The return of Eva to the Alaric estate was met with a mixture of relief and tension. She had been physically unharmed, but the fire in her eyes told Luca and Donovan that the ordeal had only strengthened her resolve. The Alarics' success in rescuing her had sent a clear message to their enemies, but it also came with consequences.
By the time the council of werewolf families convened the next evening, rumors of the Alarics' clash with the vampires had already spread across Valewood. The council chambers, a grand stone hall in the city's heart, were abuzz with whispers as the five families gathered under its vaulted ceiling.
The Blackwoods arrived last, their entrance quiet but commanding. Caleb stayed behind his father, Edwin, his expression a mask of unease. The tension between the Alarics and the Blackwoods was palpable, but protocol dictated restraint in the council chambers.
Donovan stood at the head of the room, his tone calm but firm as he addressed the assembly. "It's time we acknowledge the truth. The vampires are no longer a distant threat, they are here, in Valewood, and they are targeting our families. If we do not act as one, we risk losing everything we've built."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
Luca scanned the faces of the other family leaders, looking for signs of support. The Cranes, known for their cautious diplomacy, seemed contemplative. The Hargraves, a brash and combative family, nodded in agreement. But the Blackwoods remained silent, their expressions carefully guarded.
Edwin finally spoke, his voice steady. "Donovan, while your concern is valid, we cannot rush into action without evidence. A war with the vampires could devastate this city. Are we certain that every claim against them is true?"
Eva's sharp voice cut through the murmurs. "The vampires took me. They threatened our family and used Caleb as a pawn. What more evidence do you need?"
All eyes turned to Caleb, whose face flushed under the scrutiny. Edwin placed a firm hand on his shoulder, as if to silence him, but Donovan pressed forward.
"Edwin, your son's actions are not in question. What matters is how we move forward. We need to unify against the vampirestogether. If the Blackwoods stand with us, we have a chance to end this threat before it consumes us all."
Edwin hesitated, weighing his response carefully. "I agree that the vampires must be monitored, but an open confrontation would put every werewolf in Valewood at risk. We need to approach this strategically, not impulsively."
Donovan's jaw tightened, but before he could respond, Magnus Hargrave stepped forward, his booming voice filling the hall.
"Enough hesitation! The Alarics have already proven the vampires' intentions. If we wait any longer, they'll tear us apart from the shadows. I say we strike now."
The chamber erupted into debate. Brash words filled the room, threatening to suck out all the oxygen.
Luca stood back, letting the council leaders argue. His attention was drawn to Caleb, who shifted nervously beside his father. There was something about the young Blackwood's demeanor that set Luca on edge.
Slipping away from the main discussion, Luca cornered Caleb in a quieter alcove of the chamber.
"Caleb," Luca said, keeping his voice low. "We both know your family's been involved with the vampires. If you really want to make amends, now's the time to speak up."
Caleb's eyes darted around, his hands trembling slightly. "I didn't mean for things to go this far. I just wanted to protect my family. The vampires promised us safety if we helped them…"
"And now?" Luca pressed. "Do you really think they'll keep their word? They'll turn on you the moment it benefits them."
Caleb swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "There's more to this than you know. Viktor isn't the only one leading them. There's someone else, someone pulling the strings from the shadows. I don't know their name, but they've been meeting in secret—at the old ruins near the eastern cliffs."
Luca's pulse quickened. "Does your father know?"
Caleb hesitated, then shook his head. "No. He thinks Viktor is the only threat. If the council finds out how deep this goes, it could destroy us."
Before Luca could respond, Donovan's voice rang out, summoning him back to the main chamber.
---
The debate had reached a boiling point. The Hargraves were pushing for an immediate attack, while the Cranes urged caution, their leader, Elara, suggesting that more information was needed before committing to war.
Eva stepped forward, her voice cutting through the noise. "If we wait, we'll lose our chance to strike. The vampires thrive on division—they want us to bicker and hesitate while they grow stronger. Every moment we waste gives them the upper hand."
Magnus Hargrave slammed his fist on the table. "Well said! The Alarics have always been the backbone of this council. If they're ready to fight, I'll stand with them."
Elara Crane frowned. "And if this war spirals out of control? What then? We could bring ruin to Valewood with reckless decisions. I suggest we send scouts to confirm the vampires' movements before taking action."
Donovan raised a hand, silencing the room. "Enough. This council cannot afford to fracture. We will proceed cautiously but decisively. I propose a twofold approach: a small team will investigate the ruins Caleb mentioned, while the rest of us prepare for the possibility of open conflict. If the vampires are planning something larger, we need to know—and quickly."
After a tense pause, the council leaders nodded in agreement.
---
That night, Luca prepared to lead the scouting mission to the eastern cliffs. Eva insisted on joining him, her determination unshaken despite her recent ordeal. Magnus Hargrave sent his son, Erik, a burly and headstrong warrior, to accompany them.
As the three of them set out, the city of Valewood fell quiet behind them, its streets bathed in the silver light of the moon. The path to the ruins was treacherous, winding through dense forest and jagged rock formations.
Eva walked beside Luca, her voice soft but firm. "Do you really think Caleb is telling the truth?"
Luca frowned. "I don't know. But if there's even a chance he's right, we can't ignore it. Whoever's behind this—Viktor or someone else—they're planning something big. And we need to stop it before it's too late."
The ruins loomed ahead, their crumbling stone walls casting eerie shadows in the moonlight. As they approached, a faint glow emanated from within, accompanied by the low hum of voices.
Luca motioned for the others to stay quiet as they crept closer. Peering through a gap in the stone, they saw a group of figures gathered around a central altar. At the head of the group stood Viktor, his pale face illuminated by the glow of a strange, pulsating artifact.
But it wasn't Viktor who caught Luca's attention—it was the figure beside him, shrouded in a dark cloak, their face hidden. The air around them seemed to ripple with power, their presence commanding the attention of everyone in the room.
Eva's breath hitched. "Who is that?"
Luca's voice was barely a whisper. "The one pulling the strings."
Before they could retreat, the cloaked figure's head snapped toward them, as if sensing their presence. A low, chilling voice echoed through the chamber.
"We have company."