Chapter 301
Carter’s POV
I stood silently watching as Madison and Kael took turns dragging him from the cage every few hours for another beating.
My brother looked like hell–his face so swollen I could barely recognize him, deep cuts crisscrossing his body, dirt and dried blood matting his hair.
They hadn’t given him food or water. Not a drop. Not a crumb.
Most of Kael’s soldiers were passed out around the campfire, thanks to the alcohol I’d “accidentally left where they could find it.
The idiots didn’t even question where it came from–just grabbed it like the mindless followers they were. Now only a handful of guards remained alert enough to keep watch.
Perfect.
As night fell, I approached the cage cautiously, checking that no one was paying attention. The nearest guard was slumped against a tree, technically on watch but barely conscious.
‘Hey,” I whispered, kneeling beside the metal bars. “Take this. Drink some.”
I pushed a small canteen through the narrow opening. Nathan’s eyes flickered open–one was swollen nearly shut, a deep purple bruise spreading across his cheekbone.
He took a few weak sips before shoving the canteen back toward me.
“Go,” he croaked, his voice so hoarse I could barely hear him.
What the fuck is wrong with him? He needs to stay alive for this ridiculous plan to work.
“Idiot,” I hissed, anger bubbling through my concern. “You’re going to die if you don’t drink more.”
Nathan just stared at me with that one good eye, his message clear: Leave. Now.
I grabbed the canteen and stood up, checking again that no one was watching us. “You know what pisses me off the most?” I whispered, keeping my voice low. “You should be by Rachel’s bedside right now, not playing martyr in some bullshit sacrificial plan.”
His lips twitched–maybe a grimace, maybe an attempt at a smile. “No…” he rasped. “Just… make them… attack… soon, okay?”
I nodded reluctantly. “Fine. I’ll make Kael think it’s his own brilliant idea.
Nathan closed his eyes, and I slipped away.
The next morning, I watched as Kael and Madison emerged from their tent, looking disgustingly pleased with themselves.
I rolled my eyes, biting back a sarcastic comment. The way they exchanged glances intensified my distaste.
“Kael,” I called out, approaching with carefully calculated casualness. “Not that I care what you do with him, but I thought you should know Nathan won’t last much longer.”
Kael’s eyes narrowed. “Get the fuck away from me.
I shrugged and turned away, calling over my shoulder, “Fine. I’ll just go tell King Dylan about it:
Chapter 301
“Wait, Kael said.
Got him.
I turned back slowly, keeping my expression neutral. “Look, I’m just saying, if your troops aren’t ready to face the Ironjaw pack by tomorrow, you might as well give up now.
Kael barked out a laugh, his chest puffing up predictably. “Tomorrow? You think I need that long? My warriors could be ready in an hour!”
Madison touched his arm. “Darling, there’s no rush. We can take our time with Nathan-*
“No.” Kael cut her off, his voice booming with newfound confidence. “Carter’s right. Why wait? Nathan’s pack is in disarray, and they have no idea we’ve captured their Alpha.” He turned to his lieutenant. “Gather the forces. We attack in one hour.”
Madison’s eyes flashed with annoyance as she glanced at me, but she quickly masked it. “Of course, my love. Whatever you think is best.”
“I’d like to stay with the prisoner,” I said, nodding toward Nathan’s cage. “To see the fruits of my labor, so to speak.”
Kael grinned, revealing sharp canines. “Fair enough. You earned it.” He barked orders to move the cage, then stalked off to prepare for battle.
Madison lingered, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. “This better not be a trick, Carter.”
I met her gaze unflinchingly. “The only trick was Nathan thinking he could trust me all these years.”
She studied me for a moment longer, letting out a derisive snort. “For your sake, it better be,” her expression calculating, before finally turning to follow Kael, leaving me alone with the guards as they transported Nathan’s cage.
Within the hour, Kael’s forces had assembled–over a thousand wolves ready for battle.
Madison and Kael shifted to wolf form, standing proudly at the front of their army.
Lucas and I remained human to manage Nathan’s cage, which was mounted on a platform with wheels.
“Forward!” Kael bellowed after shifting back momentarily. “Today we take Nathan’s territory!”
The army surged forward, moving at full speed toward the forest where Jay had set up our defensive line. Nathan’s cage was pushed ahead of the charging wolves, a trophy to display their conquest.
I kept pace, feeling sweat trickle down my back despite the cool air. As we approached the ridgeline overlooking the battlefield, I signaled the guards to stop.
“The view is better from here,” I suggested smoothly. “Your Alpha will want to see his victory from this vantage point.”
The guards nodded, positioning the cage at the edge of the ridge–safely away from the trap that lay ahead.
Kael’s advance forces had reached Jay’s defensive line and engaged in battle. I watched from the ridge as wolves clashed in a fury of teeth and claws, the two sides evenly matched. But Kael had yet to commit his full forces, holding most in reserve.
A triumphant howl erupted from Kael as he shifted to human form and shouted, “Nathan Blackwood is here! You cannot win!

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
Summary & Review: By Werewolf