I dazedly stood aside as Zak talked with the other Alphas on our side. We were currently in a large room where most of the Alphas on Zak's side were gathered. I tried to listen in on the conversation, but my mind was too distracted.
How was I supposed to broach the subject? Was there any chance that I could tell him everything he needed to know without divulging the fact that I was dying?
I absent-mindedly patted Mika, who contently purred in my arms. I had been doing this for over an hour now, and was honestly surprised the kitty stayed still. Maybe he sensed my anxiety. Mika was pretty weird, too.
The Alphas started leaving the room one by one, some congratulating Zak on finding his mate when they said their goodbyes. When only I and Zak were left in the room, he made his way towards me, his eyebrows furrowing in concern.
"Where has your mind been since your talk with Rafayel?" He asked, his voice tinged with worry. My heart melted at him, worrying about me.
I made the decision. I would reveal it to him the details that he needed to know, that is.
"Alpha Zak, we need to have a talk," I said warily. He raised an eyebrow at me but made a sound barrier in an instant. I took a seat before one of the smaller tables in the room, letting Mika go so that he was not confined to my lap anymore.
Zak sat down beside me and stared, as if waiting for me to start. So I did.
"What I'm about to tell you is something you probably already know, but I just wanted to let you know since it's related to the Royal Lycans," I began, hesitating when he stiffened and his stare turned cold.
"You don't have to force yourself to tell me anything Ashley, did Rafayel threaten you?" Zak asked, his voice quiet but laced with anger. I shook my head.
"No, it's my decision. You really need to know this. It might connect some dots for you."
"I see. I'll listen to you."
I took a deep breath and started my tale.
"Introductions first, my full name is not Ashley Diamante, but Ashley Diamante Levisay. I'm the exiled Alpha Heir of the Southern Lands and the Eclipse Pack." I paused, gauging his reaction. His eyes widened a fraction and I could see the gears in his head turning.
He gestured for me to continue with a nod.
"As you know, that day, five years ago, I fought a friendly duel against Ryker and lost, then the Lycan Prince challenged me. Injured from the previous duel, and unable to withstand his elemental power of flames, I lost that duel too."
I looked down at my hands and smiled bitterly.
"And with that duel, I lost everything. My title as Alpha Heir, my family, my pack, my powers, everything. I got stripped of all my Lycan abilities. When I got exiled, I had to hide in various dumpsters to throw the assassins after me off scent."
Those memories made me shudder. Zak placed his hand on mine and squeezed it, giving me strength.
"I was already half dead by the time I got to Wolfsbane Pack. My initiation happened in a hurry because I was dying. Everyone thought I was an omega, and I let them think that way, since it was more convenient. And I've been hiding from the world ever since," I finished, trying to sound cheerful, but failed.
I did not tell him about how I lost my immortality too, and that I was slowly dying. That was a conversation I hoped to never have with him. I also didn't mention one more thing, but I had a feeling he already knew. And I didn't feel that it was safe to say it here.
Even though it was only half the truth, I felt like I had bared my soul to him.
Zak just sat motionless for a while, not saying anything. Heavy silence enveloped the room. I could even hear Mika scratching the legs of the wooden table.
"I can see why the Royals infiltrated Wolfsbane of all packs. They want to get rid of you silently, while also causing trouble for me," he said, breaking the silence.
"I think so too. They might have only found me through Jared's Luna Candidate submission. You did say that all of this started at that period."
"Yes. How did Rafayel recognise you when even I don't have any details about the appearance of Eclipse's Alpha family?" Zak asked curiously.
"He's met my father once. And I look exactly like my father, with pretty unique eyes. Alpha Rafayel just matched the circumstances." I shrugged.
His little finger twitched as he looked deep in thought.
"We will leave for Eternal Frost immediately. No place in here is safe for you if the Royals are after you and not me," Zak said, taking my hand in his.
His eyes glazed over for a moment.
"Who did you mindlink?" I asked.
"Ryker and Alpha Enya. I informed them that we would be going ahead of schedule and they are to follow," he said tersely.
"Are we going to teleport again?" Mika walked over to me as we stood up, I picked him up in my arms again.
"Yes. And Mika would be safe, too. Don't worry." Mika's name sounded unfamiliar in his mouth and I had to hold back a smile at his concern for my cat.
The surroundings turned pitch-black and in a moment; it changed. The scenery of a snowy pine forest unfolded quickly around us. Fortunately for me, I didn't feel nauseous this time.
A huge spiral of a galaxy of several colors, bounded by a metal frame, awaited us a few steps away. It was a long distance teleportation portal. It was my first time seeing one, and it looked magnificent. Two guards stood by each side of the portal. Zak led me towards it.
"First time seeing a portal?" He asked amusedly, looking at the gobsmacked expression on my face.
"Yup." I nodded excitedly.
"It will feel a little more… rougher than how teleportation feels with my magic. So hold on to me and your cat tightly," Zak warned.
He talked to the guards while I admired the surrounding scenery. It was so beautiful I wished I could capture it in a painting. Finally, the guards stepped away and Zak led me by my hand to enter the portal. He had never let go of it even once.
Zak was right. As soon as we landed in unfamiliar surroundings, a wave of nausea hit me, and the ground felt unsteady. Thankfully, he caught me by my waist and I could stand on my own feet again. Mika was strangely unperturbed by all this. We had to teleport on our own once again, as the portal only led us to the outskirts of Eternal Frost.
The second teleportation went smoothly. Once we landed, I did not feel like puking and the world did not sway.
But nothing prepared me for the sight that welcomed us.