KADE'S POV
"Your Highness," Captain Ryan says, bursting into my chambers. "We have a problem."
I look up from the reports I'm reading. It's been two days since Ivy's healing touch saved me from the worst transformation I've ever experienced. I'm still trying to understand what happened.
"What kind of problem?" I ask.
"Alpha Darius and his advisor Silas have arrived at the gates. They're requesting an audience with the King."
My blood runs cold. "What did you just say?"
"They came with a small escort. Flying a white flag. They claim they're here for diplomatic reasons."
I stand up so fast my chair falls over. "Diplomatic reasons? They tried to kill me!"
"I know, Your Highness. But they're invoking the ancient laws of hospitality. Your father is bound to receive them."
"Like hell he is."
I storm out of my chambers and head straight for the throne room. My wolf is snarling inside me, remembering every detail of our fight in the Whitedove dungeon.
I find Father in his private study with Elder Marcus and Beta James. They all look up when I enter without knocking.
"Kade," Father says calmly. "I assume you've heard."
"I've heard that the man who tried to murder me is now a guest in our home," I reply. "Please tell me you're not actually considering this."
"I've already considered it. I've agreed to meet with them."
"Father, are you insane? Darius drugged me, chained me up, and planned to execute me!"
"According to your account," Elder Marcus says carefully.
"According to the truth!" I shout. "I was there!"
"Lower your voice," Father commands. "We're not savages."
"No, but they are. And now you're welcoming them with open arms."
Beta James clears his throat. "Your Highness, they claim they come in peace. To discuss terms."
"Terms for what?"
"A truce," Father explains. "An end to the hostilities between our peoples."
I stare at him in disbelief. "You actually believe them?"
"I believe in giving diplomacy a chance before we rush to war."
"War? Father, they started this when they tried to kill your son and heir!"
"Allegedly tried to kill you," Elder Marcus corrects.
"Allegedly?" My voice rises again. "Do you want to see the scars from where they chained me up?"
"Enough," Father says firmly. "My decision is made. We will receive them as guests and hear what they have to say."
"This is madness."
"This is politics. Something you need to learn if you're going to be king someday."
I lean forward, placing my hands on his desk. "Politics won't matter if I'm dead."
"You're not going to die, Kade. Not on my watch."
"You said the same thing when you let me go to their territory in the first place."
Father's expression hardens. "Are you questioning my judgment?"
"I'm questioning your sanity."
The room goes silent. Beta James and Elder Marcus exchange uncomfortable glances.
"You will remain calm during their visit," Father says quietly. "You will be polite. You will not provoke them or give them any reason to claim we're the aggressors."
"And if they try to kill me again?"
"They won't. Not here. Not in my castle."
"You can't guarantee that."
"I can and I do. Now go. Prepare yourself for the formal reception this evening."
I straighten up, shaking my head. "I can't believe you're doing this."
"Believe it. And more importantly, accept it."
I turn and walk toward the door. "This is a mistake, Father. A huge mistake."
"Perhaps. But it's my mistake to make."
I leave his study and nearly run into Derek in the hallway.
"Kade, thank god. I've been looking for you."
"What now?"
"It's about Darius and his people. My sources tell me they've been meeting with some of our noble families."
I stop walking. "What kind of meetings?"
"Private ones. Behind closed doors. Lord Aldric, Lady Beatrice, Elder Thomas from the council."
"The same nobles who weren't exactly welcoming to Ivy."
"Exactly. They're up to something."
"Do we know what?"
"Not yet. But it can't be good."
I nod grimly. "Where are Darius and Silas now?"
"In the east wing guest chambers. Under guard, but comfortable."
"I'm going to talk to them."
"Kade, your father said—"
"I don't care what my father said."
I was about to head to the east wing when a servant stops in front of me with a bow. I halt.
"Your Highness, Lady Ivy requests your presence in the garden."
I find Ivy in the rose garden, pacing back and forth near the fountain. She looks agitated.
"Ivy? What's wrong?"
"Kade, thank god you're here. We need to talk."
"About what?"
"About them. Darius and his advisor."
"What about them?"
She takes my hands in hers. “Silas knows things. Things he shouldn't know."
"Like what?"
"Like the fact that I can heal you during your worst episodes. Like the fact that the mate bond helps control your wolf."
My blood runs cold. "How could he possibly know that?"
"I don't know. But he does. And he was very interested in it."
I start pacing, my mind racing. "This doesn't make sense. Why would he care about our bond?"
"Because of the prophecy," Ivy says quietly.
I stop pacing and look at her. "What prophecy? Everyone keeps mentioning this prophecy, but no one ever explains it."
"The prophecy says that the last Fenrir heir will either save all werewolves or destroy them. But there's more to it."
"More?"
"It says that only with his true mate by his side can he fulfill his destiny. Without her, he becomes the destroyer instead of the savior."
The pieces start falling into place. "So if they kill you..."
"Then you become the monster they've always said you were. The prophecy is fulfilled in the worst possible way."
"But why come here? Why not just try to kill you at Whitedove?"
Ivy's expression grows grim. "Because here, they can make it look like an accident. Or like someone else did it. They can start a war between the noble families and tear your kingdom apart from the inside."
"You think that's what the meetings are about?"
"I think they're convincing your nobles that I'm dangerous. That the prophecy is a threat. That the only way to save the kingdom is to eliminate me."
I feel rage building in my chest. "They're here for something fishy."
"Exactly." She stares at me intently. "They want to finish what they didn't complete in Whitedove. To prevent the prophecy, they will kill you."
"Me? I thought you said they wanted to kill you."
"Both of us, Kade. If they can't separate us, they'll kill us both."