Kieran stormed out of the dungeon, his mind racing. Royal blood.???The Dead Marshes!!!Vance!!! The words kept playing in a loop in his head.
Could she really be there... and in the hands of monsters?
Every lead was a frayed thread, and he was clawing through the dark for just one solid grip. If only it was really her,he would not mind combing through the earth, again and again...but the disappointments and setbacks were killing him, slowly.
His chest burned...hope and dread twisting like knives.
Kieran turned the corridor toward the auxiliary wing, planning to get fresh gear and saddle up...he had already set up his mind that he was going to get this lead investigated as well...whether himself or send out secret scouts, he was still undecided.
He barely registered where he was walking until he collided with something solid. Literally rammed into someone.
A familiar, sickening scent hit him...of sage and decay. The older man stumbled slightly but straightened, his mouth spreading into a smile that had no warmth.
Kieran’s eyes flared, teeth gritting. "Get out of my way, Roanoke."
Roanoke’s gaze dropped to Kieran’s bloodstained shirt,
"Oh,my dear son in law!" His voice slithered into his ears, dripping with poisoned warmth. "I have been looking for you everywhere."
Kieran’s entire body locked. The necromancer stood before him, draped in his usual black robes, his fingers clasped together in false delight. His eyes scanned Kieran up and down, lingering on the blood staining his hands and sleeves.
"Seems like you have been busy,"Roanoke mused, lips curling. "Still looking for that bastard daughter of mine?"
Something in Kieran snapped. That was it.
Kieran didn’t even think.
His hand shot out, wrapping around Roanoke’s throat like a vice. He slammed him against the stone wall with a crack, lifting him off the ground with a snarl.
"You motherf.." Kieran’s voice was a guttural growl, his eyes burning golden. "Say another word about her. I will end you right here. I don’t care who watches."
His fingers clamped around Roanoke’s throat tighter. The necromancer’s feet dangled, his smirk never faltering even as his windpipe creaked under the pressure.
Roanoke’s eyes bulged slightly. He coughed once, his voice rasping."Careful,Alpha Kieran," He choked out, voice strained but eerily calm. "Your actions might have... repercussions... elsewhere."
That struck the nerve.
Kieran’s grip loosened. The weight of the leash Roanoke had around his throat was way too lethal.
Kieran’s grip tightened...one squeeze, one snap, and this bastard’s spine would shatter...but then the image of what was at stake.
With a snarl, Kieran released him. Roanoke dropped to the floor with a thud, coughing lightly before straightening his robes as if nothing had happened and then yanked hard.
Kieran let go. The man then started chuckling.
Roanoke rubbed his throat. "Still got that fire. Good. But you see now, don’t you? How powerless you really are under my foot ?"
Kieran tried to eat his rage... Literally he gulped.
"Anyways!" Roanoke chirped, brushing imaginary dust off his sleeves. "I came to remind you...you have an invitation to attend."
Kieran glared. "Invitation? What fucking invitation?"
"Ahhh!" Roanoke clapped his hands together, delighted. "I knew you would have forgotten! The grand party at the Bloodfang pack.I heard Alpha Velor had himself delivered the invitation? What an honor that might have been!" His grin widened, sharp as a blade.
"It is just around the corner. I will help you prepare a worthy gift. After all, it will be your first public outing with my darling Lyla since your marriage." He leaned in, voice dropping to a venomous whisper."You have this chance to make it up to your Luna after what you and that bastard did on her wedding bed!"
Kieran’s vision tinged red.
The words alone were acid in his veins.
But Kieran said nothing. Only his eyes were two gold infernos.
His wolf recoiled at the sound.
He literally imagined leaping forward...ripping Roanoke’s smug head clean off, watching his smug face finally twist in terror. The image almost brought him peace.
But then something clicked.
The name echoed in his skull. The rogue had said Vance operated beyond Bloodfang territory. The party... could get him across borders. Into enemy land. Without suspicion. Without resistance.
It would give him the perfect cover to investigate the rogue’s words himself.
Royal blood... that shipment...Autumn!!! If it was really her... If there was any chance that it could be her... he had to take that chance. He knew he would. And this was like a golden opportunity served to him on a golden platter!
Kieran’s snarl faded.
...Vance operates near the Outlands!!
A slow, dangerous smile curved Kieran’s lips.
Roanoke paused, his confidence flickering for the first time. "...Kieran?"
"Alright, father in law, " Kieran purred, clapping a hand on Roanoke’s shoulder hard enough to make the man stagger.
Roanoke’s eyes widened. He had definitely not expected that.
Roanoke’s smile faltered.He actually took a step back. "You seem... oddly enthusiastic!!"
Kieran leaned in close, voice low, predatory
"Just like you wanted? Isn’t it? Get that gift ready," Kieran continued, voice dripping with false cheer. "And tell your darling daughter to dress up nice and presentable." He leaned in, his next words slithered like some dark promise."Get some jewellery out for her from the treasury.You can use my mother’s.Make sure she actually looks like a Luna beside me. Not everyone has the fire like my Autumn!"
It was Roanoke’s turn to gulp. He was still trying to process what was happening!!!
"We are going to the Bloodfang pack... and we are going with a bang."
He released Roanoke with a rough pat, turning on his heel before the necromancer could react.
Behind him, Roanoke stood frozen, confusion and suspicion warring on his face.
Kieran did not look back.
If there was even a whisper of Autumn there, he would tear the whole fucking place apart to find her.
And if Roanoke thought this was about playing happy mates with Lyla?
Let him.Nobody cared!!!