Chapter 169
Draven.
“Well, Alpha,” Brackham began, his tone cautious now, “my team is doing all they can, of course. But so far, we haven’t found conclusive leads. The victims, as you know, left very little evidence behind, and—”
“I’m not asking for a summary of excuses,” I interrupted coldly. “I’m asking what you have. Anything.”
I was far too pissed about Brackham’s position. Just as Alderic was our king, Brackham was the chosen ruler of the humans.
However, the current situation didn’t necessitate that I acknowledge that fact. I kept the respect at bay.
Brackham hesitated again. “We’re still interviewing witnesses. Reviewing footage. And… well, the city has other matters drawing resources. Public unrest. Rising tension—”
“I don’t care about your distractions, Brackham,” I said, my voice a low growl. “What matters is that three of my people were murdered. Their hearts ripped out. Others missing. On Duskmoor soil. Under your watch.”
“Alpha, please understand—”
“I understand perfectly,” I cut in, leaning back in my chair, fingers drumming against the armrest. “And I will have no choice but to report this to my King. To let King Alderic know exactly how your government treats the werewolves despite the treaty that binds us.”
A sharp intake of breath crackled down the line. “Alpha Draven, there’s no need to escalate this to King Alderic. Please, I only ask for a little more time—”
“No,” I said sharply. “Time was given. Time was wasted.”
Brackham’s voice shifted then, growing almost defensive, almost desperate. “Alpha, listen. My people—the humans are also being attacked. Murdered in the same way, as I’m sure you’ve heard. It’s very possible that whatever hunts us is also behind the deaths of your people.”
I let silence stretch. His words weren’t entirely false — but neither were they the whole truth.
He thought to redirect, to fold our tragedy into his, to make it one problem instead of admitting fault.
My voice was low when I spoke again. “Then prove it.”
“Alpha?”
“You have two weeks,” I said, the finality like iron in the air. “Two weeks to show real results. To give me names, evidence, something that shows you have done more than walk in circles.”
“But—”
“Two weeks, Brackham,” I repeated, my tone colder, darker. “Or I will deliver this matter to King Alderic myself. And I promise you, when he hears that the humans failed to protect the lives bound to them by treaty, he won’t be as patient as I have been.”
His breath caught. “Alpha—please. You know what that would mean—”
“I do,” I said. “Which is why I’m giving you two weeks. Don’t waste them.”
I hung up without waiting for his reply.
The silence that followed felt heavier than before, the ticking clock on the far wall the only sound.
For a moment, I sat there, staring at nothing. At the weight of my promise. At what might come if Brackham failed, as I suspected he would.
Rhovan stirred in the back of my mind, his voice dry and dark.
“War tastes closer every day.”
“Yes,” I answered silently. “And when it comes, they will learn why they should have feared us sooner.”
Even though I didn’t want the war and I’ve been doing everything possible to avoid it, I could see my efforts were all a waste of time.
It was obvious that we and the Humans have different goals and visions, and sooner or later, we will go our parts, with the war dividing us.
There will definitely be a lot of casualties.
My gaze dropped to the folder still open on my desk, the word EXTINCT half-hidden in the afternoon light.
Not extinct. Not anymore.
If Brackham’s men were too blind or too corrupt to see the truth, then it fell to me to bring it to light.
Two weeks.
After that… no more diplomacy.
Only reckoning.
I will do whatever I want.
—
Several Hours later~
I woke up an hour before the scheduled meeting, got dressed and stepped out of the room with my jacket.
I hoped that Meredith wouldn’t come to find me tonight.
The night felt colder than usual.
Above, the moon hovered full and heavy behind passing clouds, its light spilling across the clearing deep within the woods.
Shadows of tall oaks stretched long on the mossy ground, mingling with the flickering glow of torches that lined the perimeter.
I walked in, boots sinking slightly into the damp earth, the scent of pine and wet bark sharp in the air.
And as always, silence fell.
Dozens of eyes turned to me. Warriors, scouts, smiths, stable hands, young apprentices, older craftsmen — every wolf that called this city home. Some with arms crossed, some standing with quiet discipline.
Faces lined with caution, curiosity, and something darker: the fear they carried but never spoke aloud.
As I crossed into the circle, they bowed in unison, heads lowered in respect.
I raised a hand slightly. “Enough.”
They straightened. A hush settled so thick it pressed against the chest.
Jeffery stepped forward first, the torchlight casting sharp shadows across his face.
“Alpha,” he began, his voice calm and measured. “Everyone who lives within the estate and its outer properties is present tonight. No one is missing.”
Beside him, Wanda held her usual composed expression, though her eyes searched the edges of the gathering, always alert.
Dennis stood to the left, his stance relaxed but gaze sharp, scanning faces as if silently counting each one.
“All accounted for,” Dennis added.
I nodded once, letting my gaze sweep across them all, slowly, deliberately.
Then I spoke.
“You all know why we meet here, beyond the walls, away from prying eyes,” I began, my voice low enough to draw them in but strong enough to echo through the trees. “We meet because what we speak of tonight is for our ears alone. For our survival.”
The wind stirred lightly through the leaves, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and pine.
“You have all heard whispers at the malls, at the forge, probably at your workplaces, outside the city walls — of something hunting us. Some of you remember the three of our people who died. Hearts ripped from their bodies. The patterns, the signs…”
I paused. Faces tightened. Shoulders stiffened.
“It is real,” I said finally, my voice calm but unflinching. “The vampire threat is real.”