Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 861: Who You Are ()

It began as a single, distant howl. But in only a moment, it had grown into an echo of about a dozen howls. And then far more than that.

The howls didn’t sound welcoming. Or like anything good. She could pick up the blood thirst and savagery in the guttural sounds.

They were under attack. That was why Alessio left in a rush without even seeing her in as he usually would. He’d gotten word of what was coming. His scouts were well trained and highly skilled after all.

Rogues, Neveah guessed. That was the only thing that made sense given their current location. Alessio’s enemies from other packs wouldn’t attack so close to the territory of a major Eclipse pack.

They were within distance to receive aid even if Alessio had made no arrangements for it. But rogues did not have such considerations or tactics. At least most of them didn’t.

The howls were louder now and she could hear fierce growls and the distant sound of fighting.

Neveah blocked out the sounds, returning her attention to her surroundings. The room was modest, and the bed wasn’t much for comfort, but it was still an upgrade from sleeping in the carriage.

She lay back on the bed, ignoring the coarse feel of the sheets. They’d been recently changed as they still smelled of wash powder, but they were worn enough, she wasn’t certain what colour it was supposed to be.

It was good Alessio hadn’t come in. He would have been displeased by the state of the room and would never let her touch the bed until the sheets had been changed again to something he considered suitable.

For better sleep, he’d said. Neveah just found his attention to detail tiring. Changing the sheets at every inn wouldn’t make her feel any more at home than she did.

A crash echoed through the inn. This one sounded closer, like it was just the floor below.

Neveah frowned slightly, sitting up on her bed. She walked over to the door, pushing it open only a fraction.

She paused, finding one of Alessio’s guards standing on the other side. He turned at the sound of the door, lowering his head to a bow.

Neveah sighed, shutting the door again. She retreated back into the room. The fighting was getting closer, but if the guard by her door still stood unfazed, she had no reason to be concerned, right?

She shook her head slowly, running a hand through her hair to detangle the knots it’d gotten into.

She couldn’t hope to find sleep in all this noise. And she couldn’t be sure how long it would take before the rogues were all taken care of.

What could she do in the meantime other than stare at the frayed wallpapers?

A tapping sound drew Neveah out of her thoughts, but she wasn’t sure she had heard it right until it came again. She frowned slightly, glancing over at the window.

There was someone out there.

Neveah walked over to it. Listening for a moment. It didn’t sound like the fighting had gotten around to the back of the inn.

Of course, there might be stray rogues. But they wouldn’t knock, would they?

The windows were made of glass, they could just as easily break in than politely seek entry.

She hesitated, glancing over at the door. The guard hadn’t heard the sound like she had. It was so low, she was surprised she even heard it herself.

Finally, after contemplating for a moment, she unlocked the window and pushed it open. Stepping away, she thumbed the small dagger she’d swiped when Alessio wasn’t looking.

She’d needed an assurance, just in case.

Alessio’s ’everyone is an enemy and will kill you without second thoughts, but me’ speech surfaced in her mind, but she shrugged it off.

Her instincts had been spot on so far, leading her to uncover Alessio’s lies. She had no reason to doubt them now.

It wasn’t like she was some helpless damsel. Even if she did end up inviting a rogue in, she wouldn’t get killed so easily.

She waited a moment before a gloved hand appeared on the window sill. She gripped the blade tighter and retreated a few more steps.

A man climbed in soundlessly. He was dressed from head to toe in black, with a hood swung over his head.

Neveah was about to speak but he lifted a hand to shush her. She frowned at the audacity, watching the intruder.

He strode past Neveah and her eyes trailed him till he placed a small mechanism on the door and then returned to stand across from her.

"Lady Neveah." The stranger greeted, pushing back his hood. He lowered his head to a deep bow. "Forgive me for causing an alarm. I had to make sure we wouldn’t be heard."

He was at least in his early thirties, with messy brown hair ending in grayish white tips. From his disposition, Neveah could tell he knew her.

Neveah raised a brow. The man didn’t strike her with any deep sense of familiarity, but she felt no alarm or sense of danger either, "You lured the rogues here?" She guessed,

The man nodded once. "The Eclipse King is extremely skilled at covering his tracks. I had to take measures for sufficient distraction."

Neveah watched the man cautiously. He stood in place, and he made no attempts to draw closer or make any other movements that would alarm her. "But you’re not one of them, are you?"

He shook his head, "I’m not a rogue, My Lady. My name is Scott, I serve the Winter Alpha King."

"The Winter Alpha King?" Neveah asked uncertainly.

Scott nodded. "Alpha King Nolan... your Uncle."

"I’ve heard about your... condition." Scott added, "I’ve been trailing you for a long while now. I can assure you, I speak no untrue words."

She stiffened visibly, her eyes narrowed in doubt. "You’ve been trailing me?"

Scott quickly shook his head. "Not you in particular, My Lady. My mission was originally to trail the Eclipse King and find out why he retreated his army from the borders of the Winter Domain so suddenly."

"All along, I have been watching him. Asking questions, to know exactly why he didn’t proceed with his intended invasion of our territory...a few days ago, I saw you and everything began to make sense." Scott explained quickly.

"You might not remember it, but we’ve met once. In Dragon territory, we were trapped and could only get back home with your aide. I was by Alpha King Nolan’s side all along." He said.

Neveah wasn’t certain how much of what he was saying was true. But since he knew about her connection with dragons and didn’t hesitate to mention it whereas no one else would, it gave him some credibility.

Alessio had also mentioned repeatedly that he’d found her in a blizzard. Maybe that wasn’t a lie after all.

The best deception was in fact half truths rather than blatant lies.

Neveah ran a hand through her hair, shaking her head slowly, "Why are you here then? You went through such trouble to see me, you must have a reason."

Neveah was startled as Scott dropped to a knee. "As soon as I knew you were here, I sent word to the Winter Domain. King Nolan has given orders."

"I am to stay by your side and protect you from the shadows. Whatever orders you have, my life is yours to command."

She didn’t doubt that he meant it.

Neveah’s brows furrowed slightly. "Rise."

Scott got up to his feet. "It won’t be long before the Eclipse King returns. I don’t know the whole story but we all know you’re not here of your own will. Do you want me to..." He trailed off,

"Kill him?" Neveah guessed. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Scott nodded. "It won’t be easy but I will find an opportunity."

Neveah shook her head slowly. "You’re no match for Alessio."

Scott pursed his lips. "King Nolan has mustered his army, thousands of winter wolves will march on the Eclipse Domain. You need only give the order."

A few days ago, she’d been all alone. And now, she was told she had an army behind her. She wasn’t sure what to do with that information.

"The Eclipse wolves are not a weak force. A war...will result in needless casualties."

"But you can’t just stay under the Eclipse King’s thumb. What about the dragons?..."

"What about them?" Neveah asked with a raised brow.

"You don’t know yet, do you?" Scott asked, his tone grim.

"What is it that I don’t know? Everyone just keeps referring to them but no one is actually telling me who or what they are to me." Neveah’s tone was thick with frustration.

"If the Winter King is family, who are the dragons to me?"

Scott hesitated for a moment. "Lady Neveah, you are Dragon Queen."

Neveah blinked in astonishment. "I...What?"

Scott nodded in confirmation. "You are bonded to the Dragon King and His most trusted confidant, the Lord of Onyx Scales."