Chapter 23
DREW’S POV
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I entered my father’s war room and was surprised to see all the high–ranked wolves from our neighboring packs. The alphas sat on the available chairs while their next in line stood at their shoulders.
Betas, Gammas and Zetas stood like soldiers by the walls of the room.
The tension in the room was almost tangible. The thickness smothering me as I struggled to inhale through all that power.
From Alpha Dante to Alpha Felix, even Alpha James was there.
“Good, you’ve all arrived,” my father said, striding in like the authority he was and settling into his massive. blackwood chair carved with our crest, the mark of the Clawbelle lineage.
Cody was standing beside his father, Alpha Felix, his arms crossed like he didn’t just got his ass handed to him last night.
Alpha Scott sat closest to my father. His expression was deadly serious. His eyes narrowed, jaw clenched like he was chewing on rage.
“Now, you know why we’re all here,” my father began, his voice cutting through the air like a blade. “These filthy rogues have been plaguing our pack lands all of a sudden. They killed one of us last night, and because of that, we must retaliate. We can’t let them think we are weak. We can’t let them believe we’ll just let it slide.”
“Eli was one of my best trackers,” Scott barked, his voice cracking with fury. “He was also a friend. I will avenge his death with my own hands.”
A growl rumbled through the room. The air shifted as power radiated from each alpha like a tsunami.
“I don’t mind defending our territories,” Alpha Felix said, “but to go out into rogue territory for just one wolf seems stupid. It sounds suicidal.”
“If they fuck with one of us, they fuck with all of us!” Alpha Dante roared, his hand slamming the table. “Now you see, Alpha Felix, why no one wanted the Red Moon pack as an ally. You’re weak. Unreliable. A fucking disgrace.”
“Who the fuck are you calling weak!” Alpha Felix snapped, rising from his seat and baring his teeth, the veins in his neck bulging. The two alphas squared off, growling like they’d shift any second and destroy the entire
room.
“Silence!” my father bellowed, slamming his fist down. “This is what these rogues want. They want to pit us against each other so that we will destroy our treaty. And if the treaty is destroyed then we will be weakened. We have to stay focus and not give in to their wishes.”
The growling stopped. Just like that. My father didn’t just command respect, he owned it.
“You’re right, Alpha Devon,” Alpha Dante muttered, dipping his head in a bow.
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Chapter 23
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“Being that you are the strongest of us,” Alpha Felix said with bitter reluctance, “what do you suggest?”
My father stood, his eyes sharp and calculating. “We strike back. But smart. I want a small team of our best warriors, trackers and fighters from each pack. We’ll scout them out.”
“Last I heard, they were gathered at the center of the Willow Wetlands,” Alpha James, a very quiet man spoke for the first time since the meeting began.
“The swamp?” Cody chuckled. “Why am I not surprised?”
‘Look at him,‘ Remus grumbled in my head, ‘like he’s all manly and strong. Pathetic.
“We’ll need volunteers,” my father continued. “We go in tomorrow night. I want this coordinated and quiet.”
My hand shot up first. “I’ll go. I killed one of them a few nights ago. I want to know why they were on our lands. Why they thought they could get away with it.”
“I’ll go too,” Cody added quickly, puffing out his chest.
“Son? Are you sure?” Alpha Felix asked, brows raising in mild concern.
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
More hands followed. Warriors. Betas. Even Scott volunteered.
“Alright then. It’s settled,” my father said. “The twenty of us leave first thing tomorrow. We hit the swamp by early evening. We scout, we assess, but we don’t engage unless absolutely necessary.”
The secret meeting was adjourned. Alphas and warriors filed out in silence, but the electricity in the room.
“Use the back entrances,” my father warned as they left. “No one is to know about this. Not my staff. Not even your mates. This stays in this room.”
As they cleared out, I noticed Scott wasn’t moving. He remained seated as his fingers stroked the dark scruff on his chin. His eyes were shadowed by something deeper than grief.
“Hey man. You good?” I asked, stepping closer. I didn’t get to speak to him when my father and I went to his pack this morning. Scott was busy talking to the detectives, I barely got a chance to give him my condolences.
My father patted Scott’s shoulder and left without another word, trusting me to get answers,
Scott nodded slowly, but the tension in his jaw was a dead giveaway. “Something Troy said is bugging me,” he
muttered.
“What did he say?”
“He told me one of the rogues said they were sent to get the girl”
I frowned. “What girl?”
“Some girl with an ancient bloodline,” Scott said, eyes darting around as if the shadows might be listening.
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Chapter 23
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“Their master thought the line was extinct… but apparently it’s not.”
Chills skittered across my skin. “That’s strange.”
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“Yeah. Troy said they were almost back at the house when they were ambushed, which means the rogues were targeting someone at the party.”
“Shit,” I hissed, dragging a hand through my hair. “Why didn’t you say this at the meeting?”
“Because I don’t trust those fuckers. I trust you. And maybe your father. He’s the head of the werewolf council, plus he has a seat on the High Council. If anyone can make sense of this–it’s him. He’ll know what to do.”
I nodded. “Yeah, he takes werewolf laws seriously. Can’t say the same for his roles as a father or a husband.”
Scott snorted. “That’s fair.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “I never got to tell you how sorry I am about everything. Eli was a good man and friend.”
“He was,” Scott nodded. “Thanks man.”
“You’re welcome,” I nodded. “And thanks for trusting me with this info. Please give Troy my best.”
“I will,” he nodded. Then, with a smirk, he said. “So… you and Becca back on speaking terms?”
“We made up. It was just a misunderstanding.”
“Mmhmm. You like her.”
“I do.” I admitted without hesitation.
He grinned, wolfish. “Fuck. You more than like her.”
“What? Nonsense.”
“No, see, if it were just a crush you would’ve played it off. But you’re admitting it. So you’re in it, man. Deep.”
I groaned. “Okay fine. But it’s complicated.”
“Because she’s human? Because she’s your stepsister? Or because you’re engaged to the Alpha King’s daughter?”
“Exactly all three. Wait! Who told you I’m engaged?”
“Every werewolf knows the Alpha King would only choose the strongest match for his daughter. And who’s stronger than Alpha Devon and his snot–nosed son?” he joked.
“Well, it’s not sealed yet. He still has to evaluate me.”
Scott laughed, low and knowing. “He’ll choose you. Trust me. There’s no better match. And it’s written–the Alpha King’s lineage must be joined with the next most powerful Alpha’s bloodline. It’s a done deal, man.”
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Chapter 23
“I guess I can’t complain. It wouldn’t have worked out between me and Becca anyway.”
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“First, being human doesn’t stop you from wanting her or mating with her. Look at your father and his wife. Second, you’re not blood–related, and let’s be real some people find hooking up with their step–siblings kinda hot. And third… well, yeah, you’re screwed with the Alpha King thing. So… good luck.”
I smirked, even though the weight in my chest refused to lighten. “You’re a real ray of sunshine, you know that?”
“Thanks. I know.”
“Ah,” I sighed.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said. “Tell Becca I said hi.”
“Yeah,” I nodded.
I walked him to the back door and watched him shift. His wolf burst free. His white and grey mane had glints of silver in it. His wolf was very beautiful and majestic.
The moment the trees swallowed him, Remus stirred inside my head.
‘So the rogues are after a girl with special blood,‘ he said darkly. ‘I wonder who it could be?‘
‘I don’t know, Remus. But at least we know it’s not Becca.‘
AD
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.
