Stunned by his unwavering commitment, I struggle to find words. My stomach flutters with a tumultuous mix of excitement and uncertainty, an interplay of hope and despair. 'I... I don't know what to say,' I manage to whisper, my voice laced with an equal measure of wonder and trepidation. 'I'm not sure if that would work, let alone be a good idea, but I promise to consider it,' I reply, meeting his gaze with a tender vulnerability. 'I don't want to raise false hopes, but there's something I need to ask of you,' I continue.
'Ask me anything,' he responds, a gentle smile gracing his lips.
'I can't comprehend why Xander insists on branding you a monster, deserving to be bound within the depths of the woods. He claims that it's the mate bond clouding my judgment, but I know deep within me that it's not true. I've seen the goodness in you. I feel it radiate from you. I'm ready to listen, to understand your side of the story—how you became magically bound in the witching woods, why you're determined to defeat the Mystic Council and vanquish Gretchen. Why does Xander harbour such hatred towards you, despite his father being killed by one of our kind? I feel the animosity from him is more personal?' I pour out my curiosity, seeking his truth.
As Warrick's thumbs lovingly caress my hands, I close my eyes, surrendering to the warmth and tingling sensations that envelop me. 'It all transpired many years ago. None of you are aware, but Xander and I were once friends,' he begins, his says in a low voice, almost a whisper. 'I was the alpha, the one the Mystic Council turned to when they required my assistance,' he recounts.
'That means you would have won the tournament against all the other werewolves that partook?' I interject for clarification.
'Yes,' he confirms. 'I have always emerged as the strongest wolf. It was my duty not only to lead my pack but also to serve the council. The money from the tournament was used to care for my pack and neighbouring packs and to help those in need. We were able to have better infrastructure and a better way of living,' he explained, his voice carrying a weight of profound responsibility.
Warrick's voice trembles with guilt and anguish as he continues his account. 'There were times when the council commanded me to work with Raxer the wizard, Marigold the fae and Rum the warlock to seize Felderians against their will and transport them to the Crystal mines,' he reveals, distressed. 'I had no knowledge of their true nature. I believed them to be murderers and monsters, just as the mystic council had informed us. If I had known the truth, I would never have subjected them to such cruelty.'
Comfortingly, I whisper, ‘It’s okay,’ I say, moving closer to him.
'No, Rose, it's not okay,' he insists, his eyes filled with torment. 'The truth is, most of those Felderians had committed no crimes. Their only 'offence' was stealing food to feed their families. They were innocent. Their loved ones and mates would plead with us, begging us not to tear them away, assuring us of their innocence. But we never believed them. I failed to listen when I should have. Like everyone else, I was deceived by the council's facade of benevolence.'
Warrick pauses, his voice heavy with sorrow, before continuing. 'During my travels, I began hearing rumours in Felderia of an ancient tome the council had. It was said to hold many secrets of Felderia. I felt a strange urge to return to the Starlight Citadel unannounced. Gretchen and the five wizards were in the council chamber. Something told me not to enter the room, so I followed my instincts, stayed behind the door, and listened. My stomach sank as they were conducting a new list of Felderians next to be taken to the mines for reasons such as being one payment behind in tax or refusing to hand over any stock of crystals and gems they had in their households. I thought perhaps there was a shortage of them to keep the Starlight Citadel magically powered, which would explain the odd requests for any household gems and crystals. But no one on that list had broken any law, yet they were sent to the mines.
Thaddeus and Orlan, two of the wizards, argued over who would claim the first Solara's Tear once it was discovered. Caius intervened, decreeing that all five would vote to determine the order in which they would acquire the Starheart Stone and Solara's Tear, assuring them that each would eventually possess one.
Armos rose and protested that it would be unfair for him not to receive them first as he is the oldest amongst them, with only a couple of hundred years left to live. Venlore joked, saying it wouldn’t be bad if Armos died waiting for his gems. It would mean they would only have to split Felderia into four parts to each have dominion over instead of five, and that it would also make the job easier for the cartographers.
Armos, consumed by fury, unleashed his magic upon Venlore, wreaking havoc. Gretchen had to come between them before they ended up destroying the tower and suggested they let her study the tome to see if she could gather any clues to help find the stones quicker. Orlan was the first to forbid it, stating it is to remain locked in the high tower under constant guard. There’s a reason they didn’t want her having access to it, but I was unsure of the time as to why.
The revelation of their scheme to divide Felderia into separate realms, each ruled by one of the wizards, struck me with disbelief. The thought of such a fragmented land, torn by internal wars and conflicts, sent shivers down my spine. Observing their inability to find common ground even in the simplest matters, resorting to magical skirmishes and callously condemning innocent lives to the mines, I knew I had to end their treacherous plans.
But first, I needed to unravel the enigma surrounding the Starheart Stones and Tears of Solara. They all seemed so desperate to have. So, I silently ascended the winding staircase of the high tower. At the pinnacle, a familiar fae, elf, and warlock guarded the locked door. I knew they would have been ordered not to let anyone in under any circumstances.
'Warrick,' Ziggy the warlock uttered in surprise, his eyes wide with curiosity. 'What are you doing here?'
With a swift improvisation, I concocted a plausible tale. 'I was just in a meeting with the Mystic Council,' I responded, my voice laced with confidence. 'They have urgently requested the presence of all three of you. They specifically asked me to stand guard in your place until your return.'