Chapter 18
18 Chapter 18 These Are Killers
Eileen’s POVR
The war tent’s heavy canvas walls could barely contain
Eileen’s fury as she whirled on her husband the
moment they crossed the threshold.
“How could you stand there and let that bastard humiliate you like that?” Her voice sliced through the air like a blade, each word dripping with venom.
Thunder crashed overhead, but nothing could drown out the rage burning in her chest. She watched Rowan’s jaw tighten, his hands clenching at his sides.
“This is our land, our territory, and he dares to treat us like servants in our own home. That man is nothing more than illegitimate spawn, someone who should never have p>
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence!” Rowan’s fist crashed down on the war table with such force that the wooden surface cracked. Maps scattered to the floor, and an inkwell rolled dangerously close to the
edge. His voice dropped to a lethal growl that made the hair on Eileen’s arms stand on end. “Say another word about his birth, and let everyone hear just how foolish you really are p>
For a heartbeat, only the storm outside filled the silence between them. Then Eileen’s eyes narrowed to deadly slits.
“So now you’re taking that monster’s side p>
Rowan’s glare could have melted steel. Every muscle in his body coiled like a predator ready to strike. “Your scheming ends now p>
“What are you talking about?” But even as the words left her lips, Eileen felt ice forming in her veins.
“You think Hardy doesn’t sense something’s wrong?” Rowan stepped around the shattered table, his movements deliberate and threatening. “Why do you think he brought Faye here personally? In the middle of a war zone, no less p>
Eileen’s spine stiffened. “He’s her husband p>
“Four wives,” Rowan cut her off, his voice like grinding
stone. “He’s killed four wives before this one. We all know he doesn’t play at romance, especially not with someone he barely knows. There’s a reason she’s here, Eileen. He suspects something. And if you keep
pushing, you’ll drag this entire pack down with you p>
The blood drained from Eileen’s face. “Suspects what exactly p>
Rowan dragged a hand through his damp hair, water droplets hitting the ground like tiny bullets. “The Raven Deons are using poison. Strategic, calculated poison. They’re targeting his lieutenants and our strongest warriors. You think a man like him doesn’t realize this isn’t some random attack? That someone’s feeding them information from the inside p>
Eileen crossed her arms defensively. “And what of it? You’re afraid of him now? He’s just another werewolf, not even as powerful as the King himself p>
From her corner of the tent, Sally finally broke her silence. Her voice trembled like autumn leaves. “He’s not just another werewolf, Mother. You know that p>
Both parents turned toward their daughter, and Eileen
felt something cold crawl up her spine at the fear in Sally’s eyes.
“Father,” Sally swallowed hard, her hands twisting together. “Lord Hardy never even touched you, yet you bled. He made you collapse without lifting a finger.” Her voice cracked. “I don’t think any of us truly
understand what he’s capable of. We need to be much more careful now p>
Eileen’s teeth ground together, but she said nothing.
“I’m warning you,” Rowan’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “That man is dangerous. And he’s angry. Most of our injured are his high-ranking officers. He’s not in a forgiving mood, Eileen. If we keep pushing him, who knows what that monster will do next p>
“But we’re so close!” Eileen hissed, desperation making her voice sharp as broken glass. “The plan is working p>
“And it’ll work us right into our graves if you don’t stop,” Rowan snapped back.
Eileen
spun away, pacing to the far corner like a caged wolf. Frustration radiated from her in waves that
seemed to heat the very air around her.
Then she whirled back around. “How did she survive p>
Rowan raised an eyebrow. “What p>
“Faye,” she snarled, the name tasting like poison on her tongue. “I thought you sent your best assassins. So how is she still breathing p>
Rowan stared at her for a long, cold moment before letting out a harsh laugh. “You were there. You saw what Lord Hardy did to me without even breaking a sweat. Have you looked at his people? That entire unit he calls his guards-they’re not ordinary wolves p>
He moved to the table and planted both hands on the scattered maps. “Even that physician, Allen. He’s not just some healer. That man carries himself like Original content can be found at ~net
someone who’s killed before and lived to tell about it.
Alpha blood runs in his veins p>
Eileen’s eyes widened as understanding dawned. “A shadow guard. He left someone to watch over her p>
Rowan nodded grimly. “That’s the only explanation that makes sense. He must have known something.
Maybe not everything, but enough to be cautious p>
“But why?” Eileen’s voice cracked with confusion and rage. “Why would he go to such lengths for her? She’s nothing-a wolfless girl with no power, no
connections. Marrying her brings him no advantage whatsoever. She’s completely useless p>
Rowan fell silent for several heartbeats. When he finally spoke, his voice was thoughtful and worried. “Hardy has always been unpredictable. What if this is all bait? A trap to see who moves against her p>
The thought hit Eileen like a physical blow. “You think he knows about our involvement and wants to catch us trying to kill our own daughter? Is that his game?” “I wouldn’t put it past him. If he knows something, then we’re compromised. I’m telling you right now,” Rowan’s voice turned deadly serious. “We stop this madness. Whatever reckless thing you’re planning, don’t do it. Not while his attention is focused on us p>
Eileen remained silent, but her mind raced with possibilities.
“That physician, Allen, is likely the reason Faye
18 Chapter 18 These Are Killers
survived,” Rowan continued. “He’s sharp, intelligent, and utterly loyal. Probably just as dangerous as the rest of Hardy’s people. I heard he managed to save several dying lieutenants as well. Hardy wouldn’t keep him close if he weren’t extraordinarily skilled p>
Eileen looked away, her mouth forming a thin, bitter
line.
“Whatever you’re planning,” Rowan said, his voice
carrying the weight of a final warning. “Be extremely careful. This isn’t some court full of weak politicians. These are killers. And they’re watching our every
move p>
Eileen released a long, frustrated sigh. All she wanted was Faye dead. How could something so simple be this difficult? Had she underestimated that woman’s luck?
“Mother, I think we should listen to Father,” Sally interrupted her brooding thoughts. “Even if Lord Hardy sees no benefit in this marriage, we can’t let him use Faye as a weapon against us p>
Eileen clenched her jaw until it ached. Nothing about her carefully crafted plan had gone according to
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schedule. Perhaps Sally and Rowan were right to urge caution. “I need that woman dead before Lord Hardy leaves this place,” she said, her voice flat and deadly.
This was no longer a desire. This was a necessity, a matter of survival. “We need to find a way to end her life without alerting those shadow guards p>
Alpha Rowan met her gaze, and she saw that her husband understood the critical importance of Faye’s death. Only he knew the true state of their pack, and he knew that one more attack from the Raven Deons would destroy them completely. He needed to strengthen their forces, and for that, he required reinforcements from the northern territories. “I understand,” he said quietly. “I think I know a way to end her life quickly and cleanly p>
Just as Rowan opened his mouth to elaborate, the tent flap rustled violently. A soaked, breathless voice called out from beyond the entrance.
“My lord p>
Rowan’s jaw tightened. His eyes flicked toward the tent opening, irritation flashing briefly before he
controlled his expression. “Enter p>
The flap lifted, revealing Nick, Rowan’s most trusted beta. His cloak dripped steadily onto the ground, his boots were caked with thick mud, and his face was pale as death-too pale for a warrior accustomed to battle. He bowed deeply, his breathing labored as if the news he carried was too heavy to bear.
“My lord,” Nick said again, straightening slowly. “We’ve just received word from Lord Hardy’s people p>
Eileen’s head snapped toward him, dread piercing her heart like an ice-cold dagger. Nick hesitated for only a moment before delivering the devastating blow.
“Lady Faye has awakened p>
Morh Lucia
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.