Taken by the Outcast Alpha (Whispers of Fate)

12. Sage

Chapter twelve

Sage

I stop short, my heart racing as Finn's demand about Damien hangs in the air. How can I possibly explain? The mere thought of Damien makes my blood run cold, and I wrap my arms around myself, trying to ward off the fear that threatens to consume me.

"I... I don't know where to start," I whisper, avoiding Finn's intense gaze. "Damien is... dangerous."

I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself. Finn hasn't moved. His eyes are fixed on me, waiting. I realize I've already let slip more than I intended by mentioning Damien's interest in the Silverclaw family. But Finn hasn't exactly been forthcoming either, has he?

"Look," I say, finally meeting his eyes. "I've already shared something about Damien. But you haven't answered any of my questions. You keep turning everything back on me. If you want me to open up about Damien, I need to know I can trust you. That this isn't just... one-sided."

I can see the conflict in Finn's eyes, the way his jaw clenches. Part of me wants to reach out, to comfort him, but I hold back. I need answers too.

"Damien... he threatened me," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. "There are things about him, secrets... I'm afraid of what might happen if I share them. But I also need to know what I'm getting into here, Finn. Who are you, really? Why is Damien after you?"

I pause, realizing I'm trembling slightly. "I want to trust you, Finn. I really do. But I can't be the only one taking risks here."

Finn's head jerks back as though I slapped him with those words, but I can see his hesitation, too. The muscles in his jaw work as he wrestles with some internal conflict. I hold my breath, waiting.

Finally, he sits on the bed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You're right," he says, his voice low. "I owe you some answers."

I perch on the edge of the dresser, giving him space but staying close enough to hear as I wait for him to continue.

Finn runs a hand through his hair, a gesture I'm starting to recognize as a sign of his discomfort. "Right now, I'm... I'm a wolf without a Pack," he admits, the words seeming to pain him. "I was the Silverclaw Alpha, but there was a coup, a challenge. In the end, I found myself on the outside."

The weight of his words hits me. An Alpha without a Pack? I can only imagine how lost he must feel. But something doesn't add up.

"But then, why would Damien be looking for you?" I ask, furrowing my brow. "If you're not even part of the Pack anymore..."

Finn's eyes lock with mine, and I see a flash of something dangerous in their amber depths. "I never said I left my Pack empty-handed."

My breath catches in my throat. What could Finn have taken that would make Damien chase him across state lines? And how does it connect to the Silverclaw family?

"What did you take, Finn?" I whisper, both dreading and needing to hear the answer.

Finn's eyes meet mine, a storm of emotions swirling in their amber depths. He takes a deep breath, as if steeling himself for what he's about to reveal.

"It's called the Fate Weaver," he says, his voice low and intense. "An ancient artifact, passed down through generations of my Pack. It's... powerful. More powerful than you can imagine."

I lean forward, hanging on his every word. "What does it do?"

"It can alter destiny," Finn explains, his hands clenching and unclenching as he speaks. "Shape the course of events, influence probability. In the wrong hands, it could rewrite reality itself."

My mind reels at the implications. No wonder Damien wants it so badly. But something still doesn't add up.

"Why would Damien come after me, then?" I ask, confusion probably evident in my voice. "If he's after this Fate Weaver..."

Finn's expression darkens. "Because the Fate Weaver is protected by ancient magic. Magic that's been reinforced over centuries by..."

"Witches," I breathe, realization dawning. "He needed a witch to break through the protections."

Finn nods grimly. "Not just any witch. The spells are tied to specific bloodlines. If he needed you for it, then Damien must have discovered that you have a connection to the original casters."

Suddenly, all the pieces fall into place. Damien's intense interest in my family history, his questions about ancient protection spells. The sick feeling in my stomach intensifies as I realize how close I'd come to unwittingly helping him steal such a dangerous artifact.

"He was using me," I whisper, wrapping my arms around myself. "All along, he was just trying to get to the Fate Weaver."