Glimpse of Hope

Nathaniel's POV

I glance around as my car pulls into the rogue compound that is mostly run by Kaiden. The scent of rogue wolves is strong in the air as so many have collected here for refuge. I don't look down upon them at all, majority of them have just been dealt an off hand, and I welcome what Kaiden is trying to do.

Make a place where they can live peacefully.

As the car engine stops, I take another quick glance around before stepping out of the vehicle.

The compound is well put together, almost similarly to a pack. There are housing buildings all over the lands, with some main gathering areas for everyone as well as some recreational buildings. I exhale and see my breath cloud in front of me, as small snowflakes fall around me. It hasn't fully snowed yet, but it's coming. As thankful as I am that Kaiden has provided some sort of refuge for these wolves, it makes my heart pang with hurt that I still don't know where Ivy is, and if she's safe and out of this creeping coldness.

I see Kaiden approach me, bundled in a dark grey jacket with a fur lined hood and heavy cargo pants. He gives me a half smile as he stands in front of me.

"I'm sorry to hear that Ivy was taken."

I nod. "Thank you. You said you had some insight about her disappearance?"

"I think so. Follow me. Let's get somewhere warmer to discuss." I let him lead and we walk across the mainlands to a large building on the southern side, entering a main living area and then upstairs into what I can only assume is Kaiden's office.

He removes his jacket as do I, and we sit down on the large couch in front of the fire, but not before he offers me a drink of whiskey and I gladly take it to calm my high-strung nerves.

"I don't know exactly where she is, but I've got some information that may help you find her."

"Okay. Please tell me." I ask nicely, my pleading tone not going unnoticed.

"Cole and Alarik are trying to gain some ground here at the compound since they were removed from their pack and title after the trial. I spoke with them briefly, explaining that they could take refuge here, but only after the investigation and whatever time they serve for their crimes."

My eyes widen as Kaiden has been in contact with them recently, maybe even before that.

"I know what you're thinking, and I was not a part of it. But I started looking into things after details came out in the trial of how Cole's parents died."

"And?" I question intently.

"Before I was chosen as leader here a few years ago, I do remember hearing of a rogue attack at a local pack. Which I now know was Red Moon." He shifts in his seat before continuing, clearly uncomfortable with what he's about to tell me.

"I know the wolves that participated in that attack. Most of them are gone from here now, but there are two here that remain. Lela and Volmir."

"Are they willing to talk about what happened?" I question, realizing this could be the final thing that seals Cole and Alarik's fate concerning this whole ordeal surrounding his parent's deaths and Ivy's unlawful punishment.

"Yes. They've agreed to talk to you and write into the council with what they know. After seeing how Cole acted after they helped him, they're more than willing to assist in getting his ass handed to him."

His eyes glaze over briefly before the door opens and two wolves come in, address me, and bow before sitting down in chairs near Kaiden and I. They look between each other and back to me before speaking.

"Alpha King, my name is Lela." The female speaks first, and I nod to her.

"My King, I am Volmir. We are sorry to hear of your mate's disappearance. We hope we can help you find her."

"Thank you. So, you both know Cole and Alarik?" They nod, and Volmir continues. "We met them about 7 years ago now. Cole had come here when this compound was just starting and asked if some of the wolves here would help him with something, and in return we would be taken into his pack when he became Alpha."

I sigh. "He played on your vulnerabilities."

"Yes. He did. Many wolves took him up on the offer. At least 20 of us. All filled with hope that we could become part of a pack again."

"What did he ask you to do?"

"He said that there were three people that were causing issues and that if we took them out, we would be bettering the pack to prosper and grow." Lela says, the distaste coming off her in waves. "He said it would be easy to take them down, that he would take care of their wolves and we just had to kill them, and we would have a pack to call home."

"Obviously he lied." Volmir states angrily. "Once we all had gone through with the attack, Lela and I realized that it was his parents and unbeknownst to us, your mate who was attacked. After the news of this spread throughout the group, many of them ran in fear of retaliation from the council, but Lela and I stayed as we didn't want to leave our home."

"So, Cole asked you attack them, and then after it was done did nothing else?"

"Exactly, got us to do his dirty work and then fucked off like a damn coward." Lela says with a growl.

"There were no repercussions?" I continue to question, and both shake their heads. "Nothing came. Not a word." Lela says softly.

"Thank you for telling me this, it solidifies some other information we found." I pause and make a split-second decision. "You both are welcome in my pack."

Both Lela and Volmir stand and look at each other before smiling at me. I stand as Lela outstretches her hand and shakes it gently. "Thank you, Alpha King. We're grateful and may just take you up on the offer."

"Just let me know. Oh, last question for you both."

"Yes? Go ahead." Volmir states happily.

"Was there a place that you ever met Cole and Alarik? Somewhere away from prying eyes?"

I see the gears turning in both their heads as they think, and a few minutes pass before Lela gasps in realization. "Yes. There was an abandoned stretch of houses that was between here and Red Moon's packlands. I'd say maybe an hour or two south?" She looks at Volmir and he confirms with a shake of his head.

"Yes, if I remember correctly, it was south of Red Moon. I think the houses were used for shelter for rogues before the compound was created."

"I wonder if maybe he took your mate there, Alpha King." Kaiden questions softly.

"Very possible. I'll check it out."

It's more than we had yesterday.

Ivy's POV

I scoff as I see Cole and Alarik pacing in front of my cell, in clear panic.

"I told you that Kaiden wasn't going to go for it! Why the hell would you push so hard?" Alarik yells, his frustration clear.

"I had to do something! I don't see you doing anything to help our situation!" Cole retorts and Alarik growls low and threatening. "You never allowed me to. You had to always take control. You always had to be the decision maker and look where it's gotten us! You're a fucking idiot, Cole." He states as he stalks away.

I can't stop the chuckle that escapes my lips. Cole's face whips in my direction and I smirk.

"Not going well for you now, is it?" I say mockingly and he growls. "Shut it Ivy, before I beat you again."

"I'm not scared of what you can do to me, Cole. I can die happy knowing you're going to meet your maker, either by spending your life in prison or dying by my mate's hand."

"I'd like to see your mate try to kill me."

"Empty words. He would wipe the damn floor with you, and you know it."

"Shut it!" He raises his voice, and I don't know if it's just my own delusion or that I'm just done with everything, but I laugh out loud at him.

I've really lost it now.

I try to compose myself but it's no use, I laugh hard until my sides hurt and I collapse onto the floor of my cell.

Cole just watches me, anger building in his eyes before he stalks away just as Alarik did.

- - -

I stir awake to a soft clanging noise. Opening my eyes, I rub them until I register what is making the sound, and I gasp quietly. My cell door is slightly ajar, and scrapes against itself every few seconds.

"What the?" I say quietly as I scramble to my knees and push it open gently. I stick my head out and I see no sign of Alarik or Cole.

Do I make a run for it?

"Yes." I tell myself out loud before I stand and swing the cell door open, making sure not to make too much noise. I tip toe quietly over the concrete floor and make my way to the stairs that lead up from the basement. I look up and see that door is ajar too.

This must be a trap.

Even though the terror of it potentially being a trap scares me, I keep pushing along and open the door with a small creak. I look around and see no sign of anyone again. I shiver as I walk into the living area and see that the front door is wide open, snow blowing around aimlessly through the open door frame.

I spot my sneakers near the door and move silently and quickly toss them on and make my way outside.

It's cold, but the snow is only light, so thankfully I can see in front of me. I still shiver as I'm still only in sweats and a t-shirt, but it will have to do.

My sneakers crunch in the small amount of snow that has collected and stuck to the ground and I look around and see a few other houses in the small area. I make my way to each one and try to open them, but the doors are either boarded shut or just plain locked.

I make my way to the third house and the door opens easily and I'm greeted with warmth, but again no sign of Alarik or Cole. It looks like a small office, with some papers on an old desk with a space heater on the floor. My eyes widen as I look to the large whiteboard stand that has my picture on it in the right corner.

I approach it and see Nate, Evie, and Kane's too. There are scribbles all over notes on the board and I glance towards the top and see a picture of me and Cole's parents the day I was assigned as their guard. I look to the right and see a small letter pinned beside it. I recognize Cole's father's writing and when I read it, my jaw drops. I pluck it off the board and hold it in my hand as it shakes.

I read it aloud quietly, my voice trembling.

"I as the Alpha of Red Moon pack, am requesting that the title of Alpha is to go to my adopted daughter, Ivy, instead of my son Cole when the time is right. She has beyond proven herself as a capable leader and fighter. She's responsible, caring and would be a better fit to make Red Moon grow and prosper than that of my son. Please contact me so we can discuss this appropriately and make the changes needed."

I place my hand over my mouth to stifle a cry. He wanted me to take over. He was going to give the title to me instead of Cole.

This wasn't just for power.

This was for revenge too.

"You weren't supposed to find that, but I guess the cat's out of the bag now." I gasp as I look and see Cole standing in the doorway, holding a few rabbits in his grasp. He tosses them to the floor in front of me, landing with a soft thump, before his gaze darkens with anger and he stalks towards me.