CHAPTER SIX
"What?" Natasha blurted out, she couldn't believe her ears. What did he mean they had no plan.
"Easy," Ashier said, making gestures with his hands. "It was only a joke, yeesh." He said, trying to get her to calm down.
Natasha composed herself, then shot a glare at Ashier, his jokes were starting to get on her, but, a small part of her still liked them. She shoved a forkful of pork into her mouth, trying to distract herself from him. She failed.
"Okay, seriously, What's the plan?" She asked, stealing a glance at Riven, he had not said anything since he had first spoken. His plate looked almost untouched, with him just taking sips of his coffee. Natasha soon found herself admiring his strong jaw line, and the way his face..... She shook her head, now was not the time, though she still found herself admiring how good he looked.
"Serious, why would anyone choose to be serious, I mean, what's the fun in that?" Ashier said between mouthfuls, but somehow managing to keep his white shirt spotless, Natasha was having enough trouble keeping her dress from staining.
Natasha gave Ashier a long glare until he relented. He mumbled something under his breath about how there were two of them glaring at him, and they should start a glaring club.
"So, the plan is simple." His said, after he was done mumbling. He set his fork down, and laced his fingers together on the table. "And it will require all three of us." He nodded to Natasha and Riven as he said this, smiling at Natasha.
Natasha rolled her eyes, he was intentionally drawing this out.
"Okay, the plan is simple. The annual winter solstice summit is coming up in two to three weeks. It's a party where all major werewolf clans, Alphas, Betas, and basically anybody who is somebody in the werewolves come together to discuss and plan towards the new year. Of course, that's all just on paper, in truth, it's just a bunch of old werewolves playing an act, everyone knows no one is going to actually do what they say." Ashier said, taking time to answer Natasha's unspoken questions about the summit.
"If that's the case, then why do we care?" She asked.
"Because everyone will be there," It was Riven that spoke up this time, finally looking up from his coffee. "Everyone, including Thane Darkwood." He said that name with so much venom Natasha couldn't help but wonder what Thane did to him too, that werewolf really seemed to get around.
"As our cheery friend as put it, Thane Darkwood would be there, in fact, he and the Arnia Werewolves would be hosting the summit this year." He paused, then continued, "Making this the perfect opportunity for us to end him." His eyes glowing as he said it.
"Wait, wait, wait, back up." Natasha said, motioning with the fork in her hand, unlike the others, she hadn't stopped eating. "You want us to sneak into the Arnia werewolf hideout in one of the most heavily protected nights of the year, somehow find the most protected person, kill him, and sneak back out before we are all inevitably killed by a hundred werewolves?"
"Essentially." Ashier said, his charismatic smile growing.
"Wow, What's the worst that could happen?" Natasha asked, rhetorically.
"But I never said we would be sneaking in," Ashier said, raising a finger to correct her, he removed something from his shirt pocket and tossing it on the table. Natasha grabbed it, looking up in almost disbelieve, who exactly was this guy, was he actually a young Alpha she hadn't heard of or maybe a Beta that rose quickly through the ranks.
"An invitation?" She asked, how did he get it? He must be someone very important.
"Yes, and as a guest, I am entitled to bring a plus one." He said, smiling at Natasha, his eyes like oceans Natasha could swim inside. "And a butler." He finished, this time turning to Riven. Riven scowled at Ashier, maybe he didn't like being a butler, well, serves him right for looking at her like that.
"I like to keep my plans simple, so it goes somewhat like this." He said, pushing three cups forward, "We enter as regular guests in our outfits, and play our parts well, essentially just waiting to the rest of the night." He gestured with the cups as he spoke, as if they were chess pieces and he was a master tactician.
"At midnight, or sometime close to it, Wolfsbane here," He said, raising a cup slightly, "Will leave for the ladies room." He moved the cup to a side.
"After a few minutes, I will also dispatch Riven on a meaningless errand." he said, removing sliding another cup, till it remained one in the center. He looked up, a grin split his face, "And that's when the fun begins."
"After both of you are gone, I shall begin the very dangerous task of creating a distraction," Shaking a cup to emphasize, 'Drawing all of the attention, and I hope, most of the guards. Leaving the both of you relatively free to carry out your duties." he said, then slumped back in his chair, sliding his hand through his golden hair, somehow looking more handsome than ever before while doing it. Natasha body reacted, heat traveling through her, she tensed, what was wrong with her?
"Sounds like a solid plan, though the details can be hashed out later." Riven cold voice said, standing up from his chair, interrupting Natasha's train of thoughts, she wasn't sure if she was to be happy or sad. "I'll be in my rooms." He declared, then turned and left without another word.
Natasha watched him go, his firm muscles making his steps flow with a grace like water.
"Don't let him bother you," Ashier said, he too glancing at Riven, "He has led a difficult life, faced more pain, hurt and betrayal in twenty years than most would face in their entire lifetimes. It's a miracle he hasn't broken yet."
"Well, he didn't have to scowl at me so much, and what was with that look he had when I walked in?"
Ashier laughed, a full hearty sound that filled the entire room, Natasha loved that sound, and the way his lips parted when he made it. "Don't let it get to you, he scowls everyone. In fact," He leaned in as if to tell Natasha a big secret, Natasha leaned in too. "I once saw him scowling at himself." He whispered.
Natasha couldn't help herself, she burst out laughing.
"I'm serious," He said, "One day, I just walked into his room and he just sat there, scowling at his own reflection."
"Well, if he can scowl at himself, who can't he scowl at?" She said, when she managed to catch her breath, only to burst out laughing again.
"And about the look," Ashier said, wiping a tear from his eyes, he had also been laughing hard. "Let's just be grateful he didn't throw a knife this time."
"This time? Has he done it before?" Natasha asked, incredulous.
"Well once. Though that's another story for another day." He said, then suddenly flew to his feet, also knocking back his chair, "I almost forgot," He said, crossing the distance between them and pulling her to her feet. Natasha's body reacted to his touch, and goosebumps filled her skin, thankfully he didn't notice.
"Come," he said, pulling her with barely contained energy. "There is something I want to show you."