The village no longer slept soundly.
Nights had become restless, filled with whispered fears and wary glances over shoulders. The once unwavering faith in Alpha Olumide had begun to crack. Even the warriors who once walked with unshaken confidence now carried their weapons closer, their eyes darting toward the trees as though expecting an attack at any moment.
Tolu watched from the shadows, perched on a sturdy tree branch that overlooked the settlement. He had spent the past few nights orchestrating small, calculated strikes. Supplies had vanished, key warriors had been lured away into the woods with false alarms, and messages had been left—claw marks on doors, footprints leading into the forest and vanishing without a trace.
Fear was growing.
But it wasn't enough.
His uncle still held the reins, and Jimi was still in captivity. Time was running out.
---
The Breaking Point
The pack gathered deep in the forest, where the dense foliage kept them hidden from prying eyes. The air was thick with tension as Tolu stood before them, arms crossed.
"He's doubling patrols," Ope muttered. "Whatever we've done, it's working."
"But it's not enough," Kemi said. "Jimi is still locked up. And now that Olumide's on edge, it'll be even harder to get to him."
Jide exhaled sharply, his fingers tracing the blade at his waist. "We can't keep delaying. If we wait too long, he'll make an example out of Jimi."
Tolu knew they were right. The attacks had shaken Olumide's rule, but they hadn't broken it. Not yet.
"We have to move tonight," he said finally.
A ripple of unease passed through the group.
"Tonight?" Fola frowned. "You sure about this?"
Tolu nodded. "We've created enough chaos to keep them on edge. If we wait any longer, we lose momentum." He turned to Ope. "Can you get inside?"
Ope smirked. "I always do."
"We'll need a distraction," Jide said.
Tolu glanced at Kemi and Fola. "Set fire to the western side of the village. Make it look like another attack. They'll focus their forces there while Ope and I get Jimi out."
Kemi grinned. "Now that, I can do."
"Everyone knows their role," Tolu said, looking around at them. "This is our chance to prove that my uncle isn't as untouchable as he wants people to believe."
A silent agreement passed between them. This was no longer just about survival. It was about taking the first real step toward reclaiming what had been stolen.
---
The Rescue
The village was a different beast at night.
The torches that lined the paths flickered against the wooden huts, casting eerie shadows. Warriors patrolled in pairs, their weapons glinting under the moonlight.
Tolu and Ope moved like ghosts through the village, sticking to the darkest corners, their steps careful and measured.
The holding hut was near the center, guarded by two warriors. Tolu pressed his back against the wall, peering around the corner.
"We take them out quietly," he whispered.
Ope nodded. "I'll handle the left."
Tolu moved first. With a swift step, he grabbed the nearest warrior from behind, wrapping an arm around his throat and squeezing. The man thrashed, but Tolu tightened his grip, his muscles burning with effort. Within moments, the warrior's body went limp, and Tolu lowered him to the ground silently.
Ope had done the same. Both guards were down.
Tolu didn't waste time. He slipped into the hut, the scent of blood and sweat hitting him immediately. Jimi sat in the corner, bruised and bound.
"Tolu?" His voice was hoarse, disbelief clear in his eyes.
"Can you walk?" Tolu whispered, crouching beside him.
Jimi nodded weakly.
"Good." Tolu cut through the ropes.
Suddenly, shouts erupted from the western side of the village. Flames licked the sky, their orange glow spilling over the huts. The distraction had begun.
Tolu pulled Jimi to his feet. "Let's go."
They slipped out, but just as they reached the edge of the village, a voice rang out.
"There!"
Tolu cursed. Warriors rushed toward them, their movements sharp and aggressive.
Ope stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "You go. I'll hold them off."
Tolu hesitated.
"I'll be fine," Ope insisted. "Get him out of here."
Tolu clenched his jaw but nodded. With Jimi leaning against him, he darted into the trees.
---
The Aftermath
By the time they reached the river, the sky was beginning to lighten.
Jimi collapsed onto the grass, breathing heavily. His face was swollen, but his eyes held gratitude.
"You came for me," he muttered.
Tolu smirked. "Had to. Would've looked bad if I let you die."
Jimi chuckled, wincing as he did. "Your father would be proud."
The words hit deeper than Tolu expected.
Before he could respond, the others arrived. Ope was among them, bruised but grinning.
"Miss me?" he teased.
Kemi crossed her arms. "We were about to leave without you."
Fola snorted. "No, we weren't."
Tolu shook his head, but warmth spread through his chest.
They weren't just survivors anymore.
They were warriors.
And the war was far from over.
---
The Alpha's Fury
Morning in the village was chaos.
The fire had destroyed a storage hut, and Jimi's escape had sent Olumide into a rage.
Tolu stood on the outskirts, watching as his uncle's warriors scrambled to regain control.
Olumide himself stood in the center of the destruction, his golden eyes burning with fury.
"This ends," he growled. "Now."
Tolu felt the shift in the air.
His uncle was preparing for war.
And so was he.
---
New Alliances
The sun had barely risen when Tolu's pack regrouped deep within the forest.
"We need more allies," Jide said, pacing. "Olumide won't let this go. He'll hunt us down."
Tolu exhaled. He had been thinking the same thing. "The Palam Pack. They've been neutral so far, but if we approach them carefully, they might help."
Fola frowned. "That's a gamble."
Kemi tilted her head. "Not necessarily. Their Alpha is wise, but he hates unnecessary war. If we can convince him that Olumide's rule is dangerous to everyone, he might listen."
Ope nodded. "It's worth a shot."
Tolu looked at his pack. They had all risked their lives for this cause, and he wasn't about to let them down.
"Then we move at dawn," he said. "It's time to build an army."
His father's throne would not remain stolen for much longer.
---