Chapter 175: How to Pack For The Forgotten Inn

Ravyn POV

Six weeks later, she piled her heavy winter clothing into a suitcase. 

Was this the right time to travel to Alpha Caden's frozen territory in search of this Forgotten Inn that might or might not reveal a clue to defeating the Dark Goddess? 

Jude and Hades were convinced that they needed to seek out this Forgotten Inn, and so was Tulaska, although Silverpaw Wise Woman Eirika was more cautious. Still, Eirika wouldn't stand in Jude's way if he truly believed in going to the Forgotten Inn. Jude was off dealing with Alpha business, but she could still reach him and Hades telepathically. Hades responded immediately. "Yes, my mate?"

A shiver went through her. She was used to Hades by now, but having him call her "mate" still took some getting used to. "Do you know why we need to go to this inn?"

"Only that I believe I was there before in a lifetime long past, and that there may be some secret to helping defeat the Dark Goddess to be found there," Hades replied. 

"Do you know what it is?"

"If I did, we'd be a lot better prepared," came the reply. "It's cold enough to freeze your fur in Wolfspeaker territory. Better make sure you've packed everything. Especially some sturdy boots to climb to the inn. If I recall, teleporting could be hit-or-miss."

Ravyn examined her tough leather boots that were buttery soft on the inside. It looked as if she'd have to clean them, though. She headed off in search of leather cleaner, since Jude didn't have any. No surprise--he didn't wear his own boots that often. But he should still have leather cleaner. 

As she walked the pink sandstone halls, she saw Bram and Mali engaging in some sibling teasing. Mali clearly was enjoying her brother's discomfort.

"Who is it?" Mali prodded. "Who are you writing to?"

"I'm the pack beta. I can write to anyone I want." Bram smoothed his red hair, a matching blush on his cheeks. "And shouldn't you be chasing after your children?"

"Don't change the subject," Mali needled him. "Just who are you writing to as pack beta? I'm the Alpha's daughter--shouldn't I know what's going on with the pack?"

Ravyn smiled knowingly to herself, but called out in a loud voice, "Oh, dear, I can't seem to find the leather cleaner for my cold weather boots. I thought Jude had some in our room."

Bram raised a hand, eager to help. "Father doesn't need it usually, but I know where we keep some. I'll show you where is is."

"I'll just bet you will," Mali said in a syrupy sweet voice. "You're always so helpful. But you better not leave that letter unfinished for too long."

Ravyn walked away with Bram, trying to ignore his blushes. The kind of blushes that indicated he had a secret love. Someone he wrote letters to. Maybe even his fated mate. As his stepmother, she didn't want to push him--Mali would do that enough for everyone. 

He opened a supply closet and rummaged around. "Mom and Dad always believed in being prepared. Dad forgets about things like keeping his boots neat, because we don't wear them a lot." He handed her a brown bottle of leather cleaner. "This is a human import, naturally."

"Naturally. Thank you, Bram." Ravyn shook the bottle and heard the liquid swirling around. "Looks like we've got a plentiful supply."

He looked at her seriously with his mother's big sea-colored eyes. "You're really determined to go off to this Forgotten Inn so soon after everything?"

"It's been six weeks, Bram, and your father--"

He gave her the puppy dog eyes. "No one can influence him like you can."

"And he's still the Alpha," she said lightly.

"But someone else seems to be calling the shots," he muttered.

She knew whom he meant. For a variety of reasons, Bram might tolerate Hades being inside his father, but that didn't mean he gave his seal of approval. 

"Your father has learned to trust Hades." She kept her voice low. "Weren't you just saying that you liked some of the decisions Jude has made recently? In your words, 'He's letting his inner Alpha loose.'"

Bram rubbed his eyes. "I did say that, didn't I? He's brought back some of the old traditions like regular Mate Balls and gotten rid of some of the nonsense like the absurd council rules people have enacted in the last ten years--like debates that are really just an excuse to stall."

"Exactly. That's due to Hades' influence, and your father was never a fan of wasting time like that," Ravyn coaxed. "Neither am I.＂

Bram looked at her earnestly. "There's a difference between making positive changes for the pack and rushing off to some remote inn in Alpha Caden's territory."

"At least it's not an abandoned tower on a cursed island," Ravyn quipped.

The corners of Bram's mouth twitched in a smile just fighting to get out. "True. And Alpha Caden and his new Luna Aldwin will probably insist on sending an escort, if not accompanying Father and you themselves."

"Oh, they will. In fact, we can ask them when we get there. What a good idea, son."

She conveniently forgot to mention that she and Jude had already done just that. 

Bram seemed somewhat reassured, but still resistant to the idea of the dangerous quest while he was still grappling with the monumental change in his father. Ravyn and Jude had foreseen his opposition. 

Ravyn sighed. "If we delay our trip for a few weeks, would that ease your mind?"

"NO. Because Father will judge me for it. I'm his beta and his son. I'm just supposed to shut up and do as I'm told," he groused. "I already gave him such a hard time over selecting a Luna, and wasn't fair to either of you."

"That's in the past, Bram," she said, touching his arm. "If you ask your father to wait, just to make sure the pack is secure after all that has happened, I don't think he'll say no. Tell him I support the plan."

Bram blushed, smelling guilty. "I'm just being weak," he muttered.

"No. I wondered if it was too soon." Ravyn mustered up a lot of enthusiasm and found it was genuine. "We just got everything calmed down again. The pack nearly lost us. I don't think they're so eager to see us go off again to some remote location. Go and talk to your father." She held up the leather cleaner. "But I'll still clean my boots."

Bram hugged her. "Thank you. I promise that when the time comes, I'll let the two of you go with my blessing. And I owe you a massive favor."

"Think nothing of it. You don't owe me anything," she said. 

Her wolf didn't seem entirely persuaded, but Ravyn could read the mood of the pack. They appreciated having Jude and her at home. Every time she and Jude went out, the people swarmed around them. The wolves of the Silverpaw Pack seemed territorial, and possessive of their Alpha and Luna. 

And honestly, they only had Hades' and Jude's vision to go on. Eirika's lackluster support didn't inspire confidence. Come to think of it, Tulaska had been enthusiastic, but wary. Although she acted as if going to the inn was a certainty. And she and Jude would absolutely go to the inn. Just not now. 

She nudged Bram. "Go and see your father and make your request. I believe he's in his office at the moment."

With relief, Bram hurried away, looking more energetic, with a bounce in his step.

Hades spoke in her mind. "I've been listening, you know. I haven't told Jude yet. Bram needs to assert himself."

Her mind picked up on the distaste in Hades' voice. "Sorry to disappoint you."

"If it makes him stop viewing me as some kind of dark force trying to make his father into a puppet, I can live with it. I only hope this delay doesn't cost us."

Ravyn hoped so, too.