“Anything, my love.”
Scout leaned across the railing and surveyed the pack from above. “I just wish there was something more I could do. Maybe if I was an alpha, I could help protect the pack.”
Despite the tense atmosphere, Killian growled playfully. “If you were an alpha, we probably wouldn’t be mates.”
“That’s true,” Scout said, smiling at his mate. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Killian put a large hand on his shoulder. “It’s not your job to protect the pack — it’s the pack’s job to protect you. And it’s my job most of all. No more worrying about it, alright?”
“I’ll try,” Scout promised.
They both heard the sound of rapid paws and turned around. One of the higher-ranking royal guards, Amy, stood before them in wolf form, looking ragged from all the running around she’d been doing.
“Sir,” she began telepathically. Her fur bristled. “I’ve received news that Silvercreek has only just reached the lower ring.”
Scout tensed up.
“How are they holding up?” Killian asked, his brows furrowed.
“Excellently,” Amy said. “It seems like Silvercreek didn’t expect us to be so well-prepared, or anticipate the sheer number of guards we have.”
Killian nodded. “It’s a good thing Stark warned us. Let me know if the situation changes. Don’t wait for my orders — while Stark isn’t here, you’re in charge. If there’s anything that needs to be done, do it.”
Amy bowed her head. “Thank you, sir.” She looked like she had something else to say, but paused.
“What is it?” Killian asked.
“There’s one thing that’s been on my mind. The king has been interrogating our prisoner since the day he attacked Scout. He’s asked us to leave him be — I guess so we wouldn’t witness his interrogation techniques,” she said with a slight grimace. “But he hasn’t come out of the room since Silvercreek’s attack was launched.”
“You haven’t seen him?” Killian asked.
“No, sir.” Amy bowed her head in apology. “I’ve been so busy issuing commands to our soldiers — and I didn’t want to disobey the king’s direct orders by barging in on him.”
“That’s okay,” Killian said. They all knew the king could be unstable, especially if he was disobeyed — even if it was for his own safety. “I understand. I’ll go check on him myself. He probably won’t get as mad if it’s me instead of you.”
“Thank you, sir, and I’m sorry again,” Amy said.
Killian nodded and dismissed her. She ran off, letting loose a deep howl to the rest of her team before leaping off the courtyard rail and disappearing.
The couple ran back towards the manor.
“Where’s the prisoner being kept?” Scout asked. The word felt strange to say out loud. Just the other day the grey wolf that had attacked him was an assailant, an enemy — now he was stripped of his power. A prisoner.
“There’s an underground jail with a few cells,” Killian said with a frown. “My father doesn’t like to talk about it.” He rolled his eyes. “Good thing, too. He’s unpopular enough already.”
Killian pushed open a heavy door that revealed a dark narrow staircase. They descended slowly.
“Watch your step,” Killian growled.
But halfway down the stairs, Killian stopped. He lifted his head and smelled the air.
“What’s wrong?” Scout asked in a hushed whisper.
“Something’s not right,” Killian muttered. “Stay close to me.”
Scout obeyed, never straying from his mate’s side as they reached the bottom of the staircase. The other cells were empty. Scraps of fur lay scattered on the concrete floor close to the end of the hall, where one cell door was hanging slightly ajar. The air was very quiet and still.
The hairs on the back of Scout’s neck raised. He sensed it now, too — something was wrong.
