Rina's presence in the Shadow Pack's domain was a double-edged sword. To many, she was a beacon of hope—a healer capable of saving lives where others failed. To Iori, her presence was a reminder of the tangled web of politics that existed between packs, a web he would rather avoid. Her unparalleled skill in healing had earned her the trust of even the most guarded leaders, and yet, her true motives remained hidden beneath her serene exterior. Moving through the halls of the house with calm confidence, her flowing robes rustled softly, the subtle sound blending with the murmur of her assistants. The delicate fragrance of herbs lingered in the air, signaling her arrival, a quiet force that commanded attention.
That morning, they had been led to the second-largest private residence in the territory: the Beta's home. It was a large, spacious structure, welcoming yet imposing, a fitting symbol of the Beta's authority within the pack. Iori had given explicit orders that everything be perfect for their esteemed guest, though he was not blind to the underlying tension that came with hosting a representative of a rival pack.
"Prepare the herbal infusion," Rina instructed one of her attendants, her voice calm yet firm. "The elder's condition is stable for now, but we must begin treatment immediately." Her words were clear, precise, and without hesitation.
The elder in question, Izumi, was resting in a specially prepared suite on the guest house's upper floor. Her room was infused with the faint aroma of medicinal herbs, a soothing balm for both body and spirit. Despite her frailty, her sharp eyes reflected a lifetime of wisdom and resilience. Iori visited frequently, his usually stoic demeanor softening in the presence of his daughter, his feelings of helplessness masked behind a controlled exterior.
Unlike him and Hizuki, all wolves born after the curse were vulnerable. Their lifespans were shorter, and their bodies were more susceptible to disease. Watching his daughter grow older than him, only to eventually succumb to illness, tore at Iori's heart. He had seen this happen before—he had witnessed many others fall prey to the curse—but this was different. This was his flesh and blood. The realization that Izumi's time was limited, that her illness had progressed beyond his control, cut deeply into him. Izumi had first caught a cold—a small, seemingly trivial ailment—but it had persisted. What was once a minor concern had escalated to something far more serious. Human doctors at the hospital had been unable to cure her, so his son, Jushin, had sought the help of the Wind Pack's Salutary.
"Will she be alright?" Iori asked, his voice edged with concern, his hands clasped tightly together in front of him.
Rina offered a reassuring smile, though it did little to ease Iori's anxiety. "Do not worry. Her bloodline's power is strong, but due to the curse, her body struggles to tolerate it. It's troublesome, yes, but it's curable." Her tone was soft but confident, her eyes meeting Iori's with a directness that held the promise of hope.
Relief softened Iori's expression, and he nodded. "That's good to hear," he said, his voice quieter now, though the weight of his concern had not entirely lifted.
Yet, even as he acknowledged Rina's reassurance, he couldn't ignore the glint of shrewdness in her eyes, the way they gleamed with something more than just professional concern. It gave him pause. His instincts flared, urging him to scrutinize her more closely as she returned to her task. While he felt no malice from her, he couldn't shake the suspicion that there were other motives behind her visit. After all, Jushin had already informed him of the Wind Pack Alpha's proposal—an offer that complicated matters more than he would have liked.
Iori's brown eyes glinted gold with a faint tinge of red, a sign that he had partially shifted into his wolf form. Careful not to release too much of his aura, he let his gaze sweep over the entourage, searching for anything unusual, anything that didn't sit right. His attention settled on a tall, striking young woman kneeling beside Rina, carefully carrying a tray with the herbal concoction for Izumi to drink.
Rei Ookaze.
The Wind Pack's Gamma was impossible to miss. Her raven-black hair was cut into a sharp, asymmetrical bob that framed her pale, heart-shaped face. Her dark almond-shaped eyes carried a predatory gleam, a glimmer that reminded Iori of a wolf circling its prey. Clad in a sleek, dark uniform that hinted at her warrior's role, Rei exuded a quiet intensity, a sharpness that was both elegant and intimidating. Her movements were graceful yet deliberate, like a blade held in check, a dangerous weapon waiting to be unleashed.
Gammas were traditionally tasked with training a pack's soldiers, a role that required not only strength but the ability to read and manipulate the dynamics of battle. Rei's presence in Shadow Pack territory was unusual, to say the least. Under normal circumstances, a Gamma's role would not have warranted such a visit. But given the Wind Pack's recent proposal, her presence was less surprising—though no less unwelcome.
Unbeknownst to most, Rina's presence in the Shadow Pack's domain wasn't solely for the purpose of healing. Whispers among her entourage hinted at a deeper purpose: a request from the Wind Pack Alpha to strengthen alliances, renew old bonds, and perhaps secure a future for their bloodline. Iori was no fool—he understood the political game at play here, even if he preferred to stay out of it.
For now, Rina's focus remained on treating Izumi, a gesture for which Iori was begrudgingly thankful. However, Rei's presence complicated his feelings further. He loathed politics—he had always preferred straightforward action to the undercurrents of manipulation and power plays that often defined pack relations. The Wind Pack's push for a marriage alliance with Hizuki tasted bitter to him. He had seen this maneuver before, and it was a game he was not eager to play.
Iori's lips pressed into a thin line as he kept a watchful eye on Rei. This situation was far from simple, and he knew better than to trust a seemingly benign gesture from a rival pack without question. Still, he allowed himself some reassurance. The Cypress Palace was off-limits, and his great grandson Jushin had taken every precaution to ensure that, even in Hizuki's absence, the guests would be carefully monitored.
It was unkind to think the worst of someone, but Iori knew all too well that desperation often brought out the darkest sides of both humans and their kind. His mind wandered back to the core issue that haunted every pack, the issue that lay at the heart of their desperation: extinction.
Packs all over the world faced the same dire problem. In a few decades, all their descendants would lose their wolf forms entirely, becoming fully human. Some smaller, weaker packs had already vanished, merging into human societies to survive. While the packs maintained a veneer of cordiality in public, a simmering tension lay just beneath the surface. Among their kind, strength was paramount—only the strongest could lead, and only those with the most powerful bloodlines could survive the curse.
At present, there was no question that Hizuki Kagerou was the Lycan King. Even though Hizuki himself cared little for the title, his undeniable strength and lineage solidified his position. But while no other pack could challenge his authority outright, that didn't mean they were content to simply defer to him. They had their own ambitions, their own survival instincts.
Desperation drove the packs to find ways to strengthen their bloodlines, even if it meant resorting to politics, manipulation, or alliances. Hizuki's lineage represented a rare chance for survival. A child born of Hizuki's bloodline would carry the power of a true Alpha—one with strength undiminished by the curse. Even if the child's abilities were halved, they would still surpass any other pack's descendants.
And that was why every pack coveted the idea of Hizuki's future child. It wasn't just about pride; it was about survival. Iori knew this better than anyone. He knew that the Wind Pack, with all its scheming, would stop at nothing to secure a future for their pack—no matter the cost.
Iori's golden eyes darkened as he contemplated the motives of the Wind Pack. Rina's healing presence was undoubtedly helpful, but the underlying reason for their visit was painfully clear. They weren't here just to save Izumi; they were here to secure a future, one that was tied to the very bloodline of Hizuki Kagerou.
Iori turned his gaze back to his daughter. Although he appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties at most, Izumi's frail form resembled that of a woman in her late fifties. Like many others, he had not found his fated mate and had instead settled for someone else. Yet, his bond with his wife had been one of deep friendship and fondness. Izumi was undoubtedly a product of love—though a love of a different kind.
"How long will it take for her to recover?" he asked softly, his voice laced with worry.
Rina paused for a moment, her expression calm but unreadable, before replying, "It will depend on how well her body responds to the treatment."
Iori nodded, though he suspected the Wind Pack's Salutary intended to extend their stay. While the Delta was aware of their underlying motives, his focus remained solely on Izumi's recovery.
"We deeply appreciate your care. If there is anything you may require—be it food, clothing, or any other necessity—please do not hesitate to inform us. We will do everything in our power to accommodate you."
Iori's tone was unfailingly polite, yet his choice of words subtly conveyed a boundary: the Alpha's presence was not a part of the bargain. The pack's hospitality would be impeccable, their gratitude expressed in both comfort and compensation, but no further privileges would be granted.
Outside, the younger pack members worked tirelessly to ensure that every detail of their hospitality was flawless. Meals were crafted from the finest ingredients, and every corner of the guest house gleamed with meticulous care. This was not merely a gesture of goodwill; it was a display of the Shadow Pack's pride and honor.
As evening fell, Iori retreated to the solitude of his office. The weight of his daughter's illness pressed heavily on his mind, and yet, it was the political maneuvering at play that truly consumed him. There was a larger game at hand. Whether he wanted to play or not, the stakes were high.
And the price for winning could very well be the future of the pack itself.