Broken, but Not Defeated

Chapter 19 (Caldina)

I enter my office. Shadow and his mate are behind me. I start a fire and sit down. Opening up the other letter I start to read.

Dear Caldina,

I can hardly believe it's been this long. How are you? I hope you have given the humans and the witch a place to stay. Yes, the young girl is a witch. As I'm sure you were able to tell. She is also your half-sister, through your mother. Before you get up to go kill her, I want you to hear me out. Your mother left to save you. Your mother still loves you, and she needs help. Underneath Lord Breckan's castle lies a map. This map will lead you to your mother's burial ground. But Caldina, the only way to reach this map is if you take your siblings with you. This burial ground will hold all the keys but you must hurry. Others also seek the burial ground. They wish to destroy it. Go to the Captain, he knows something.

Nora.

I get up and walk to the door. But right before I can open the door, I hear a knock. I sigh and pull the door open. Sienna and Esta step in; Ingrid, Cyrene, and Mave follow them.

"What do you want?" I ask. Shadow's mate gets up and leaves. That wolf is nothing but trouble.

"To tell you the humans are comfortable," Sienna answers.

"What did my mother say?" Sienna asks.

"Nothing important."

"Do we know where to find her?"

"How about you go ask the human, she's the one who gave me the letter," I snap. I am tired, okay? And them all being in here is not helping.

"Don't get angry. Why did we leave your aunt's castle so fast?" Esta asks.

"I might be my strongest on a blood moon. But in the morning, I often get a terrible headache and my body is weak on the second day."

"That's why you didn't want to get up on Tuesday." Sienna reflects.

"Yes, that's why." I look over at Cyrene and Mave. "As soon as the sun starts to climb over the mountain, I want you to go and grab me both of the boys."

They nod and leave.

"What do you have planned?" Esta asks.

I look at Esta. "Make sure everything is good for the night. Have the guards close the gates."

She looks at me. "This early?"

"Esta, do not question me."

She nods and walks out.

"Ingrid, tell the cooks that I want the best breakfast they can make, and have maids bring it to the humans at 8:00. I want the dining room aired out, the tables set and prepared for dinner by 4:30. Have the hunters...You know what, I want you to tell the cooks about breakfast, but tell every servant, maid, hunter, and any other form of that kind to be in the main hallway by 3:30 this morning."

Both Sienna and Ingrid look at me with surprise and confusion.

"Is your aunt coming into town? Because that won't be good for the humans," Sienna states.

I look at her with surprise.

"No, no one is coming into town, Ingrid you're dismissed." I hear her salute and walk out but I haven't taken my eyes off Sienna.

"Is something wrong, commander?" she asks, concern on her face.

I stalk over to her and grab her throat. "Since when do you disobey me, and since when have you ever been concerned about humans?"

I feel her pulse quicken as she swallows. "I just thought we were supposed to take care of them."

I give her throat a really hard squeeze and then drop her. "You just thought huh? I don't care what you do with them. Just as long as you ask permission first." I give her a hard look then turn around heading for my desk. "One more incident like that and you might find yourself in Ingrid's place. Do you understand?"

"Yes, commander." I hear her salute and walk out. I sigh and place my hands on my desk. Letting out a growl, I stalk out of the door, looking for Shadow's mate.