Chapitre 12

I crept to the other door and pushed it open. I jumped back as two figures blocked my path. My heart awoke from sleep and started pounding loudly.

Werewolves.

Warrior.

They passively stared down at me.

"Excuse me, what's going on here?" I asked.

"You have to stay here. Orders from the Alpha," said one.

"Why would Alpha Fenrir want to lock me in a room?" I asked, looking back and forth between the two of them. I wanted to go to Tommy...

"Not Alpha Fenrir. Alpha Zelos."

Oh oh.

"Alpha Zelos ?" I asked. The guards nodded. I stared at them like a puffer fish. What the hell had I missed. Had I gone into a coma? No, the bruise on my cheek was fresh ?"

"Repelled."

"Repelled? I asked. The guards nodded. "Can I please go? I want to look for my brother. I have to see if he's okay."

The wolves shook their heads.

I stared at the gap between them for a moment. If I surprised her, I would be able to squeeze through. I frowned. I wouldn't get far. Why was I even thinking of that? Lia rubbed off on me more than I realized.

"Where am I?" I asked instead.

"In the packhouse of Mountainshade," said one guard. "You should go back into the room. Especially in that elevator ."

I looked down at myself. Heat shot into my cheeks. Someone would be responsible for that and I wanted to hope for Zelos that it wasn't him. I closed the door and looked for something suitable to wear.

The double closet was filled with clothes of all colors. I chose a blue one and put it on. In the bathroom, I braided half of my curls back so they didn't fall in my face. I take a deep breath.

Second try.

I opened the door.

"I'd like to speak to Alpha Zelos , please," I said as confidently as I could in front of two werewolves.

"Sorry, but you are not allowed to leave the room."

"What did Alpha Zelos say that I'm allowed to do?" I asked and folded my arms.

"He said we should fulfill your every wish. As long as we guard you and you don't leave the room. You should rest. It gets dark soon."

I stared at him in amazement. He lowered his gaze. My mouth fell open. What the hell was going on here? It all had to be a dream. I turned and closed the door. That couldn't really happen. I was still in mountain shadows but everything was twisted. My head started pounding. I was shaky on my feet.

My stomach growled.

My heart was beating faster, but more with anger. After all, all good things come in threes. I yanked the door open again.

"I want to speak to Zelos right now," I ground out between my teeth. My stomach longed for something to eat. How long had I slept. "I won't go back in there. I'm hungry."

My stomach loudly accompanies my words and I almost grinned. The guards looked at each other. Her eyes glazed over and I took a deep breath. Hopefully they contacted Zelos. I waited until they were back in the present.

"In order. Please follow me," one of the wolves said. Relief spread through me. My legs wouldn't last much longer without renewed energy. We walked down the hallway to a set of stairs. The hallways were wide, befitting the pack house.

Dull voices came from under one of the doors and I recognized one of them immediately.

Zelos.

I ignored the guards and charged off.

"Hey..."

I yanked open the door. Two figures looked up. The table they were bent over was completely forgotten. My eyes locked on the glowing rubies of Zelos. He looked different than in the dungeon... more alive. His hair shone like cold moonlight.

His eyes dropped to the scratch under my eye. My heart pounded faster in my chest. The last time I saw him he was bent over me... like a wolf, blood dripping from his teeth.

"We're sorry, Alpha Zelos!" one of the guards shouted, grabbing my arm.

"No. You can go," he replied with a sharp look. The grip on my arm loosened immediately and the wolves disappeared. "You too, Fenrir."

Alpha Fenrir, still bent over the table, straightened and... bowed? He nodded to me before leaving the room. On the table was a pack map. What the hell...

"What happened?" I asked while my stomach cramped with hunger. All reserves were empty, only curiosity kept me on shaky legs. The pounding in my head didn't make it any better. Zelos circled the table and got up I backed away from him on reflex.

"You don't have to be afraid," he said, raising his hand. A little reluctantly, I held still. His eyes were still on my cheek. He gently stroked them with his fingers a dull ache through my jaw and I squeezed my eyes shut, his warmth instantly dissipating as if he regretted the touch, my heart pounding harder against my ribs.

"They are dead," whispered Zelos. "They can't hurt you anymore... You can open your eyes again."

I followed his words and looked up at him. For the first time I could see him in daylight. For the first time there wasn't a wall of silver between us. Something blazed in his eyes, a fire that calmed the fear in me.

Gray stars blurred my vision.

Before my legs could give way, I felt strong arms around my back. I breathe in.

"Come on, we'll find you something to eat. If you were starving, all that work would have been for nothing," he murmured, but I ignored his words. I felt like I had been swallowed up by the dungeon and puked out again. My stomach was spinning, my head was pounding, and my legs were weak to carry me.

The smell of pine and rain enveloped my senses and I blinked. Suddenly I lost the ground under my feet. My head leaned against Zelo's shoulder. He radiated warmth while holding me securely in his arms. Everything else didn't matter, I couldn't even disagree. We walked for a while, the rhythm of his steps was pleasant.

At some point he came to a halt.

The scent of onions and rosemary potatoes wafted towards me. My stomach gurgled. Zelos laughed above me, his voice a melody in my ears. I lifted my head, which felt like a soft-boiled pumpkin. I blinked away the dizziness.

A steaming plate sat on the table and my mouth watered in streams. I pushed away from Zelos and a little reluctantly he put me down. I dropped into the chair and began the feast.

"Hey, you have to chew. Otherwise you'll suffocate", Zelos grumbled and sat down across from me. His eyes stayed on me the whole time, but I only had eyes for the food.

"You're just jealous," I smacked my lips and he chuckled.

"Jealous me? Don't worry, if I'm jealous you'll know," he said, smiling. His eyes began to glow brighter. My movements faltered. I swallowed the food.

For a moment I saw the wolf in front of me. He had protected me. It was he I owed my life to. And now everyone called him Alpha? What about Fenrir?

Questions over questions tumbled in my head and I started with the first one that came up.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Let's say Silverblood fought back for now," said Zelos. I frowned.

"Repelled? As in defeated?"

"Not quite yet..."

His eyes wandered as if thoughts were blocking his view. He had been over a plan of the world with Alpha Fenrir...

"Alpha Fenrir is...not an alpha anymore?" I asked.

"He gave this position to me voluntarily," Zelos replied, completely in the present again and fixated on me. "He couldn't protect the pack."

"And you could? As?"

A smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. He found it amusing that I challenged him. Zelos leaned back in the chair. To distract myself from the burning sensation in my cheeks, I continued to stuff myself with food.

"I'm a Lycan. Very easily. And as for Silverblood, their time is slowly coming to an end. A pack that big crumbles quickly. Alpha Udyr won't be able to hold it together for long if we give Silvercrown or Riverclaw a choice."

"You want to restore the old packs?" I asked.

Zelos laughed as if I had asked a stupid question.

"You don't have to deal with that for now, which I want. I'd be much more interested in what you wrote to Alpha Eros," he said, leaning forward. Even though we were seated, he overshadowed me. Fire blazed in his eyes and held me spellbound. My heart leapt with excitement.

Did he know about Lia?

I swallowed.

Should I tell the truth?

His expression gave nothing away. Did he like Alpha Eros or hate him? What were his motives. Zelos was in his role and I was someone who had information. Maybe it was best if I didn't talk about it for now.

"I didn't get far," I whispered, averting my gaze. His burned further into my face. It wasn't a lie. It was no use lying to a werewolf "There were warriors everywhere, corpses on the snow..."

A hand grabbed mine and snapped me out of the memories. She was warm and a little rough. Zelos squeezed her lightly as if he wanted to calm me down. I looked at him.

"Your hand," I said, "in the dungeon you were still freezing..."

"My curse is finally broken. He said, grinning. "If he's still alive. I bet the beast didn't make it easy for him. She must have been careless."

"She?"

"That's probably not in the fairy tale books, is it?" said Zelos and his smile widened. "From today, new history will be written. Come on."

He pulled me up from my seat and down the corridor.

"Where are we going?" I asked, somewhat reluctantly letting myself be dragged along.

"We only have to go down one floor," Zelos said and grinned at me. At the stairs, he made sure that I followed. We approached the large hall and a growl boomed out. The doors were open and hundreds of wolves were gathered.

"What's going on here?" I asked. Zelos pulled me on. His presence drew attention. The noise increased. People... cheered? Applause and shouts echoed around the room. Everyone dodged him, creating a corridor, through which we could walk to the stage without any problems. People liked him. He had saved them from certain doom. I wanted to go back, away from the crowds, but he had opposite plans.

"Come on," he said. Fenrir was already standing on the stage. Zelos helped me up the steps. I stared down at the crowd that was looking back at me. My heart was pumping wildly. I clung to Zelos' hand he let his gaze wander over his pack.

"I swore to protect you all and you made me your alpha for it," he said, and the people listened to his words spellbound. "But this was only possible because of you, Elizabeth of Mountainshade! to free and save you all!"

A storm of cheers seized the room. It was addressed to me. My jaw dropped when Zelos let me take center stage. Humans and wolves shared the space and clapped. I didn't know what to do with it. Completely puzzled, I stared at the individual faces that looked up at me.

Something moved in the crowd.

Something pushed people aside.

Someone.

"Tommy!" I yelled, jumping off the stage. A look of amazement interrupted the crowd's applause. He burst through the stands and rushed toward me. Tears of relief pooled at the corners of my eyes.

He wrapped his arms around me and pressed his head against my shoulder. I squeezed him as hard as I could like he was about to go away.

"Are you alright?" I asked, eyeing him. He wore a huge smile that melted my heart. A sigh went through the crowd, mostly from the wolves coughed.

Suddenly a shadow grew over us and people looked behind me. I felt a tingle on my neck.

"There will be a feast here tonight!" Zelos shouted. "Go and prepare everything. Everyone is invited!"

A howl went through the crowd. People began pouring out of the hall. I turned to Zelos while Tommy clung to the back of my dress. I put a hand on his arm.

"And who are you?" Zelos asked with a grin. His eyes wore a warm glow that calmed me a bit. Tommy pushed along my side and bowed.

"Hello Mister Alpha. I'm Lizzy's brother," he said.

"Ah, so you're Tommy. I've heard a lot about you", Zelos replied and smiled. My brother's eyes began to shine and he stretched out his chest.

"For real? Lizzy didn't tell me anything about you," he said and I choked on my breath. Zelo's laughter echoed through the room while I coughed.

"You are an honest little man. I like that," he said with a wink. "But I'm sure Elizabeth read you the old wolf legends."

Tommy's eyes widened even further.

"That was you? Of course, the Lycan!" he called, letting go of my dress and standing directly in front of Zelos. "Can you transform yourself?"

"Tommy," I said in a serious voice, "you can't just say something like that! He's still de-"

"Alpha, you should come quickly!" a voice called from outside. Zelo's smile faded as he looked at the warrior over my head. He walked past Tommy and me to the exit. His broad shoulders disappeared from the large hall.

What was the matter now?

I followed him down the hall and out of the pack house. The sun was blinding me along with a winter breeze that was giving goosebumps to my skin. Snow lay on the houses and streets, but the commotion drew my attention.

Beta Leo.

He was seething with anger. Zelos stood a few meters away from him, upright and calm. Too calm. I could see the blaze in his ruby eyes.

"Rage has you in its grip, Leo," he said, his deep voice warning. But the beta ignored all signs.

"That's not your pack! We should put you back in the cage because the lycan is nothing but trouble!"

No one agreed as he looked around. The warriors all stood still, waiting for their new alpha's reaction. Zelos didn't let himself be disturbed. After all, he had been able to practice it for years.

"I ask no gratitude for saving your life. The pack made me alpha."

"I'm a member of this pack," Leo growled, his eyes lighting up.

"Then challenge me as the law requires," said Zelos, shrugging his shoulders. His indifference fueled the Beta's anger even further. Suddenly his eyes twitched to me. The hatred was a pang in my stomach.

"Just because of you! You opened the first door!" he shouted.

Even as he wanted to take the first step towards me, Zelos grabbed his throat. My eyes widened at the speed.

"You want to die, don't you?" Zelos growled and picked him up like he was a puppy. His eyes started to shine. "Well, then I'll give you the choice."

***

Zelos let Leo fall into the snow.

He immediately got to his feet so they faced each other. The lycan was larger, but the beta was seething with rage that blew his mind. The warriors around us were frozen, as was I. Except that for me it was half because of the freezing cold we were standing in.

"It's your choice: apologize, fight or be banished."

Zelo's voice was calm. Completely different from me. My heart thundered down on us. I turned to Tommy, who was standing behind me, gaping at what was happening.

"You're going back in," I whispered, knitting my brows at his pleading eyes. "Now."

A little reluctantly he made his way back inside. The last thing I needed was for Tommy to see a fight to the death... Beta Leo looked at the faces of the warriors. Small clouds of mist escaped my mouth.

"You are cowards. He just wants to use you for his ultimate goal," he said.

"And what actual goal do I have?" Zelos asked and raised an eyebrow.

"You want to take Alpha Udyr's place, nothing else! You're a power-hungry monster like him!"

Zelos laughed.

"You didn't understand. Alpha Udyr will not give up until he has conquered all, no matter what the means. But the world cannot be united in one pack. Our goal should be to restore peace so that no one here has to fear an attack. That is my ultimate goal."

Beta Leo was silent for a few seconds, as if speechless.

"Just idle talk," he finally said.

"I think you need a little more time to think about your choice. Take him to the dungeon", said Zelos and immediately two wolves stepped out.

"You can't do that! I'm your beta!" Leo yelled, but it was no use. The guards dragged him across the snowy ground and towards a place I knew all too well.

The crowd dispersed and Zelos approached me. I could almost feel the warmth radiating from his broad torso. My body was shaking. I had to break the silence.

"Is Davin okay?" I asked, thinking of the guard the attackers had massacred in the dungeon.

"According to the circumstances. The scar of the dungeon will remain forever. But he's alive, in case that was your question. Now to us..."

He took my hand and a hot tingle ran up my arm.

My eyes widened as I stared into his.

"Zelos, what's going on here?" I asked in a trembling voice. The wind blew through his silvery white hair. I wasn't being naïve. He squeezed my hand tighter and my pulse quickened. His scent of pine surrounded me and I inhaled .

No. That couldn't be.

I tried to loosen my hand from his grip, but Zelos pulled me to him and wrapped an arm around my back. Our size difference made it easy. He searched my face, but I turned my gaze sideways into the snow and closed my eyes.

"I can smell your fear and your excitement," Zelos said and his gaze burned into my cheek. "You know what this means..."

Unintentional tears ran down my cheeks. Zelos immediately let go of me as if he had burned himself. I looked up in surprise. The warmth went with him, making way for the winter air. I shivered at the cold.

"You should go in," he said, his voice changing. I had hurt him. He turned and followed the guards. His stature disappeared into the distance, probably even on the way to the dungeon. Thoughts raced in my head. He hadn't said it, but he had thought the same as me.

And I turned him down.

Should I follow?

Before my head could change my mind, my legs moved in the direction of the dungeon and Zelos behind. The snow crunched under my boots. The blood of battle had soaked into it in places, turning it red.

The bodies had already been cleared from the streets. I tried to focus on my goal. At least walking warmed me up a bit. My cheeks and nose must already be bright red from the winter cold.

I stopped.

The fox house lay before me. The door was open. Zelos had asked about the message I had sent. Maybe he had also interrogated the wolf and knew that I hadn't told the whole truth.

I pushed the door open a little further.

"Hello?" I asked, but it was dark. The smell of metal crept up my nostrils and I stepped further in. The wood creaked under my feet. My stomach dropped. Someone was on the floor.

Brown eyes stared at me.

Lifeless.

Blood spattered the old woman's skin. A wolf had torn her throat out. Everything in me twisted at the smell that came with it. Behind her lay countless foxes.

All dead.

Her rust-red fur was a little different from the red. I put my hand over my mouth and ran outside. Acid crawled up my esophagus. I squatted and leaned against the copper house that was stained with blood. I breathed in the freezing air and tried to calm my stomach.

They had killed the old wolf and all the foxes with her. No one would be able to write a message across pack boundaries anymore. I had barely escaped the storm of warriors. If it had taken me longer, I would probably be lying next to her.

A dark feeling crept over me.

My message hadn't reached Ephilia. The fox couldn't have survived. Silberblut had done everything to isolate us and they were successful in that.

We were trapped here.

Zelos was right. As long as Alpha Udyr held Silverblood together, there would be no peace. But what happened when he defeated Alpha Udyr?

I heaved myself up against the wall of the house.

The nausea passed with every step I took away from the horror. I had to go to the dungeon. All footprints led there, mingling with the prints of paws. My teeth started chattering as the cold wind whipped through the dress. I shook myself.

The silver door came into view, along with two fit wolves who had seen me from afar. The frost didn't seem to bother them. Still, they wore the leather gloves every guardian needed. I swallowed the excitement and stopped in front of them.

"I have to speak to Zelos. He's down here, isn't he?" I asked, glancing back and forth between them. Her eyes blurred and I put my arms on my hips. No matter where I went, everyone asked Zelos for permission to let me through.

He always knew where I was.

He always knew exactly what he was doing, even if he didn't say it directly. He hid his plans behind a mischievous smile so no one would suspect anything. But not with me. He'd tried to upset me enough times to make me careless.

And in the dungeon he had managed to do this a number of times.

But that was over.

The guards nodded and one of them took the key out of the coat, turned it in the lock and pulled open the creaking door.

"Thanks," I said, stepping past them into the lighted stairwell. Groans came from below. It was just as cool as outside, only much worse air. I braced my hand against the basement walls and descended the stairs.

With each step, the noise level grew louder, like a hum of pain. My face lost its composure. The cells were filled to the brim with wounded warriors. Some lay on the stone floor, others sat on the edge so as not to take up as much space.

Many had their eyes closed and were asleep, while others grimaced at the pain their wounds caused. I took a few steps into the dungeon corridors.

How many warriors were captured in the attack?

But they were not alone in the cells. She-wolves knelt by the wounded and tended to their wounds. What was going on here? The prisoners were provided with bandages and water. As if by reflex, my gaze jerked to the silver cell, which was now open and battered in the corner.

"It's just a relic."

I jerked around to Zelos, who wore his typical grin. His hands were covered in black leather gloves.

What the hell was he up to?