The next morning we woke up early, took a bath, had breakfast and walked out of the house as a united team, looking refreshed and healthy. We wanted them to see our determination and our strength. It seemed like it worked. We were greeted by relieved smiling faces.

The first to hug us was Eric. "I'm happy to see you on your feet brother."

"I heard we need to talk."

Eric sighed and looked at me, "Do we really? I thought we sorted it out, Lord Alpha?"

"You're right. We did."

I felt Mathews' eyes on me but he seemed content with my answer. "Good. But there's something else. Angela." My hand instantly moved to grab Mat's arm and hold it tight, he responded by taking a step closer to me.

"What about her?"

"We got some new information yesterday, proof that Anna was innocent."

Eric grunted and looked around. The villagers were minding their own business but anyone could hear us. "What do you want me to do?"

"Keep an eye on her."

"And she's not invited to any of our meetings. She used to be one of my advisors so she might wonder why."

Eric raised an eyebrow. "What do you want me to tell her?"

Mathew sighed, "tell her that if she has questions she can come to me. But after our meetings with the generals."

"Luke is still recovering."

Mathew's muscles tensed after hearing that. We had been too busy thinking about ourselves and forgot to ask about the rescue of the pack! "Then tell Sam, Conrad and Frej to meet you in the longhouse, and the girl named Penelope," he ordered, but something in him had changed. Was it guilt? Worry? It was hard to tell, but I told myself I would ask him later.

"Don't forget Kalim and Kendrik," I added. He nodded and turned to walk away. "And Eric... don't be late!"

He cast me a glance over his shoulder and sighed, "I'm not one of the generals Adrian."

"You are now."

I watched him furrow his brow and peer at me, then at Mathew. My husband shrugged. "Seems like you made a good impression after all."

"Keep an eye on your husband brother, the pleasure he takes in ordering me around is... worrisome," Eric teased, but he gave me a thankful smile before he turned to search for Angela.

"What was that about?"

"I like him, he's smart."

"My brother is many things, but mostly too reckless and hotheaded to be leading others." Mathew placed his hands on my hips and pulled me close. "Are you sure about this?"

"I want him as my personal guard Mat. I want our people to see that we work together, human and lycan. And then you won't have to worry so much about me."

A wide smile spread on his face. "That's actually a great idea."

"You think he'll listen to me?"

"Alpha told me how you called on the pack to help us. That Adrian was amazing. And I'm pretty sure every lycan will listen to you from now on."

I took a step closer to him, placed my arms around his waist and my cheek against his chest. "I'm not sure how I did that."

"Does it matter? It worked."

"I guess not." I peered up at his proud and smiling face but couldn't help but worry about him. He'd been going through worse things than I could imagine, but he was still so cheerful and held himself together. "Are you alright though?"

His expression changed slightly, there was a darkness shimmering in his eyes, but as usual he smiled and nodded. "We have work to do my love, there's no time for dwelling on the past."

"Mathew... you need to tell me what happened."

He bit his lower lip and I could tell he was fighting an inner battle. "I will. But not today."

"That's fine," I said and stepped up on my tippy toes to give his lips a quick peck. "I'm just worried about you."

"Don't be."

He took my hand and led me to the longhouse. I had been living in the village for a month but never actually stepped inside the big hall. Skarde had explained how they used it for celebrations and meetings mostly. Or when the winters were terribly cold they would gather there and sleep together to keep warm.

It was an impressive building, big as three houses with the sealing decorated with beautiful paintings of different wolves and gods. "They are our ancestors fighting besides the gods against those who enslaved us," Mathew explained when he noticed me staring up at them.

"They're beautiful."

At the center of the house stood a fireplace. There was a head table standing in the back of the room, where everyone was waiting for us. They had spread out a handdrawn map on the table and the discussion was already heated when we arrived. Sam, standing in the middle with Kirigan on one side and Frej and Conrad on the other. Kalim was there, even Penelope, and finally Eric. But the last three were mostly observing and seemed to be waiting for our arrival.

"Alpha. Lord King. I'm happy to see you're both well and alive," Kirigan greeted with relief written all over his face.

"Aye, the plan didn't exactly go as planned but the outcome was as good as any. A couple of wounded, but nothing Lynn can't handle," Sam informed as soon as he'd greeted Mathew and me.

"The plan was made in haste, in the heat of the moment," I said thoughtfully, "now we have the advantage of planning our next step more thoroughly."

"Indeed Lord King," the Beta agreed. "But first we need to be properly introduced to each other. If you wouldn't mind, Lord."

I gave him a nod and peered at the gathered humans and lycans around the table. I had noticed how the warriors who'd stayed with us in the castle had adapted to the human way of addressing me, usually calling me Lord, or Lord King. While the rest of the pack—those who had remained in Faria, seemed unsure of what to call me.

"Those of you gathered here are the people we trust the most. And we need you to start trusting each other. Which I know might be difficult considering our past."

"There will be changes," Mathew continued and every Lycan in the room tensed up. "Sam, you are still my Beta, in human terms, the general. If you can't find me or Adrian, you go to Sam. Understood?"

"Yes Alpha."

"You have two Alphas now. It won't matter if the order comes from me or Adrian, know that we stand behind each other's decisions."

Sam chuckled and gave me a mischievous wink, "Of course."

I looked at Kirigan and Kalim. "You two were stationed at the border to Faria, but you have proven your loyalty to me over and over again. That is why you both will be appointed to command your own group of soldiers as Lieutenant generals. As well as Luke, Conrad and Frej."

"I am honored, Lord," Kirigan said and bowed his head, "but who will tend to your safety? The King needs a Kings Guard. When the King Consort is not by your side."

I turned to the lycan standing further down the table, "that is Eric's job now."

The young version of my husband chuckled, "Is this payback for me disobeying your order, Lord Alpha? I'll be taking my orders directly from you then?"

I snickered and shook my head, "no not really. Your job is to keep me safe, which means you might need to go against my orders."

"Really?"

"No," Kirigan muttered and gave me a look. "But me and master Eric can talk about that at a later date."

"Good. Let's move on then. The five of you can divide the soldiers and warriors between yourselves, I won't meddle in that, but the groups will be mixed. Humans and lycans can't be divided. Decide on skill, not on race."

"Yes Alpha."

"And then we have Penelope," I said softly and reached out my hand towards the young woman. It was as if everyone else had forgotten about her, and that was one of the reasons she was there, she was a perfect spy. "As most of you know, Penelope is one out of four women who have been working close to me as councilmembers and spies."

The young blonde took my hand and smiled nervously, "people don't usually notice me, and I hear a lot," she explained quietly. "I made friends with a young servant girl who reported a lot of information to me when I was stuck in that awful cell."

"Please tell us what you've learned," Frej insisted, giving her an encouraging smile.

"Apparently Roland was sent to Gera to take control of the late king. But quickly saw the opportunity to get close to Adrian instead. His wife was doing the same in Echar."

"Take control? How?" Kalim asked.

"All I know is that she succeeded. She has their entire fleet at her command and that's why they are building the new harbor."

"That is very useful information indeed, Miss Penelope," Kirigan said and gave the young woman a thoughtful smile. "Did she say anything about the kingdom of Ostus? Are they on her side as well?"

"Anna said they had a big map, much like this one," she said and pointed at the table," and she told me it looked like they were planning on taking the whole continent. Attacking the elves last."

Sam looked bewildered as she finished. "Attacking the elves? Would that be possible?"

"With three human armies and the lycan slaves. Yes, very much so," Kirigan muttered.

"Slaves or not, our people would rather die than fight for them," Mathew growled.

I had been listening to them speak and tried to arrange my thoughts, creating some sort of order in this mess. And suddenly it hit me. "Magic."

"What?"

"That's the only explanation I can find. Kendric''s wife, Mrs Roland, Anna said she was wielding magic."

"So she'll force the lycans to fight for her?" Kalim asked.

"Persuade, charm, control... I don't know. But how else would she take over Echar. They wouldn't just give up their entire fleet to her?"

"The Lord King has a point," Kirigan agreed. "But how do we fight against magic?"

Mathew took a step forward, staring at the map, "Me and Adrian need to go and speak to the elves. We met their price once, he seemed like a reasonable guy."

"You can't go alone," Sam muttered.

"No, but you Sam, need to stay here and plan for the war. Eric, Kalim, Frej and Angela will go with us."

"Love, are you sure about Angela?"

"It's a chance for her to prove herself to us, Adrian. Her last chance."

"Fine. We'll leave in five days. Make the arrangements."

Mathew nodded and took my hand, leading me towards the grand wooden door. "This meeting is adjourned. Now, let's check on our people."