KADE'S POV
We make our way through the castle corridors quietly, avoiding the main pathways. Derek leads us to an abandoned storage room in the lowest level of the castle.
"No one comes down here anymore," he says, lighting a torch. "We can talk freely."
The room is filled with old furniture and dusty weapons. Perfect for a secret meeting. Simon, Erik, and Gary walks in at the same time.
“Simon, Erik and Gary will be joining us, Derek,” I inform Derek who nods in agreement.
I already told him I got three other loyalty soldiers coming with us on the rescue mission.
"What did you find?" I ask Marcus immediately after we all settled in.
Marcus pulls out a piece of parchment. "The merchant's name is Thomas. He was traveling the northern road three days ago when he saw the kidnapping."
"Tell me exactly what he said."
"He saw five men on horseback," Captain Ryan explains. "They had a woman bound and gagged, throwing her over a horse."
My wolf snarls at the image. "Did he recognize any of the men?"
"One of them," Derek says. "He described someone who matches Darius perfectly."
"I knew it," I growl. "Where did they take her?"
"That's the interesting part," Marcus continues. "They didn't head toward Whitedove territory like we expected. They went north, toward the old mining caves."
"Mining caves?"
"About thirty miles from here. They've been abandoned for decades, but they're perfect for hiding someone."
I study the map Marcus spreads out. "How many entrances?"
"Four that we know of. But Thomas said he saw them use the main entrance on the eastern side."
"That could be a trap," Captain Ryan warns. "They might expect us to use the same entrance."
"Then we don't," I say. "We use the other entrances to surround them."
"There's more," Derek adds. "Thomas said he overheard them talking about moving her again tomorrow night."
My heart stops. "Tomorrow night? That's less than twenty-four hours."
"Which means we have to move now," Marcus says.
"Agreed. How many men do we have?"
Captain Ryan counts on his fingers. "Besides us four, there's Joel, Gary, Michael, David, Robert, and Samuel. That's ten total."
"Ten men against how many?"
"Thomas saw five, but there could be more waiting at the caves."
"We'll have to risk it. Ten good men are better than a hundred cowards."
Derek looks concerned. "Kade, your father's going to find out about this."
"Let him."
"He could have us all executed for treason."
"He could try."
Captain Ryan shifts uncomfortably. "Your Highness, maybe we should think about this more carefully."
"There's nothing to think about," I snap. "Every minute we waste is another minute Ivy suffers."
"But if we're caught—"
"Then we're caught!" I slam my fist on the dusty table. "I don't care what happens to me! I only care about getting Ivy back!"
The room goes silent. They stare at me with expressions I can't read.
"Kade," Derek says softly, "we need to be smart about this."
"Smart? You want to know what's smart? Leaving her to die while we worry about politics?"
"That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"I meant that if we're going to do this, we need to do it right. No mistakes. No second chances."
I take a deep breath and try to calm down. He's right. My anger won't help Ivy.
"You're right," I admit. "Tell me the plan."
Marcus points to different spots on the map. "We approach from three directions. Derek and I take the northern entrance. You and Captain Ryan take the western one. Joel and Gary watch the southern entrance."
"What about the eastern entrance? The main one?"
"We leave it open. If they try to escape, that's where they'll go. Michael, David, Robert, and Samuel will be waiting."
"How do we coordinate the attack?"
"Signal arrows," Captain Ryan suggests. "One arrow means we've found her. Two arrows means we're under attack and need help."
"Good. What about weapons?"
"Swords and bows. Nothing too heavy. We need to move fast."
"When do we leave?"
"Two hours before dawn," Derek says. "That gives us time to get into position before they wake up."
I nod. "Anything else?"
"There's one more thing," Captain Ryan says hesitantly. "The men are nervous."
"Nervous about the fight?"
"Nervous about your father's reaction when he finds out."
"What are they saying?"
"Some of them think we should wait. Try to get the King's permission first."
My wolf snarls. "And let Ivy die while we beg for permission?"
"That's not what they're saying. They're just scared."
"Of what? Of my father?"
"Of losing everything. Their positions, their families' security, their homes."
I understand their fear, but I don't care about it. "Tell them they don't have to come."
"Kade—"
"I mean it. Anyone who's more worried about my father than about saving an innocent woman can stay home."
"They're not cowards," Derek defends them. "They're just practical."
"Practical." I spit the word like it tastes bad. "You know what's practical? Having a prince who can control his wolf instead of one who tears apart everything around him."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean without Ivy, I'm not just cursed. I'm dangerous."
The three men exchange glances.
"She's the only thing that keeps the beast under control," I continue. "When I transform now, it's violent and destructive. But when she's there, when she touches me, the wolf calms down."
"We've seen that," Marcus says quietly.
"Then you know what happens if she dies. You know what I become."
"You become what the curse intended," Derek says grimly.
"Exactly. A monster that destroys everything in its path."
I look at each of them. "So tell the men this. Tell them that saving Ivy isn't just about rescuing my mate. It's about saving the kingdom from what I'll become without her."
The room is dead silent. I can see the fear in their eyes now. Not fear of my father's wrath, but fear of what I'm capable of becoming.
"So," I say quietly, "are we still worried about politics? Or are we ready to save the one person who keeps your future king from becoming a monster?"
Derek is the first to speak. "We save her."
"Count me in," Marcus adds.
"And me," Captain Ryan says firmly.
I turn to Simon, Erik and Gary and they all say simultaneously.
“Count us in. We'll save our Queen!”