Rise of the Warrior Queen (Kaia and Silver) novel Chapter 42

CHAPTER FOURTY TWO

CHAPTER FOURTY TWO

KAIA’S POV

The air still buzzed with laughter as Elias wiped at the corners of his eyes like he’d actually cried from Lina’s loud, ridiculous interruption. I stood with my arms folded, fighting a smile as the girls continued bickering over who made the best cupcakes. Honestly, it was the pettiest thing I’d heard all week–and maybe the most Comforting.

The men weren’t much better. Tossing jabs, egging each other on like overgrown pups. The teasing was light and harmless. For a moment, everything felt… normal. Safe, even.

Sera was halfway through her overconfident rant about her so–called chocolate chip supremacy when the shift in the air came.

At first, it was barely noticeable–a drop in the air pressure. A hush that rolled in like the forest itself had gone on alert.

Suddenly, the cheerful atmosphere was gone, replaced by something else.

My smile slipped away as soon as I found the cause of it.

Everyone fell still when their eyes landed on him.

Alpha Gareth stepped into the clearing like a storm wrapped in flesh, flanked by two guards. His presence was a cold slap to the peace and calm we had only just begun to enjoy.

As if by instinct, everyone straightened, their smiles melting away completely as they bowed.

“Alpha,” we greeted in unison, like soldiers waiting for a command.

I kept my stance proud, my chin level, but every part of me tensed.

If there were a way I could live the rest of my life without ever having to cross paths with this man, I would gladly take it. No matter what it took.

A few seconds later, Silver appeared from behind the trees, still grinning faintly as he walked over with the warrior he’d been training. That grin didn’t last. The moment he laid eyes on Gareth, it vanished like smoke.

He slipped quietly into place beside the others, and his expression immediately shut down.

Gareth scanned everyone with those piercing eyes, going back and forth, taking in each member present.

“Attention, warriors!” he called, taking another step forward.

“There have been… unusual occurrences lately,” he announced. His tone was clipped, and he seemed angry

for some reason I didn’t even know.

“Border patrol has reported yet another sighting and mysterious movement around areas too clos the

pack territory,” he continued. “So, starting today, we are doubling security. Especially for night patrol.”

I noticed Elias’s jaw tighten. It seemed I wasn’t the only one on edge around Gareth. Though I’m still not sure what Elias has against him, ever since Gareth came back, Elias has been acting weird whenever he was around–or whenever anyone mentioned him.

I wonder what that’s about.

CHAPTER FOURTY TWO

Gareth continued, “I want every inch of this territory covered. No room for oversight.”

Then, his gaze landed on Elias like a blade, and his eyes immediately narrowed.

“Elias!”

“Yes, Alpha.”

Gareth was quiet for a moment before he spoke. “Can your men support border patrol rotation for the next few days? Just until we can figure out a better arrangement?”

Elias hesitated. “I… I’d have to speak to the team first–see where we can shift around responsibilities-”

“You have until the end of today. I expect an answer by tomorrow morning. Not a second later,” Gareth cut in sharply, causing Elias’s jaw to tighten even as he nodded.

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Good,” Gareth said, clasping his hands behind his back like a general delivering orders on the battlefield. “A report came in this morning. Something–or someone–was seen in the east woods near the mountains.

and that alone is a cause for concern. Could be nothing. But it looked like a camp. It’s small. But it’s not ours,

I frowned.

A camp?

Whispers moved through the group like wind rustling dry leaves. My instincts stirred. I didn’t like this.

What if this was what my father was talking about at breakfast the other day?

Is Moonveil really being targeted? If so, then by who exactly?

“I want it checked out. Immediately,” Gareth said, then turned sharply toward the crowd. His finger pointed.

You.”

I blinked when I saw where it landed.

”

“You’re going in for the mission,” Gareth said. “You’ll be given a compass and a map to help you find your way through that part of the woods. Scout the area, see what you can find, and report back to me as soon as you

return.”

My jaw dropped. Is he insane?! That was the same place Silver was found. That part of the woods was more dangerous than death itself. He can’t just send a stranger into that place–alone?

My eyes narrowed. What exactly is Gareth up to?

Silver stiffened, his brows furrowing. “Me?”

Heads turned, and everyone frowned, looking between Gareth and Silver in shock and confu

“Is there a problem?” Gareth asked, his tone as sharp as the edge of a blade.

Silver opened his mouth, but Elias stepped forward before he could speak.

“Pardon me, Alpha,” Elias said calmly. “Silver’s new. He doesn’t know these woods well, and if this is a

potential threat–he shouldn’t be sent in alone. Especially not when we’re talking about the mountains. It’s far too dangerous for someone unfamiliar with the area. Even with the map and compass.”

CHAPTER FOURTY TWO

“Did I ask for your opinion, warrior?” Gareth snarled.

Elias shook his head. “No, Alpha. But as the head of the male warriors, I felt it was my duty to advise if a mission has clear risks-”

“Are you challenging my authority, Elias?” Gareth asked coldly

My chest constricted. I could feel the shift in everyone. It was like they all had something to say, but no one could build up the courage to do so. Tension radiated off them in waves.

Elias sighed, frustration obvious in his eyes as he spoke. “No, sir. It wasn’t a challenge. I just….. I thought-”

“Then shut your mouth,” Gareth snapped. “Mind your own business, Elias. Don’t tell me how to run my own pack.”

Everywhere went quiet. A suffocating kind of quiet.

I felt my fists curl under my arms, heat building in my chest. I didn’t speak–but oh, I wanted to.

I wanted so badly to. But at this point, I knew whatever I said would be taken the wrong way.

Gareth already seems to believe my life revolves around him, so to him, whatever I say or do is just to get his

stupid attention. Like I wanted it to begin with.

Gareth moved forward, until he was face–to–face with Silver.

He stared at him–long and hard–like he could will him to break under pressure.

Silver didn’t blink.

He didn’t even move.

I watched him closely, the knot in my stomach twisting tighter.

“What’s wrong? You afraid, boy?” Gareth asked, almost amused. “Is the mission too dangerous for you?! thought you wanted to be a warrior. Giving up so soon?”

Silver’s voice was calm and steady as he spoke., “No. Not at all.”

7

“You should be. The mountainside isn’t a walk in the woods.” Gareth leaned in further, his words dark and almost coaxing. “Just say it. Say you’re scared. Say the woods are too big, the shadows too dark. Say you don’t want to go. I can already see the fear in your eyes. I smell it coming off you in waves. All you have to do is admit it out loud, and you won’t have to go. I’ll send in someone else. Someone capable. An actual warrior. Go on. Say it, SILVER.”

At this point, Gareth was pushing it. He was crossing every line he shouldn’t, and everyone present knew it. Silver tilted his head just slightly. “If you can see and smell fear on me, then with all due respect, Alpha–and! mean this in the most polite way possible–I suggest you go have your senses checked, I don’t think they’re working properly. The sight is probably poor vision but the smell, you’ll have to figure that

ut your self.”

Gasps resounded through the woods as everyone shared shocked looks.

“What did you say?” Gareth asked in a cold and deadly tone as he took a threatening step forward.

“You heard me,” Silver said calmly. “I’m not scared of going into the woods, Alpha Gareth. No matter what part it is. This isn’t my first rodeo. As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve been doing this since I was like five. Even if I don’t remember it at the moment.”

CHAPTER FOURTY TWO

“Uh–oh…” Lina whispered beside me.

Here we go again.

I glanced sideways and caught Dax fighting to hold in a smile, while Elias’s eyes were so wide they were practically popping out of their sockets.

Silver raised his hand, palm up. “Map and compass, please. ALPHA.”

I watched Gareth’s expression shift into something ugly. Rage. Disbelief. Anger. Maybe even a sliver of doubt.

He took a map and compass from one of the pack guards and shoved them into Silver’s chest, hard. Silver stumbled a half step back but caught himself with ease.

“Don’t even think of coming back here until you find something,” Gareth growled. “I swear I’ll kill you myself.” Then, with that, he turned around, storming off without another word, his guards falling in behind him like

shadows.

For a long time, no one spoke. The silence was suffocating.

After what felt like forever, I finally let out a slow breath. My shoulders ached from how tense I’d been, trying to keep myself from exploding.

Silver opened the map and began to study it like none of that had just happened.

Elias shook his head, chuckling softly. “Well, if that wasn’t a test of manhood, I don’t know what is.”

Silver looked over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at the edge of his mouth. “Think I passed?”

I arched a brow, keeping my voice cool. “You didn’t just pass. You might’ve made an enemy of the Alpha.” Silver shrugged. “Good thing he’s not my Alpha. You guys have that to worry about, not me.”

Sera gave a low whistle. “That was either really brave or really stupid.”

Lina leaned in and whispered, “Kaia, you better watch out. Your prince charming just declared war.”

I rolled my eyes, but my attention drifted toward the path Gareth had taken.

That flicker of concern burning in my chest? It wasn’t going anywhere.

Something was happening: I could tell. Something was going on with Gareth. Something deeper than orders and patrols.

And Silver–without even realizing it–had just stepped right into the middle of it all.

2

Comments