The following days were tense, filled with quiet urgency as Valewood's werewolf families prepared for what was to come. Despite their victory, everyone knew the vampires would strike again—and this time, they would strike harder and would be more dangerous. The news of a possible traitor within their ranks only added to the unease, casting a shadow over every gathering.
Luca paced the Alaric manor's main hall, his mind racing through the events of the last battle. How could they have been so close to losing? The vampires had seemed prepared for every one of their moves, almost as if they knew exactly what to expect. The thought gnawed at him, fueling his determination to uncover the traitor.
As he turned, he found his sister watching him, her arms crossed, her expression thoughtful. Eva had barely slept since the attack; she was on constant alert, patrolling the borders and ensuring everyone's safety. But today, something about her expression was different.
"We need to talk," she said quietly, motioning him to follow her.
They made their way to the secluded garden behind the manor, where no one could overhear them. Once there, Eva stopped, turning to face Luca with a seriousness that unnerved him.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice low.
"There's something you need to know," she began, glancing around before lowering her voice even further. "I've been following some leads, asking questions about who could be working with the vampires. And…I found something."
Luca felt a chill run through him. He wasn't sure if he was ready to find out who the traitor was. "What did you find?"
Eva took a deep breath. "One of the lesser-known families—the Blackwoods. They're not as powerful as the Alarics or the other main families, but they've had close dealings with outsiders in the past. I overheard a conversation in the marketplace; apparently, someone saw their son, Caleb, meeting with a vampire two nights before the attack."
The name hit Luca like a blow. The Blackwoods had always been an enigmatic family, keeping to themselves and rarely interacting with others. Caleb was young, but ambitious—exactly the type who might see an alliance with vampires as a way to elevate his family's status.
"Do you think he's the traitor?" Luca asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "Could he really be that stupid and reckless?"
Eva nodded. "It's possible. And if he's feeding information to the vampires, it would explain how they knew our defenses so well."
Luca clenched his fists, anger simmering beneath the surface. "We need proof that he's working with the vampires, so we can formally inform the other families. If Caleb's truly working with them, he's putting all of us at risk and should be punished. We need to confront him—now."
But before they could act, a messenger approached, breathless and wide-eyed. "The council is gathering, sir. All the families are expected at the Voss estate. They say it's urgent."
Luca and Eva exchanged a tense glance. The timing couldn't be a coincidence. Whatever the council was about to discuss, it was clear that their family's survival—and possibly Valewood's—depended on the outcome.
The council hall at the Voss estate was filled with an tension as representatives of each family took their seats. Isaac Voss, the eldest and most respected of the leaders, presided over the meeting. His presence commanded silence, and he waited until everyone had settled before speaking.
"Thank you all for coming," he began, his voice grave. "As you know, the vampire threat is far from over. Our scouts have reported movement on the outskirts of Valewood. They are gathering forces again, likely preparing for another assault."
Murmurs of alarm spread through the room. Each family had sustained injuries and losses in the recent fight, and the prospect of another attack weighed heavily on everyone.
Isaac raised a hand, quieting the crowd. "There's more. It has come to our attention that we may have a traitor among us—a member of one of our families working with the vampires."
The room fell into shocked silence, eyes darting around with suspicion. Whispers broke out, each family wondering if they were about to be accused.
Isaac turned his gaze to Donovan, his face unreadable. "Donovan, your family has been vigilant. What have you uncovered?"
Donovan rose, his expression composed but his voice laced with tension. "We have reason to believe that Caleb Blackwood may be the one working with the vampires. There have been reports of him meeting with them, and our sources suggest he has been providing information on our defenses."
All eyes turned to the Blackwoods' corner of the hall. Caleb's father, Edwin Blackwood, rose to his feet, his face a mix of shock and anger. "These are serious accusations, Donovan," he said, his eyes dim, his voice barely concealing his outrage. "My family has served Valewood faithfully for generations. You would accuse us without proof?"
Eva stepped forward, her gaze steady. "This isn't an accusation made lightly, Edwin. We have witnesses who saw your son meeting with a vampire shortly before the attack. If Caleb has an explanation, we're all willing to hear it."
Edwin hesitated, his gaze flickering to Caleb, who was standing rigid beside him. Caleb's face was pale, his expression unreadable. After a tense pause, he finally spoke.
"It's true," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I did meet with them."
A shocked murmur rippled through the room, and Edwin's face drained of color. Whether it was disappointment or shame, he wasn't sure which took precedence.
Caleb raised his head, his eyes meeting Luca's with defiance. "But I didn't betray anyone. I met with them to negotiate—to try to prevent them from attacking. I thought if I could reason with them, convince them that Valewood wasn't worth the trouble, they'd leave us alone."
The room fell silent, each family processing the revelation. But Luca wasn't convinced. Negotiating with the vampires was not his place and was also a dangerous move, and Caleb's choice to act alone had nearly brought ruin upon them all.
Isaac spoke, his voice cold. "You took matters into your own hands, Caleb. You betrayed the council's trust, and in doing so, you risked the safety of every family here."
Caleb's gaze hardened. "And what would you have done? Waited for them to attack us again? We needed a solution, not endless council meetings and empty words."
Donovan stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute. "Negotiation is one thing, Caleb, but dealing with vampires is never as simple as words. They don't honor agreements; they use them to manipulate. If you had come to us, we might have found another way."
Caleb's defiance faltered, and he lowered his head, seeming to realize the gravity of his mistake. The silence that followed was thick with judgment.
Finally, Isaac spoke again, his tone final. "Caleb Blackwood, your actions have endangered Valewood. You will be stripped of your council privileges, and your family will be under close watch until we are certain the vampires have no further ties to you. Furthermore, if you are discovered consorting with vampires in the future, the punishment would be severe.
Edwin's face was a mask of fury and shame, but he bowed his head in reluctant agreement. "Understood."
As Caleb was led from the hall, Luca felt a grim sense of satisfaction. The traitor had been exposed, but he knew this was only the beginning. The vampires would return, and next time, they would come with a vengeance.
---
Later that night, as Luca and Eva returned to the Alaric estate, they walked in heavy silence, each lost in thought. The council had reached a decision, but there was an unspoken sense that Valewood's troubles were far from over.
When they reached the estate, Donovan was waiting for them, his expression thoughtful. "You both handled yourselves well today," he said. "But we must be prepared. Caleb's actions may have given the vampires an advantage we can't afford."
Eva nodded, her gaze steely. "What's our next move?"
Donovan looked out toward the city from the window in his study, his eyes narrowed in contemplation. "We strengthen our defenses, rally our allies, and prepare for war. And this time, we won't wait for the vampires to make the first move."
Luca's heart surged with resolve. The Alarics would defend Valewood, whatever the cost. The vampires might have sown discord within their ranks, but now, with the traitor exposed, they could rebuild. United and prepared, they would face whatever came next—and they would not fall.