Filed to story: Luna Riannon and Alpha Brayden Novel
“Really?” Vidar let out a dark chuckle after regaining composure. “He would never forgive you, and you know it.
There is nothing you can do to earn his forgiveness. Even giving up Astrea wouldn’t help.”
“Then you have absolutely nothing to worry about, right?” the dragon retorted with a scoff.
Forrest caught up with them, and they had to stop talking.
“So, if things go wrong, can we count on you shifting into your flying form to deal with this for us?” the southerner whispered, adding, “The South needs you.”
“If I fight him here, there will be no South,” Joran informed him, furrowing his brows. People had no idea how devastating the consequences of a battle between the two brothers and Vidar could be.
They were lucky Fenrir simply entered the city and wasn’t actually attacking it. There was no time to evacuate anyone. If Fenrir really wanted to destroy Verum, it would take him minutes. If they engaged in a fight, it would be even more devastating, and the reunion of the Moonrise Kingdom would be postponed again.
“Just give him what he wants, then!” Forrest suggested, the muscles on his face tensing at the realisation there weren’t too many options. “And make him leave.”
Joran was about to reply when something gleamed high in the sky, making everyone snap their heads up. Golden wings flashed just for one second, and she was down on the ground the next, landing with a thud which shattered the ground and created a cloud of dust around her. A Valkyrie in golden armour stretched her wings as she proudly raised her chin. Things were becoming more and more serious.
A giant lycan in the third form walked from the shadows to join her, bigger than any royal they had ever seen and with no visible signs of trouble to control himself. Followed by a white fox with red markings on its snowy fur right between its eyes. It was an unusual colour for the fox shifters, but the creature initially seemed the most harmless out of the three. Right until nine sharp elongated tails appeared behind his back, all ready to be used as weapons.
Finally, a young man in a brown leather jacket walked out with an axe relaxed against his shoulder, and his appearance made both deities uneasy.
“Who is this?” Forrest could feel that shift of power.
“My dear nephew,” Joran replied dryly, clenching his fists.
Skoll’s arrival could definitely change today’s scenario, and he hadn’t even picked a side yet.
Fenrir didn’t let them wait long, and the giant wolf burst out in flames, a human walking out of the inferno in its stead, shocking the observers. Several news crews were already there, filming the events from different locations.
“Greetings!” Fenir waved as he approached the three southerners, a confident smile playing on his lips. “I apologise we are late. Your invitation came months ago.”
“Invitation?” Forrest arched his brow questioningly while his colleagues were speechless at the audacity.
“Yes, Alpha Joran Nathair was very persistent, and we decided to give our collaboration with the South a chance.
So, here we are to see what the Southern Lycan Republic is really about.” Fenrir’s little speech astonished pretty much everyone.
Vidar was the first one to speak.
“No,” he stated bluntly, not adding anything to it.
“No?” Fenrir tilted his head. “Are you revoking the invitation?”
“Of course not,” Forrest interjected. “Alpha Vincent has a sick sense of humour. Matters like this are for the Alpha Convocation to decide. And we will vote as soon as possible since you made it here. Of course, while that happens, you can consider yourselves our esteemed guests.”
“Very well”” Fenrir nodded respectfully, holding back a smirk. “I think we can give you three days to decide, and, in the meantime, we would like to ensure the children’s safety.
“What children?” Joran asked through clenched teeth, knowing very well they were his firstborns.
“Ah, you know, on the way here, we got our location wrong and ended up on some island. It looked like a criminal organisation was running there, which abducted and enslaved children, making them believe they were there for a greater purpose.” Fenrir sighed heavily. “Like a cult. Of course, we couldn’t let it continue. After we rescued them, it tumed out that most were from the South. So, we would like them to reunite with their families. Most of them are.-teens and remember very well where they came from.”
“Well, we will certainly deal with this,” Joran stretched his arm to him. “Thanks for bringing them here.”
Fenir shook his hand. Hard. And then pulled him closer without letting it go.
“Tam glad we are on the same page with this. May I have your word that every child I brought will be reunited with their family and sent home?” A smirk curled onto the wolf’s lips.
He knew he had set his brother up for failure. The words given to the gods and by the gods were binding.
‘IIl see what I can do,” Joran tried to escape it. Losing his future firstbor warriors wasn’t in his plans. They were talking about a whole generation of trainees.
“I think you can do better than that.” Fenrir’s grin deepened as he pointed at the cameras by his eyes. What candidate for the highest position in the country wouldn’t agree to help the kids?
Til do anything in my power to bring those kids back to their homes and loved ones,” Joran gave up, and his brother let go of his hand, satisfied with winning this round.
“Why don’t we go and talk in private?” Vidar understood the rules of the game.
“I like that you are all business,” Fenrir finally locked eyes with his nemesis, “but we are all tired after the long road.
And also, there is someone I would like to see.”
“We can discuss it later,” Vidar insisted, anger rippling through each cell in this mortal body.
“No, we shall discuss it now because I want to see the ambassador you sent to the East. Astrea Sade. And I want to see her now.”
Joran knew he couldn’t say the words. He had to keep them apart for as long as possible.
He shot an angry gaze at Forrest, hoping he would take the lead.
“Oh, don’t look at me,” the southerner raised his arm defensively. “Astrea Sade is Alpha Nathair’s fiance and Alpha Lothgars mate. I am the last person to speak on her behalf.”
Vidar was ready to explode. He didn’t care about this city.
Not really. Fenrir could burn it for all he cared. He was about to announce that when Joran stopped him, standing in his way.
“Very well,” he said. “You can see her.”
“Today.” Fenrir pushed further. “I want to see and speak to her today.”
“Fine!” his brother exhaled and nodded. “I will escort you to her, but after you talk, we have to talk as well”
“All of us!” Vidar interjected.
“This would be my pleasure,” Fenrir scowled. “Lead the way.”
He gestured for his team to shift, and the next second, four humans followed him with their heads held high.
The East had arrived.
****
Joran was grim On the way to the penthouse, Joran was grim, and, ironically, they didn’t say a word to Fenrir. That was the hugest step back for him, and the last thing he wanted to see now would be Astrea running into his brother’s arms.
Yet he was trapped by giving his word. Breaking it could make him powerless, and since Fenir was here, they would see each other, anyway.
It changed nothing. Astrea belonged to him. It was his mark on her neck, and Fenrir couldn’t pressure him into removing it. And then there was Vidar..
The elevator door opened, and Joran walked out into the hall, strolling to where he left Astrea sleeping on the settee.
However, Astrea was not there. The room, settee, however, was occupied.
There is a giant fire wolf attacking the capital!” Some woman showed her phone to her husband. “We need to go!
Confusion quickly turned into panic as fear painted peoples faces, turning them pale. In a matter of seconds, a once jubilant crowd erupted into chaos, scattering in all directions. Frantic screams filled the air as people desperately tried to escape while Nikki stayed, searching for Bjorn. One person accidentally hit her on his way out, and then another one, almost knocking the Firstborn off her feet, but she had to search for that man because… he was her responsibility.
If something happened to him She wasn’t sure what shed feel if something happened to him, but something was telling her she wouldn’t be happy.
Nikki was stuck in the middle of the crowd when someone grasped her and pressed her against his chest, wrapping large arms around her. The scent of wintergreen enveloped her as she looked up to see Darius’s emotionless face. He engulfed her in his giant embrace, placing his back against the fleeting crowd, and it took Nikki a few good moments to realise he was trying to protect her.
She tried to move, but he held her in place, his tall form serving as a shield for her.
“Easy, Strawberry!” He said, leaning slightly towards her ear. “The best course of action is to wait it out.”
“Let me go!” Nikki hissed. “It’s your chance to finally get rid of me! Use it!”
She could handle herself. Astrea trained her well enough not to be afraid of a mad crowd. Moreover, she was the one who was supposed to protect him.