Chapter 204: The Winter Solstice

Night gradually fell, bringing with it a feeling of foreboding and restlessness that hung heavy in the freezing air.

To everyone else preparing for the Solstice, the Alpha King was merely taking extra precautions to defend the territory on the longest night of the year.

But to Dorian, Jake, and Alyssa, it was different. Not knowing when the attack would begin was far worse than knowing it was coming.

The snow fell harder as darkness deepened, covering the earth under a thick blanket of ice and sludge. The skies were clear, yet the moon remained obscured–hidden behind a slow procession of drifting clouds.

Alyssa stood out on the terrace, clad in a midnight-black gown, a thick wool cloak draped over her shoulders to ward off the biting chill. The gold talisman gleamed faintly where it nestled against the neckline of her dress.

Though the hood was lowered and melted snow dampened her hair, the cold was the last thing on her mind.

Dorian had been gone all day, triple-checking the borders and placing warriors at every vantage point.

She had tried reaching him through the mind-link, only to remember she could only use it when shifted into her Lycan form. She would probably be able to use it easily once Dorian marked her; if he ever marked her.

According to her maid, Cara, Alpha Cole’s army from Ashgard had arrived hours ago, and the territory had been locked down. If Ragnar dared to attack tonight, he would be struck down before he made a move.

Yet, despite all the preparations, a tight knot in Alyssa’s gut insisted her vision would come to pass. It felt like a storm cloud lingering overhead, waiting for the exact second to burst.

She sighed softly and retreated into the bedroom, carefully closing the terrace doors behind her.

She was just about to head for the hallway when the door swung open and Pandora walked in, swaddled in a thick bearskin robe, her hair swept up into a ponytail. Fortunately, she had forgotten all about their earlier conversation regarding the talisman.

"Are you ready? I was just coming to get you."

"I am," Alyssa nodded, walking over to meet her. "Is Dorian back? Is the Solstice starting soon?"

"No, and yes. A lot of shifters have arrived, including my aunt, Luna Kalista."

"Luna Kalista is here?" Alyssa’s eyes lit up. "Where is she?"

Pandora took her hand, lacing their fingers together. "Come on. Let’s join them in the forest."

The mansion was quiet, almost deserted, as the household had already moved into the forest for the night. The air felt thick and charged, humming with a strange energy. Above, the moon remained hidden, refusing to fully break through the clouds.

Only a few shifters bothered with wool cloaks to keep out the chill; the rest welcomed the icy wind and falling snow. The usually silent woods were alive with motion as shifters prowled through the trees in their Lycan forms, throwing their heads back to howl at the sky.

Alyssa kept a tight grip on Pandora as they stepped out of the mansion and into the snow. Henna was waiting at the foot of the steps, wearing a thick robe identical to Pandora’s.

"There you are," Henna beamed as they approached. "Are you nervous? Please tell me I’m not the only one feeling anxious right now."

"There’s nothing to be nervous about," Pandora reassured her. "The Solstice night will be incredible. It’s one of my favorite nights of the year."

She squeezed Alyssa’s hand and pulled Henna close with her other arm, looking very much like a protective mother hen guiding her chicks.

"Just stay close to me," she added brightly. "Once the moon breaks through, you’ll feel the difference immediately, I promise. Tensions are always high right before midnight, but everything shifts the moment the moon emerges."

Alyssa glanced up at the dark sky. Only a sliver of the moon was visible. Her hand subconsciously drifted to the pentagram pendant, stroking it as she prayed it would be enough to keep her Hybrid nature suppressed.

The perimeter guards murmured greetings as the three women passed through the main gates. The roads were deserted, the houses lining the path completely dark.

Halfway down the main road, they cut through a familiar path leading into the clearing where the pack would assemble at midnight.

"It’s actually not so bad," Henna admitted after a long pause. "I can feel my Lycan stirring already."

"Told you," Pandora chuckled. "I look forward to this night all year. It’s always pure celebration."

As they chattered back and forth, Alyssa remained silent. Her mind kept replaying the horrific bloodbath from her vision. How could she enjoy the night when several threats were just waiting to be unleashed?

The guilt weighed on her. Pandora and Henna were walking into the woods completely oblivious to what was waiting.

Maybe I should find a way to warn them, she thought. Just enough so they’ll be prepared if my vision actually happens.

She wrestled with the thought for a moment before making up her mind. She was just about to speak when Pandora’s voice cut through her thoughts.

"We’re here!" she exclaimed, her tone brimming with excitement.

Alyssa looked through the dense treeline and spotted the massive crowd gathered in the clearing. There had to be hundreds of shifters assembled.

A massive bonfire burned at the center of the clearing, roaring wildly as thick smoke billowed into the dark sky. Near the edge of the clearing, a troupe of musicians had set up on a small wooden stage with their instruments.

The delicate sounds of flutes and fiddles drifted over the chatter, bringing back a fleeting memory of Ashgard to Alyssa; of dancing in the arena while Dorian watched her proudly.

"I wonder where Dorian is," Pandora murmured, scanning the crowd.

"And Jake," Henna added, a hint of worry in her voice. "He texted saying he’d meet me here before midnight."

"I’m sure they’re on their way already," Alyssa offered. "In the meantime, let’s meet..."

"By the goddess, it’s Luna Alyssa," a masculine voice interrupted.

Alyssa turned sharply to her left, her anxious expression softening when she recognized the speaker.

"Alpha Cole," she breathed, stepping away from Pandora to greet him. "I wasn’t expecting you to be here."

Cole took her hand, bowing his head respectfully as he brushed his lips against her knuckles. "I wouldn’t miss the Solstice for the world. Besides, I gave Alpha Dorian my word that I would be present."

"It’s wonderful to see you again, Alpha Cole," Alyssa smiled warmly. She glanced past his shoulder, searching the crowd for his mate. "Did Penelope come with you?"

"She couldn’t," Cole grinned, his eyes softening. "She was desperate to come and visit you; she misses you terribly. But she’s heavily pregnant with our first child and needs her rest. It’s just me and my army."

Alyssa’s smile grew genuine at the news. "That’s wonderful, Cole. Congratulations to you both. Please give her my love."

"I certainly will," Cole replied smoothly. He took a step beside her, clasping his hands behind his back as he looked over the crowd. "Alpha Dorian should be making his way back from the borders soon. I hope his paranoia hasn’t unnerved you, Luna Alyssa. I tried reassuring him that nothing would happen tonight, but he insisted on taking half my army."

"Dorian is just being careful," Alyssa answered carefully, keeping her tone light and casual. "Given everything that happened in Ashgard, it’s natural for him to take extra precautions for tonight."

"Of course," Cole agreed with a solemn nod. "I would do the same thing if it were Penelope. But I hope he remembers that every single warrior standing in this clearing would give their lives to protect you if anything happens tonight."

Alyssa wanted to reply, but the words died in her throat. If only she could tell him the truth, that something bad would definitely happen.

She looked past the warmth of the bonfire toward the treeline, her chest tightening as the shadow of the forest seemed to press closer.

Dorian, where are you?