The Alpha's question landed like a blade against her throat.
Alpha Luca languidly leaned back into his chair and asked, "Who leads Ironwood now?"
Hearing him repeat it made her stomach drop hard. All the blood drained from her face and breathing became more difficult for her.
She couldn't dare to turn to look at Daries, but she was astutely aware of him beside her. Not as comfort, but as proof of her sin out in the open.
Sneaking a rogue into another pack. Alpha Luca could tear out her throat on the spot once he found out. Even if she revealed that she was a Moonborne she would still be punished.
Even if she tried to answer, it would make Daries' lack of knowledge all the more obvious.
After a long moment of silence, Lira turned to Daries and he looked…lost.
He didn't have his usual smug or self-assured look on his face, he just looked unarmed. Lira sucked in a breath and tightened her fingers around the fabric of her dress.
All she could do was steel her gaze on Alpha Luca's hands as he drummed them on the arms of his chair.
He didn't look impatient, just mildly curious.
Every breath Lira took scraped its way down her throat as she imagined being hung over a tree.
Then he spoke.
"David Thornbane." Daries' voice was steady and assured.
Lira's eyes widened for a split second before she forced her features back into a pokerface. She isn't supposed to be surprised that he knows.
Alpha Luca's expression shifted into one of approval. "A strong leader." He nodded, "Ironwood has done well under him.
Daries inclined his head in respect.
"You hesitated for a bit there, I probably scared you." Alpha Luca laughed.
Daries didn't say anything but he offered an awkward laugh in return.
"So, Sister…" Alpha David turned to Lira and moved forward.
"Sister Li-Lianne." Lira completed it for him. That earned a subtle eyebrow raise from Daries.
"Sister Lianne," he repeated, "Why did you come here?"
"We received a letter from your temple and I was sent to retrieve the piece of the moonstone."
"Ah, the moonstone." Alpha Luca said. "And how is the Moonborne?"
"She trains everyday." Lira parroted what she always heard Donna tell everyone when they asked about her.
"I see," he replied with an incomprehensible look on his face. "I'm glad you brought some muscle with you, no one has been able to move the moonstone from where we found it."
"This wasn't mentioned in the letter." Lira gaped.
"Yes, it wasn't mentioned in the first letter." Alpha Luca's eyes narrowed then he leaned back into his seat. "I assumed that the Moonborne would be the one to retrieve the moonstone piece."
"Oh well…she's training a lot so they sent me."
"I see," Alpha Luca mused. "Ask the person who brought you here to take you to an inn. I hope you enjoy your stay at Silverstone."
"Thank you, Alpha." Lira and Daries chorused. They bowed then left his office
We did it, Lira thought as relief washed over her. But it was short-lived. Something was nagging at her as she walked to an inn with Daries and the lady from before.
The lady, Sandra, led them to an old wooden structure and led them inside.
It was an old building whose floors creaked with every step, aside from that it looked well kept. Sandra spoke to the old woman at the front then returned with a key.
"It's the last room at the end of the hall." She placed the key in Lira's palms. "Enjoy your time here." She beamed at them gently and walked away.
"Yes thank you." Lira muttered as she left.
The room was a modest size but it was big enough for two, but there was only a single bed. The window was large and overlooked the entire township. Lira walked to it and gazed beyond it at the forest.
"That was a close one huh?" Daries said as he dropped their bags.
"Huh?" Lira turned to him. "Oh right…yeah." She mumbled.
"You okay, Red?" Daries asked as he walked closer to her.
"How do you know my Alpha's name?" She asked in a hard voice.
"What?"
"How do you know his name?" Lira repeated evenly. "You're a rogue, you aren't supposed to know."
Daries walked even closer to Lira, leaned in her ear and whispered, "You never know who might be listening, so we should be this close when we want to talk."
Lira shivered at the feeling of his hot breath on her ear and neck then she gently moved back by just an inch.
"How do you know his name?" Lira whispered.
"I know the names of every Alpha of every pack in this continent." He whispered back.
"How?" Lira blurted.
"You have to learn basic things like that to enter and survive in packs." Daries shrugged. "You look a bit pale. It's probably because you haven't eaten all day. I'll go get you some food. See you later, Lianne"
He rubbed her arm then walked out the door.
Lira sighed then sat on the bed. Knowing Daries, he wouldn't question her about the name change. Lira wondered if lying about her name was really necessary.
Silverstone would contact Ironwood eventually about the 'priestess they sent'. And they'd find her out.
But if she revealed that she was the Moonborne, they would contact Ironwood immediately and it wouldn't take long for Kyren to sprint over to his death.
They were going to send feedback to Ironwood anyway. She had to get the moonstone shard and leave. Lira let out another breath and plopped into the bed.
She didn't realise how tired she was until she laid on the bed. All the tension in her stiff joints and back loosened.
The bed wasn't exactly soft but it wasn't hard either. It wasn't as comfortable as the bed she had back at the Ironwood but it was certainly better than sleeping on the floor.
Lira heard a knock on the door and got up to open it. Daries came back so soon.
When she opened the door a blue eyed girl with light brown hair was on the other side.
She smiled and said, "Good evening, Moonborne."