Lost Dreams

Chapter 8

Maverick left the Map room, his mind resonating with the King’s threats of his head as he made his way down the dimly lit hallway to his rooms. Candlelight cast shadows on the stone walls, and despite himself he felt a foreboding presence. For months he had worked to maneuver Jagson. So much death and destruction had come from the Alpha’s mad chase to control the country. Already they had tore through the villages to the north. Refugees had come to Droake, left homeless and broken, some without any family after their people had been massacred. The memories made Maverick shiver in disgust. He shut the door behind him as he entered his room. After quickly glancing to make sure he was alone , he walked to a large canvas painting, some fore-bearer of the pack that hung solemnly, the look on his face reflecting Maverick’s own thoughts. He slid the painting to the left and heard the familiar click of the tunnel door opening. Droake may have been a cold and damning castle, but it’s halls were filled with passages not many knew about, save the Council and a few selected warriors. Quickly, he entered the the tunnel connected to his room. The sound of stone and dirt crunched under his boots as he made his way down the dirt path. “Be patient my friend, you’re purpose in this world is near, you have nothing to fear with the Goddess watching your work” Havoc’s voice filled his head. Maverick nodded in reply. “You are right, Havoc, I just fear the old man is getting more maniacal as the days go by. I need to save Mother, free the members of the pack.” he replied. He could feel Havoc pawing in agreement. After walking a little ways he turned a corner. Running his hand along the old stone wall he found the crevice he was looking for. He grunted as he slid the old door to the side and entered the secret room. The Omega girl Torra was already there waiting for him, along with a handful of others. They all nodded to him in greeting as they took seats around an old wooden table.

“Good evening Beta.” Said a man named Dennis. The others murmured their own greetings as Maverick looked at each of them.

“Good evening Dennis. Thank you Torra for your work tonight. I have an update for you all to carry to Our group to the West.” He began. “Dennis, I need you to carry a message to Mikel. Tell him we have only a few days. We successfully have Jagson’s sights towards the East and South borders of Droake, but we haven’t much time. Jagson wants reports back in 3 days time.” He finished.

Mikel was a bear shifter. One of Jagson’s most despised “abominations.” He was heading the group of rebels on the outside as Maverick worked from the inside. They had stumbled across one another one day in the Forrest after a battle at Prix. After beating each other senseless, each fearing for their life in the literal hands of an enemy, they came to realize they had a common thought: Jagson must go.

“I will leave immediately.” Dennis addressed him.

Maverick gave him a nod. “As soon as the Moon is at its highest point, take a horse to the Place of Ash. I have sent a mind link to one of ours at camp with Mikel. Diana the vampire will be waiting for you there to shimmer you back to Mikel.” He advised.

Dennis understood and asked “and what of the horse Beta?” “Surely the Alpha will notice if one of his are missing from the stables.” He continued.

Maverick sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Such a small detail he hadn’t thought about. He looked around the room. He hated to put any more lives then necessary at risk but the horse had to come home. Dennis could shift and run at wolf speed, but that could draw too much attention if he was spotted.

“You, Marla, go with him.” He said, pointing to a young woman sitting next to Torra. “If the two of you are stopped for any reason, pretend as though you’re lovers, out for a midnight romp.” he finished.

Everyone let out a laugh. It was pretty clear from the meetings Dennis and Marla were actually pretty infatuated with one another. She grinned at Maverick “shouldn’t be a hard bill to sell” she giggled. Maverick watched as Dennis face turned a bright red. He shook his head as he laughed. “Alright everyone let’s be serious.” He said, bringing the snickers to a minimum. “The two of you must go as fast as the horse can push. Wolf speed is more ideal, but we cannot risk you being spotted. You are not warriors and you know the punishment for Omega caught in Wolf form if it is not the Moon Feast.” He continued. The group nodded their heads and murmured their agreements. Jagson was so delusional that he only allowed for his warriors to shift for training and battle. Omega were not allowed to turn except for the full moon. This was the King’s way of keeping his foot on the necks of the people beneath him. He would not take risk of them rising up together. Warriors like Seth and Kya were all too eager to enforce this rule. Their status elite at the hand of the feared Alpha, they reaped Every benefit from full meals to nice clothing while omega lived in squalor wearing rags and eating scraps.

Maverick took a final glance at the small group before him. He could see etches of exhaustion and fear amongst the faces. These people were tired, but they would do anything for their independence from a man like Jagson. He did not deserve their loyalties. The Rebel Group could not fail. Mikel had found a way across the Lake. It was not cursed or poisonous as so many feared, but it was dangerous. The waters lead out to Sea and their was a current that made it quite a feat for small boats to get across. Maverick had yet to venture on one of the wooden creations Mikels people had crafted, but so far the launches had been successful. It was getting past the Western boundaries that had proved difficult. Jagson had some obsession to the West. Both the Onyx Lake and the Place of Ash resided there, and both were of some odd importance to the Alpha. Maverick had yet to discover why.

Looking up at his small group Maverick let out a soft grunt. “Alright then, that’ll be all for tonight. Marla, as soon as you have returned, get word to Torra through Ringo. He will understand when you being the horse to the stable.” He advised. Marla told him she understood. Maverick dismissed the meeting. He rolled his shoulders back and cracked his neck, taking a deep breath as he made his way back to his room through the old dirt tunnel.