My bags were all packed. I was ready to head out, to catch a ride to the train station, and then get on the train back ho.
The morning sun illuminated the room I had shared with Brook as I made sure I hadn’t missed anything. Everything was there. I had no reason to stay.
“The maid I spoke to said that the delivery man leaves the front gate of the palace in about fifteen minutes,” Brook said as she ca in and sat down on the edge of the bed. “So you shouldn’t have any trouble catching a ride to the train station with him.”
“Thank you.” I wasn’t sure how I was going to say goodbye to her when the ti ca, but at least she was going to be accompanying to the front gate, so I could put it off for a few more minutes.
A few of the other girls ca to say goodbye, but all of them were happy I was leaving. They thought it gave them a better chance with Theo. If they knew how he’d ignored last night at the pavilion, they would know that I never really had a chance with him to begin with.
“I’ll miss you, too, Brook. Thank you for being such a good friend to .” I hoped I’d be able to see her again in the near future.
“It’s not like we’ll never see each other again!” Brook wiped away her tears and managed to give a big smile. Then she reached out to one of my bags when soone else took it from her.
“Beta Jake?”
“Let carry this for you.”
“Thank you, but no need,” I grabbed it back from him. “Beta Jake, as you can see, I’m leaving. You can report back to your Alpha that I’ll be gone and he won’t need to worry about bothering him any more.”
“Ciana, you misunderstood—he’s very upset that he couldn’t make it last night.”
I shook my head and stared at him. “I’m not a fool. You don’t need to make up things just to make feel better.”
Jake stared at and let out a sigh. “I apologize on behalf of Alpha. Sotis he may appear to be cold and aloof, but he has his good qualities, too.”
“Save it,” I told him, noticing the truck driver coming out. “I don’t want to talk about him ever again. That’s my ride. I’ll see you both later.” I gave Brook one last wave and headed over to get in the truck.
After about an hour, we arrived at the train station. I thanked the driver and walked up to the teller to purchase a ticket back to my pack.
I had about an hour before my train left, so I found a bench and sat down.
My mind was preoccupied with a thousand thoughts, and I couldn’t concentrate on a single one of them.
My ticket was in my hand as I watched a few other trains co and go. People bustled to get on and off of the trains, rushing about. Most of them were with their families or friends. I was alone. I was okay with that.
And then I saw him.
My eyes focused on a familiar face. He was sitting on a bench about twenty yards away from . He wasn’t even looking in my direction.
I swallowed back my confusion and got up to go over to him. I had to know what he was doing at the train station.
Sitting down next to him, I asked, “Why are you here?” trying to sound interested but not accusatory.
Warren looked over at with a guilty grin on his face. “I’m sorry, but I had to see you off.”
“But why are you at the train station?” I asked again. “You could have just said goodbye back in the palace...”
He let out a sigh. “Well, I’ve decided to go visit my sister,” he explained.
Confused, I stared at him for a mont and then asked, “But what about your father’s task?”
“That’s exactly why I’m here. I decided I don’t want to do that. I’m tired of him ordering around all of the ti, so I’ve decided I will just do as I please.”
I almost laughed. My understanding was that he often did as he pleased. This was nothing unusual.
“Where does your sister live? What train are you on?” I asked, not able to see the details on the ticket in his hand. I was surprised that he didn’t use a royal limo. But then, if he was sneaking out, the fewer people that knew where he was, the better.
“I actually have to go right to the station near your pack and then switch trains,” he explained. “So... I’m afraid I’m on the sa train as you.” He held up his ticket for to see. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want you to think I was stalking you or anything.
Shaking my head, I said, “No, I don’t think that.”
“Well, we can sit on the train together,” he suggested. “We can keep each other company.”
“Um, sure.”
He smiled brightly. “That’s great, thanks.”
At least I wouldn’t be lonely on my way ho after all.
We sat and chatted about nothing in particular until the train arrived, and then we got on and shared a seat. Warren was kind enough to let sit by the window.
He knew how I liked to stare out at nature. I would’ve rather been out there, but I had my responsibilities to take care of.
The train ride was fairly uneventful. I almost fell asleep a few tis. Warren suggested we chat about our families, which was a good idea to . I told him all about my mother’s family first, and then about my father’s.
So of the tales about my father’s brother seed unbelievable to Warren, and I had to wonder if it was possible that my dad had just made them up to amuse .
“No way! He chose to be a rogue?” Warren’s jaw almost fell.
“Yep, and then beca the rogue king.”
“That was unbelievable... but wouldn’t he lose his soul?”
“Apparently no.”
“And he basically single-handedly destroyed half of his enemy’s army...”
“Well, according to Dad, he and his brother each take half of the credit.”
“How have I never heard about this?”
“See, that’s why I always question whether any of those stories are real,” I laughed, “What about you?” I asked him after I was done with all of my family anecdotes. “I know nothing about your sister.”
His face brightened. “Oh, Maggie is great. It’s too bad you didn’t get a chance to et her. I think you’d really love her. Honestly, Brook reminds a lot of her. They’re both very sweet, graceful, and kind.”
I smiled, wishing I’d had a chance to et her. “She sounds lovely.”
“She really is. And so are you.”
I felt my cheeks heat and imdiately turned my eyes away. However, Warren didn’t seem to notice that, and continued innocently, “Ever since Mother died, Maggie had been playing the role of a parent to ....” His voice trailed off.
Out the window, I saw familiar surroundings.
“We’re almost there,” I stood up, trying to get ready. However, I knew that ho would not be like how it should be.
I needed to be ntally prepared for the danger out there. Because of Susan’s death, I wouldn’t approach any of my close friends anymore in case Raymond lashed out on them.
I needed to handle this alone, which made a bit nervous.
We were almost to the train station when I heard soone a few seats back talking loudly. I heard my na and turned around.
I didn’t know the person, but when they saw , the woman’s eyes widened. “My Goddess, she looks just like Miss Ciana!”
My eyebrows narrowed as the man sitting next to her said, “Yes, she does, but we know that she can’t be the Alpha’s daughter. After all, she has to be getting ready for the alliance ceremony.”
Warren was listening, too. He turned all the way around and put his knees in the seat so he could speak to them. “What alliance ceremony?” he asked them.
“Oh, haven’t you heard?” the woman asked. “The daughter of our pack Alpha is entering an alliance soon with a very powerful leader from another pack.”
Warren and I exchanged worried glances. I had no idea what they were talking about, but I knew it couldn’t be good.
The last ti I was here, I’d t that girl who looked exactly like , the one that Raymond had tried to tell everyone was , so I had to assu that’s who they were talking about now, that it was the fake version of who was making an alliance.
But with whom?
I tried to think of all of our neighboring packs. None of them seed powerful enough to to make the pack mbers this excited.
I said to Warren, who had turned back around and sat down, “I wish I knew who they were talking about.” I shook my head, thinking at least I would be a bit more prepared to show up and find out the situation if I knew who it was.
Clearing his throat, Warren leaned up a bit and looked around. He noticed a couple across the aisle from us. “Excuse ,” he said, tapping the man on the shoulder.
The gentleman turned around with a questioning look on his face. “Yes? What is it?”
“I was just wondering, can you tell who it is that Ciana Black is joining into the alliance with? Do you happen to know the man’s na?”
“Yes, of course,” he said. “I thought everyone around here knew his na.”
“I’m sorry,” Warren said with a shrug. “I’m not from around here.”
“Oh, well, then, I don’t mind telling you. His na is Luther.”
“Luther?” I repeated the na with my eyes bulging.
No! Anyone but Luther!
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