The Unhappy Heart (Book 1 of The Wolfheart Trilogy)

22. A Reunion of Three

Dagen stepped forward. "If you do not mind me interrupting," he said in a voice that hinted he wasn't concerned if they really minded or not. "I think we should all be seated. There is much to discuss, and time passes quickly."

Weylin gave a curt nod and Ulric grumbled something about youngsters these days and they all moved over to the fire and seated themselves around it. Torrin went to sit between them but Dagen stopped him saying,

"I think you should tell your father and grandfather all that has happened. They have every right to know."

Torrin hesitated but both alphas had already leaned forward ready to hear the story. Nodding, Torrin moved closer to the center of the circle, standing by the fire's edge. 

"It was my seventh birthday," he began in a determined and clear voice. He told them everything he had told Andrea and Dagen. When he had finished, there was a long and dreadful silence. Glancing uncomfortably and almost accusingly (in Andrea's opinion) in Dagen's direction, he moved back to his previous choice of seating. Weylin gave him a small smile and patted him on the back, but Ulric didn't even glance his way. He was staring into the fiery blaze, his eyes matching the burning flames.

"So, it was Dade this whole time," he growled breaking the silence. "And here I was forbidding my pack to make war with them despite the brothers we've lost. I no longer regret turning a blind eye on those who disobeyed me."

Weylin shot him a disapproving look and Andrea felt her admiration for the mountain alpha grow. It was of no wonder that the twins were rowdy and reckless, wandering away from their own pack. Their alpha didn't enforce his own laws and cared not if they ran wild. Andrea felt glad he was the only alpha to do so. She didn't even want to imagine the damage that could have happened if they had all followed Ulric's lead. As an alpha and an elder, Ulric should have at least tried to set an example. Now that he meant to take hold of his pack and lead it, Andrea couldn't help but wonder if they would even follow him. If they disobeyed him outright in times of peace, then why would they obey him in times of war? Thinking of all this, she couldn't help but wonder if Dagen should have made Torrin tell his story. Glancing at Torrin, she could see he readily agreed with her. At that moment Ulric rose to his feet, towering above them all and dwarfing them with his massive frame.

"I say we go against this king and end this. I will not stand down any longer. I will not let another of my brothers fall. I say we rid ourselves of this wretched king. Let us avenge the ones we loved so dearly."

Andrea was dismayed when Weylin also rose to his feet, nodding with agreement.

"For once, I agree with the Plains' alpha. Our packs have united and Therron is sure to do the same when he hears of it. He is no half-wit and knows what to do at the right time. He will join us, I know it. Let us them raid the castle and be done with it once and for all."

Andrea glanced at the others and saw that the twins who had just returned were also nodding. Dagen said nothing but a small smile etched across his face. Only Torrin looked panicked and he too was gazing around at all the faces trying to find at least one who felt the same way. Seeing Andrea, he stared at her pleadingly and moved to crouch beside her.

"It will be a massacre, Andrea," he whispered. "Two packs joined are a large number, but even with Therron's pack we are too small to launch an attack and I fear they might not even wait for Therron anyway. Raiding the castle is suicide. If there must be a choice, it should be an open battle. Please, Andrea, talk them out of it. I couldn't bear becoming an orphan after I have just united with him."

Andrea nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'll see what I can do." She swiftly rose to her feet, causing all to turn their eyes to her. "I know you want to avenge your wife, Weylin and you your daughter, Ulric. But I don't agree with this. It's pure suicide! You know you cannot raid a castle built for that very purpose. You would all be marching to your deaths and giving Dade his victory while barely costing him anything."