32. Together.

Leighton

I couldn’t shake the feeling that Estelle was in trouble. The team that Jackson decided to send to visit her father was smaller than I had liked but to be honest after seeing the interaction between her and Prince Alonso it was a miracle he was still agreeing to come with me.

I knew it was only because he knew I that nothing would stop me going and they weren’t going to let me go alone. Jackson himself was coming, Antony, Ashton’s top warrior was also coming along with Luke’s brother Marty.

Luke filled us in with what he knew and thought might be helpful as we got ready to leave.

“These are the family trees of the royal families nearby. I’ve marked those that might be considered safe, as in not allied with King Adalfundis. It’s safe to assume everyone is your enemy. That list should also give you an idea of what powers to expect. However don’t believe it fully, I’m not sure we can trust these wolves …”

“You definitely can’t trust them.” Felicity, Kora and Loletta appeared. “You didn’t think you were going without me?” Felicity asked.

“No way, Ashton will kill me, …if the Kings doesn’t the moment I arrive.”

“You need me, I’m not a threat or useful to them. Also Loletta thinks they might have more powers than you think they do.” She pushed the young witch forward. She looked like deer, startled in the headlight. I didn’t see how she would be any use to us.

“There, there are witches over there that can give wolves powers.” She was shaking slightly as she spoke and Kora squeezed her arm.

“How do you know this ?”

Kota answered for her. “Loletta comes from across the water. She was rescued by a coven when she was a little girl. She recognised some of the scenes she saw through the portal when the witch attacked. I hoping she might be helpful when we arrive.”

“How do we know she isn’t a spy?” I asked, looking at the witch who cowered at my voice.

“We don’t but I trust her.” Kora said confidently. “She wants to help the Princess.”

I looked at Jackson because I would probably be overruled by him anyway. He was watching me and didn’t speak. I guess he was letting me make the call. I vaguely recognised this witch as the one that the Princess has liked. If I trusted my mate then maybe I needed to trust her judgement too. I hoped I hadn’t been played for a fool, the only solace was I might not live to see the disappointment on my friend’s faces if I led us into a trap.

“Okay.” I resigned myself to the extras. “Wheels up in five.”

Exactly five minutes later we were streaking through the sky to Britannia. I spend the journey trying to learn who was related to who. It was clear from these family trees that they had an obsession with keeping the gold bloodline pure. Of the few wolves that were included only a few hadn’t seemed to follow protocol, yet some were listed as having powers.

It was very clear though that, as a result of the political matings most families were related in some way of form. One thing I noticed was it was not very common for a water gift to be paired with a fire gift.

“This is interesting.” Jackson was reading a book on gold wolves. “So it seems that the earth gift is the best one, they can manipulate water and fire as well. They just can’t produce it like a true fire wolf could.

“Now I hear of all these powers, the Princess doesn’t seem as impressive. I hope this King is happy to see us.”

I suppressed a growl that he dared to insult my mate because he had a point about the King. I was pretty sure he could destroy us the instant we landed if he so wished. For a moment I wondered if I was truly out of my depth.

“This isn’t how a King thinks. Get you head in the game.” Titan coached me. I could feel his desperation to see him mate again.

My wolf went quiet as we descended. The door opened and we were faced with an army of not very welcoming guards. Jackson stood beside me as we exited the plane.

No words were exchanged as we silently followed the guards towards the large castle. Set against the backdrop of snow capped mountains if I were here for any other reason, I would have been in awe of its beauty. The rugged bleakness had sense of calm that appealed to something inside me. Something that made you want to stop and savour its tranquil beauty.

The King was waiting for us at the entrance to the castle. An imposing figure, his eyes casually sweeping over our party, like he was assessing each wolf individually. His eyes gave nothing away. With a curt nod he turned and strode into the castle. I squared my shoulders as I fell into step with Jackson behind him.

The King marched us down a long dark corridor to his office. Once inside he sat down. He still hadn’t spoken and the Queen didn’t appear to be anywhere I could see.

Jackson broke the silence.

“Your highness, my apologies your daughter left our care, undetected. We had an unexpected guest and I assume he brought news with him, that made her feel the need to leave .”

“Peter found her didn’t he ?” The King asked. Standing up sharply, he turned from us. “It was always my fear he would be her mate. I tried to keep him away because I knew he adored her so.”

Jackson shot me a look, silencing me as I went to correct the King.

“It’s not that I don’t like the boy, but he isn’t a King.” He looked like he wanted to say more. If my heart could sink further it would have. If he didn’t think Peter who had grown up with royal protocols and had royal blood was fit to be King there was no chance he would accept me. Suddenly all the words that were on the tip of my tongue to blurt out died a death.

“I can only hope she was smart enough not to let him mark her, that might buy me enough time to do something.” The King turned back to face us. “I can only assume from your presence here that you saw the prophecy and you know the wolf I need to save her.”

You could hear a pin drop in the room as the King watched Jackson carefully. He didn’t react in the slightest and I knew there was nothing any wolf could do that would make him reveal Greer.

“You know I’ve seen the prophecy, because it was you that made sure it got to me.” Jackson spoke directly to the King. I had to catch myself from reacting in surprise as this was news to me. “Even if I could bring you the wolf you want, I don’t value one wolves life over another so I wouldn’t do it to save your daughter….but I’m willing to help you get help you her back. Tell me what we are up against.”

“Firstly, tell me why you are really here? What interest is my daughter to you?”

The King was clearly worried why we were here. If I looked at it from his perspective, we could want his daughter as much as King Adalfundis did, we didn’t really know how much this King knew about us so I couldn’t blame him for questioning our motives.

“She is my mate.” I said, before Jackson could answer. The King concealed his surprise well and I waited for his reaction.

“My name is Leighton, I …”

“I know who you are. Do you think I would let have let my daughter go without knowing everything about you all.”

His confidence said he knew a lot more than we were expecting. I vaguely wondered how he would have been able to find out anything about us without us knowing.

“I could pretend that I’m happy about this, but I won’t insult you. Since you are here, without her I can assume she has not chosen to accept you.” He paused and suddenly looked much older than his years. “Unless you want to bring a war to your doorstep I suggest you all leave.”

“I can’t. I’m sorry your highness. She did choose me. Something happened, that made her leave and I won’t leave without her.”

“She has been raised to be a Queen. It’s her birthright. And she will be great. I’m sorry son but she needs a King worthy of her. In order to defeat King Adalfundis she needs to unite the royal families, against him. The Prince, he may not be her mate but I know he is in love with her. If she can turn him against his father and we find the sacrifice we can defeat him.”

I knew without speaking he could see that I saw the flaws in a plan build on what ifs.

“Even if she can’t turn the Prince, she will be safe. They have been trying to find a wolf strong enough to harness more than one power. They will never harm her while she bears his pups and still commands the love of her people.”

The King sat down behind his desk, his shoulder slumping in defeat.

“There was a chance, with the right mate I could free her from that life.” He looked at Jackson. “As much as I didn’t want to scarifice your mate I would have to stop Adalfundis. You might think you are safe from his reach but he wants to rule over all wolves, and he could eventually be powerful to do so.”

“You will never get near my mate.” Jackson growled at the King. A dangerous move.

“Let’s say, hypothetically we planned on freeing the Princess. Would you help us? We can keep her safe until we are ready to defeat this King Adalfundis.” I tried to distract.

“To defeat Adalfundis you need four gold wolves. Each with a different power. Willing to work together. That task in itself is almost impossible. Those with the earth gifts have hidden them well, disguised as other gifts as they can manipulate what is on the earth. The fire line runs solely through Adalfundis, so you need the Prince on side. Finally you need a sacrifice, the only two wolves alive with the power of light are your mate and my daughter. To break the dark witches protection spell you need to sacrifice their wolf.”

“There is no other way to defeat him ?” Jackson asked.

The King signed. “Not that I’m aware of. The witches suggested killing the dark witch, and injuring Adalfundis enough he needs to active his stolen power if we hadthe amulet that was used to transfer the power nearby it could theoretically trap it again and then he could possibly be destroyed.”

None of that sounded impossible.

“Okay then tell us how we do that.” I told the King.

“While I commend your …bravery. All it would serve to do is get yourselves killed.” The King shook his head sadly, his eyes softening with sympathy as he looked at me. “Go home, there is nothing for you here.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that your majesty. Your daughter she … she is worth dying for. I won’t ask my friends to stay if you believe the the futility of the task but please let me help.”

I felt Jackson at my shoulder, lending me strength as I prepared to beg.

“We understand the risks. Let us help, your majesty. Together we are surely stronger.” Jackson’s low voice rumbled across the room.