Chapter 201: She saw death

Dorian paced around his study in silence, his mind a chaotic storm of restless thoughts.

Night had fallen completely. The clock mounted on the wall read past nine o’clock. Alyssa had fallen asleep shortly after dinner; she had been so exhausted that she couldn’t keep her eyes open through her conversation with Pandora and Henna.

The vision she had told him about earlier that afternoon remained heavy in his chest, disturbing him to his core. For the first time in his life, he was at a complete loss.

How was he supposed to explain to Alyssa that the Winter Solstice couldn’t simply be canceled? It wasn’t a seasonal festival or a ceremony that could be postponed at his command.

The Solstice was a fundamental law of the universe; a cosmic alignment of the realm and sky that would inevitably trigger their raw, primitive Lycan bloodlines whether they welcomed it or not.

It was the one force in existence he couldn’t alter, command, or halt, even with all his power and authority as Alpha King.

And now, given the horror Alyssa had witnessed in her vision, he didn’t dare dismiss her warning or treat it as a passing phantom.

The study door clicked open behind him, and Jake stepped into the dimly lit study.

"I’m sorry for the delay," he apologized quickly, easing the door shut. "I had to make sure Henna was sound asleep before I slipped out. She’s feeling a bit under the weather tonight."

"Take her to see Nina first thing tomorrow," Dorian muttered, not pausing his stride. "We can’t afford anyone falling ill right now."

?"I will," Jake agreed with a firm nod. He looked around the quiet study, his hands opening in a questioning gesture. "Well, you sent for me. Is Luna alright?"

"She’s fine. She’s sleeping."

Jake’s eyes narrowed slightly at the clipped edge in Dorian’s voice. He was familiar with his Alpha’s icy reserve and intimidating coldness, but this was different. This carried an edge of suppressed panic and dread.

"Did something happen?" he asked cautiously.

"Alyssa shared the full details of her vision with me," Dorian revealed, his voice dropping into a harsh murmur. "The one she talked about on the drive back from Nina’s."

Jake frowned, taking a step closer. "A vision? I thought she suffered just a seizure."

"No, Jake. Her power grants her visions of the past, and things that are bound to happen. She sees things. And what she saw this time was bad. Really bad."

"What did she see?"

"The night of the Solstice," Dorian explained, turning to face him. "She saw a massacre led by Ragnar and his rogues. A blood moon rising over a brutal bloodbath. She saw death, including her own."

"Wait–what?" Jake exclaimed, his eyes widening.

"Keep your voice down!" Dorian growled, his jaw clenching. "I’m telling you this because you’re the only person apart from Nina who knows Alyssa carries Hybrid blood. I can’t let Anthony or Alec discover it yet."

"Forgive me," Jake murmured, quickly covering his mouth to lower his tone. "But... a blood moon on the night of the Solstice? That’s a terrible omen."

"That’s what I said," Dorian replied coldly. "I haven’t had a single moment of peace since she told me." He resumed his restless pacing, unable to keep his body still.

"What can we do about it, Alpha?" Jake pressed, taking a step forward. "Is there any way we can stop this massacre before it happens?"

"Alyssa insists the only way to avert it is to cancel the Solstice. And even if such a thing were possible, there’s no guarantee Ragnar wouldn’t strike anyway."

"But the Solstice can’t be canceled," Jake argued, incredulous. "It’s not an event we can just scratch off a calendar. How does one stop the moon from reaching its full peak?"

"Do you honestly think I don’t know that?" Dorian snapped, his dark eyes flashing dangerously. "I’ve spent the entire afternoon racking my brain for a loophole. There is none. The Winter Solstice brings the longest, darkest night of the year, and Ragnar chose that exact night to strike. We have to hunt him down and stop him before the moon rises."

"How?" Jake asked helplessly. "The Solstice is only a few days away. Ragnar won’t just stand in the open waiting to be caught."

"We have to try regardless," Dorian maintained, his tone leaving no room for arguments. "It’s the only way; the only way I can guarantee Alyssa’s safety and also defend this territory. I can’t even bring myself to tell her the Solstice is inevitable. I can’t risk triggering her into a panicked state."

"I understand. Given Nina’s warnings, keeping her calm is more important."

"At dawn, assemble the elite warriors," Dorian commanded crisply. "I want a full search of the Northern territory. Search every cave, every outpost, every terrain Ragnar could use as a hideout."

"Yes, Alpha," Jake nodded. He opened his mouth to speak further, but hesitated at the last second and changed his mind.

Unfortunately, Dorian noticed the hesitation. "Whatever thought is crossing your mind, spit it out. This is not the time for hesitation."

"I was just wondering," Jake began carefully, measuring his words with extreme caution. "Has any of Luna’s visions actually come to pass before?"

Dorian froze in his tracks. His expression darkened into a terrifying mask as he turned and glared at the beta.

"I beg your pardon?" he muttered.

"Hear me out, Alpha. Please," Jake rushed to explain, raising his hands defensively. "The vision she saw... it could be from the past, or a fragment of the future. How can we be sure it’s this upcoming Solstice she saw?"

Dorian’s eyes blazed a furious, golden hue as Shadow growled dangerously within his mind. "Are you saying she lied about her vision?" he snarled, taking a threatening step forward.

"I would never," Jake replied, bowing his head and exposing the back of his neck in total submission. It took every ounce of his own courage not to tremble under the sudden weight of Dorian’s Alpha aura filling the room.

"Then explain what you mean by such a question!"

"I meant no disrespect to you or Luna Alyssa," Jake pleaded, keeping his head bowed. "I’m only pointing out that Luna’s powers–whatever they may be–are still wild and unstable. These visions might be a trick of the mind."

"There was an entity!" Dorian cut in, closing the space between them in a flash. "An entity named Ozai! He appeared once before her in Ashgard, and he has been invading her dreams ever since. She saw him before she had that vision, and he is very much real, because the woman claiming to be her mother spoke his name as well!"

He stood towering over Jake, his eyes glowing like hot embers in the dim room. "So tell me, Jake. Which part of that sounds like a trick of her mind?"

Jake kept his head lowered, his gaze averted, waiting until Dorian finally moved away. Only when the pressure eased did the beta exhale the breath he had been holding.

"Forgive me, Alpha," he murmured respectfully. "My words were poorly chosen. Regardless of the vision’s nature, you are right. We must prepare for the worst when the Solstice arrives."

"Remember that," Dorian warned coldly. "And yes, we will be prepared. Send word to Alpha Cole by dawn tomorrow. I need his army. They once fought against the rogues in Ashgard, so they have the experience. Combined with my army, we will turn the North into an unbreachable fortress when Ragnar eventually strikes."

"Right away, Alpha," Jake acknowledged.

"Inform the Alphas of the other territories as well; the South, West, and East," Dorian added. "Order them to place their borders on high alert. Though Alyssa’s vision was about the North, it wouldn’t hurt to be vigilant."

"Consider it done, Alpha." Jake bowed low and turned to leave. But as he reached the door, Dorian’s voice stopped him again.

"And Jake... not a word of this should leave this study," he commanded softly. "Not even to your mate. As for Anthony and Alec, I will find a way to tell them myself. Just ready the elite warriors and the guards."

Jake gave a final nod before slipping out, quietly shutting the door behind him.

Left alone in the quiet study, Dorian remained standing in the dark for hours. His mind burned with restless thoughts while both of his inner beasts prowled violently in his head.

At one point, he approached the window and stared up at the vast night sky.

"Selene," he whispered to the Moon Goddess, his voice laced with worry. "How do I protect my Luna? How do I stop this bloodbath before it happens?"

Only the cold, hollow silence of the night answered him.