45.

**Avery**



'Are we letting elder Darwin know about the plans in capturing Malcolm?' My wolf Chase asked of me. I was making my way to the Elders' quarters to get the initiation ceremony on its way.

'I'm not too sure about that. He's been asking a lot of questions lately and a bit shifty these last few days' I told him.
'Something is not right. No one else knew of the princess' arrival beside us and the chosen warriors. ' Chase said.

'We shall see his reaction when I tell them this good news' I said smugly.

Entering their lounge area I saw Elder Liselle sitting on the sofa reading one of our book of laws.

"Delta Avery. I was wondering who was coming to tell me some sort of news. I take it Landon is busy with his pup." she said in an amused voice not once looking up from her reading.

I laughed and sat next to her. She always smelled of vanilla which was comforting to us.

Kissing her on the cheek I then held her hand, she helped raised me here in the palace when my parents died, I was only 10 and Landon was my only friend.

"How are you, my son? Everything is alright then because you're extremely calm" she asked turning to me. Her gray hair was held in a neat bun which I always saw on her, her pale blue eyes held the wisdom we all come to ask of, she was everyone's mother.

"It is Liselle. The princess is back home with her mate. The twins have grown so well as protectors I'm so proud." I said ending with a sigh.

"There's more isn't it" It was more of a statement than a question.

I nodded and proceeded to tell her about the ambush of the royal detail; Becca's death; Malcolm's imprisonment of Moon Dust and other packs and the young alpha who challenged the future king.

"Well... A lot is sure happening out there hasn't it" she breathed out.

"Yeah. That's why I'm here, Donnie wants to move up the ceremony to tomorrow night. We need to have a connection to the kids at all times" I said running my fingers through my hair.

Not getting a read on the princess and prince over the few days have been hell for myself and Isah. Everyone was tensed not knowing when Malcolm would attack, it took all of our training to be extremely vigilant during the day and night.

"Very well. Have you seen Elder Darwin? He has been missing quite a lot these days," She asked deeply confused.

"What do you mean missing? The palace has been under lockdown since the princess arrived" I said getting up.

"Wolves have been seeking his presence in matters of their own but they have been relaying to me that he turns them away saying he has an important meeting to attend to," she replied.

"Donnie hasn't told me of his leave of absence for these 'meetings'" I said.

Things for Darwin weren't looking good for him from my perspective.

"He probably forgot to mention things but for now tell me of these pups Landon wants to add to our pack." She said with excitement in her eyes. The pack was her pride and joy, Liselle made it her duty for each member to know the history and law of the pack. The Blood Moon pack has been royalty since the first proclaimed royal, its the most powerful pack in the world and I was proud to be part of Blood Moon.

"Liselle I will like this to be between yourself and your helpers. Don't let this be known to Darwin" I said looking out the window.

"After all these years you still don't trust him, don't you?"

"No, and I never will. "

"You have your reasons but don't let your insinuations cloud your actions in protecting the family. Sometimes our mind allows us to stray from our main focus. If Darwin is not to be trusted he can only be a helper to something much bigger than himself"

Liselle was right, not approaching Darwin would allow me to see his true motive and decipher his movements.

"Would Landon be crowning the princess and her mate also?" She asked.

I nodded my reply and smiled thinking about my little goddaughter and her tall warrior mate. They were as different as night and day but the love between them can be seen from a distance. He would take care of Emma in ways we can't which we are pleased by.

"Very well. Now sit and tell me about these pups," she said pulling my sleeve.

"Well, you know the twins, Noah and Jonah. Jonah is still the outspoken one but Noah is the observant one, Emma is pretty close to that twin. I don't know why.........." I started.



The next three hours I was there talking to Liselle about the pups and the castle but there was no sign of Darwin. Usually, they would be in their common room accepting wolves and their problems.

He may be able to hide whatever he's doing from others but not me, I'm determined to find out what it is but my main focus is on Malcolm's unsuspecting attack.

Oh, how I'm anxious for all this tension to leave the kingdom.



***********************************

**Michael**

Landon and I were in his office discussing what I'm to expect when I take the throne as king. It was all overwhelming but I understood my responsibilities.

"When can I tell my family? I hate leaving them out of my life after what happened with the hunters. I feel guilty about leaving them in the dark," I said out loud standing in front of the window facing the Warriors' training grounds.

"I know you trust them so do we but we can't take a risk of them being amidst this chaos. Another pack won't be put through the damage Malcolm has caused. Not even one of my strongest packs can handle his wrath. No more lives should be taken. After this, your family would be welcomed to the castle for celebrations" Landon said slapping a hand on my shoulder.

He always reminded me of my father. Supportive and wise.

I'm glad I had him as a mentor.

"Thank you for welcoming me to your home," I said sincerely.

"You're good for my little girl. You two are great for each other and I'm proud that you will be the one to take the crown. Your intentions are good and you don't corrupt easily that is very exceptional for a future king." He said smiling at me as a father would do to his son whom he's proud of.

A knock was heard from the door when we fell into a comfortable silence watching the combat training outside.

"Come in" Landon called out not turning to see who it was but I did.

"Hello, your majesty and ....." said an elderly wolf. His brows furrowed in confusion when he noticed my presence.

"Michael" I offered.

"Ah yes. Our future king" he said. His words had a hint of disdain but I brushed it away.

"What do I owe this visit elder Darwin. Michael and I are in the middle of something" Landon said a bit annoyed with the interruption.

"I've been concerned about you, son. You haven't sought council with myself nor Liselle since the threat against your daughter. Malcolm has attacked her and you're very quiet about it." He said sitting himself down on one of the chairs.

"I had no... Wait. How did you know it was Malcolm who attacked the princess? That information was between the three heads of the pack" Landon asked stepping closer to the man.

Landon wasn't heavy set but his confidence and power can spike fear in any man. Darwin shrank back in his seat and swallowed loudly.

"I - I -I heard from one of the warriors and - I - was worried about - the- the little princess that's why I came" he managed to get out.

Before Landon can respond to his statement his eyes glazed over then his features contorted into anger.

"What is your duty as an elder, Darwin?" He shouted.

"To-to-to be there for the pack at all times" he stuttered.

The old man got paler by the second as Landon hovered over him. "Then tell me why did you turn away the wolves that sought out your council."

"I - I had a doctor's appointment" he breathed out.

Even I saw and heard the lie with that statement.

'Watch him closely. His wolf is unstable' Zane warned me.

"Sir," I called out.

The king turned to me and sensed my uneasiness with this elder. He nodded subtly and returned to the man. Darwin looked at me then to Landon his eyes went back and forth before settling on Landon.

"Its quite alright Darwin maybe in your haste you neglected to tell me why you won't be in council?" Landon posed it as a question more than a statement.

"Yes yes that's right," he said nodding quickly. Landon watched him intently then stepped away, Darwin released a breath of relief but I kept my eye on him.

"Your highness, Michael from what pack do you hail from?" He asked me. I tilted my head slightly in question as to why is he asking this.

"I'm a rogue, " I lied. Landon stood beside me and studied his elder's expression.

His face showed disgust. "Oh, I see. Pray, tell how did you meet the king's daughter?" he asked with his nose turned up.

Amazing how he found confidence in thinking I was nothing but filth to him, let's see if he's a human mood ring.

"Apparently she was traveling and got into some sort of mess along the way. You see they were attacked by rogues as myself but purebreds nasty buggers they are. This man with green eyes was there just looking over the attack like a spineless coward who doesn't want to get ......." I lied easily.

"Malcolm is never a coward and I was told you were in that detail" he spat angrily defending Malcolm.

"Ah! so someone did tell you I was there?" I said stepping towards him.

His eyes widen at the realization of what he blurted out.

"I see someone is against the crown," Landon said with venom laced in his words.

Before I can blink, Landon had the old man on his knees begging to be released from the pain.

"How long have you been against us? We trusted you as our own father." Landon growled, his wolf was itching to come out.

"You're just like your father. Weak. Always think vampires and humans can co-exist with us. Letting them within our walls. Filthy creatures. Malcolm deserves that crown, not some pup" he spat out through the pain.

'This wolf is delusional' Zane said in a bored tone.

I crouched in front of him and willed a ball of fire in my hand, I have been getting a great handle of my powers.

"Do you support a man whose greed led him to destroy your wolf brotherhood's homes, their families? Whose main objective is to kill a young girl? His own blood?" I said my voice rising with anger.

The thought of someone wanting to hurt my mate for a stupid seat that will be empty after his death made me angry beyond belief.

"Anything to put all pure breds in power," he said hoarsely. I flicked my wrist quickly so the flames covered my hand like a glove, Landon took a little pressure off his hold for me to grab the vile man by his neck.

"And I will be that purebred to put a stop to this madness. That throne belongs to my mate and she will be queen I will be king to make sure fuckers like you who are so delusional be kept away from her," I growled in his ear, he was screaming in pain trying to escape from my hold.

Nail marks were seen on my arm, Zane was pushing me to end his life there and now but I wanted him to suffer.

The scent of burning flesh was in the air but I paid it no mind, he deserved death for helping Malcolm to kill Emma and to bring down my new family.

A firm grip on my shoulder caused me to turn to the owner, Landon looked at me and nodded, in his eyes, he also wanted to kill the wretch.

I released him and watched down at him, he was still screaming his ass off holding his neck. You can see the raw burns on his skin my handprint was like a butchered tattoo against it.

"Someone within my ranks is also helping Malcolm, I shall notify Avery and Isah, don't share this with Emma nor Ari. I don't want them to worry." Landon said walking to the door to open it.

I nodded in agreement as Isah and Avery along with two guards walked in.

Avery's face held a smirk as he saw Darwin on the ground writhing in pain.

"Guess he cracked huh kid," he asked me.

"He practically sang like a canary," I said returning his grin. The guards took the sobbing Darwin from the office with Avery trailing behind.

"Now to find who else is under Malcolm's power within my palace," Landon said plopping down on the sofa.

"21 years Donnie and we didn't suspect a thing," Isah said not believing what he saw and heard through their link with Landon.

"Avery did. We just didn't acknowledge it. He got sloppy that's why we found out now. Michael sensed his betrayal..... Something I wasn't able to do with my focus mainly on Emma" Landon said tiredly.

"With Darwin being imprisoned word will surely go around, which would alert the next traitor. Worse yet alerting Malcolm with our knowledge of his helpers." I said deep in thought.

"I'm ordering a full lockdown. Anyone who needs to leave the palace should come to me first. Isah, get Dimitri on the phone I need to know his update on the search in his kingdom. " Landon said staring off in the distance.

Even though I haven't known Landon for a longer period I can tell he's beating himself up about not seeing the elder he trusted betrayed him now one of his guards.

Can there be more wolves under allegiance to Malcolm? If he got an elder, anyone close to us can also be against us.

"I'm going to check on Arabella and Emma, " I told him.

He simply nodded lost in thought, I glanced at Isah, he was worried for his friend as he spoke to their other friend on the phone.

Isah looked at me and gave me a reassuring smile that he can handle Landon.

Things just got ten times harder in keeping Emma safe.