The Last Spirit Wolf (Elena Norwood)

-Noah-

After our lunch, we rested for about thirty minutes at the clearing and moved on to the next village. This one was significantly bigger and the meetings went just about the same as the previous one. There was a lot of confusion as to why I'd ask them to leave their land, until finally everyone was happy and clear with my stance. Really, having these meetings has enlightened me as to just how much the common folk are aware of the happenings between the Castle and the Families.

Just like Tom, most already know that this is me taking action against the Houses, rather than me being a charitable King; they saw through that angle quite quickly. This new angle, however, one in which I just want to stick it to the Families, is much more believable. Fortunately, most of them have decided to side with me on this matter.

Now that the second day of meetings is over, we are making our way back to the Castle in the shadow of night. I will attend meetings tomorrow morning as usual, and no one will suspect what we've been up to these past two days.

"Even if we only visited a few villages, rest assured that the message will be carried through. People are tired of being under the Houses' thumbs," Caleb says.

His comments brings me back to reality.

I simply nod.

"Do you think the Council will find out?" Mason asks.

"Probably, but by then there won't be much they can do. They know they're at a disadvantage. Challenging Noah was probably the worst thing they could've done."

"I just keep thinking they must have some plan in place. I doubt they won't see this coming." Ethan says.

"Nah. They're too arrogant. They think that by merely being backed by the Houses they have enough leverage. They don't," Eli says, resolute.

"Your concerns are not unfounded. I think we have to keep our ears and eyes open. Let's remember that not too long ago, Alistair had people very loyal to him within these walls. They too might play a part," I say. "The enemy of my enemy..." Mason says.

"Noted." Ethan says.

They both nod at us and disappear into the forest, going to cover their normal night shifts so as to not raise any suspicions.

"As for you, keep stalling the Council. We know Alcott has travelled back to his home to raise support for the Council's pretenses on the day of the trial. We still don't know in what manner that support might come." Caleb says. "We'll deal with it when the time comes. Thank you both," I tell Caleb and Eli.

They too, nod at me and go their separate ways and leave me to the back tunnels that lead to the library.

I enter the tunnels. The long, dark passageway giving me some time to think about a few things that have been on my mind.

Mainly, Vera.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

I know she was happy to return home, even if it was tinged with some bittersweetness. I could feel this since our bond only got stronger when she marked me. When her emotions are strong enough, I can feel them as my own. Ethan's... issue... however, has brought forth something I hadn't even considered up to this point.

Pups.

Vera and I have never even talked about it, so I don't know if she even wants children. But do * I* want children? Absolutely.

Would I ever compromise Vera's health in order to get them?

Never.

But then again, my mother was a wolf and she was able to carry me to term and not...die... when I was born. So, even if Vera is a wolf, this doesn't mean she'd die necessarily.

Thankfully, wolves apparently have some form of pill they take every day in order to avoid pregnancies. It's the tiniest pill, I don't even know how it works, but it's kept her without a kid thus far. I'm grateful she thought of taking that; it will give us some time to figure things out.

Thinking of Vera makes me anxious; which is why I've been trying, but failing to avoid overthinking about her and her mission. I know she's strong, resilient, and incredibly smart, but I would feel a lot better if we could have gone back to wolf territory together. It sounds stupid, I know, and I probably wouldn't have been able to go to the Goldmoon's to begin with given that I'm a lycan, but it would have made me feel a lot better to know I am a short distance away from her.

When I reach the fake wall that leads to the library, I push it forward until I hear the distinct click."

Stepping out, I gasp, scared shitless.

"Goddess, Elden!"

Elden is standing right in front of me, not looking the least bit amused.

I close the fake door behind me quietly while his expression is almost... annoyed?

"Come," he says and turns around, not giving me any explanations.

I don't even question him, I've learned that with Elden, I better just do as he says.

I follow him through the library. It's mostly deserted at this time of night, and only a few desks have their little lamps on with scholars finishing up their work. None of them raise their heads or acknowledge me in any way; it's why I like them so much. When we get to an end of the library, he leads me into a tunnel.

I frown, but again, I know better than to question him.

After a short walk, maybe ten minutes, we reach the end of the tunnel. When Elden opens the door, he sticks his head out, sniffing the air. Once he's sure that there's no one around, we step out.

We're at a part of the Castle where I've rarely ever been: the Beta's wing.

This just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

Elden begins walking, and I silently follow him towards Beta Caleb's old room. The entire wing is being remodeled to become part of Vera's clinic right along with the King's wing. There was just so much unoccupied space since Caleb decided to take a warrior's room and I decided to stay in my old room, it made no sense to not make use of them.

When Elden opens the door, his secretiveness suddenly makes overwhelming sense. Sitting at the middle of the room in a new chair, wrapped up in plastic, is Liam.