Chapitre 17

"Elizabeth!"

I widened my eyes.

The knocking grew louder.

Water splashed around me as I sat up. The mirror was fogged up.

"I'll be right in!" Zelos called and my heart skipped a beat. He banged his fists against the bathroom door.

I fell asleep in the bathtub.

"No, I'm almost ready!" I shouted and jumped out of the water. I gasped as the wound on my thigh began to burn. The skin was barely closed. I had to be careful not to forget the memory the avalanche did not accidentally open again.

"What's the matter?" Zelos asked. At least he had stopped banging on the wood like a savage.

"Nothing!"

He growled.

I ignored him and got out of the cold bath water. I rubbed the water away with a rough towel. An amethyst-colored dress from Luna Mayra's collection lay over the sink. Part of me didn't want to wear it, but my traveling dress was dirty and hardly fit for a formal occasion.

The fabric was fluid in my hand and always shimmered when the light hit it. I slipped inside. It fit like a glove with a sweetheart neckline and fitted waist.

I looked at myself in the mirror.

I had never worn such an elegant dress.

My eyes shone at the sight of this woman. I shrugged my shoulders back. The red curls fell weightlessly to the neckline.

"That's enough!" Zelos called, "I'm coming in now!"

Without wasting a second, the wood splintered inward and I stumbled back in shock. Zelos stood in the door frame and looked for my form.

Our eyes met.

For a moment he didn't seem to be breathing.

I wasn't breathing either.

He was wearing a shirt, black dress pants, and his shoes shone like they had just been polished. Zelos cleared his throat and ignored the destroyed door that lay between us.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, his voice echoing to me.

"You too," I replied.

His eyes lit up and the sight brought a sheepish smile to my lips.

"The festival is already in full swing," he said.

I swallowed and maneuvered my way past the splinters of the door. Zelos gave me his hand and I gratefully took it as a support.

"Luna Mayra is unpredictable..." I murmured. I squeezed his hand around mine as if to make sure he was really there.

"No matter what will happen tonight, I know you won't be upset," Zelos replied, putting an arm around my shoulder. He squeezed me into his side and I melted in his warmth.

"What's going to happen?"

He looked down at me and a tingle gripped my stomach at the closeness we shared.

"That's the exciting thing," said Zelos. "No one knows. But I have a premonition..."

"Wonderful..."

We stepped back into the room where Kerberos was pacing. His heads jerked towards us. The rays of light from outside were weaker than before, so that I could only see shadowy figures.

"If there's no fireplace here, do we at least have candles or a small lantern?" I asked.

"I will ask Lenkin for it," answered Zelos and pushed me closer to his side. "After all, the people here also have to be able to see something in the dark."

He led me out the door into the deserted corridor.

"You stay here and guard the room," he said to Kerberos, who sat down like a soldier and stayed behind.

I could hardly see the steps on the stairs. I put my arm around Zelo's waist and a new tingling rushed through my body. Its scent was familiar and calmed me in the twilight.

Music and loud voices were already echoing through the house from below.

"Even though I'd like to," he said, "I won't be able to be that close to you all evening. I wouldn't want to give Luna Mayra a target. Davin will accompany you."

I nodded.

The excitement had left me speechless.

The more steps we descended, the more I immersed myself in the chaos of the festival, which was already in full swing. The doors to the great hall were open, but they were the only ones I could see as gray outlines.

The howling of the wolves pierced my ears.

Zelos slowly loosened his arm around me and my stomach tingled.

"Betty, everything is fine. Nothing will happen to you," said a voice behind us and in the penumbra I could see Davin's brown hair. He offered me his elbow and I gratefully accepted it.

It felt wrong not to be by Zelo's side.

"Thank you," I whispered.

Zelos went ahead and we followed him.

We stepped into the chaos I could barely see. Laughter hurt my eardrums. The water in the air was up to your neck, as if no window had been opened here for ages. The heat simmered away, but none of the wolves seemed to mind.

Mugs banged on the wooden tables. I didn't dare to take my eyes off Zelo's back.

"Ah, there are my guests of honor!"

Luna Mayra's cold voice sent a shiver down my arms. I clung to Davin's arm, the only support. Despite the setting sun, the heat simmered in the darkness.

This is what hell must feel like.

"Luna Mayra," Zelos growled and bowed to us. For a moment I saw the silhouette of the leader. Her dress was studded with gemstones that kept flashing faintly. She held a golden goblet between her long fingers and stared at it Lycan down.

We followed his movements and dropped our heads.

"I said no more formalities," she said, waving her hand wildly. Liquid sloshed out of the goblet and splashed onto the stone floor below us. Lenkin was standing not far from her, staring ahead.

was she drunk

"Formalities give shape to the mess, so I'll have to keep them," Zelos said and Luna Mayra got a raspy laugh out of her throat. She leaned forward.

"Really old school. I know of a few wolf traditions that would haunt your little human's sleep," she said.

Zelo's back stiffened and I swallowed. She wanted to provoke him. Maybe she hadn't digested the rejection as well as the meat from this afternoon.

"The worse half of the traditions have been abolished to this day, at least in most packs..."

"But not all," Luna Mayra murmured, taking a generous sip from her goblet. Wine ran down her lips and dripped down her chin. She wiped away the remains. She took a wobbly step towards us as if her legs were made of jelly .

Nothing more of the elegant she-wolf.

Why did everyone let her embarrass herself?

Or was it normal for the werewolves that their leader lost control like that? I had never seen Alpha Fenrir like this before. It was quiet in the dark room now. Everyone watched the spectacle as if at the theatre.

Luna Mayra stumbled towards us and the crowd gasped as she fell down the stairs.

Straight into Zelos arms.

A stab pierced my stomach.

I looked to the side.

"You can let go of my arm now," Davin whispered next to me. I removed my fingernails from his shirt. Zelos had released Luna Mayra as quickly as if she had burned him.

"Sorry," I replied, trying to relax my shoulders. He motioned over to Lenkin, who was supporting his swaying Luna under one arm.

"They killed him!" she shrieked like chalk across a blackboard. "They're all going to die!"

"I think it's best if you bring Luna Mayra to her chambers," Zelos said. Lenkin nodded, but the drunk in his arms had other plans. She raised her finger and leaned further forward.

"I will not go. She slurred to herself. "I challenge you, Lycan Zelos! I challenge you! Formals? Here is a formal for you: Pugna!"

***

"I think Luna Mayra has had a too deep drink," Zelos said without losing his calm composure. "That would be a pretty short fight."

"I'll take her to her chambers," said Lenkin. I almost felt sorry for his contrite voice.

"No! I had the last candles fetched for this! Light them!"

A hiss echoed through the hall.

Lights flared up like fireflies in the night. Women stood at the edges, the golden flame bringing some color to their pale faces. The shadows were large under her eyes. I hadn't seen any of them in the darkness.

"Luna Mayra, you are not insane," said Lenkin calmly. "You should sleep and-"

A clapping resounded through the room, along with the crowd gasping for air. She had slapped her beta across the face. He blinked a few times. His wolf wanted to take control for the disrespectful treatment.

"You have nothing to tell me! you are below me I will not sleep! Tonight we'll fight 'till the blood spills! Pugna! And if I have to fight you!" she roared, turning to face her Beta, who was still holding her upright.

Zelos went back a few steps so that he was standing directly in front of me. He needed to hear the heart in my chest pounding against my ribs.

"That's enough!" Thundered Beta Lenkin and I winced at his voice. Anger burned on his face in the candlelight. He let go of his Luna, which immediately fell to the ground and remained lying brought us and it was the only way we could drive Silverblood out of our territory. And then you almost screwed it up by going straight after them into a clear trap!"

The pack listened to young Beta brushing his raven locks. Apparently I wasn't the only one who hadn't seen him so angry.

"And now you shame us all in front of the high guests, without whom we would not be free today! You insult us and cast a bad light on the mountains! Nobody disputes what you have done for us. But even Richard would be ashamed to see you like that..."

silence followed.

Luna Mayra had slumped to the floor in a heap. A sob shook her body. Richard must be her mate whom Silverblood had murdered. Lenkin stayed where he was. He looked half pitying, half determined.

"Take her to her room," he ordered. "Another tradition will be used tomorrow."

Which tradition?

Two guards approached the Luna on the ground.

"I'll do anything for you, and this is how you thank me?!" she shrieked. The warriors grabbed her under the arms and dragged her form out of the hall. Her voice trailed off in the distance like a threat.

The whole room seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Lenkin stood in front and looked at his pack.

He was young

Would he now be Alpha of Silvercrown?

Which tradition would be used?

"I apologize on behalf of our Luna for this behavior when today was supposed to be a day of celebration," he said, his voice echoing around the room.

"It can still be a day of celebration!" Zelos shouted. "Let's toast to a new era of history!"

Immediately someone handed him one of the golden goblets. It was magnificently decorated with gems of all kinds. The wolves roared and raised their cups. People stood rooted to the edge, candles in hand, like wax dolls. Lenkin and Zelos clinked their goblets and drank to their alliance.

I swallowed.

Now I didn't have to prove to Luna Mayra that humans were worth as much as wolves. Lenkin was probably my new destination. We too were given mugs in which the blood-red liquid just shimmered.

I inhaled the fruity notes of the wine.

My heart was beating faster, but my head couldn't stop me. I took a step towards Beta Lenkin and bowed. Zelos next to me gave me security.

"Sorry, that's mountain shadow wine, isn't it?" I asked and he gestured for me to get up.

"Yes. Before the war we were strong trading partners. Food from mountain shadows has always been highly valued by us. These are the last supplies from before the occupation," he said, regarding me with brown eyes.

Theo used Silberkrone clay for his houses. Then maybe he could finally build his beloved half-timbered houses again.

"Then I can only hope that we will become such strong partners as we have never been before," I answered and looked up at Zelos.

He grinned.

"She says what everyone here is thinking."

"So be it!" cried Lenkin. "The trade between Berg Schatten and Silberkrone will flourish even more than it did before the war!"

Cheers made the room tremble.

Lenkin held out his hand and gave me a strong werewolf handshake. Did he just see me as a representative for mountain shadows? What not to do when you run out of wine...

I sipped my goblet.

The bittersweet taste flowed down my throat.

We sat down at the big table, I between Zelos and Davin.

"Riverclaw is next," he murmured to Lenkin, and over the noise it was difficult to make out a single word. I leaned closer to her.

"It's going to be harder," the Beta replied. "An ambush is impossible in the plains. Also, Silverblood has built solid bridges across the river. You should be able to capture and hold them."

Zelos was silent and considered Lenkin's words.

"Or destroy. The longer we wait, the more warriors they will send into the pack. Alpha Udyr won't wait for our invitation", Zelos said and took a sip from his goblet. "Who sits in Riverclaw?"

“According to our information, Delta Ivan is responsible. Old Alpha and Luna are both dead, killed by Silverblood. I think the pack is mostly happy that Delta Ivan is taking care of them and nobody's starving."

"Hmm..."

They threw names around that I could hardly place. Nevertheless, I followed the discussion while the other wolves celebrated carefree.

I followed the rest of the feast in silence.

My gaze kept twitching to Lyza, who was clinging to her candle like a ghost. The flame drew shadows around her eyes, not a moment of joy. None of the people had hope in their faces that something would change here.

Did they see me as a traitor?

I looked at the warm stone floor beneath my feet. I shook Beta's hand here while they looked on, emaciated and pale.

"What about the renegade son?" Zelos asked and waved his goblet.

"He won't be of any use to us until after the river. He's hiding somewhere his father can't find him," replied Lenkin.

"I heard he has a mate?"

The Beta nodded.

“They met at the training camp. Even then they broke the law. Now they are on the run together, but no one knows how many allies they really have and which side they would end up on."

"Interesting," Zelos murmured. "It remains to be seen whether he is an ally or a criminal..."

My eyes almost closed.

The day today had done me and I really just wanted to sleep. Was it rude if I apologized?

Lenkin leaned forward. His brown eyes looked around.

"What worries me more is Alpha Eros... What will he do when he finds out what happened?" he asked, looking serious.

Alpha Fenrir has already sent a fox north to inform him. He has no reason to interfere," said Zelos.

My eyes widened.

What if my fox had reached its destination after all?

What did I write?

Silverblood is here. Help us or we will all die!

If Lia has read this...

What if Alpha Eros was headed for Mountainshade believing Silverblood was still there? I wiped the strands from my face. Cold sweat ran down my back. Hope the message never got through...

The uncertainty gnawed at me.

It was my fault if Alpha Eros-

"Is everything alright?" Zelos asked. His brows were drawn together when he looked at me.

"Yes," I replied, a little too hasty to be true.

Perhaps I just brought Lenkin's greatest concern directly to Berg Schatten...

Distrust flashed in his red eyes.

He knew I was hiding something. He knew it since the fox house. As soon as we were alone, he would question me. I was an open book to him should he decide to open it. Could I hide it if he asked?

Should I?

"Anyway, Alpha Fenrir is in Mountainshade. Even if Eros were to pay him a visit, he couldn't do anything more," said Zelos. "He takes after his grandfather and father, as I heard. Conquering is not his pastime."

The fun of the game shone in his ruby eyes.

He looked over at me and grinned.

"Very different from me."

***

I was lying in bed.

It was toasty warm. I stared at the ceiling of the room. Although my body was tired from the journey and excitement, I couldn't sleep. In my head, thoughts raced from one point to the next, regardless of the cost.

Did Tommy lie awake at home too?

Couldn't he sleep too?

I raised my head to the door that led to the other room.

There, where Zelos had his room.

I had told him I was too tired. He let me go for tonight. But I wouldn't get away from talking about Ice Claw for long. When Lia got my letter, she would be terrified, for us and for Theo.

Would Eros do anything?

So far he hadn't shown up either. The fox couldn't have made it. I had to tell Zelos the truth. I wouldn't be able to lie to him and I didn't want to lie to him.

Until now, he had only acted in the interests of the pack.

Never out of revenge or anger.

Was he already asleep?

A snore made everything in the room tremble.

I furrowed my brows and stared at the three-headed dog. His muzzles were spread out on the carpet and his eyes were closed. Maybe that's why I couldn't sleep, because there was a huge beast in my room, snoring so loud it seemed like it was about to cut down a tree. I let my head fall back into the pillows.

My body was tired, my head still wide awake.

Luna Mayra had to sleep off her intoxication in one of these rooms. Tomorrow she would be in for a nasty surprise when she was stripped of the position. Zelos had said that it was an internal pack issue and he wouldn't interfere.

We were of the same opinion.

Kerberos shook the walls with every snore.

That was enough.

Zelos had insisted that the hellhound stay in the room with me. I wanted to see him sleep with that noise. I pushed the covers aside and put my feet on the floor. The stones were warm. The white nightgown came down to my knees.

I padded past the window, behind which the night sky lurked. The mountains loomed snow-capped in the distance, and the houses of the pack stood scattered on the slopes. I knocked on the connecting door to Zelos.

Silence.

The beast continued to snore behind me. Somehow he managed to get all three muzzles to take a breath and start sawing at the same time. I knocked again, more energetically. Kerberos didn't move an inch.

Great watchdog...

Maybe Zelos just sent him to my room to annoy me. Or to escape this noise yourself. I turned the handle and opened the door to his room. The bed was unused on the other side.

The room was empty.

I entered.

He had probably met up with Lenkin for an evening meeting. At least it was quieter in here. The hum was just background music. I padded towards Zelo's bed and pushed the blanket aside. When he came back he would just have to go into the other room.

A yawn split my lips.

I lay down on the soft pillows and breathed in the calm. Here the distant snoring of Kerberos was like a lullaby, lulling me deeper.

I closed my eyes.

A rattle sounded from outside. I buried my fingers in the sheets, but the rumble outside the window brought me back to reality.

Don't get angry...

I threw the covers aside and stomped towards the window.

Who...?

I held my breath.

Down there at the entrance to the pack house wolves were talking to each other. In front of one was a square cart on wheels, which he must have pulled here. A large tarpaulin hid the contents.

They were of silver crown.

What were the wolves up to?

They talked, gestured, nodded, shook hands.

One wolf walked over to his chariot. He tore the tarpaulin away. The silver moonlight cast its cold shadow over the contents.

People. tied up A couple.

The man held his wife in his arms. They belched white clouds from their trembling mouths. The wolf nodded. Two guards came over and grabbed their necks. The woman wept as if she were being led to her slaughterhouse.

The organs in my stomach went soft. They dragged her off the wagon and towards the pack house. The man tried to fight back, but a blow to the back of the head sapped his strength.

The woman screamed.

They disappeared under the window.

No.

I stormed out of the room and flew down the stairs. Each time I touched the stone steps, I jumped further. I rounded the corners and sprinted further down.

New prisoners.

They should become new prisoners in this haunted house. Voices grew louder. The woman's crying sounded muffled. I shot around the last corner. The guards dragged the people down a dark descent.

Was that the dungeon?

The woman's tears seeped into the cloth tied around her mouth. The man huffed through his own gag. His eyes were wide open.

"Stop!" I shouted and the movements froze. All eyes jerked towards me. "Let her go immediately!"

My voice boomed through the entrance.

The guards looked at each other.

They communicated through the mind link.

There was nobody here except the three wolves and the two new humans. And me.

Panic welled up in me.

"Zelos would tear your head off," I said, but my voice trembled.

The last wolf came towards me. I went back up a step.

"You think you can strut in here and give us orders?"

Malicious glee gleamed in his eyes. He curled his lips in a smile that revealed his fangs. I turned and jumped back up to safety.

"Zel-"

A sweaty hand choked my voice before I could scream for help. He spun me around. I struggled, kicking where I could, but the wolf was unimpressed.

"Shh, don't worry. You're about to be where you belong."

He wanted to kill me.

Heat seethed in my body. I gasped for air through my nose. His fingers tasted salty sour. I resisted his touch, but he carried me on. Ahead of me, the shadows of the new prisoners disappeared into the darkness.

Did they put us in a dungeon?

would they kill us

Zelos would find me.

He had to...

We dove into the darkness where all I could hear was my own panting, the footsteps of the wolves, and the crying of the woman somewhere ahead. The further we descended, the hotter the air boiled around us.

We went to hell.

No ...

I slapped his hands that were gripping my body, trying to bite my fingers around my mouth. I kicked in all directions. I hissed, my heart hissed, my head.

Barking sounded behind us.

My eyes widened even though they were shrouded in complete darkness. paws sounded.

Kerberos.

"Keof!"

The hand muffled my voice. Three barks was my answer. Relief washed through my veins.

"Faster," hissed the wolf holding me. "We don't have time! Let's open the hatch!"

"Ke-eof! IFE!"

"Come on!"

A scream before us. He fell down. I searched for a desperate glimmer of light, but it was pitch black.

"Now the woman, go!"

Her shrieks rang in my ears.

Footsteps echoed across the floor.

She screamed, she fell down.

an abyss.

The scream stopped at once.

There had to be an abyss here. They pushed us to our deaths. It went down the mountain. My heart leapt. The wolf pushed me further forward. Panic took over my body. Everything was boiled.

"IFE! IT! FELOF!"

A bark was my answer.

"Stop the Deathbringer," gasped the wolf next to my ear. I had drained some of its power. "I'll finish this."

No...

Tears rolled down my cheeks into the wolf's hand. He pushed me further forward. I pressed my heels into the stone but found no footing.

"Good flight."

With full force he rammed me forward and let me go. The floor went down, as did my stomach.

I screamed my lungs out. My hair whipped around me.

I fell.