Justin lead the way with Freya following close behind him. She had cast her eyes downwards in fear of looking him in the eyes. The snake had left to rejoin the group after Alec had ordered her away. Dreamweaver's job was done. His only mission was to find what she knew. Chaos had erupted after her confession about Kenya... and the bird. She understood little of it, but it was evident that it meant something. The Valkyrie clan, the third power house of this world, had joined forces with their foe. That meant Bellaroos was at a disadvantage. This was little hope they would be able to gather the power to defend themselves, let alone fight back. However, all she could think about was the mamba's black lifeless eyes as she walked out the door. He had watched her the whole time... flickering his tongue and narrowing his eyes as if he wished to say more. It had left Freya feeling exposed, naked, and cold down to her bones. She refused to say anymore, and she was glad that Justin had dragged her out. It was clear being there any longer would probably get her killed or worse.
Now that she was alone with him though, she found herself anxious and unsure. She knew they would be leaving soon. They could no take this attack laying down, and she doubted that Alec would allow for them to remain here for long with the impending threat. Kenya meant something to both sides, and she had heard stories about it. It was apparently a place bathed in blood, darkness, and bodies. A barrier of sorts to keep the foe out, but that did little now. Cathilon had found their way in.
"The Hopi clan is able to see dreams through a dreamweaver." Freya snapped her head around to Justin. His voice had broken her from her trance, yet it did little to settle her nerves. She was, regardless, happy for the information. Thus, she said nothing regarding the statement. He always did well to explain what he could, mainly now that he realized she was not part of this world. She was surprised he even decided to tell her anything though considering what just happened. "Milksnakes, legend says, were first discovered laying by children to listen to their dreams. They were summon by children who drank milk before they slept." Clenching his jaw slightly, he continued to speak. "They must have gone to you on purpose.... having felt your dream. However, I don't know why they would give you that dress."
The unanswered question hung in the air. They had yet to speak further regarding her confession, mainly after she had been bedridden from fever. More so, he had become more... suspicious of her. His eyes were not as clear, rather the blue was harden and unreadable. Even walking behind him, she could see he glanced back to watch her... listened close, and kept his movements fluid. If she was to lung, he could easily intercept her. Justin was loyal. He was the most loyal of the beastmen she had meet since coming to this world. Family meant everything to him, but his morals and ethics were what drove him. He hated violence, bloodshed, and pain. He wanted peace more than anyone, however she did not understand why. He had no mate, no family related by blood, and he kept to himself. Yes, people spoke to him all the time, and he was well respected yet he never allowed his shell to crack. When Kenya was mentioned, she had not missed the way the air had become colder... darker, and murderous. She wondered if that was where this all started... when everything went wrong not just for Justin but Alec as well.
Which left her with wonder on the contents of the question in the air. Did he hope she could be the key to this? Did he wanted her to be apart of this too? Freya's eyes darkened at that thought. She did not want to be involved in this war. It weighed on her. It made her heavy, and little by little it had become to steal her spirit. So much blood had already been shed because of her, and now Justin did not trust her. It hurt deeply. "I found it in my room." The words awkwardly settled in the air between the two. Justin chose to not push it while he looked away from her. Staring down the hallway, he stopped and kept his back to her.
"That isn't what I am asking you Freya, and we both know it." Justin's lip curled at the words. "I left you alone because of your wound, but it is time you explain to me what the hell you meant." A rush of nerves flooded her senses at his tone. The gentle protective Justin never spoke to her with harshness. There was no kindness behind his words. There was threat and command.
"And I do not plan to tell you." The words left Freya's lips because she could stop them. Her own eyes narrowing as she straightened herself. In the time being there, she had begun to mimic their body language. One being that a straightened body and eye contact gained respect... a challenge that forced respect.
Justin, however, was a delta which meant anyone who challenged him often was put in their place. The man slowly turned to her as he straightened himself. Harsh blue eyes stared down at her before silently he become to move towards her. His feet, usually loud and noticeable, had become gentle...quiet and careful. They glided across the floor until he was standing over her. Freya stared back at him with refusal to break eye contact or to back down. Just as he refused to back down. "We are about to fight an all out war because of you, so you better fucking open your mouth and tell me what the hell is going on." Justin whispered. Without raising his voice, he commanded all of the power. He commanded a threat worse than death. It had Freya's blood roaring and sweat creeping down her body. She was not naive enough to think she could take him if he meant real harm. Yet, her heart said he would never hurt her... he would not strike her, and that made her brave.
Smirking slowly, Freya reached out a hand. Patting his chest, she stepped around the delta and started down the hallway again. "My answer won't change even if you threaten me." With that, Freya left him standing alone in the hallway with only his thoughts to keep him company.
---
Alec leaned back against his throne. He was able to relax now that Freya was removed from the room. He should have thought about the Hoofed herd waking her. They often stomped their feet in support of their leaders. It was hard to miss, and it made his ears bleed. It sounded like an earthquake right next to him. Growling low in his throat, he folded his ears back and turned his attention to those left in front of him. He could not ignore what was said. He was unprepared for Freya's announcement nor the realization the Hopi clan had found her. They were clever beasts with strange abilities. It was clear what talents they had... what they knew or what they kept hidden. They were close nit and despised outsiders. The only reason they ventured out was to do business. They allied themselves with Bellaroos because they offered the most business. Cathilon could not offer them enough, but his pack could. Alec knew they were not loyal though. The clan would stab them in the back the instant they had a better offer.
Frowning, he raked his hand through his hair in frustration before turning to Aadesh. The sheep man's ears flickered nervously. He refused to meet the wolf's eyes which was wise. Aadesh had let Alec down. There was no room for a coward, but Alec expected nothing less from prey. His lips pulled back to display fangs that dripped spit like acid. If they had been alone, he would have ripped out the sheep's throat the instant he refused to assist in this war. If he could fight off the clan, he would have feasted on the sheep's blood. However, he was not foolish. He knew all to well that he would lose, and his pack would once more be left without a leader. Justin was smart, loyal, and powerful, but he was too kindhearted to take his place. Besides, he did not want that for his brother. He had already lost so much. He could not bare Justin sacrificing more because he decided to be stupid.
Klepto's hiss brought Alec's attention back. He tapped his finger against his throne in irritation before dismissing the Hoofed herd all together. After what Freya said, he could guess what had happened. The Valkyrie flock were powerful. They had long ago pulled away from the war, but they refused to acknowledge a king. Rather, they started to create their own territory. They forced clans to join them by economic means. They were the main traders with crafts that only the Gods should be able to possess. Beautiful pottery, tools, art, books, and the latest technology were only a tip of their trade. They also brought in food and new skills to make hunting and farming easier. Aadesh's clan could not survive without them. Could it be the Valkyrie flock joined with Cathilon and threatened the herd? It was possible, but it meant...
Alec's jaw clenched. "You are dismissed." The voice, even to his own ears, was dead toned. It was cold, the kind of cold he had felt only from blizzards. It had the sheep flinching away as he nervously flickered his eyes at the predators around him. They were not fighters but without them their supplies were cut greatly. Their force and power were hurt.
"I am deeeeeeply sorry." The thunderous boom of hooves shook the room, however Alec paid no attention. He did not care when Aadesh walked from his room... nor cared when that left only the Hopi to look up at him.
"We do not care to fight a losing battle." Klepto hissed in warning.. Alec snarled at him in irritation. It did little good. The Hopi clan had no loyalty.
"This will not be a losing battle. We have every intention of demolishing Cathilon once and for all." The venom dripped from Alec's lips easily. The hatred festered in blood. It rotted away his peace. He would not sleep in peace until their paid for their wrong doings, but also for his mother. It was time to put this to rest. "We have another option."
The mamba smirked slowly and chuckled under his breath. "Against two powerful clans? Over a girl? It's suicidal." The white female at his side glanced over at him. Alec could see her annoyance and watched a tongue flicker from her lips. She still had yet to move much though. Rarely did Hopi, the white female, speak. Her job was something more... simple.
Alec's eyes forced themselves from her to look back to the male. "Not if we ask the Behemoths." Silence choked the air in the room. Klepto had even become silent as he stared at the wolf in utter shock.
"They wish for no part in this war. They have not been apart of it since the Beast Gods creation. How do you intend to persuade them?" The Hopi spoke for the first time. Her voice crystal clear, soft as a whisper. It brushed against Alec's ears like a kiss. A beautiful lovely sound, until someone realized what she was. He often forgot what she was until one day she decided to remind him.
"We give them an offer they cannot refuse." Alec's lips pulled up in a sinister smirk.