Hayley is happy as he sweeps her up to dance, giggling a storm as she presses her lips to his, uncaring who saw. She was his and he was hers now.
"My pack is behaving so far," Hayley smiled, "Are you enjoying yourself?"
"How?" Kayden asked when her voice came back, her eyes wide as everything fell out of place, her brain a mess of questions and concerns, "How are you alive?"
"When I fell in the ravine I was lucky enough not to hit my head. I washed up in the lake and the river pack nursed me to health without realizing who I was. By the time the Beta returned from the first set of Trials, I was awake."
Kayden had tears glinting in her eyes, "And you didn't come home?"
"Oh Kay," Nina sighed, pulling her twin into a hug, "It's me dear. Really me. And I couldn't go home. Not with Issac there."
"Father?" Kayden pulled back, "What's he got to do with it?"
An anger she'd never seen before lit in her eyes, her skin turning colder than normal, "Our
father was the wolf who tried to murder me."
"Murder...what?"
"They told you it was an accident I'm sure. Christian and I were on a hunt that morning and I stepped close to the ravine. A wolf came out of no where and tackled me over the edge, and I fell before I could see him."
"So how does that key in with father?"
"The line, 'You're father says goodbye' before being pushed down into the ravine helped," Nina snapped, angry not at Kayden but their father, "Oh it's so good to see you. I've been waiting till you were alone to deliver my message. I'm so glad you came."
"I am too," Kayden slid down, sitting in the grass as her sister joined them, "I can't believe he did that. We have a lot of catching up to do."
"I know," Nina smiled, "You first..."
They sat leaning on each other for what felt like hours, each of them explaining the whirlwind weeks they'd been having. Katerina knew all about the Trials and her father's deceit with Kayden, but she didn't know any of the behind the scenes. When Dominik got brought up Kayden admitted to already knowing he was a demon.
"And he's still in the Trials?"
"Well..."
"You like him," Katerina stated matter-of-factly, "Oh my sweet sister."
"I didn't mean to-"
"It's fine."
Kayden looked at her in surprise.
"A lot will change when I become Alpha. That's why father tried to dispose of me Kay. I didn't want to rule with blood and fear. I want to be fair, to show mercy where it is needed, and only spill blood when the law absolutely calls for it. It's why I always kept Ven around, not just as entertainment with his magic but because he was a friend. A loyal one too. He knew I wanted to change some of the laws when I came into power."
"He never told me."
"He never told anyone. That boy is more loyal than our own father. As is Christian. Our older brother would side with us in a heartbeat against Issac. And we may need him too. The clan is already becoming divided. The river pack has ears in the Western Pack, and since Stephen's death there has been talk of aligning with the Grey Wolves. And the Eastern Wolves are unsettled too, with their Beta being pregnant and in the line of fire. Issac has already hurt Ivory once, from what I've been told, and her pack can feel her fear, and Christian's rage. And after finding out the deceit of my father, the river pack is refusing all alliances with the Alpha now, which is why the Beta hasn't travelled for the Trials since her return."
"But the south is still with us?"
"For now. I heard my dear Flynn found himself a new mate, one miss Hayley, princess to the Fire Pack. I can't say he could do any better, from what I've heard she's perfect for him. And I'm so glad to hear he is happy. But Gernesh wants blood, and Flynn is part of the Northern Pack with Eastern roots. The alliance there won't hold long."
"What will happen?"
Katerina looked up at the stars, a worried look in her face, "War. The Grey's and the West will fight against everyone, they seem to only want chaos now. The East will fight only for their Beta's, the South against all. The River Pack wants to fight too, but I know they aren't warriors. I've been wanting to get in touch with our brother, trying and form an alliance. The River Pack's supplies with the Eastern's warriors would be a formidable team."
Kayden gulped loudly, "Must it come to war? The whole clan will break apart. Can't we stop it?"
"No," she shook her head, "Father has burnt too many bridges. Even tonight it may not be safe to be outside. The Grey's have been fighting hard to attack again, the warriors are just holding them back. That's why I needed to speak to you Kay. We can stop this. If we overthrow father, I can bring order to this chaos. I can't promise lives will be spilt but I can unite at least four of the packs, even Gernesh would listen to my reason if I got the chance. The West and the Mountains...I can't be sure they'd stop, but I could try. Father cannot."
"So..."
"I need you to help us get in. The river pack and me. They don't want a fight, its simply a fear tactic to show our numbers outweigh theirs. We go in, overthrow Issac, and bring peace to the clan."
Kayden nodded, jumping up, "Then let's go."
Katerina smiled, following suit, "My have you become brave. I'm so proud of you Kayden."
"I'm not brave. I just...I need to help the clan."
"And in that statement there is bravery. Being me for a few weeks has done you good. You aren't the wallflower you once were. More like a blooming lily, full of life and beauty."
Kayden blushed, "Thank you sister. Shall we go?"
"Let's."