Chapter 28


    Chapter 28 Twenty Eigh


    Killian''s point of view


    Valerie and I just crossed into your territory, along with Adam, Jax, and a few warriors that


    apanied us to the Council''s meeting. I headed straight to the castle. I jumped off my horse, which


    was being led away by a warrior. I was on my way inside when Mason called out to me, speedily


    catching up to me.


    "How did the meeting go?" He spoke as we started for the castle''s doors.


    "Bad" was all I could say. And that was the truth. The fact that the Dark Circle has reappeared in North


    Central was bad enough, and now, only the goddess knows what they are cooking up now, going after


    the Phoenix stones. And that was another problem in itself. Even if my father hadn''t given the stone to


    the Dark Circle, I had no idea where it could possibly be. The best option we''ve got is the witches.


    Hopefully, Valerie and the coven could do some kind of spell to find it, while we prepare the pack for


    another attack from the Dark Circle.


    Somehow, that worries me more. Last time they sent a bunch of rogues to find the stone, this time I''m


    having a really bad feeling for some reason.


    I stopped in my tracks, turning to Mason. "We need to prepare, just in case there''s another attack. Get


    the bunkers ready, and, please, see to it that the younger wolves triple their training."


    Mason''s wide eyes narrowed. "Is it that bad?"


    I nodded.


    "And why will the Dark Circle attack again?" He asked.


    Belongs to (N)?vel/Drama.Org.


    "I''ll exin it better during tonight''s meeting," I said to him. It was just then that my eyes caught the


    metal chains that stood in his hands.


    My eyes shot up to meet his.


    "It''s the night after tomorrow. You didn''t forget, right? " He questioned


    Bloody fuck! I did. I did forget. I pulled my rough palms to my face, rubbing it tightly.


    "I actually forgot," I said, pinching the skin on my brow and scanning my surroundings. Everyone was


    moving about; they had begun preparations already.


    "Well, I can''t me you. A lot has been happening recently. But I think you should be with Thea. It''ll


    help." Mason said.


    I nodded. I watched him leave. I also made my way to my chamber. I abandoned my clothes, taking a


    quick shower, after which I wore a fresh set of clothes.


    The door pushed open instantly, and Morgan walked in, leaning against the wall. "How did it go?" He


    asked.


    I sighed, repeating everything I had told Mason and what happened at the supreme court.


    "Why will the Dark Circle be after the stones?" He asked, curiously.


    I shrugged. "Who knows?"


    "I need you to take charge of patrolling and the pack''s defenses. We need to be on high alert in case


    we are attacked."


    Morgan nodded in agreement.


    "I''ll speak to the witches to have a barrier spell ced around the territory," I said, again, moving past


    Morgan when I got a whiff of a familiar scent on him.


    My eyes shed rage, growling. "Why is She''s scent all over you?"


    Morgan held a smirk. "Maybe because I''ve been training her."


    "What training?"


    "You really don''t pay any attention to her, do you?" He moved from the wall, stalking closer. "Well, since


    you wouldn''t want her to train with the warriors, she asked me to train her instead. And you know me,


    brother, I don''t turn down requests, especially when it''s from a beautifuldy."


    His words provoked Ryker and me. Before I knew it, my hands were over his neck, and Morgan was


    against the wall, smiling carelessly.


    A sudden knock interrupted us; the door was pushed open in haste. Allen''s horror-filled gaze traveled


    from Morgan to me. He seemed like he had something urgent to say.


    "What is it, Allen?" I released my hold on Morgan.


    "It''s Rowan," My blood turned awfully cold.


    "What happened to Rowan?" Morgan spoke first, his voice hard and sharp.


    "He''s dead," Allen said again. "He was murdered."


    "What?" Immediately, I aimed for the door, heading down to the castle dungeon. Mason was there,


    along with some warriors.


    My eyesnded on Rowan''s still and cold body inside the cell. He hadn''t been moved nor touched yet.


    "What happened to him?" I turned to the warriors with anger in my voice. "What happened to him?" I


    yelled this time when no one seemed to have an answer for me.


    They all shuddered, before one voiced out. "We do not know,"


    Morgan went inside the cell, his hands inspecting Rowan''s dead body.


    "Very cold, Killian. There''s no sign of any physical injury," Morgan said.


    "Who was in charge of the dungeonst night?"


    Few of the warriors indicated.


    "We were right in front of it, Alpha. No one walked through that door."


    I went to the entrance doors of the dungeon, and my fingers brushed on the humid floor. There were


    traces of the melted lock.


    I ran furious fingers through the thick forest of my blonde hair. "Someone was definitely here."


    "That''s really impossible, Alpha. I swear, we were right outside the entrance. No one came in." One of


    the warriors spoke again, sounding certain of his words.


    "When was thest time you checked on him while he was still alive?" Morgan stepped out of the cell.


    "Right before sunset."


    When I went back to the cell, the shacklesced with wolfsbane that bound him to the wall were off


    him. "He couldn''t possibly have set himself free. Someone helped him."


    "And then he was murdered," Mason said.


    I forced my eyes closed, balling my fists. Rowan was murdered right before we had the chance to


    question him. Now we will never know who sent him to murder me, or whether Thea and I were the real


    targets, or maybe She may have been the target instead.


    I groaned internally. That sounded insane, but I just couldn''t shake the feeling in my gut. It wouldn''t


    surprise me if She was the main target of Rowan. Rowan was also a member of my pack, and thus,


    he was also affected by the curse on both myself and the pack. I can''t think of any other reason why he


    would want to endanger his own life when his life and that of every member bound to the pack are


    linked to mine. Whatever happens to me, they will suffer as well. For this reason, I don''t think he was


    after Thea or me.


    I had so many enemies who would not hesitate to retaliate against me, using She, my mate. This


    was precisely what I feared. I didn''t want her toe into harm''s way.


    "Brother," Morgan called out to me. I turned to him, giving him my full attention. "This looks more like


    the work of a witch."


    I creased my brows. That''s even worse. "Send the body to the witches'' quarters. Maybe Valerie can get


    something from it." I ordered the warriors.


    Immediately, I left the dungeon, moving as fast as I could. My legs aimed speedily for She''s chamber.


    I felt a pointed pain in my chest that could only be healed upon seeing her, upon having her in my


    arms.


    Fuck! I''ve never felt the crazed feeling before, and even if I did, I could always fight against it. But this


    time was different. Ryker and I felt like we could both die if we didn''t see her. I hated this feeling more


    than anything, but I couldn''t control this urge buried within me. I fucking needed her.


    I pushed the door to her chamber open. My eyes scanned therge room before falling on the


    surprised stare of Ria. but no sight of She.


    The fear within me formed a pointed-edged sword, puncturing deep into my soul. Now, just the utter


    realization that She could have indeed lost her life at my hands for the stupid crime of attempting to


    murder me sent a jolt of unfamiliar pain down my spine. "Where is she?" The urge to see her


    intensifies.


    "S-she''s in your office," Ria mumbled finally.


    I stormed out and hastened to my office, which now seemed like an endless, godforsaken distance


    away.


    I reached for the knob, pulling the door open. Instantly, the mouthwatering scent of my mate hit me


    harder than ever. I walked in, and my eyes fell on the perfectly wless figure curled up on the wooden


    long chair, with several books scattered around her. She was asleep.


    I moved closer, as silently as possible, trying my hardest not to stir her up.


    God! She was beautiful. The most beautiful creature ever. Her long brown hair fell messily on her face,


    flowing down to her body, her perfect longshes imprisoning those enchanting blue depths of hers that


    were capable of making a man fall deeper and harder. Her full, luscious lips pressed softly against one


    another, demanding my attention and my kisses.


    I crouched down beside her, watching her sleeping figure. It was a beautiful sight. My hands pulled up


    to her face, gently brushing the locks of her hair that covered her heart-shaped face. The tip of my


    finger grazed her skin, igniting sparks and tingles. She gasped softly in her sleep. She could feel the


    sparks as much as I could. I wanted her.


    Ryker had begun to incite my thoughts, demanding I pull her into my arms and make love to her right


    here, and have her bear my mark. Oh, I wish I could. The thought was thrilling. But marking her would


    only make her bound to the pack and make her a part of the curse. I couldn''t do that to her. I never


    want to cause her any pain.


    I moved closer to her, my lips grazing her cheeks when her eyes unexpectedly opened, and I fell into


    her gaze, which was sucking me in.


    Just then, I knew I was about to make a terrible mistake.