Magnus’ p.o.v. It is this Kingdom’s best kept secret and only a handful of Shifters know about it. If the King dies without an heir, Dad will have to take over as King and he is dead set against it. Milcah and Meadow will be made aware of it, because our family will always be next in line for the Throne. Like Dad, I don’t want to carry that burden. I have been to the Palace a handful of times and if I never have to return again, I will die a happy man. Every Shifter at the Palace has an ace up their sleeve and if you’re not careful, they will try to tangle you in their web of lies and deceit. Luckily, we were warned before we went to the Palace for the first time. We were in our early teens and kept away from the Palace for a reason. Dad didn’t want to risk us getting caught up in anything and I had thought that he had been exaggerating a little. Man, had I been wrong in that assumption. After only an hour, we decided to stick with our parents and avoid interacting with anyone who wasn’t family. “Okay, attention please.” Captain Miles calls out and we all focus on the main screen. “This is Seven Cloud territory. Their border patrols rival those of Gold Moon and Black Valley and any Squad that ever tried to get into the territory failed.” We get informed about every Squad that attempted to enter Seven Cloud territory and how many Shifters they lost during their attempts. “We are not entirely sure if all lives were lost, because about sixteen Squad members over the years have been unaccounted for.” Captain Miles says and Meadow jumps up with her Mates hot on her tail. If I were her, I would head down to the dungeons and ask Iniko about those Squad members. He might know if they are dead or in Seven Cloud’s dungeons. “One of them was a Squad Captain and my reason for joining the Renegades.” Captain Miles states. “That Captain is my Uncle and my family is still holding on to the hope of finding him alive one day.” An extra incentive for us to succeed at our task, if his Uncle is still alive. Because none of us is willing to let his family suffer any longer, not if we can help it. “They are still alive. Alpha Devlin kept them in the dungeons at first, but built a prison above ground to keep a close eye on them. According to Iniko, a few of them even found their fated Mates among the Pack-members. Alpha Devlin didn’t deny them their bonds, because all of them are Omegas and he cares even less about them.” Meadow says as she walks back into the meeting room. The room goes quiet as Captain Miles dials a number and we listen as he informs his Father of the news Meadow just delivered. He hangs up with a smile and I can feel a calm coming over him. “Thank you, Meadow. My Father will inform the rest of the family; they will finally know what happened and where my Uncle is. You will never know how much this means to me and my family.” Captain Miles says. “No problem, Captain. You deserved an answer and so do the other families. Elder Chelsea will inform them of the news.” Meadow says. Someone knocks on the door and instantly opens it. Dad walks in, followed by an entire Squad. “I believe you were expecting them, Captain Miles.” Dad says as he makes way for the Squad to walk into the meeting room. “Thank you, Alpha Lincoln. When will you have your Elite Warriors ready?” Captain Miles asks. Instead of answering him, Dad gestures to someone on the other side of the door. I smile when I see Hayden walking in, followed by his friends. “If I were to send all the Elite Warriors in who volunteered, it wouldn’t fit. My Elite Warriors from Black Valley are en route and will arrive before dinner.” Dad says and Captain Miles gives him a funny look. “You have almost six hundred volunteers from Black Valley Pack and nearly four hundred and fifty from Gold Moon. None of them is forced to go on this mission and each of them understands the risks.” Dad explains. Captain Miles looks around the room at the Shifters, who are sitting and standing around. There is barely enough room to move with close to three hundred Squad members in here, let alone enough room to discuss the mission or make plans. “Why don’t we set up in the ballroom? There is more than enough space in there, and we can be done by the time the rest of the volunteers show up.” Makay suggests. For the next few hours, we move tables and chairs into the ballroom. Notepads and pencils are placed with every chair and despite the number of Shifters walking in and out, it is eerily quiet. Brooklyn and Milcah are ensuring there are enough refreshments and snacks for all of us and I love seeing that gorgeous smile on her face. “Where is that Mutt hiding my Sister?” I hear Mylah asking from the hallway and I see many Shifters looking toward the door. “I am not a Mutt, Mylah. Behave yourself or I am going to hide her from you.” I call out and Milcah turns to me with a smile on her face. I don’t get a chance to explain anything, because Mylah comes rushing into the ballroom and jumps into my arms when she reaches me. My Brother walks in with Dad and both are shaking with laughter. “Milcah, this is my oldest Son, Madden. He will take over Black Valley in a while.” Dad says when they reach her and my Sister tries to wiggle out of my arms. “No, you are not going anywhere.” I say while wrapping my arms around her tighter. “I don’t want you to scare away my Mate, I can probably manage that on my own.” I smile at my Mate, who is trying to keep her laughter bottled up inside her, but others don’t even try.For someone who spent her entire life on the Alpha floor of a Pack-house, my Mate has adjusted quickly to walking around freely and interacting with others as if she has done it her whole life. I don’t want to bring her along on this mission, but I have no choice. She will knock me out cold and leave me behind if I try to stop her.