The evening was approaching, and I was genuinely surprised to find my quarters still intact, along with the clothes Sabrina had provided for me. I hadn't crossed paths with Jasmine since our arrival and hadn't yet briefed Ravenna on everyone in our new surroundings.
Ravenna seemed taken aback, shocked, at the sizes of Zane and Jaxon's Lycans.
She nervously settled herself on my cozy bed, clearly curious and anxious.
"What are they?" she trembled, seeking answers.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should divulge the truth. "They're—"
"Follow me, both of you," Sabrina interrupted, her voice devoid of emotion and warmth. She must have entered without knocking, and the grimness in her emerald eyes hinted at her sorrow, likely related to her bond with Jaxon and the knowledge of his absence.
"Sabrina, I—"
"Not now, Una. Follow me," she cut me off, her voice dripping with venom. Without waiting to see if we would comply, she turned and walked away. I scrambled to my feet, pulling Ravenna along as she looked on in confusion.
"Who is she supposed to be?" Ravenna whispered as we followed Sabrina toward the pack house, a grand mansion. Ravenna's gasp of awe mirrored my own reaction when I first saw it, which managed to bring a faint smile to my face. Deep down, though, I couldn't shake the fear of why Sabrina had suddenly come to get both Ravenna and I.
I maintained silence, ignoring Ravenna, as we ascended the stairs leading to the door. Sabrina led us into a room tucked in the far-right corner of the hall. To my astonishment, I found Zane, Jakayla, Damon, and Elder Tali all seated around a table, their expressions somber.
Zane occupied the far end of the table, clearly presiding over this gathering. He gestured for me to sit directly across from him, and I complied, positioning myself to face him. Damon's face bore the aftermath of Malefica's attack earlier during the week, evident in the stitches on his face. Upon setting his eyes on Ravenna, he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, vigorously shaking his head.
"Damon, are you okay?" Elder Tali inquired, placing her arm on his back and offering reassurance. Ravenna, on the other hand, stood rooted to the spot and staggered as soon as she locked eyes with Damon.
"Mate," she muttered, her words causing everyone, including me, to turn their attention to her.
"Mate???" I repeated, stunned, while Elder Tali smiled.
"That's enough," Jakayla croaked, her eyes tear-stained and dark, signaling for them to refocus on the reason for calling this meeting.
"She's right," Zane's voice boomed, and he shot a disapproving glare at Ravenna before she took a seat next to Sabrina.
"Una, were you informed of anything significant during your time with your former pack?" Zane began, locking his gaze with mine in a magnetic and almost hypnotic intensity. I had to forcibly tear my eyes away from his captivating stare.
"Could you be more specific?" I asked, earning disapproving glares from both Jakayla and Sabrina.
"Let me clarify," Elder Tali interjected, addressing Zane before turning her gaze back to me.
"Did they mention anything about you being the key to solidifying your Alpha's position?" She asked, her level of accuracy astounding me.
"Yes, I was told that," I answered honestly, and they all turned their attention to Zane, except for Damon, whose eyes remained fixed on Ravenna.
"So, your Alpha is undoubtedly collaborating with the Malefica?" Elder Tali asked again, and I nodded in agreement.
"Why are you asking all this?" I inquired, and she exchanged a glance with Zane before facing me with uncertainty in her eyes.
"We—"
"We're wasting time!" Jakayla screeched as she abruptly rose to her feet and slammed her hands on the table, her Lycan threatening to surface. She was typically gentle, but her Lycan was fiercely protective, and I could sense its presence.
"As we go back and forth about her being some stupid key, my brother is being tortured! And worse, they might have sent this mistake as a spy!" She spat, referring to Ravenna, who raised her eyebrows in an attempt to defend herself.
"Mistake? Did you just call me a mistake?" Ravenna echoed, standing up as well, engaging in a glaring contest with Jakayla.
"Kayla, sit. You, sit," Zane said, using a tone of disrespect as he referred to Ravenna as 'you.' I pulled her down before she could say a word and pinched her leg, signaling for her to stay quiet.
"I fully intend to go back for your brother, Kayla. But Jaxon is tough; you don't need to worry about him so much," Zane attempted to soothe Jakayla, and she let out a heavy sigh.
"As I was saying, have you been informed about the history of this pack?" Elder Tali continued, studying me closely.
"No, I haven't," I replied, my eyes darting around the room.
"Zane, make sure you inform her personally," she instructed, and he snorted.
"Why can't you do it yourself?" he rebelled, resting his chin on his hand.
"The way I see it, the more we talk, the more time we give those weaker beings to rally and come for us. They have Jaxon, and they could use his scent to track us down," Zane explained, rising to his feet, clearly finished with this meeting.
"Jakayla, prepare the safety bunks in case of an attack. Sabrina, you and Elder Tali will fortify the territory and create a protective dome. Damon, find capable guardians to join the two of us in our mission to rescue Jaxon," Zane declared with an air of authority.
"We're bringing our Beta back."
Amidst the charged atmosphere, Damon broke the silence by turning his attention to Ravenna, who had managed to divert his gaze from the haunting memories of the day.
"I'm Damon," he said, his voice carrying a hint of weariness, yet with an underlying warmth that contrasted with the tension in the room. "I'm part of this pack, though you've probably already figured that out."
Ravenna responded with a tentative smile, a small display of politeness amidst the uncertainty that hung in the air. "Ravenna," she replied, her voice showing less trembling as she introduced herself. "I'm...well, I'm new here."
"Clearly," Damon retorted sarcastically before smacking his head and then he nodded in understanding, a silent recognition of the challenges that often came with being a newcomer in a world as intricate as theirs.
As Damon rose from his seat, he cast one last look at Ravenna, a silent acknowledgment of her presence and the uncertainty that lay ahead. Then, with a firm nod to the others, he made his exit from the room.
"You may all leave," Zane declared, his gaze never leaving mine as the others began to shuffle out of the room. I made an attempt to rise from my seat, but he gently held me in place, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that left me rooted to the spot.
In his proximity, my body came alive, igniting with sparks of intense desire, and I began to breathe heavily. There was no doubt he felt the same, as he gently rubbed his nose against mine, teasing me.
The maddening mate bond sent waves of frustration surging through me, and I battled the overwhelming urge to press my lips against his.
Finally, he relented, pulling his face away from mine with a deep, weary sigh.
"Follow me."