Chapter 63: THE DIPLOMATIC MISSION
Chapter 63: The Diplomatic Mission
The special council meeting stretched past midnight. Maps covered every surface, marking Coalition areas in angry red ink. Food stores would last two weeks. Medicine, maybe less. "We could break through their northern border," Alpha Marcus suggested, jabbing his finger at the map. "Hit them before they expect it." "That’s exactly what Shadowbane wants," Kael answered firmly.
"The moment we attack, he’ll claim we started the war." "So we just sit here and starve?" Beta Thompson’s voice cracked with anger. Liana stood by the window, watching the rain streak down glass. Behind her, voices rose in heated debate. Fear made everyone desperate. Desperate people made bad choices. "There’s another option," she said quietly. The room fell silent. "Diplomacy," she continued, turning to face them.
"We go to the Coalition leaders. Talk to them directly, not through Shadowbane’s effect." "Absolutely not," Kael said instantly. "It’s too dangerous." "More dangerous than war?" "They tried to kill you three hours ago!" "No, Shadowbane tried to frighten us. The Coalition wants to negotiate—otherwise they would’ve attacked instead of blockading." Elder Mira nodded slowly.
"The girl has a point. Blockades are political tools. Violence is what comes after talking fails." "I’ll go," Kael said. "As future Alpha, I have the authority to make deals." "They won’t respect you the same way," Liana replied. "You’re just another Alpha to them. But I’m the image they’re fighting against. If I show up ready to talk..." "They’ll see weakness," Rowan ended. "Or courage." Liana’s chin lifted. "When was the last time an omega walked into enemy territory to save her people?" Jace leaned back in his chair, grinning despite the stress.
"Never. Which is exactly why it might work." "This is insane," Kael grumbled. "Sanity isn’t working." Liana moved to the map, tracing the way to Coalition lands. "Give me three days. If I can’t break through to at least one of their leaders, we’ll consider other choices." "You’re not going alone," Jace said, standing. "I’ll take a small team. Fast and quiet." "I should—" Kael started.
"You should stay here," Liana interrupted softly. "If something happens to me, the union needs its next Alpha. And if Coalition forces attack while we’re gone, Rowan will need your help defending everyone." Kael’s jaw clenched, but he nodded. The reasoning was sound, even if he hated it. Two hours before dawn, Liana stood in the stalls with her small team. Jace had picked five warriors—enough to handle trouble, not enough to look threatening. Their horses stamped nervously, feeling the tension. "Remember," Jace said to his team, "we’re diplomats, not attackers. No guns drawn unless absolutely necessary." "And if they attack anyway?" asked Marcus, a young fighter with worried eyes. "Then you get Liana out. Everything else is secondary." Liana hugged Kael and Rowan goodbye. Kael held her extra tight. "Promise me you’ll be careful," he whispered against her hair.
"Promise me you’ll keep everyone together while I’m gone." They rode out as the sun painted the sky pink. The first day passed without incident, though they spotted Coalition scouts tracking them from faraway ridges. The scouts never approached—just watched and reported. "They know we’re coming," Jace noted as they made camp. "Good. Maybe they’ll be ready to talk." But on the second day, everything changed. They were crossing through neutral territory—a stretch of forest between pack lands where humans sometimes hunted. The trees grew thick here, blocking out most of the sunshine. "Something’s wrong," Jace said suddenly, pulling his horse to a stop.