a scar under his eye."
Rukheim's jaw tightened. "We'll question the gate guards. If Hope is meeting outsiders, I want to know why."
A knock came at the door, and a kitchen helper entered with a tray. "Breakfast, Alpha. Fresh bread, fruit, and honey for the omega."
Scott's stomach rumbled. The helper set the tray on the table, and Scott reached for the small clay pot of honey. He opened it and the smell was sweet, but underneath there was a faint bitterness that made his nose wrinkle.
"This honey smells strange," Scott said.
Fynn leaned over and sniffed. "It does. Almost sour."
Rukheim took the pot from Scott's hand and held it under the light. The honey was dark, and small dark flecks floated near the bottom. "Where did this come from?"
The helper shifted on her feet. "It was delivered this morning. A trader left it at the kitchen door with the other goods. He said it was a gift for the pregnant omega."
Rukheim's expression went hard. "No one eats this. Fynn, fetch Mera. Norrix, find the trader and bring him back."
The kitchen helper's face went pale. "Alpha, I didn't know it was bad. He said it was from the northern hives."
"Go wait in the kitchen," Rukheim said. "Don't speak to anyone about this."
The helper fled. Fynn returned quickly with Mera, who took the honey pot and sniffed it. Her face changed, and she set it down carefully.
"This honey has been mixed with ground sweetflag root. It's a slow poison. It causes fever, confusion, and bleeding. In a pregnant omega, it would bring on early labor and threaten the child." Mera looked at Scott. "Did you eat any?"
Scott shook his head, his hand pressed to his belly. "No. It smelled wrong."
Mera let out a breath. "Good. I'll test the rest of the food in the kitchen. But the source matters more."
Norrix returned twenty minutes later, his face grim. "The trader is gone. The gate guard said he left right after delivering the goods. He was heading north."
Rukheim paced. "Hope was at the north gate this morning. She was carrying a basket. Norrix, did you see her near the kitchen?"
Norrix frowned. "I saw her walking back toward the leadership quarters. She might have gone through the kitchen yard."
"Then we need to search her room and question her," Rukheim said. "Fynn, stay with Scott. Norrix, you're with me."
They left, and Fynn sat close to Scott, one hand on his knee. "You're safe. The baby's safe. Mera is checking everything."
Scott's heart was still racing. "If I had eaten that honey..."
"You didn't." Fynn's voice was firm. "Trust your senses. You caught it."
They waited in tense silence. After an hour, Rukheim returned with Norrix and two guards. His face was dark with anger.
"Hope's room is empty," Rukheim said. "But we found this under her pillow." He held up a small cloth bundle. "A few leaves of sweetflag root, dried and ground. She's been preparing this for days."
Scott stared at the bundle. "She was going to poison me and make it look like an illness."
Rukheim nodded. "The herb under her pillow came from the same plant as the poison. She had enough to make several batches. She planned this for days."
Norrix crossed his arms. "The tracks by the river show a small boat. She had help."
Rukheim turned to the guards. "Question the ferry keeper and the river patrol. If anyone saw her, we'll know how far she's gone."
The guards left. Rukheim knelt beside Scott's chair. "We're searching the compound. She may have already left."
A guard returned within the hour. "Alpha, we found a green shawl near the north trail. There are fresh tracks heading toward the river. A small boat is missing from the ferry dock."
"Send a patrol after her," Rukheim ordered. "Quietly. I don't want to alarm the pack until we know more."
The investigation stretched through the afternoon. Patrols returned without finding Hope, but they discovered footprints near the river crossing where the boat had been hidden. She had planned her escape.
Rukheim called a council meeting at dusk. The room was full, and Scott sat between Fynn and Norrix. The evidence was laid out: the honey pot, the herb bundle, the testimony of the kitchen helper and the gate guard, the tracks to the river.
"She used an outsider to deliver poisoned honey," Rukheim said.
"The sweetflag root would have caused a fever and bleeding.
It would have looked like a sudden illness, and the child would have been lost." His voice was even.
"She acted alone in planning, but she likely has contacts outside the pack. "
Norrix spoke. "The trader matches a description from the northern territories. We've sent word to our border patrols to watch for him."
An elder raised a hand. "What will happen to the omega girl when she is caught?"
Rukheim's expression was hard. "She will be detained in the holding cells. The cells are warded against outside communication, so she cannot send messages to any enemy. She will remain there until the immediate threat has passed and then face judgment."
The elder nodded slowly. "That is wise. Exile would free her to speak to rivals. The wards will keep her silent."
Scott felt Fynn's hand close around his. The full weight of the day settled over him, and the baby kicked again, a sharp reminder of what had almost been lost.
A scout burst through the door before the council could disperse. He was breathless and muddy. "Alpha, the rival pack has crossed the northern river. At least thirty wolves. They're moving toward the old watchtower."
Rukheim stood. "Then we prepare. Norrix, assemble the warriors. Fynn, take Scott to the inner chamber and stay with him."
Scott rose with Fynn's help, his hand on his belly. The room erupted into urgent movement, and Rukheim turned to him, one hand cupping his face.
"We'll face this together," Rukheim said. "You and the child are safe. I will make sure of it."
Scott nodded, his throat tight. "I know."
Fynn led him out of the council room and through the darkening compound. The first torches were being lit, and the sounds of preparation echoed around them. The war had come.