Kade's POV
The old stables were perfect for what I needed – dark, isolated, and far enough from the main castle that no one would overhear our conversation. I paced back and forth between the empty stalls, checking the shadows every few seconds. If Father found out what I was planning, it wouldn't just mean punishment. It could mean exile, or worse.
But I couldn't abandon Ivy. Not after everything she'd done for me.
The sound of footsteps outside made me freeze. Three figures slipped through the stable doors – Simon, my most trusted captain, along with Erik and Gary, two soldiers who'd served with me for years.
"You came," I said, relief flooding through me.
"Of course we came, Your Highness," Marcus replied quietly. "We gave you our word."
Erik nodded firmly. "When you sent that message, we knew it had to be important."
"It is," I said, gesturing for them to come closer. "But first, I need to know – can I trust you completely? What I'm about to ask goes against direct orders from the King."
The three men exchanged glances. Gary spoke first.
"Your Highness, you saved my life during the border raids last year. I owe you everything."
"And you've always treated us fairly," Erik added. "Not like servants, but like brothers in arms."
Simon stepped forward. "We've followed you into battle before, Kade. We'll follow you anywhere."
Their loyalty meant everything to me, especially now. "Thank you. All of you."
I took a deep breath before continuing. "Princess Ivy has been kidnapped by Darius of the Northern pack. I have proof, but my father has forbidden any rescue mission."
"Forbidden?" Simon's eyebrows shot up. "But she's one of us now. She's part of our pack."
"That's how I see it too," I said. "But Father is worried about starting a war. He thinks the risk is too great."
"What do you think?" Erik asked.
"I think leaving an innocent woman to suffer at the hands of that monster is unacceptable," I replied firmly. "Ivy saved my life more than once. She's healed our wounded, protected our secrets, and never asked for anything in return. I won't abandon her now."
Gary nodded vigorously. "She healed my shoulder just days ago. I'd be crippled without her help."
"So what's the plan?" Simon asked, getting straight to the point.
I looked at each of them carefully. "What I'm about to propose is treason. We'd be directly disobeying the King's orders and acting without official sanction. If we're caught, we'll face execution."
"And if we succeed?" Erik asked.
"If we succeed, we bring Ivy home safely. But we'll still have to face the consequences of our disobedience."
The stable fell silent as my friends considered this. I could see them weighing their loyalty to me against their duty to the crown.
Finally, Simon spoke. "How many men would we need?"
Relief washed over me. He was in.
"That's the problem," I admitted. "Father has eyes everywhere. If we try to mobilize a large force, we'll be stopped before we even leave the castle grounds."
"A small strike team then," Thomas suggested. "Fast and quiet."
"Exactly what I was thinking. Just the four of us, plus maybe two or three others we can absolutely trust."
Erik frowned. "Six or seven men against an entire pack? Those aren't good odds, Your Highness."
"I know. But surprise will be our advantage. They won't expect us to act so quickly, especially after Father's public refusal to authorize a rescue."
"Do we know where they're holding her?" Simon asked.
"Not exactly, but I have some ideas. There are several abandoned buildings on the border between our territories. Old hunting lodges, unused cottages. Places where they could keep prisoners without attracting attention."
"We'll need supplies," Gary said practically. "Weapons, food, horses that won't be missed."
"I've already thought of that. There's an old armory in the east wing that hasn't been inventoried in months. We can take what we need from there."
Simon was thinking strategically now. "What about an escape route? Once we have the princess, Darius will send every man he has after us."
"The old mountain pass," I said immediately. "It's treacherous, but if we know it better than they do, we can use that to our advantage."
"I know that pass like the back of my hand," Erik said. "My father used to take me hunting there when I was a boy."
"Perfect." I felt the plan starting to come together. "Erik, you'll be our guide on the way back. Simon, I need you to choose two more men we can trust completely. Men who've proven their loyalty beyond any doubt."
"I have two in mind already," Simon replied. "They're good fighters and they keep their mouths shut."
"What about timing?" Thomas asked. "When do we move?"
I'd been thinking about this all day. "Tonight. Every hour we wait is another hour Ivy suffers. Besides, the longer we delay, the more likely someone will notice our preparations."
"Tonight?" Erik looked surprised. "That doesn't give us much time to prepare."
"It doesn't give Father much time to stop us either," I pointed out. "By the time anyone realizes we're gone, we'll already be in Northern territory."
Simon nodded slowly. "It's risky, but it could work. What about weapons?"
"Light and fast. Swords, daggers, maybe a crossbow or two. We can't afford to be weighed down with heavy armor."
"And if we encounter a larger force?" Gary asked.
"We run. This is a rescue mission, not a battle. Our job is to get Ivy out safely, not to fight a war."
The four of us spent the next hour going over every detail of the plan. Escape routes, supply lists, backup plans if things went wrong. By the time we were finished, I felt more confident about our chances.
"There's one more thing," I said as we prepared to leave. "If any of you want to back out, now is the time. Once we commit to this, there's no turning back."
Simon answered for all of them. "We're with you, Kade. All the way."
"Even if it means defying the King?"
"Even then."
Erik and Gary nodded their agreement.
"Then let's do this," I said, feeling a surge of determination. "Meet at the east armory in two hours. Bring only what you can carry easily, and make sure no one sees you."
"What about horses?" Erik asked.
"I'll handle that. There are some in the outer stables that won't be missed until morning."
As my friends prepared to leave, Simon lingered behind.
"Kade," he said quietly, "are you sure about this? Really sure? Because once we cross into Northern territory, we're committed. There's no backing down."
I thought about Ivy, alone and frightened, probably wondering if anyone was coming to save her. I thought about all the times she'd risked her own safety to help me, all the nights she'd stayed by my side during my transformations, all the ways she'd made my cursed life bearable.
"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," I told him.
Simon smiled grimly. "Then let's go get her back."
After they left, I stood alone in the stable for a few more minutes, steeling myself for what was to come. In a few hours, I'd be leading a small group of loyal soldiers into enemy territory to rescue the woman I cared about more than my own life.
Father would be furious when he discovered what I'd done. There would be consequences, political and personal. But I couldn't live with myself if I let Ivy suffer while I sat safely in my castle, following orders.
"Hold on, Ivy," I whispered into the darkness. "I'm coming for you."