Chapter 9: Sena - Fated to the Night King

Cass didn't leave me there. He opened the door at his father's command. Stepped inside and pulled me with.

I appreciated the fact that he didn't abandon me then.

A small favor, but when those are all you know, you appreciate every single one.

"Thank you, my son. You've delivered my prize for tonight." My eyes flew to the far side of the room. Golden light puddled on the floor, blocked by the broad-shouldered form of Thalon, Alpha and Rescuer. He straightened the robes he wore, his chest bare beneath the folds, and a small shudder slid over me. "You may wait outside and signal me when my Guard has arrived."

There was no goodbye to be said. Cass gave my arm a final, reassuring squeeze and then one of the few links to my childhood disappeared as the door closed behind him. Leaving me alone with him.

My mind whirled as I tried to calculate the correct response in this situation. I knew to fight back against Hugh. It was the only survival strategy that worked with him.

But I'd never been alone with the Alpha in a situation like this.

Had never been formally Called by him before.

"How are things among the Stricken, my child?"

His perfectly sedate voice was a facade. I knew this. There was more beneath the surface. One wrong answer, one misstep, could mean my death.

I didn't want to die.

"We are managing well, Alpha." I ducked my head in a posture of submission, still looking up to keep my eyes on him.  He dipped his closed hand into one of the pockets on his robe, and I caught sight of the gleam of bright metal before it disappeared. It was heavy, the line of the fabric changing just enough to give a hint of its weight. I did my best to remain steady, acting like I'd noticed nothing unusual.  "Your grace abounds and we are grateful."

"You were on the journey to River's Bend, today? No survivors?" His footsteps sent a cold shiver down my spine, but I didn't let it show, remaining still until he stopped in front of me. The Alpha slid a finger under my chin, tipping it up until I was forced to meet his eyes. "Is that the truth, Sena?"

"Yes, Sire. No survivors." The lethality of the current waves of Silver Sickness weren't my fault yet I still felt as if I'd failed in some way. As if I would be punished for not bringing more Stricken to the Citadel. No one new to add to our ranks, to be used as sacrifices when the orders came for a raid or battle. No more servants to bend the knee to the Alpha and commit their lives to his service.

And that of the Goddess who'd chosen him.

He sighed. "Every year, the Sickness grows more virulent. We lose more of our own, shifters who could join with us in strength, but are taken by the power of this disease."

There was nothing I could say. Nothing that would matter here. So, I stayed mute.

It was the safest path available.

"If you could change it, Sena, would you?" His question was unexpected and I forgot my place for a fraction, lifting my eyes up to stare at my Alpha with shock.

"Change it, Sire? The Sickness?" Thalon settled onto his throne, the robe flowing around him, and gave a single nod. Another calculation spun through my mind and the least risk in this instance seemed to be honesty. "Yes. I would. If I could prevent the Silver Sickness from harming anyone else, I would."

"Of course you would. I was sure that would be your answer. You know the pain it brings, the shame it leaves. And you wish it on no one else." It wasn't a question. There was no need. He knew me well. Had known me since I was a child living in a village like the one we'd visited today. Sitting next to my father, an Alpha in his own right. Our small family pack, still vibrant and alive.

There had been many discussions between Thalon and my father in those days. Two Alphas negotiating. Some predicted a Challenge would come. That my father would win.

Death found its way to us instead.

And I was all that was left.

I pushed down the grief that swelled up seeing my father's chain of rank resting upon Thalon's chest. The bright gold was ever present, a reminder to all that might otherwise forget their place.

An end to Silver Sickness? So many possibilities rushed through my mind. No more ruined villages of shifters, bodies that required us to drag them out, to set pyres none of their family could stand guard over. No more constant vigilance as the living Stricken stood in place of those who'd known and loved them.

Freedom. The thought brushed over my mind, gentle and hopeful. Because if we could end the Silver Sickness, perhaps, maybe, there might even be a cure found for those who'd survived.

A slim possibility, but one that lit a spark inside me.

For all that I had plotted and planned, working with Glory to try to find a way that we could leave this place behind, create a new home for those of us stripped of our Shifter nature by an illness we couldn't guard against, we both came up against the same problem.

As Stricken, we were weaker than those who'd been protected. Who hadn't been ravaged by a disease no one could predict or prevent.

But if we could stop it, or even cure it, that meant there was a chance we could rise up. We could be equals amongst our own once more.

As if he could read my mind, Thalon said, "I believe I know who has visited this illness upon us. Intentionally created it in an effort to weaken us and give them a chance to expand inside our borders. And you, my child, are the one who will give us this victory. The Goddess has told me. You will live among them, gain their trust, and find their source. You will bring it to me. Only then will all the remaining packs unite with me to fight back against this enemy that wishes to destroy us."

"I'll do it." There was no fear in my statement. Determination steeled my spine and I dared to meet the Alpha's eyes as I spoke. "Whatever you ask of me, I'll do it."

Thalon smiled, a slow spreading of his lips to reveal sharp canines. "Of course you will, Sena."

His gaze slipped to the door as a knock rapped against it.

"Enter," Thalon called, standing and pulling his robes tight around him, tying them off so they no longer hung loose.

The door opened and the Alpha's Guard entered, followed by Cassian and Hugh.

"My sons." Thalon crossed the large space, embracing both the men, and then turned. "And my honored Guard. Thank you for attending us this night."

He circled me and it reminded me so much of Hugh's predatory stance from earlier that I almost shivered. "Sena has agreed to be my spy amongst our enemy to the North. The Istakarrans."

Cass glanced at me, horror in his eyes, and his hand balled into a fist. I looked away from him, but Hugh stepped into my view. There was no mistaking the disappointment on his face.

"I have an open Calling for her, Sire. According to the Doctrine, she is mine until I release her from it."

"Any Call or Claim you may have is subject to mine. Sena belongs to me. She belongs to the Goddess. As do all of you, all the ones who reside under my protection. Whole or Stricken." Thalon watched his oldest son with calculating eyes. "Do you wish to Challenge me for that, Hugh? Believe that's a fight you could win tonight?"

I heard the muttered words from the gathered Guard; heard the names they called me under their breath. If my limited hearing could pick it up, there was no way the Alpha or his sons missed what they were saying. None of them commented on it, though I saw Cassian shoot them what I knew he meant to be a quelling look. One they all ignored.

Hugh's chest heaved, but he didn't pursue the challenge his father had offered him. If it came down to it, I was almost afraid of what would become of the Stricken if Hugh did prevail in that battle. The Callings were limited by the Alpha's orders. If Hugh became Alpha, it sickened me to think of how we'd be used. The limited protections we currently had would disappear and the abuse would be never ending.

If I had to choose, I'd side with the Alpha I knew.

For now.

"If you don't mind, Alpha, I'll excuse myself to gather what I will need for the trip." There were things I needed to tell Glory before I left about how to continue our planning and organizing while I was away. I also wanted to reassure her that I would be safe. That I would return for her and all of the Stricken.

Thalon's attention snapped to me and the look in his eyes was so hungry, it froze me in place.

"Oh, my dear little Sena, you are not going anywhere."