CHAPTER NINETEEN
TINY'S POV
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
Gahiji's voice rattles my bones as I sit across from him. Anger rolls off his tongue naturally. I bow my head, "I'm sorry."
"I distinctly remember saying to avoid Redwood and see me immediately," said Gahiji, "instead, you decide to open fire at your packmate while endangering our guest!"
There isn't an excuse or reason that could outweigh my actions. Honestly, I don't understand why I'm on edge lately. There's a burning phenomenon I can't unravel like waking from the fog of a forgotten dream. I bite my tongue in retaliation, afraid of what I might say.
Despite his anger, my mind falls to the words the rogue from earlier said. Was the dying man lying? The Rogue King hasn't appeared publicly for over a decade, but his men believe he's returning. Is there another war in the making?
It doesn't make sense. The beast should've died in the Blackwell war. Gahiji must know.
Gahiji takes my silence as a reply. He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing heavily, "I've asked you to be here because I understand your transition is approaching."
He reaches for his bifocals as I lift my eyes to watch him carefully. Gahiji has always been short with words, but his expressions are all I need. There's only been a handful of times I've faced him.
"Considering your shift falls on the festival," he says slowly as if he was questioning what words to say, "It's in the best interest of everyone that you do not attend. You're permitted to participate in events beforehand, but for your safety-"
It feels like a lump of stones resting in my throat, forbidding me to breathe. "What?"
He continues, "you must remain in your quarters during the festival. A young she-wolf's shift is followed by heat. We also don't know if your abilities will evolve or become hard to control. It's too dangerous, Tiny."
"Sir," I rasp, "that's not fair!"
I hate that my voice quivered. The first moon festival in a decade and I'm forbidden to attend. My mind spins at the thought of explaining to everyone back home. Does Teresa already know?
"Consider it your punishment for the fiasco you caused downstairs," said Gahiji, he avoids my gaze as I blink away the sting of hot tears. "You'll understand in due time, my dear."
Before I can reply, gentle knock floods the room. Gahiji doesn't stir as he answers the gentle interruption, "come in."
The door creaks slightly. I keep my gaze on Gahiji watching as the man's scowl turned into a genuine smile.
A strange sensation envelops the atmosphere, and my stomach drops. He settles his bifocals on the crisp mahogany desk in front of him while gesturing for his new guest to enter.
"Kobay, my friend," Gahiji grins. "Is there something you need?"
I cock my head to the side slightly at Gahiji before correcting myself. A thick and heavy voice pulsates behind me, and I tense at the sound.
"My men are on edge," a voice says behind me. The tone is saturated in power and richness. I'd find his voice to be intoxicating if I wasn't afraid of what was to come next.
It's the same voice from the altercation at the backdoor. My fingers curl over the body of my bow at the side of the chair.
I'm in the same room as Redwoods' alpha… And I disrespected him.
...
KOBAY'S POV
"My men are on edge," I say, wrapping my fingers on the tip of the chair before me.
Silvercrest's alpha lifts his hooded eyes to meet mine. His expression softens as his eyes fall back to the chair. Gahiji hums, tapping his fingers on his desk with a knowing smile, "well we can't have that! You're our honorary guests. What do your men need?"
"They've been promised a feast, and possess little patience." I further explain, "we've traveled a great distance to fulfill your request, and I don't want my men to come off disrespectful when they start lashing out at each other."
Gahiji simply hums as his eyes drop to the chair in front of him. I feel it move slightly, and peer down to see who's in front of me. I'm surprised to see lush dark hair and heavy natural hazel eyes perplexed at me.
Those beautiful golden brown eyes appeared to be on the brim of tears. She carried a light scent of soil-like tones and lavender. The young woman quickly lowers her head, but to my dismay, she didn't do so because of bashfulness. Her expression was complex and appeared fearful.
I notice her fingers wrap around the slender body of a bow at her legs, and the realization sinks in. I noticed her during the rogue patrol when my beta found his mate. She's the careless warrior from earlier. The one who injected Milo at the cavern, and nearly got her head bit off by Adam.
She's a hot-headed fire waiting to burn the village if Gahiji didn't rein her in soon. In fact, she threatened Adam by implying she'd remove his dick effortlessly with an arrowhead.
No man wants to hear that.
"Thank you for coming in, my dear," Gahiji says, breaking the suffocating silence. "Cyrus is outside waiting for you. You're excused"
Despite her reckless behavior, she is beautiful. Her face carries a large scar that covers her high cheekbone and slides down her slender neck.
Behind her dark full lashes are the most intoxicating eyes I've ever stared at. But she doesn't bother another glance at me as she hoists herself from her chair.
She leans against Gahiji's desk to support herself as she writes a message on thin parcel paper. It's peculiarly strange that she doesn't converse using mind-like. It must mean she hasn't shifted yet. I can't see what she said, but her alpha grimaces at her note.
I step aside and watch as she clips her weapon on her back. The sleek bow glistens with colorful feathers decorating the smooth craft. Its elegant body must've taken many years to perfect.
The woman dips her head to her superior before slipping past me and removing herself from his office. Her steps are shallow and small. It reminds me of a rabbit caught in the deep snow terrain.
Her scent never fades as I observe her figure slip out the doorframe. I turn my focus to Gahiji, who appears unphased with a plastered smile across his face.
"Did I interrupt something of importance?" I breathe, watching as the man straightened himself. He pushes his seat back and holds his arm out to guide me from his desk.
"Not at all," he lies, "I've been a terrible host. Let's get you and your men settled in their quarters with full bellies!"
I follow him as he holds his door open. Smiling with clenched teeth, I go along with the act. "Splendid."
As I follow the old man down the stairs, I peel the floor apart looking for the reckless warrior. In the far corner, I see her who stands in front of Cyrus with her back to us.
I notice Dominic is close to the two so I send him over with a simple command. While Lucas is my right-hand man, he's a hopeless romantic. The poor sap has been dreaming of his fated since we were pups. He can get information on his mate, and I can figure out what they're hiding. It's a win-win.
She's clueless to my stares, but I lock eyes with the beta. He smiles at me as he wraps his arm around the woman's shoulder who leans into his body.
While others may see his expression as friendly, I see it otherwise. He's protective of her and shields her from my view. Gahiji must suspect my distrust. I return his smile and pace myself gradually beside Gahiji.
I wasn't born yesterday. It is practically unheard of to offer an entire share of land- especially the territory that causes a multitude of bloodshed- because of rogues. Gahiji's no fool. He knew an offer like that would mean Redwood wouldn't deny his invitations to the festival. So, does that mean he offered something to the Walker pack as well? Or was he certain I'd fall for his flattery?
Whatever the young woman wrote was confidential. Something Gahiji nor Cyrus cares to be generous with. But I will find out even if it means getting close to the source directly.