Alfolthrul's POV
When I got back to my office, I waited on Liam and Noir to arrive. The child had been asleep for days with Liam being like an overbearing mother.
A part of me felt a twinge of guilt, invading the girl's mind like I did but what I saw in Liam when they first arrived bothered me.
Their meeting wasn't destiny.
It was planned.
And not just planned by anyone but Olufemi Bielke, a warlock that has made a name for himself under the rule of the late Alpha Erik of Dark Wood and now ruled by Alpha Alistair, the first born of the twin brothers sired by Erik.
However, I've known that warlock since before then. He specialized in Offensive and Defensive Magic but seems to favor Offensive. He is also eerily proficient in spells along with botany and herbalism.
When I made myself known in Noir's subconscious mind, I gave her the future I saw, the aftermath of a war caused by lies, deceit, obsession and revenge. I showed this to her because she has the power to change it where Liam alone, cannot.
I did not want this future for her, Liam or anyone else because it has a ripple effect.
Packs have treaties and I have a treaty with both Dark Wood and Crest Valley. This vision of war will not only effect the two packs but my pack and other packs that fall within Dark Wood's treaties.
I did however, piece together what Olufemi did and had a generalized idea of what was happening when I looked into the mind's eye of Noir before presenting her the vision. Between Liam and Noir, many blanks have been filled in as not only did I see the future but their memories as well.
I haven't mentioned what I saw or even know to Liam but that was about to change.
It might of been out of turn but I requested Bjarke Renouf, the first born Alpha of Crest Valley to be in attendance to this meeting. He should be arriving soon.
The sound of my office door opening brought me back as I watched Liam walk in followed by the young woman glaring at the back of his head.
I gestured for them to sit before leaning back in my chair.
"I'm glad to see that you're awake," I nodded to Noir who now stared at me with uncertainty.
Chuckling to myself, I smiled.
"Ah, yes. Pleasantries. My name is Alfolthrul Skau, Alpha and Soothsayer of Howling Hollows."
After a moment, Liam nudged Noir who was staring at me with a tilted head before jumping up and bowing.
"I apologize if I've shown any disrespect, Alpha Alfolthrul. My name is Noir Friis."
Friis? He couldn't even let her keep her name, that damned imbecile of a man. Then again, what was I expecting? Olufemi's spells are flawless.
I found it odd she didn't mention her pack.
"What pack are you from and what is your rank?"
Noir hesitated for a moment before straightening herself in a prideful stance.
"Kappa Noir Friis of Fallen Grove, Lead Hunter alongside Olen Kiarr."
I looked at Liam who was looking at Noir, gobsmacked.
Most packs don't really acknowledge their extended ranks outside of the obvious, as they have expected and respected jobs they naturally fulfill, as if second nature. Rarely do they even get asked what their position is.
I nodded. "I see. No disrespect taken. Now sit. I have something to explain to both of you."
Sitting immediately, Noir nodded, placing her hands in her lap.
"Now, tell me, do you know what a Soothsayer is?"
When Noir didn't say anything, I nodded and straightened further in my chair.
"A Soothsayer is what the mánnfolk like to call "psychics", someone who can see the past and the future. Some of us have that ability, where others can only see one or the other but in rare cases, instead of just seeing the future, the Soothsayer can see memories in place of seeing the past. That's me. I can see the future and I can see memories. I can not see the past as a whole but only what has happened in the eyes of the person I'm examining," I said slowly, letting it sink in.
After a moment, Noir spoke.
"Alright?... What does that have to do with anything?"
Glad you asked, child.
Smiling, I leaned back further into my chair.
"Do you remember your dream," I questioned.
Immediately the air became thick and I saw Noir visibly tense at the mention of the dream, leaving Liam to look further confused after Noir's declaration of her name.
"How do yo—," I cut her off.
"That is your future. Its what's to come; blood, chaos, murder, war, death— you name it."
"But why," she questioned, her fear filling the room to an almost suffocating level.
"What do you remember about yourself," I questioned further. "What has your life been like until now?"
Shifting, Noir looked at Liam who gave her a nod before looking back at me as she began to explain, unaware of her brother who silently entered the room mid-explanation.
When she finished, I sighed.
"Lies."
"I beg your par—."
"Everything that you just said, well almost everything, is a lie," I deadpanned.
No one said anything as Noir looked utterly dumbfounded.
"What do you mean," she asked.
"Your name, for example, isn't Noir Friis. It's Noir Lejos."
When she didn't say anything, I continued.
"Do you know who else has the last name Lejos?"
"No?"
"Alpha Alistair of Dark Wood. Do you know why it is that you have his last name?"
"I'm unsure what you're talking about but I'll bite. No. If I do actually have his last name, he must be my brother or relative," Noir said sarcastically.
It was then a laugh echoed throughout the room causing all heads to turn in the direction of Bjarke.
"You weren't kidding, were you, Alpha Alfolthrul? Gods."
I could see he was using underlying humor to mask his hurt.
"Who—," Noir began and I waved her off into silence.
"Wait and hopefully it will make sense."
"You know that's a lie. You know the only way for Noir to regain her memories completely is to kill Olufemi but that is no simple feat," Madrick, my wolf, said, his voice low.
"I'm not going to try easing you into anything. No one in this room or outside of this room has time for that. So when you're ready, let me know."
I know I came off indifferent but I needed to let her know and I knew so many things Liam lacked and couldn't say.
By now, Bjarke decided to move and lean against the wall behind me.
Noir watched his movements and for a moment, her eyes flickered blue but it was so fast that if one wasn't paying attention, they would of missed.
Ah, so she is still able to connect to Faelen and River who are blocked for the time being but Faelen is trying to push forward at the sight of her brother. Good to know.
I was unsure how the spell effected her lycan and wolf but I did know that they were both there being locked away.
Leaning forwards, I examined Noir before leaning back once more.
"I'm going to say this and say it one time," I paused and looked at Liam.
"You pay attention too and really pay attention."
"It would be easier to show her, don't you agree? Liam doesn't need to know everything, just his role that has been forced upon him," Madrick said lazily.
"Hmm. I suppose you're right."
"Per usual."
I decided to do just that.
Show her.
A part of me hesitated though before I mentally motioned for Noir to come and stand before me.
The moment I did, her body lurched forward, her head falling back and after a moment, she snapped her attention to me with milky eyes. She looked blind but that was to be expected.
When she moved to stand in front of me, my body moved on its own as I also stood.
She didn't so much as breathe wrong as I traced the bridge of her nose with my thumb before gently placing a hand on her forehead.
When I did, I released my knowledge unto her causing her body to move forward. She screamed and began to thrash violently. I growled and used my free arm to hold her in place even if it meant her being now flush against my body.
Looking down at her, Noir's eyes flickered between emerald, azure and silver repeatedly.
She was now bleeding out of her nose, ears, eyes and was frothing at the mouth like a rabid animal as she convulsed.
You're strong child. You have a bright light and hold so many hearts in your hands.
Another wave of violent convulsion hit her.
Snarling in frustration and not towards Noir but the situation, my heart pained at what I chose to do as I tightly embraced the young woman.
When it was done, Noir laid limp in my arms. I bend down and picked her up then passed her to Bjarke.
"Take her to her room, please."
Nodding, Bjarke began to leave as Liam shot up which caused Bjarke to partially shift.
"Back off," Bjarke snarled at Liam, shifting his body so Noir was further away from Liam.
Liam returned the notion by also partially shifting before I spoke.
"LIAM," I almost shouted.
When he looked back at me, Bjarke used that opportunity to dismiss himself with Noir, leaving me with a confused and conflicted lycan.
"Sit."
When Liam refused and growled, I realized it was Grænn in whom was acting upon impulse causing Madrick to push forward.
Standing, Madrick had me move to stand in front of Liam.
Madrick very rarely took the reins but when he decided to, I let him.
"Look here, pup," he spat. "You may be my nephew and an Alpha at that, a bastard son or not but you are in my pack, you are in my territory and I am doing you a favor. You will not disrespect me and even challenge me, for you will fail. Do I make myself clear," Madrick snarled, now leaning down so he was forehead to forehead, nose to nose with Liam.
We stayed like that for a moment before Grænn calmed himself and Liam came back, sitting down.
Sitting down myself, I rolled my shoulders and sighed, looking at the young lycan before me.
"Now, boy, we have a lot to discuss."