Sitting in the kitchen a few hours later Aislinn had reclaimed Kio from a bemused Clay and was now dangling a string as the cub chased it around her feet. Kaiden stood pacing at the head of the table to her right his hair sticking up tousled and messy from where his hands were constantly being run through it. His eyes were rimmed red from exhaustion and he had dark bags under his eyes. Looking up she found her stomach clenching at the sight of him.

Pushing that aside she eyed him wearily. Still sensing the lingering anger coursing through him. It was a good thing they had been in the lower levels when they had received their intended 'message'. Else they would be in need of some serious repair work. As it was Kaiden had nearly completely destroyed the infirmary. Thankfully the reinforced walls and doors had been able to withstand the brunt of his rage. Not that he was the only one reacting badly to the news from Alpha Fraser.

Richard stood silent and tense at her shoulder. He hadn't moved further then an arm's reach from her side since the words had been spoken. His face had grown hard and dark, anger and determination radiating from him as he incessantly watched for anything that dare try to come near her.

Clay and Blair were at the moment rummaging in the kitchen pulling out food and piling it onto plates for them all. They were trying to act normal but it was hard to ignore the guarded glances they kept throwing her or the way their eyes darted constantly around the room. It was as if they expected her to disappear before their eyes or for wolves to jump out of the woodwork and start attacking any minute.

Olivia sat beside her nervously her leg bouncing. Alternating between playing on her phone and watching the others.

Turning away from them Aislinn looked across the table at Michael and his mate Ethan. Both still weak from their injuries they slumped slightly in their seats. On the table between them lay their hands intertwined. Clasped together they clung to each other with a strength that belied their appearances. It was as heart wrenching as it was beautiful. They had regained consciousness only an hour or so ago and from that moment they had been inseparable. Now as they sat watching those around them uneasily their shoulders continuously brushed as their bodies moved in perfect tune with one another. Instinctively they sought out the comfort and reassurance only a mate's presence could offer.

Austin stood near the two unknown men. His stance was outwardly relaxed but Aislinn could sense the coiled energy humming through him as his gaze flicked between where the new pair sat, then to Aislinn before moving on to his agitated Alpha. Who was still pacing and muttering under his breath before sweeping the room and then moving between them all again. It was easy to tell how uneasy he and his wolf were.

Annoyed by the silence Aislinn let the string go dropping it to the floor. Kio yelped before whining up at her. Bending down trying to scoop up the energetic pup she was dismayed when he bolted from the room.

"Kio!" She called but he ignored her disappearing out of the room. Standing up she felt Richard move closer to her as he sensed her distress. "Clay." Shocked at her address the warrior whipped around to look at her, "Kio ran away." She stated pointed where she had seen him go.

His eyebrows pulled together as he looked at her in utter confusion, "So?"

"Will you go find him?"

"What!? Me? Why?"

"He ran away." She repeated.

"Clay go find Kio." Kaiden cut in his voice clipped.

Clay looked even more shocked if that was possible. "Why me? I hate that – that creature, and he hates me! He peed on me!" This earned him a few snickers from the room.

Kaiden let out a sigh looking at his mate who was staring at Clay. "Clay."

"Fine but if he pees on me again I'm done!" the large bulky man dressed in head to toe combat black grumbled before sulking out of the room.

Turning her attention back Aislinn looked at the mates across from her. She eyed them critically as they fidgeted nervously. "He is my mate" She started her voice cool as she gestured vaguely to Kaiden, "He is Alpha here. This is his pack. You are safe here. Austin is his Beta." Motioning over their shoulders to the dark brunette frowning behind them, "The blonde one at the stove is Gamma Blair. Olivia is Lead Runner, and the other was Clayton his head Warrior. Welcome to Pack Nox." She let the words settle before she spoke again she felt her mates stare on her but ignored him, blocking out the words he was trying to get her to hear. Instead she took in the two newcomers.

Ethan had dark red hair it was a deep rusty shade that made his pale skin appear even fairer. The scattering of freckles over his nose and face only adding to the look and helped to further accentuate his hazel green eyes. He made a striking sight beside the darker colorings of his mate. It worked though the two perfectly balancing each other fitting together and looking, as they were, made for each other.

"And you are Dr. Ethan Hill mate of Michael Clark former members of Pack Silvia." Cocking her head she watched them process what she said. Waving away their sputtering questions she continued "A former pack doctor and a – hmm computer engineer although with the talents of a renegade hacker, interesting. I apologize that we weren't able to get to you sooner and that you were used as a message for me."

They stared at her for a few heartbeats mouths open and gaping before looking at Kaiden and Richard. When it was obvious neither was paying them much attention, they looked next to Blair and Austin who were now carting the food to the table. But only received offhanded shrugs from the pair.

"How do you know all that? And it is us that should apologize and thank you. You saved our lives." Ethan said his voice earnest as he squeezed his mates hand as he spoke.

"If you wish my mate will accept you into his pack. You understand some of the risks involved with that. Your former Alpha will be coming after us. But if you wish to stay you may, otherwise please stay at least until you are healed. I will then provide transportation and whatever else you need in order for you to run."

"You would want us to join your pack, when ours is threatening to destroy you?" Michael asked looking at her doubtfully.

"It was not your decision. You did not decide to declare a war, you did not commit the crimes I shall punish them for. You have been mistreated by your pack for most of your lives, undeservedly. Especially with all the good you have done." They blushed at her words their eyes dropping in both embarrassment as well as joy. There was something unexplainably satisfying and good about having her praise them, her attention, her acceptance of them soothed them in a way they never thought possible. "My mate would be honored to have your talent, strength and loyalty in his pack. However the choice is entirely yours. There is much happening that you do not know. To stand with us will bring risk and dangers much greater than your pathetic ex-Alpha and I will not lie and say that you will not be hurt again. But I also know you wish to stand up for those like yourselves who have been so wrongly mistreated and violated by those sworn to protect them. I know you want to make a difference. That I can promise you."

Aislinn had barely finished speaking before both men were nodding and stumbling out promises to Kaiden. Of course he had to stop them and explain the reality of the oaths they would need to swear. Most of their questions had to wait until after they had pledged themselves to the Silverbloods. Ethan was just finishing when Clay had reentered the kitchen with a squirming Kio in his arms.

The next hour was spent in catching up the new members with who and what they actually all were. The truth of Aislinn's identity was met with the expected shock, disbelief, anger and joy. Aislinn stayed quiet during the discussion letting Kaiden, Austin and Olivia tell her and their own stories. Surprisingly Richard stayed quiet as well, only speaking up when the others were met with questions they couldn't answer. Finally the conversation was steered towards the present and the more pressing concerns.

"We need more fighters." Clay growled threateningly. Although it wasn't as effective as it might have been if he hadn't still been holding a now sleeping Kio.

"I am not calling my father. Besides he is a part of this. He has supported the council, f*ck I mean if what you have said is true ... don't you growl at me" he snarled at Richard, "I never said I didn't believe you. I'm just saying that with what you are saying then he was a part of the attacks. I'm not going to turn to him now for help. I don't want him anywhere near her." His eyes flicking to his mate who now sat silently. "And I'm not letting him have any ties to us."

"What about other packs?" Olivia asked.

"Richard?" Kaiden asked looking at the man who had been virtually silent so far.

Richard seemed to snap back into the present his eyes focusing in on Kaiden. He mulled the question over for a minute or two before letting out a grunt and speaking thoughtfully. "Five of the eight packs turned in the war. Those were Packs Hiems, Bellator, Lux, Silva and Semper. They aren't going to aide us. They still have close ties to the council and support them. As for the other three, only one fought joining with the Silverbloods against the others. Pack Tenebris. They broke from the council completely at the beginning of the attacks. They are now considered rogue, although it isn't common knowledge. The council didn't want it out that they lost control of an entire pack. Or that they still haven't managed to get their hands on them. Then there is Pack Solani and Pack Oblitus, both refused the council but did not openly stand against them."

Richard lifted his hands when his words brought out an outcry of curses and a few calls of cowardice. Kaiden eyes softened as he saw the faraway look on his mate's face, pain flashing in the depths of her eyes.

Richard's voice was soft as he spoke again, holding none of the anger the others felt towards the packs that had let Aislinn's family perish so horrendously. "You must understand they were small packs. None had more than a couple hundred wolves. Pack Tenebris was the largest and they were crushed under the weight of the force. Now they have been reduced to one of the smallest packs on the continent forced to run and hide while they are hunted like traitors. Besides it was never any of their decree to fight. None of the three packs were Guards or warriors. They were never meant to protect the blood. Those who were sworn to protect and defend them were the ones destroying them. All Solani and Oblitus would have been able to add was more bodies to the piles. Didn't stop them from trying though."

He let out a humorous laugh at their looks, "The King had forbade them from joining the fight at the first rumblings. He hadn't wanted an all-out civil war. Commanded them to stay away. By the time it became clear they were losing the packs were too far away to get there in time. If they had been allowed to fight from the beginning who knows what would have happened." He cleared his throat fighting back the memories and demons Aislinn was remembering.

"What do you mean?" Olivia asked.

"Oblitus 'forgotten' Infracti Viribus, 'unbroken strength'. They are, were, known as the last pack. Called by some Amissum 'the lost' virtually unknown to our world now. They are hidden from all particularly the council. Infracti Viribus 'unbroken strength' one can only hope it has held true. Pack Solani meaning 'nightshade'. Their saying Titulari Clavem, 'holder of the key'. And lastly there is Pack Tenebris or 'Twilight'. Their pack holds the words Irritum Aurora or 'Break the dawn'. Alpha Maleco still leads them, and he is still hunted." Aislinn's voice was weak and emotionless as she stared out at nothing while speaking, "They each have their strengths. I would not be alive if not for Maleco and Tenebris. Maleco will come when I call. The others will serve their roles and yes eventually I fear we will be leading them into battle but not now. Not here."

"So what are we supposed to do?" Austin asked into the stunned silence.

No one knew exactly what Aislinn's words meant but it was easy to hear that there was something much deeper to them.

"What does 'holder of the key' mean?" Olivia asked quietly.

Aislinn sighed quietly while ignoring Richard's growl of warning at the prodding question. Leave it to her to see what should be hidden. "My grandfather was a very cautious man. He wanted to believe in the good of our people, in the good of us and of the humans we live beside but he had seen too much. Experienced so many wars, deaths and such tragedy that he became unable to turn a blind eye to the reality of our natures. He was scared of another war, of those he created losing control again. As the population grew so did the potential of the casualties, if war broke out or if a tyrannical power came to be, the bloodshed would be astronomical the consequences deadly. So he created an oath, a pledge to his very blood, to the very genes and virus that ran in his veins and that infected every werewolf on the planet. It was a failsafe, something he hoped to never need but saw as a necessary evil. It is one of the most guarded secrets of our world. Before now only my grandfather, his son and wife and I knew of it. A whole pack was created to protect it, guard it. They don't even know what it is."

"What it is?" Blair asked when her voice trailed off.

"It is a record of the oath. I have never heard the words. In fact they have never been spoken since my grandfather first tied them to his blood. They are hidden, guarded and protected by Pack Solani."

"What would it do?"

"The oath would bind every werewolf. Pack, council, rogue it doesn't matter their ties, it would bind them, every single descendant of the blood would be bound to the speaker of the oath in absolute and complete obedience. It pledges immediate, absolute, forced and absolute loyalty, fealty and submission."

"Holy sh*t" Ethan muttered under his breath staring at her in horror. The others weren't handling the news much better.

"How is that even possible?" Kaiden finally managed to get out.

She shrugged her shoulders, still fighting the weakness and exhaustion from earlier, "It was never meant to be used, never meant to even be remembered. But if the council were to ever find it, to ever even hear a whisper of it." She didn't need to finish for them to understand how absolutely disastrous that would be to all of their world.

"It would work for them?" Austin asked.

"Yes. Although it was meant to never be known outside of the royal family my grandfather was also aware that even one of his direct descendants could potentially give into the cruelty of our natures and felt that as a precaution it should be uninhibited. The oath would work for anyone who spoke it on all wolves. Even me, and it would tie us instantly to him or her."

"Is there any way to break it?"

"That is something even I do not know. It's another reason why he didn't want to risk the pack fighting openly against the council. What they protect, what they guard is far more dangerous and important than even my family." Aislinn replied quietly.

"So you could use it against the council though right?" Blair asked excitedly.

Aislinn's head snapped up her eyes blazing as she looked at him causing him to take a step back and let out a low whimper as his eyes lowered in submission. "I will NEVER speak that oath. I will never enslave our kind in such a way. My grandfather was a good man but he was scared and he saw only the worst of our natures, I refuse to believe as he did that our kind will ever come to a point where we are beyond redemption. And I would never force people to follow me, bend their free will and minds just so I could punish a few. No it is not even an option. No one should hold that power" Her face stayed harsh as she met each of their gazes making sure they fully felt how serious she was.

"Pack Solani does hold other things. Things you could consider recovering." Richard spoke up breaking the tension in the room. His voice sounding almost excited.

Aislinn rolled her eyes at him, letting out a hiss of air in annoyance. "How did I know you were going to bring that up?"

Kaiden quirked his eyebrow. Richard grinned, winking at him before speaking again. Completely ignoring a pointed sigh from Aislinn, "The pack protects more than just this oath. They also guard the treasures of the blood, royal jewels, histories, tombs, and the silver crowns of the King and Queen." He said smugly earning another eye roll.

"Off topic Richard." She snapped looking up at him.

"Fine" he huffed dejectedly before turning the conversation back on topic, "We can't look to the packs right now for help, however that doesn't mean we can't find more wolves to join us." His eyes lighting up as he spoke.

Aislinn suddenly stood up spinning around to face him, "No Custos. Absolutely not."

"It's the only way, you heard them they need more fighters. You need more fighters."

"No. No. No!" She said her hands balling into tight fists at her sides.

Richard turned away from her looking at the others, "Just because we can't ask any of the other Alpha's for help doesn't mean we can't get help from their packs. There were many wolves like me who were forced against their will to turn against the crown. And like me their loyalty was never completely severed. Now after years of abuse and corruption at the hands of the council and packs some may be persuaded to support us."

"Richard no. I won't do it." Aislinn interrupted. Her body beginning to shake in anger.

"How would we reach them? How could we know we could trust them?" Kaiden asked feeling the first glimmer of hope all evening blooming in his chest.

"The Guards would be the easiest and the safest to reach out to. Their wolves have never liked being bound so forcibly and twistedly. The younger ones still seek out the truth, not understanding why they feel like they do. It is why so many spread out amongst the different packs. Their wolves force them to try and search for the one they were meant for. Her." He said looking quickly at a now frowning Aislinn. "Then there are those who were loyal to me in Heims they would come if I called. If they heard the oath of the throne they'd answer it. Talk of rebellion had already begun to spread even before I left. There's a lot of unrest and dissention in the packs. Rumblings of growing resentment and anger. I'm sure there are many like us that would fight. That would fight for her. Not everyone has forgotten what we lost."

"They would come if you asked?" Kaiden asked skeptically.

"Well..." Richard trailed off.