Chapter 202: Tastes Like Ash

Lucian’s POV

"What are they saying?" I asked my Beta, Valerie.

She didn’t look up from her phone. "The President of Bernia came to Icefang, Alpha. It was a visit about national security."

"Bernia?" My brows pulled together. "Isn’t that the human territory? What the hell was he doing here?"

"Sir, the humans were the ones who attacked Morvaine with those bombs. Apparently, Luna Selene retaliated by sending wolves into Bernia. They killed a lot of soldiers inside the administrative house."

My palm slammed against the table. The glasses rattled, and Valerie flinched, though she didn’t look away.

"Even if she wanted to retaliate, it could’ve been done differently. She could’ve asked for our help. She didn’t, because she’s proud, and that pride made her decision a foolish one."

"The President only came to discuss how both sides can resolve this and live in peace," Valerie said carefully.

"Do you honestly think it ends there?" I let out a hard breath. "Look, Valerie, I’ve been an Alpha for years. I’ve overseen wars. Everybody wants the upper hand, and nobody wants to be the one on the ground. If those humans could attack us like that at the festival and kill that many people, then we should be afraid of what they’ll do when they finally use the full extent of their abilities."

She nodded slowly. She understood exactly what I meant. Behind my eyes, I could still see the smoke from that night, still hear the screaming, and I hated that the one person who’d answered it with blood instead of strategy was her.

"So in the long run, Alpha," Valerie said, "what do you think we should do? This will eventually affect everyone."

It was a good question, a strategist-in-the-making kind of question, and for a moment it steadied me.

"The only way we win this is together. That’s the humans’ real strength, their togetherness. But Selene won’t understand that. She only became Luna yesterday. She isn’t accustomed to any of this yet."

I drew a long breath, but it didn’t help. The anger was climbing, and I knew I was about to take it out on Valerie, because Valerie was Selene’s friend or some shit.

"Selene thinks she can do it alone," I went on, my jaw tight. "She thinks having the most arms and the most weapons makes her the most influential. It’s not enough to bring the bad guys down."

"I think we should send word to the Alpha and Luna of Icefang," Valerie suggested.

"You know what? I’ve got a better idea. Why don’t we go there ourselves, and I’ll give them a piece of my mind?"

"Are you sure that’s necessary, Alpha?"

"Look, Icefang was an extinct territory not long ago. I won’t sit back and watch them go extinct again, and this time take us down with them. Pack your things. We’re leaving for Icefang now."

I was furious. I needed to get there fast, before I stopped boiling and started thinking.

I wanted to drive, but I knew better. Angry as I was, I’d have wrapped the car around a tree, so I told my driver to take the wheel and I restrained myself, which was a miracle in itself.

The car took off, and the road blurred past the window.

Somewhere along the way, it crossed my mind that showing up unannounced would be an insult to their people. Not even an official email. It was going to be a scandal.

I didn’t care.

A man in a rage never did anything right, and he never thought straight. So it would be fucking understandable. And they wouldn’t dare stop me from walking through the gates of Icefang. Not in their fucking lives.

When we reached the gates, I was welcomed warmly.

"The Alpha of Winterwood is visiting us today. What a delight!" the guard said, pulling the gates open at once.

I had my sunglasses on and answered like everything was cool, like my chest wasn’t on fire. "Thank you, officer." I dipped my hand into my front pocket and passed him a tip. It was too huge to be called a tip, but damn, it was what it was.

At the entrance to the chambers, another guard stopped me.

"You want to see the Alpha and Luna?"

No, I want to see your whole fucking parliament. The words echoed in my head, but I didn’t spit them out.

"Yes. Call them, and don’t keep me waiting."

He picked up the phone and spoke to someone in a low voice. I couldn’t catch a word, just gibberish as far as I was concerned, and every second of it made my patience thinner.

"You can go in," he said at last.

"Ooooh, alright." I probably should’ve said thank you, but nah. The man was a freak.

Then I saw them. William and Selene came down the stairs to meet us like they were the perfect couple, and something sharp twisted under my ribs. I told myself it was irritation. I’d tell myself that all day.

"Hello, Alpha and Beta of Winterwood," William greeted me with a smile. "What brings you to our abode today?"

I couldn’t find a single thing funny, so I didn’t return the smile.

"We need to talk about something important, if you don’t mind."

"I actually do mind," Selene said, her voice cool. "You came to Icefang, to our chambers, and you didn’t send an official message. That’s very unprofessional of you, Alpha."

Whoa. What the fuck? She had the nerve to speak to me like that because she was a queen now. And the worst part was that she held my gaze the entire time, steady and unafraid, and the bond in my chest pulled tight like she’d yanked it.

I swallowed my pride. It tasted like ash.

"That was wrong of me, truly, and I’m sorry. The urgency of the matter made me forget protocol. It won’t happen again." Fuck, how hard was it to speak like that!

"You’re forgiven," Selene said, waving a hand. "You can have your seat."

The table held only fruits and juices. I hadn’t expected a feast, so I sat down without comment.

"So, what brings you here?" William asked.

"Cooperation. We saw that the President of Bernia came to Icefang to confront you on behalf of every werewolf in Morvaine, and you didn’t think to tell us, the Alphas and the authorities."

"We had it sorted out, so we didn’t bother," William said.

"No, you didn’t." My voice rose before I could stop it.

"Keep it down," Selene said sharply. "This is a private chamber."

"You don’t know what they’re planning next, so you can’t say you have it figured out. You shouldn’t be the reason the werewolves of Morvaine get obliterated for good."

William rose from his seat. "It seems you came here to rant."

I stood with him, my eyes locking onto Selene’s across the table. "I haven’t even started."