[ A PRECAUTIOUS NOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING CHAPTER ]
TRIGGER WARNING: profanity, death, mature dialect, mentions of abuse & bruising/wounds/bodily harm.
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CHAPTER SEVEN
KOBAY'S POV
As instructed, Dominic and Ryan are waiting for me outside. There's no one I'd trust more than these two idiots. Growing up in the same household will do that to you. And only they know about my true intentions with Vanessa.
My strongest warriors gathered behind waiting for their orders in their natural form. I can see Cyrus's demeanor waiting patiently at the skirts of the border. Redwood's distance between our border and Silver Crest's is 27 kilometers. If we run, we can make it in an hour.
The lean man observes us from afar, signaling my men to move forward as I stride toward Cyrus. I always found him to be a bit estranged. During the years under my father's reign, Cyrus would accompany his alpha. Always cold. Collected. A man slick with mystery and riddles. I'm not even sure if he has a family of his outside of his loyalty to Gahiji.
The sound of Dominic and Ryan shifting as their bones crack into place brings me back to reality. Ever since the fall of Blackwell, the surrounding packs isolated from the tradition of celebrating the Moon Harvest. Aside from Gahiji's sumptuous offer, the question remained why Silver Crest's alpha wants to continue a decayed tradition now after year's of silence. It was always King Leonidas's tradition to celebrate with neighboring packs.
Once I reach Cyrus, I order my men to halt.
"Gahiji is pleased with your assistance," Cyrus says as he strips, "he's ordered a feast for your arrival."
"Excellent."
Cyrus slips his attire into a burlap sack, watching the sky as crows filtered from the treetops, "death lingers. Rogues have been bleeding into our lands to prey on our children, wives, mothers, and daughters."
I catch a hint of sadness drip from his words, "they live without conscious."
"I suppose," he sighs, "but it's no excuse. I'm not aware of how you handle them, but we kill them on sight. Our members have lost as much as others. We offer them a proper goodbye for their crimes."
Music to my fucking ears.
Nodding, I turn to my wolves as they wait firmly in place on all fours. Their heads bow in unison to show respect while the sound of Cyrus's bones snaps into place. He shifts into his wolf with sleek gray fur tussled from the wind. Cyrus sinks his teeth into the woven bag.
"Lead the way."
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CYRUS'S POV
We're making good time. Silver Crest's border is only thirteen kilometers away, and Kobay's selected warriors are diligent to follow their alpha's commands. They're quick on their paws and breeze quietly through the forest.
But- I like to think they're not as skilled as our warriors back home.
Gahiji will be intrigued that Kobay refused his generous offering, and agreed to help anyways. It is rather strange considering the essential wealth every alpha tries to achieve or conquer in their time of hierarchy. Yet, Kobay refused such a gift on a silver platter.
The poor bloke couldn't even say the late princess' name.
As we near the border, the sound of a sharp howl penetrates the air. Quick and effortless. I pause at the sound, watching Kobay's men falter behind him quickly. The howl sounded like Akila. That can only mean one thing.
A loud horn echoes through the trees. I can hear Kobay's men curl their mouths into a snarl. The fur of his warriors spiking the air to signal warning...
But that signal is well known in our family. My girls have surrounded rouges. And they're out for the kill. Kobay and his men have grown soft. It's about time the men see what real women are capable of.
I howl in response just a mile away. A sense of worry bubbles in my chest as realization hits. Tiny follows wherever Akila goes. And Gahiji doesn't want Redwood or Walker to discover a former Blackwell lives among us. At least, for now.
I dip my nose to the ground and guide the team through the slender trees. Knowing Akila's squad, it would be the perfect introduction to Redwood's elite. They would see the ravenous side of our wolves, and weakness would be the furthest thing from their minds. Because Akila spares no one.
The best part about this small amateur squad is how they initiate Tiny. Since she still hasn't shifted, many considered her useless. But no one quite understands poisons or using the environment for survival as she does.
I mind-link Gahiji, 'did you send the girl off?'
Silence is never a good sign.
'I have Redwood's elite approaching the border', I press. ' I'll be home soon.'
Small gasps and growls escape from the surrounding wolves when we cross the border. A grin slithers from my jaw at the sound of disgust. Silver Crest will not be disrespected once the neighboring pack sees how we manage bloodthirsty rogues. Especially when they try to pick scraps from our lands.
Tall slender sticks are rooted into the ground with the heads of rouges. Some are still in wolf form, but many are not. The smell of burnt and rotten flesh spoiled the borders as a final warning. I continue to walk while a few wolves falter at the sight. While Kobay's men fail to hide their resentment, their alpha does not. Like a true alpha, he stays intact and emotionless.
Maybe he understands what the Rogue King took from us. He might hold just as much bitterness as Gahiji.