CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED & EIGHTY FOUR
Jason’s POV
+30 Bonus
The look on her face when the container shattered against the stone was exhilarating.
Talia dropped to her knees the instant the liquid spread across the ground. She pressed both palms against the cracks in the rock. Then she screamed. The sound tore out of her throat raw and exposed in a way I had never heard from her.
‘It is what she deserved for getting our father killed,‘ my wolf huffed.
Talia had always mastered herself, especially under pressure. Even when everything between us collapsed beyond repair, she kept her composure. I never saw her cry, not once.
But in that park, with her hands scraping uselessly across wet stone, I saw the end of that composure I grinned as I remembered her tear streaked face. Now, she understood how I felt when she abandoned me. And Nolan had to stand there and watch every second of it. My father would be proud of what I did
today.
‘Savor this victory,‘ my wolf urged. We have finally got the first taste of our revenge.‘
‘Now, you’re onboard with this?‘ I questioned.
‘Of course,‘ my wolf huffed. That fool really thought he could fool me.’
Nolan and Solon used a scent suppressant. The moment they were about twenty feet away, I caught Nolan’s scent beneath the chemical masking agent. It was faint, but unmistakable.
I kept my expression neutral and let the scene unfold exactly as I intended. I wanted to show Talia that the man she chose didn’t trust her. I needed her to see how her choice would inevitably kill her father.
‘I recognized him the instant he was twenty feet away,‘ my wolf said. ‘He could bury himself in mud and I
would still know his putrid scent.‘
There was no way we would forget him. Nolan killed our father. He deserved more than just to lose Talia.
‘He will not walk away from this,‘ my wolf said.
‘First, he will watch everything crumble around him. First Talia. Then the pack,‘ I continued.
‘And after that?‘
I smiled faintly and took a sip of my wine. Then, we will take his life.‘
Nolan would not die quickly. I decided that long before I sent the letter. He would watch Talia unravel first. He would watch his life split apart piece by piece until every loss pointed back to the moment he murdered my father. Only when nothing meaningful remained would I kill him.
Robin waited at the edge of camp when I returned.
1/3
+30 Bonus
The moment he noticed me. He stiffened as if he sensed a monster nearby. When I approached, his eyes dropped immediately to the ground.
‘He fears us more now, my wolf observed.
‘He should,‘ I responded.
‘But not like this,‘ my wolf added.
Ever since I tracked Robin and his daughter down, fear clung to him like a second skin. The way he didn’t meet my eyes, and the careful control of his breathing. He understood exactly what refusal to work for me would cost him, and whatever allegiance he once felt toward Silverfang died the moment he realized he could not protect her from me.
Fear made a man obedient, but too much of it could make him a pawn. A Beta should not tremble at his Alpha’s footsteps and yet, Robin was.
‘He is not Henry,’ my wolf said. ‘He will never be Beta like Henry.‘
Hearing his name made me growl low in my throat. That was still a sore spot for me. I still could not believe Henry turned on me the way he did to save his own hide. ‘At least he’s not a traitor,‘ I retorted.
Robin cleared his voice and said, “The Alpha King’s condition has worsened. His hair has started turning gray, and the dark marks are spreading faster now.”
I nodded. “Good. Only a matter of time now.”
Robin did not respond well. He shifted on his feet as he flexed and unflexed his hands. ‘Reassure him. His fidgeting is annoying,’ my wolf huffed.
“You have served me well,” I continued. “When I take the Alpha King’s seat, you will stand beside me as Beta. I reward loyalty, Robin.”
“Yes, Alpha,” Robin said.
Since my father’s death, I had pledged myself to the Rogue King and tied my operations to his network. The arrangement demanded compromises, but the advantages outweighed them. His reach extended across territories in ways legitimate packs could never manage. He provided armies, intelligence, and unrestricted movement across borders.
In return, I gave him loyalty and usefulness. And now I would be giving him the Alpha King’s corpse.
The Harvest Gathering approached quickly.
Every year, the Alpha King hosted the ruling Alphas and their Lunas to negotiate territory disputes, resource distribution, and pack alliances. Rudolf had presided over the Gathering without fail throughout his reign. If he failed to appear now, every Alpha in attendance would know that Silverfang was weakening and the seat for the Alpha King would be up for grabs.
“I have an order for you,” I said.
2/3
+30 Bonus
“Yes, Alpha.”
“I want you to continue spreading the truth about the Alpha King’s illness. I want every pack to know about it. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Rumors had already spread that he was sick, but I needed more. I needed Alphas, thinking he would not attend. I needed them plotting and vying for the throne, not like they would get it. The chaos is what I needed to give the Rogue King the opportunity to gain more territory.
If the Alpha King stayed hidden, panic and political opportunism would spread before the event even ended. If he attended, the strain would drive the poison deeper into his body. Either outcome I win and I intended to witness it personally.
“The Harvest Gathering,” I added. “I intend to attend.”
“Is…is that wise? You’re…”
“That wasn’t a question, Robin,” I responded firmly. Robin quickly closed his mouth and nodded.
A slow smile pulled at my mouth.
“What gift do you think the Alpha King deserves?”
ENJOYING THE BOOK?
Give it a rating to show your support!
Comments
Support
Share
3/3
+30 Bonus
