Chapter 77
Chapter 77
THIRD POV
55 vouchers
It was dead in the night when Alpha Draven Kael walked into Ravok’s hiding space, the Rougarou Den. The place was hidden but not too far from Ace’s pack borders, surrounded by thick trees and the smell of blood and smoke. Kael had always been aware of the Rougarous. In fact, he had been one of their long–time sponsors. They didn’t only attack the Brown League pack or the smaller packs around it. Those creatures had been used by many Alphas to settle scores quietly. If someone needed revenge without getting their hands dirty, they called Ravok and his men. Kael had used them for years without thinking.
After the fight at the arena that night, Kael made a promise to himself. He would deal with Ace, no matter what it took. He had stood there and watched as Ace tore through his men like they were nothing. The memory still burned inside of him. His second in command died right in front of him, while fighting to avenge his brother’s unjust death. Kael could still see the blood on the dark sand. He had felt rage and powerlessness, he couldn’t help his men that night.
Kael and Ace had been enemies for years. But after that night, it became more personal to him. Kael made it his duty to learn everything about Ace. His strengths, his habits, and most importantly, his weaknesses.
He had informed Ravok ahead of time that he would be coming.
Ravok was already waiting outside when Kael arrived. A large fire burned between them. Ravok stood close to it, his hands stretched over the fire, warming them slowly. The light from the flames danced over his face, highlighting the scar that ran across his jaw.
Kael stepped closer, his boots crunching against the dry ground. The smell of smoke filled the air.
“You’re late,” Ravok hissed, clearly irritated that he had been standing outside waiting.
“I had things to take care of,” Kael replied without apology. “And this place is too close to Ace’s territory. I can’t risk being seen by any of his men.” Ace’s pack was the largest pack to ever exist. Even before his reign, it had always been powerful, but when he became Alpha, he expanded it even more. He took in wolves who needed protection, those without a home. Now, his men were everywhere. Not just within his territory, but far beyond it. No move went unnoticed for long. No enemy stayed hidden for too long.
Ravok turned fully to face him, stepping away from the fire, the flames reflecting in his eyes. “What is so important that you had to come all the way here? You could have sent a message like you always do.”
Kael’s expression darkened. “Why is that son of a bitch, Ace, still alive?” he asked, his voice filled with spite. “We had an agreement. Kill Ace and everyone he cares about. But that motherfucker is still walking around like he owns the world.”
Ravok’s jaw tightened slightly. “It’s not as easy as you make it sound. It’s harder now to get close to Ace or any of his men. We’ve had a few chances in the past but he ended up killing my men without mercy. Now, he has tightened security. We had to leave his pack because the heat was getting too much.”
Kael stared at him, anger simmering beneath his calm face. “I didn’t pay you to retreat.”
Kavok didn’t flinch. “And I didn’t agree to suicide. A lot of my men have died trying to get rid of one man. We tried different angles. We even got close to the one person who might have meant something to him, and that turned out worse for us” His eyes hardened slightly. “Ace doesn’t react the way normal Alphas do.” He folded his arms across his chest. “We only move when it benefits us. Not when it feeds your anger.”
Kael wiped an angry hand down his face. “That bastard killed my second in command. So many of my men haven’t even recovered from that night.” His jaw tightened. “And he’s still walking around like nothing touched him”
Ravok’s lips curled slightly. “Rest assured, we’ll get to him. When the time is right, his head will be in your hands.”
1/4
11:06 am
Chapter 77
E55 vouchers
Kael let out a sharp breath. “And how do you plan to do that now? Gavin’s men will start searching soon. Those people always find what they’re looking for. You can’t hide from him.”
“Gavin?” Ravok asked calmly. “Who is that?” He tilted his head, uninterested. “What business does he have with us? Or is he just another man hunting revenge because we killed someone he loved, his family?”
Kael slipped his hands into his pockets, shoulders stiff against the cold. “You and your men need to leave this place as soon as possible. Gavin lost the bet he made with Ace, and he’s the type to keep his word. He promised to flush you out and hand
you over.”
Ravok’s brows lifted slightly. That clearly caught him off guard. “That can’t be true. If anyone from the Brown League pack was coming after us, I would know. I have someone there who feeds me information.”
Kael gave a short cough, almost a laugh. “You mean Ace’s Luna. Moon.” His eyes narrowed. “You trust that woman more than you should.”
Ravok’s expression didn’t change. “Do you really think she has your best interest at heart?” Kael continued. “She’s in this for herself. For what she stands to gain. The moment saving herself benefits her more, she’ll hand you over without blinking.”
Kael has known about Moon’s illicit relationship with Ravok which he found disgusting. He found it pathetic and reckless. He had always wondered how Ace, with his sharp senses, hadn’t noticed anything unusual going on with his wife. Or maybe he had noticed, and chosen to ignore it. “How does he sleep with her right after she had sex with a Rougarou?” He had always thought.
Ravok stiffened, his face twitching with surprise. “How do you know about my relationship with Ace’s bride?” He had been careful. That was supposed to be buried where no one could reach it.
Kael didn’t look impressed. “I know more than you think. Including the fact that she is not your true mate, no matter what she has made you believe.” His voice was almost bored. He had once planned to hurt Ace by going after the woman he loved, but the closer he looked, the clearer it became. What Ace and Moon had wasn’t what he expected, there was no love between them, or maybe on the side of Ace, he showed no affection towards his wife. Moon smiled in public, played the role well, yet she slipped away too often. Kael’s men followed her. That was how everything unraveled.
Ravok’s eyes flipped with anger, his jaw tightening. “How dare you come here and lie to my face?” he snapped. “You know nothing about me and Moon.” His fists clenched at his sides, heat rising fast.
“Oh but I do,” Kael said quietly. “I know she’s been lying to you. She also lied about the child she lost six years ago. That baby wasn’t yours.” Those words landed like a tsunami to Ravok. His face went still, then something cracked. His jaw tightened, his nostrils flared, and his eyes darkened with something that wasn’t just anger, it was hurt. He was struggling to hide it but failing woefully.
Kael continued anyway. “I don’t know the full story about the baby or how she lost it. But I know this much, she isn’t your mate. She belongs to someone else.”
Ravok snapped, and lunged. His hand fisted into Kael’s collar and slammed him back against a tree. The impact echoed through the quiet night. Ravok’s forearm pressed hard against Kael’s throat, cutting off his air.
“Don’t you ever,” Ravok growled, his face inches away, breath hot and uneven. “Don’t you fucking stand in front of me and say trash about my mate.” His grip tightened. “She’s only with Ace for reasons you don’t understand. She’s going to leave him. That has always been the plan.”
Kael’s hand shot up, gripping Ravok’s wrist, forcing space between his throat and the crushing hold. He drove his knee forward, hitting Ravok hard enough to make him loosen his grip. Kael shoved him back, coughing as he straightened. He wiped the blood slowly from his nose, eyes cold.
“Moon has been playing you,” he said flatly. “And she’s been playing her true mate too. You’re not special to her. You’re
useful.”
2/4
11:06 am D
Chapter 77
F 51 vouchers
Ravok’s fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. His whole body trembled, rage and confusion coursing through him. “That’s not possible!” His voice cracked. “I feel it… I feel that mate bond with her. She’s mine. She’s always been mine!”
Kael’s lips curled into a slow, cruel smile. “Even though witches are banned in the Brown league pack, she still found her way to one of the most powerful witches fat away. They made her something strong. Something she used on you. That’s why you feel the pull, why your little wolf clings to her. You’re no longer a true wolf in the way you think you are. You’ve been compromised.”
Ravok staggered back a step, his chest heaving. “No… that… that can’t be true!”
Kael stepped closer, voice sharp and cutting. “Tell me, have you never doubted her? Or have you just clung to that hope because it was all you had left?”
Ravok’s head whipped side to side, shaking as though the motion could shake the words away. “You’re lying!” he roared, but the tremor in his voice betrayed him. Deep down, part of him knew Kael could be right. Ravok’s eyes snapped open, a sharp sting of panic mixing with the anger already coiling inside him.
“Am I?” Kael’s tone cut deep, precise. “Tell me, how did you meet Moon for the first time? How did you become close?”
Ravok’s jaw tightened. He closed his eyes, trying to dig into his memories, but nothing was coming up. He couldn’t remember how he met Moon for the first time, the only thing he knows is that they were mates and have been having unprotected sex for about seven years. The only thing he remembers is whatever she told him.
Kael leaned in slightly, letting Ravok’s uncertainty gnaw at him. “You know I’m right. You’ll be shocked to know who her real mate is.”
Ravok’s heart thudded in his chest. “Who is he?” His voice cracked. In between the chaos going on in his head, he wanted to know who Moon’s supposed mate is.
Kael’s lips curved into a slow, cruel grin. “He’s someone walking freely in the Brown league pack. Someone who stands right beside Ace. Knows everything about him. Holds power and influence just by being associated with him. Everybody treats him special, because he’s Ace’s second in command.”
“Ace’s second in command… Roman?”
3/4
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.
