CHAPTER 51: BE PART OF IT

Kieran’s POV

Sitting here, in the cool, controlled silence of the at the Queen’s estate, I can barely contain the energy buzzing under my skin. It’s a feeling I haven’t felt in... well, ever. It’s not just curiosity. It’s a genuine, sparking excitement, and I have to work to keep my usual grin from splitting my face.

And it’s all because of her.

The white-haired woman sitting across from me, looking like a startled rabbit caught in the headlights. Eleanor. I watched her stand up and offer to take all the punishment, bowing like some kind of tragic heroine. It was so... dramatic. And utterly fascinating.

So, she’s not human. She’s a werewolf. The moment Keith asked the question and she gave that terrified little nod, something in my chest did a flip. My wolf, that isn’t sure of our bond with Scarlet, is practically pacing, intrigued and alert.

Why? Why does this stranger, this chaotic mess of a woman, get this reaction from us when we have a perfect, powerful mate that is perfect for us? Something is definitely, wonderfully wrong with me. And I don’t think I’m the only one feeling it.

The women all look properly stunned, especially Eleanor. Her wide eyes are fixed on us, on our glowing blue ones. The poor thing looks like she’s about to bolt or faint.

"We didn’t reveal this to scare you," I say, my voice breaking the heavy silence. I lean forward, offering what I hope is a disarming smile, not the giddy one I’m fighting back. "Consider it a show of good faith. A secret for a secret."

I sweep my gaze over all three of them, but it inevitably snags on Eleanor. "We’d appreciate it if this particular piece of information stayed within these walls."

The fierce one replied. "Wasn’t planning on telling anyone."

The other woman nods vigorously. "Our secret is safe with you, as yours is with us."

But my attention is on Eleanor. She’s still staring, her shock slowly giving way to a dawning, profound confusion.

The fierce woman with the purple-tinged aura, leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "Alright sir. But I’m betting you didn’t pull us out of the slammer out of the goodness of your hearts. You want something in return."

I couldn’t help but chuckle. "In a manner of speaking, yes. It’s more of a mutually beneficial arrangement we have in mind."

The one in the middle, spoke up next, her voice softer but laced with a protective edge. "Before we talk about any of that, we need to be sure. Can you guarantee those men, or anyone else from that trafficking ring, won’t come after Eleanor again?"

Keith answered, his tone flat and absolute. "We’ve already dismantled their operation. The individuals who targeted you have been... dealt with." He didn’t sound annoyed by the questioning.

Now for the real question, the one that had been itching at me since because we couldn’t find a security footage of what happened. "So," I began,. "The Serpent’s Kiss. How, exactly, did you manage to get the rogues to turn on the men chasing you? That’s not exactly in their nature. They’re mindless."

Mira looked down at her hands. "I was a little busy trying not to get my face ripped off to notice the details."

"Same," Roxy grunted, crossing her arms. "It was chaos. They just... switched targets."

They’re hiding something. I can feel it. These three are the only ones who know what truly happened on that track; every other potential witness was torn apart before the police arrived. But maybe it’s not some grand conspiracy. Maybe they’re just scared, protecting each other.

"Well," I said, deciding to lay our cards on the table. "We know the reason the Serpent’s Kiss was enchanted. It’s connected to the Shadow Cult." I watched their faces. Mira and Roxy showed recognition, but Eleanor... she just looked lost. Adorably confused.

Roxy’s eyebrows shot up. "You mean the prophecy?"

I nodded, my smile turning a bit grim. "Precisely. My brothers and I, along with other leaders in the supernatural community, believe it’s more than a ghost story. We believe the prophecy is beginning to come to pass."

Mira leaned forward, her curiosity overpowering her caution. "Will it be alright to know the full story? Most of us were taught the Cult was eradicated decades ago. The prophecy wasn’t taken seriously."

I glanced at Keith.

Keith took over, his voice a low, commanding rumble that demanded attention. "Over ten decades ago," he began, "the borders between our world and the human world were... softer. We coexisted, though humans largely kept to their own territories, with less than thirty percent living within ours. But that peace was shattered in the Starlight Territory."

I leaned back, watching the story unfold on the women’s faces.

"A group known as the Shadow Pack rose to power," Keith continued. "They weren’t just ambitious; they were fanatical. They waged a brutal war, seeking to conquer Starlight and then spread their darkness to every other territory. They nearly succeeded."

He paused, and I couldn’t resist adding a little flair. "Until the legendary Aria appeared," I chimed in, grinning. "With her band of loyal friends and her fated mate by her side, she rallied the territories. She was a force of nature. They fought back, and in a final, epic battle, they brought the Shadow Pack to utter extinction."

Keith shot me a look that said let me finish, and I gave him an innocent shrug.

"Their mastermind, however," Keith said, turning his gaze back to the women, "was a powerful enchantress. Before her defeat, she swore a curse. She vowed she would be resurrected to take her revenge, specifically on Aria’s bloodline. We later discovered she had a lineage of her own, one that scattered to the winds to avoid being hunted down and eradicated."

My eyes drifted to Eleanor. The others were listening intently, but she was... sweating. Tiny beads of perspiration dotted her temple, despite the perfectly controlled, cool air in the room. Her knuckles were white where she gripped her knees.

The fierce woman broke the tense silence. "So how does it connect to the Serpent’s Kiss?"

Keith’s jaw tightened. I could feel his anger simmering, a cold fire in the room. "The Serpent’s Kiss was enchanted by the enchantress’s followers during the last lunar moon," he explained, his voice tight. "Every life lost on that track now serves a purpose. It’s a mass blood sacrifice, designed to fuel the ritual to bring their mistress back."

I watched Keith closely. He was pissed, and rightfully so. This entire catastrophe, could have been prevented if we’d known the cult wasn’t just a myth. But they’d been hiding, waiting in the shadows. And now it was too late. The ritual was already in motion.

Keith’s gaze was like steel. "Which is why the leadership council has decided to use the Serpent’s Kiss to our advantage. We’re going to turn their weapon into our shield. We will use it to force the reintegration of supernaturals and humans."

Mira gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "You can’t be serious. The humans will never accept that! There will be mass panic, an uproar!"

"We don’t have a choice," Keith countered. "Human weapons are largely ineffective against these monsters. Sending more humans in is just delivering more sacrifices to make the ritual stronger. Only werewolves and other supernatural creatures stand a real chance of killing these rogues and stemming the tide."

I leaned forward. "The governments have already agreed. They’ve added a clause to the rule. The only individuals permitted to reveal their supernatural identities and walk freely among humans will be those officially registered as riders on the Serpent’s Kiss."

Keith’s eyes narrowed, finally landing the killing blow. "Which is the real reason you’re here. We know you’re lying about what happened on that track. The three of you survived something that wiped out a small army. Miss Roxy is already a part of our racing division, which makes this convenient."

He looked directly at Mira, then at Eleanor, who seemed to be trying to sink into the floor.

"We want the two of you to join her. We want you to become registered riders for the Serpent’s Kiss."