Chapter 48
48 Chapter 48 Who Really Holds Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on
Power
Marcus’s POV
“Alpha, we have confirmation. They’ve left our
territory,” Beta Mitchell announced as he stepped into the study, his boots silent against the polished wooden floor.
Marcus Dickinson didn’t look up from the documents spread across his mahogany desk. Maps, intelligence reports, and detailed plans covered every inch of the surface. His jaw tightened as he processed the information.
“Our preparations are complete,” Mitchell continued, positioning himself at attention. “We await your command p>
Luna Britney’s soft exhale drew Marcus’s attention. She sat in the leather chair beside the fireplace, cradling a small painted canvas against her chest. The artwork was crude but heartfelt, created by small
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hands years ago when innocence still existed in their household.
“The moment has arrived,” Britney whispered, her voice carrying both grief and anticipation. Her fingers traced the edges of the frame, where their daughter’s bright smile looked back at them from happier times. Before political marriages. Before death became a wedding gift.
“I demand to join you,” Jared Dickinson declared from his position near the window. Marcus’s son turned from where he’d been watching the courtyard, his young face set with determination and rage. “You promised me this day would come. I’ve earned the right to witness his downfall. I want to watch him suffer as she did p>
Marcus’s steel–gray eyes shifted back to his Beta. “Give me your full assessment p>
Mitchell stepped closer, his expression professional despite the gravity of their discussion. “Their departure appeared routine. No unusual activity in their medical quarters, no signs of antidote
preparation or poison detection protocols. If they
suspect any threat, their focus remains on the Raven Deons, not us.” A cold smile played at the Beta’s lips. “They’re completely unaware of our involvement. Even if suspicion exists, they’re looking in entirely the wrong direction p>
Marcus absorbed this information with a slight nod, though his thoughts weren’t on enemy packs. They centered on one person: Viola Dickinson, his eldest daughter and Hardy Brookhaven’s first bride.
She’d been just a young woman when she left for the northern territories, draped in white silk and carrying their family’s hopes for a strategic alliance. The marriage was supposed to secure peace between their regions. Instead, it became her death sentence. Before sunrise could break on her wedding night, messengers arrived with news of her sudden demise. No
explanation, no opportunity to view her remains, just a cold announcement that the northern pack had already conducted her burial.
Marcus needed no evidence to understand the truth. Hardy had murdered her.
Viola wasn’t unique in this fate. Wife number two,
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dead. Wife number three, dead. Wife number four, dead. The pattern continued with each successive bride, creating a trail of corpses that led directly to Hardy’s door. By now, Marcus was convinced the northern Alpha wasn’t just dangerous but completely unhinged, treating matrimony as an elaborate execution method.
“What intelligence do we have on Lady Faye?” Marcus asked, his tone sharp with interest.
Mitchell’s shoulders lifted slightly. “We’ve researched her background thoroughly. She’s Alpha Rowan’s eldest daughter, though you’ve never encountered her personally. She possesses no wolf, making her essentially powerless in pack politics. She’s an omega with no influence or strategic value. This might explain her continued survival p>
“Perhaps,” Marcus replied, his voice carrying darker implications. “Or maybe she simply hasn’t reached the north yet p>
He kept his additional thoughts private, but they haunted him nonetheless. Faye Stormhaven was
nothing more than a sacrificial offering, another pawn
in a deadly game. When her usefulness expired, she’d
join Viola and the others in whatever unmarked graves Hardy preferred for his wives.
Marcus leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled. “Alpha Rowan’s status p>
“En route as planned,” Mitchell confirmed. “Expected
arrival soon p>
Marcus’s mind organized the various elements of their strategy, each piece falling into its designated position like chess pieces on a board.
“What about my role?” Jared’s voice rose with frustration. “I refuse to remain here while justice finally comes! My sister deserves to be avenged p>
Marcus’s head snapped toward his son, eyes blazing. “Listen to yourself carefully. This isn’t some personal crusade you can charge into blindly. You’re the heir to this pack, the future Alpha. If your involvement becomes known, you won’t just be avenging your sister, you’ll be condemning our entire pack to the king’s wrath p>
Jared moved forward, fists clenched at his sides. “So
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I’m supposed to stand idle? I’ve prepared for this moment my entire life. I have every right to
participate p>
Marcus’s palm crashed against the desk with enough force to make Mitchell flinch. “Your rights?” His voice turned deadly quiet. “Your primary right is protecting this pack, not destroying yourself because you can’t control your emotions. Think strategically, boy. Revenge without careful planning is suicide, and I won’t sacrifice my heir to satisfy your need for personal satisfaction p>
“You think I lack courage?” Jared began, but Marcus’s murderous glare silenced him immediately.
“Courage? No. Intelligence? Absolutely lacking.” Marcus’s words cut through the air like sharpened blades. “I want Hardy to suffer more than you can imagine. But there’s a crucial difference between wanting something and stupidly exposing yourself to catastrophic consequences. You seem incapable of recognizing that difference p>
Before Jared could respond, Luna Britney rose from her chair. “Stop this immediately,” she commanded,
moving between father and son. “Both of you need to control yourselves. You’re destroying each other before our enemies even act p>
She grasped Jared’s arm firmly, guiding him toward the door. “Come with me now p>
He resisted briefly but followed when she maintained her grip. She led him to her private chambers, closing the heavy door behind them.
Britney’s POV
Jared turned to face her. “Mother, I must p>
“You want vengeance. I understand completely.” Britney’s voice softened while maintaining its firm edge. “But your father speaks truth. Regardless of our hatred, Lord Hardy remains the Alpha King’s brother. If the king discovers our pack’s involvement in any action against him, mercy won’t be an option. He’ll destroy your father and everything we’ve built p>
Jared’s brow furrowed with confusion. “The king wouldn’t p>
“Don’t be foolish,” she interrupted sharply. “He may present himself as a fair ruler, but innocence isn’t among his qualities. If he learns the truth, do you believe he’ll simply mourn quietly on his throne? He’ll retaliate with overwhelming force p>
“What are you suggesting, Mother p>
Britney studied her son carefully, her grip tightening on his arm. “Do you truly believe your sister’s death occurred without the king’s knowledge p>
“You’re saying p>
“Do you honestly believe Lord Hardy’s previous wives died without royal awareness?” she pressed. “Think carefully about who really holds power in this kingdom p>
Sara Lili
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.