Kale stood across the small cave leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest, staring into nothingness. I sat next to Silver one soft pillows after having spent the past few hours being fed and cleaning up from the fight. I cleared my throat and tucked some hair behind my ear, "I imagine you didn't want me to come here so we could enjoy each others company." I prompt tired of sitting in silence.

Kale turned his gaze towards me. The intensity of his gaze made me feel more exposed then when I first met Silver. I shifted on my pillow trying to keep myself from being intimidated. Kale pushed off the wall, "I wager that your father would be mighty proud of the way you've turned out. You never back down even when you probably should..." Kale lowered himself to the ground, taking a seat across from us.

"When you spend years thinking everyday is the day you're going to die, it becomes a habit not easily broken." I reply with a shrug of my shoulders.

Kale frown at my words but inclined his head in acknowledgment of their truth. His gaze drifted over to Silver in a skeptical way, sizing him up. I noticed Silver's posture stiffen out of the corner of my eye. He naturally felt the need to assert his dominance, it was an instinctual habit for all alpha's and I assumed for Silver it was more so considering he born from royal blood. It didn't make much of a difference to me but I'm sure it meant something to others. Kale smirked as if amused by Silver reaction, "You've got guts kid—I'll give you that."

"I like to think so..." Silver replies dryly which makes Kale snort a bit.

"Are you two done with your pissing contest? Or should I leave?" I questioned with a lifted brow. Both of them were silent for a moment. Kale turned his attention back to me ignoring my previous comment, "I'm sure you've probably got a lot of questions for me..."

"Sure but I think the most important one is what exactly do you expect from me alpha Kale?"

Kale reached up and rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner, "You get right to the point don't you—"

"I don't see a reason why we should waste each other time. You clearly wanted something from me or else you wouldn't have made a deal like you did with someone you clearly hate. Especially when you had no evidence that I was who he claimed me to be..." I might have had a lot of questions about my fathers unknown life but that could wait until later. Right now we were on the verge of war and I needed to deal with that.

"Alright... This whole rebellion was your father's idea from the get go. The rest of us followed his lead because we trusted his judgement implicitly. After he was killed—it was long before we realized that it was assassination and that they would be coming for the rest of us. I want you to lead the rebellion alongside me--take your fathers place."

I knew first hand about the betrayal my father had faced by someone he had trusted but I wasn't about to race head long into something I didn't understand, "And what of the others?"

"I'm the only one left." He said with a strained voice, "Your father, my brother and my best friend all died under the monarchs command. I would be dead if it wasn't for the small pack that had occupied this mountain." My eyes focused in on the scar on his face knowing it was probably a result of the attempt made on his life.

"I guess I should count myself lucky to be alive as well..."

Kale gave a small smile, "That you should little alpha." He teased slightly and I smiled back feeling myself relax. There was something about him that reminded me of my father.

Silver leaned his body towards me, brushing our shoulders together. I leaned into him relishing in the brief contact, "How did it even escalate to this?" He sounded genuinely interested in understanding what had happened.

"Is it so hard to believe? Have you not witness the cruel and manipulative ways of your king?" Kale questioned with a harsh tone. Silver tensed up and I felt his emotions rush through me before he settled in a silent rage. I felt my own anger swirling around my mind, "What exactly were your reasons for defecting?"

"Your father was the one who put two and two together. He warned us that Braxton was going to make a play for the throne. Braxton had practically everyone in his pocket and I'm almost certain he had his father assassinated. Your father predicted everything so effortlessly—while they were stealing the throne—we stole away into the night. It wasn't a safe place for anyone who hadn't signed over their support to Braxton." Kale explained with a tired look on his face, as if he was recalling all the memories of the past. I recalled the notebook I found in my fathers hidden office--it must have been a list of those who were faithful to Braxton and those who weren't.

"So you all decided to defect to save yourselves?" I wanted to be angry but it's not like I could blame them. I recalled the time I spent in Kellans rogue camp as a prisoner. I would have done anything for my own survival.

"It was more then that." He continued, "We wanted to build a better world for generations to come. A place were all of us could live peacefully regardless of our pedigree. That's what your father was trying to work towards while he headed the council—that was his sincere wish."

I turned towards Silver, remembering that Valerie had mentioned he had desired the same thing. He met my gaze and I was struck for a moment by how beautiful he was, not just physically but in his soul. He might appear to be an immovable front but I knew better. Silver cared and he cared deeply about the people around him, that's what made him such a worthy alpha in my eyes. Even if he didn't want to acknowledge that part of himself—I knew he would make a great leader, maybe even a great king given the opportunity.

I sucked in a breath before turning back to Kale, "So your plan was to build an army and challenge the monarch—what about after that? What was the plan?"

"Well, Orion believed there would be a rightful ruler. Someone who would truly care and want to unite everyone. Someone who believed in the alpha council--"

"I think Silver is your best option for that." I respond without hesitation, "And it's the option that has my full support."

"What?" Both of them echoed in stereo.

"My father would have wanted someone like Silver to be in charge. He has all the knowledge it takes to run things having been raised in that life but he also has the compassion needed to bring both worlds together. Plus if it helps I know he hates the father just as much as any of you."

Silver pushed up off the floor looking slightly panicked by my suggestion, "I can barely even lead a pack of misfits Grace—"

Kale is watched as Silver began to pace back and forth in the small space. His eyes trained and observing every movement. I could feel the flurry of Silver's emotions flashing through me but I stood by my words even if he didn't believe in himself. Kale's gaze flickered to mine in a moment of deep contemplation, "You truly believe that he will become the man your father pictured?"

"I believe it with my whole heart. In fact I'm willing to stake my life on it." Silver stopped pacing behind me but my attention was focused on alpha Kale, "If you ensure that the throne will be given to Silver then I will fight alongside you and your men. I give you my word as an alpha and as my father's successor."

He gave me an intense look, "I can't imagine the things you've lived through but as Orion's heir I respect your judgement. If you are willing to stand so firmly behind the boy—" Kale cast a quick glance to Silver who was standing behind me, "Then I am willing to do the same." He looked back to me, uncrossing his arms and holding out a large hand in my direction, "I believe we have an agreement?"

I place my hand in his taking it in a firm grip, "We have an agreement Alpha Kale."

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Song: Becomes the color--Emily Wells