Chapter 110

Dylan POV.

Well, happy birthday to me!

Yes, the day was my 18th birthday, my first birthday waking up completely alone. Freddie wasn't there to jump on top of me shouting the song happy birthday at the top of his voice... my mom wasn't there to give me a huge hug or wish me a good day. Nick wasn't going to pop around to give me eighteen birthday digs like usually did. There was nothing but a silent and empty RV.

Also, Despite feeling like a new person with an actual goal other than moping around and waiting for something to happen, I barely slept a wink.

It made no sense.

I had always slept just fine on my own, I never even used to like Freddie climbing into my bed after a nightmare or something, and now, you would think I could sleep better being completely on my own after everything king Josh had put me through, but I just couldn't. No matter how hard I tried last night, sleep just wouldn't find me. I found myself thinking about Lewis, and how much comfort he provided me just by being in his presence. I had never slept as well as I did the other night with him.

Every time I would think about him my heart would begin to race and my palms would get all sweaty. I found the man extremely attractive, and the fact that he was willing to do anything within his power to help me was a real turn on. I suppose you could say I had a school girl crush. My first crush at that.

I was at one point fairly certain that I could never be with anyone ever again after everything that had happened. However Lewis, might be the exception. No one else made me feel a safe and wanted as he did. He was a genuine ray of sunshine in my otherwise really shitty life. I wondered what he was up to right now, probably something outdoors, he spent most of his time there.

I slipped on some thin leggings and a t-shirt and began a small jog, the first thing to do would be to get my stamina back up preferably to even better than it was before I went to the palace. I planned to go jogging around the lake at least twice a day. Naturally I was out of breath in no time, I don’t even think 2 minutes had past by properly, I hadn’t realized how bad my actual stamina had gotten. Although I had spent most of my time in the palace either isolated in a dungeon cell or in the hospital wing getting medical treatment, so I was bound to get out of breath quickly.

“Don’t push yourself too hard will you?” I heard a voice call out which prompted me to turn to the source. Elias, Lewis dad stood staring at me while holding a small cup of water in his right hand. “Here, you need this more than I do.” He chuckled while holding his cup out in front of him for me to take. Naturally I did and drank the entire contents in less than twenty seconds.

“Thank you.” I smiled awkwardly at the man as he just stared at my face. He frowned and squinted before finally asking the question that was on his mind.

“Did you not sleep well?” Ahhh, I should have known he would notice to be honest. Lewis had to get his intuition from somewhere, although thinking about it, I had yet to meet his mom… not that I would force him to introduce me, that would just be weird.

“Ahh, not really. I got carried away watching the news and my mind became too active.” Poor Elias widened his eyes at this revelation and he took a small step forward.

“Your grace, you shouldn’t be watching the news, what’s being broadcasted, well let’s just say it doesn’t show the king in the best light.” Huh? I had only really seen the news footage of the sixteen stages burning, I hadn’t even thought about any other. We’d articles that may have been transmitting. I wonder what king Josh was doing for Lewis’s dad to be concerned about me watching it.

Most likely he was trying to goad me out.

“I’m not sure what you mean exactly, I’ve only watched the story about the human districts burning their punishment stages.” I think he finally realized that he had put his foot in his mouth slightly by mentioning the king.

“And what exactly are your thoughts on it? Everybody either knows or at the very least assumes it was you who originally set fire to your districts area. Does that bother you?” I shook my head, no. It was a funny thing really, I never wanted to be a leader, I never wanted to be anything. I just wanted a quiet life that revolves around me trying to do what was best for my family. Only now, thinking back, my life was never quiet. Even before the king met me, I was getting punished monthly by the principal of the school or by the warrior wolves who were placed on patrol. Also, I have never been one to stop expressing my opinions and thoughts. That was never going to change either.

“When I first drop the match on the stage I wasn’t thinking clearly.” I explained as we slowly began to walk through the safe zone again. “The king had me in chains… thick, cold, heavy chains, and so when I saw the opportunity to make his grace aware that I was the one who committed the arson. I also knew what the people would speculate. So I kind of did it to explain to everyone that I, the kings mate, had escaped and was free from the restraints that held me down. I knew the world would know it was me as soon as I’d done it.” My explanation didn’t actually answer his question though, not directly anyway so in stead I also gave the man a blunt reply. “So, no, it doesn’t bother me at all. In fact I’d go as far as to say I’m made up that people are showing initiative.”

We continued to walk and even simply doing that made me become slightly breathless, maybe I had to stick with walking for now, it was no secret that my body wasn’t that of a typical eighteen year old.

“Actually, sir, could I ask a favor of you?” I wanted him to arrange a meeting with V for me. While I wasn’t able to get sleep last night, my mind was racing ten to the dozen with ideas to speed up the rebellion.

“Of course, your grace, Im happy to help in anyway I can.” That I fully believed, if he was anything like his son then I imagine he would be happy to help anyone who simply asked for it.

“I’d like to speak to V today, I understand she is in charge and has the final say on matters regarding the rebellion, but I have an idea that may just be what we need.” His eyes widened a bit at my words but he smiled softly, I really wasn’t trying to step on anyone’s toes, but now was the time for things to start progressing here, the only way to do that was to manually set the wheels in motion.

“Of course, it’s nice to see you taking an interest, I assumed you would want to relax for a little bit before throwing yourself back into work, and trust me, what you’ve done for the smuggling trade is work. You’ve been the one stopping stupid requests like alcohol.” I nodded my head and chuckled. I could be big headed here, but instead of really bugging myself up I simply stuck the facts.

“The trade was created to give the human districts extra rations of food. Hope doesn’t exist for people who physically have nothing.” He agreed wholeheartedly. Had I impressed the man or something with my statement. “I think V might actually be free now, if you want to go and see her. She’s currently taking stock of the vegetables in the greenhouse we’ve got set up. I’ll take you over.” The walk with Elias was really pleasant actually, he was easy to talk to, however he gave me the sense that if someone got on his bad side then all he’ll would break loose.

“Where’s Lewis at the minute?” I wasn’t sure why I was asking about the ex royal beta, but I found myself genuinely wanting him to be near me.

“He and a group of the lycans all went over to the pack to let their wolf forms out. You can’t shift inside here, so usually three times a week, they will walk to the pack house and spend the night their after they shifted.” That’s a decent plan. To Use the pack house to help aid the lycans on their endeavor, I wasn’t sure why I didn’t think of it myself. I’ll be asking Lewis why he never told me.

Eventually we made to to a large greenhouse, V was inside with a clipboard counting carrots as they were pulled out and placed in a bag.

“That’s fantastic. Let’s plant some more and then hopefully we will have some for dinner again in a few months.” I overheard her saying to one of the workers. They nodded their head and scurried off to go and plant some more seeds. Elias also quickly left us to it while I swallowed thickly and finally turned to V.

“Can we go to the lake to chat?” I asked her and was instantly met by a look of confusion.

“Of course, let me drop these at the kitchen and then we can go.” she did as she said before going directing me to the beautiful lake.

"So, what are the plans exactly for the pack? Do you want me to meet with the alpha?" I asked Victoria as I took a seat on the grass opposite her.

"It isn't completely out of the question, but it needs to be planned precisely, we haven't the room for error at this point." Everything always had to be done by the book with this girl and I was sick to death of it. I had a new fire that had been lit within me, and V was calmly extinguishing the flame.

"I've actually been thinking about the rebellion and it's location." This got her attention quickly. I sucked in a breath before explaining myself in detail. "It's only a matter of time before the king discovers where it's based right?" She frowned skeptically at my statement but eventually nodded her head. Even she knew they could stay hidden forever. "I was thinking, if we keep hiding, never taking action then nothing is ever going to change. The king needs to come to us for the battle."

"Are you insane? If we tell the king where we are based he will slaughter everyone." I shook my head and sighed. The rebels had been growing for years, and still no action had been taken. Everyone here, especially those who live in the safe zone had become complacent now.

"If the rebellions plan is to take the fight to the king, then we will all die. He knows the palace and it's grounds better than anyone else, but here... the lycans of the pack will know their district well, the same as the humans. We need to attack his grace and the royal forces on our turf, where we have the upper hand."

I knew V wouldn't like where this was going but I had to at least see if she would entertain the idea. Even though it was an insane plan.

"I think we should attack the sectors border and close it completely."