KADE'S POV
Every time I close my eyes, I see Liora's face. The terror in her eyes. The way she ran from me like I was death itself.
"Monster," she had called me. Just like all the others.
I pack up and walk to the stables without a goodbye to Leonard and his wife. Derek finds me in the stables at dawn, saddling my horse.
"You want us to leave already?" he asks.
"There's nothing left for me here," I say without looking at him.
"Kade, maybe you should go home. Talk to your father. This quest isn't working out."
I tighten the saddle strap harder than necessary. "There's one more pack around here. I want to try that before giving up totally."
"One more? Which one?"
"Whitedove Pack."
Derek goes silent. When I finally look at him, his face is pale.
"Kade, no. You can't go there."
"Why not? They're the last option I have."
"Because of what they did," Derek says urgently. "Because of the Beta's family. Your father specifically said never to deal with them again."
The memory hits me like a punch to the gut. Beta Thomas and his wife Elena. Their brutal execution ten years ago.
"I can't really remember what exactly he did wrong," I say quietly.
"Then you should know why this is a bad idea."
I lean against my horse and close my eyes. "Tell me again. I need to remember exactly what happened."
Derek sighs. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Beta Thomas approached our borders five years ago," Derek begins. "He came with a small escort, carrying a white flag. He wanted to discuss a potential alliance between Whitedove Pack and our kingdom."
"Father was interested," I continue the story, remembering the bits. "The Whitedove Pack controlled important trade routes. An alliance would have been beneficial for both sides."
"Right. But Whitedove Alpha, Alpha Crane, found out about the secret meetings."
The rest comes flooding back. The trial that wasn't really a trial. The accusations of treason. The public execution.
"He had them killed," I say bitterly. "Thomas and Elena both. In front of the entire pack."
"And their daughter," Derek adds softly. "That little girl had to watch her parents die for trying to make peace."
I nodded, feeling bad for her.
"She was only twelve. Can you imagine?"
I can. That's the problem. I can imagine it perfectly. A young girl watching her parents murdered for trying to build bridges instead of walls.
"Father was devastated," I continue. "He blamed himself for encouraging the alliance talks."
"He banned all contact with Whitedove Pack after that," Derek reminds me. "He said any pack that would execute their own members for seeking peace was too dangerous to deal with."
"But that was ten years ago," I argue. "Alpha Crane is old now, I heard his son, Darius is now in charge so I'm sure things have changed."
"Kade, even if Crane is gone, his successor won't be any better. That pack has a reputation for cruelty."
I mount my horse. "It's my last option, Derek. Every other pack has rejected me. If I don't try Whitedove, I'll have to go home empty-handed."
"Maybe that's for the best."
"No." My voice comes out harder than I meant. "I won't give up. Not yet."
Derek grabs my horse's bridle. "The whole world was horrified by what they did to that family. Other packs stopped trading with them. Some even threatened war. They're isolated now, angry and dangerous."
"Then maybe they'll be desperate enough to consider an alliance," I say.
"Or maybe they'll see you as an enemy and kill you on sight."
I pull the reins from his grip. "Only one way to find out. Get the other soldiers and meet me at the border."
The journey to Whitedove territory takes two days. Derek ends up bringing the escort of fifty soldiers. I find it rather threatening and wish he had listened to me and brought only six of them which was just enough to show respect and not make us seem threatening.
Even though privately, I'm wondering if this is a mistake? What if I'm riding into a trap?
We're still half a mile from the Whitedove border when riders appear on the horizon. They're moving fast, heading straight for us.
"Halt!" I call to my men. "Let them come to us."
The approaching riders slow as they get closer. There are eight of them, all armed and wearing the silver and black colors of Whitedove Pack.
The leader pulls up in front of us. He's a big man with scars on his face and cold eyes.
"State your business in Whitedove territory," he demands.
"I'm Prince Kade Fenrir," I announce. "I'm here to request an audience with your Alpha."
The guard's eyes widen slightly. "Prince Kade? What brings the Fenrir heir to our lands?"
"I'm on a personal mission," I explain. "I'm seeking a mate from among the noble families of the region."
The guards exchange glances. One of them whispers something I can't hear.
"You brought soldiers," the leader observes.
"A small escort," I correct. "For protection during travel, nothing more."
"Protection from what?"
"Bandits. Wild animals. The usual dangers of the road."
The guard studies me for a long moment. "Prince Kade, your father's kingdom banned all contact with our pack ten years ago. Why should we receive you now?"
"Because I'm not my father," I say simply. "And because times change."
"Some things don't change," another guard mutters.
The leader shoots him a warning look. "The old Alpha Crane is... indisposed. Alpha Darius rules the pack now."
"Then I request an audience with Alpha Darius."
"And if Alpha Darius refuses to see you?"
"Then I'll leave peacefully."
The guards have a quiet discussion among themselves. I can't hear most of it, but I catch a few words.
"...dangerous..."
"...orders..."
"...Darius will want to know..."
Finally, the leader turns back to me. "Very well, Prince Kade. Alpha Darius has agreed to receive you. But your soldiers will be escorted separately."
"That's acceptable."
The guards form up around us. As we ride toward the Whitedove territory, I wonder what I'm walking into.
Derek's warnings echo in my mind and I spare him a glance. He gives me the I-told-you look and I turn away.
This is my last chance. Whatever happens, I have to try.