A few days later, at dusk, the snow began to ease. Thick clouds continued to roll along the ridges, and the twilight pressed down like forged iron. Above the Bloodfang encampment, a single, straight plume of wolf smoke rose into the sky, followed by the long, low echo of a war horn reverberating through the valley, announcing the beginning of an important council.
The door of the stone house creaked open.Kael entered, his battle cloak dusted with frost, his expression particularly grim.
"Did you find evidence?" Leo pushed himself up as soon as he heard the flap move, his voice still hoarse.
Kael nodded and placed a sealed leather pouch heavily onto the stone table. As the bag tilted, several scratched metal badges slipped out, each bearing the crossed spears—the emblem of the Grey Iron Pike mercenary corps.
"I found these hidden in a secret compartment under the floor of Garran's old house," Kael said in a low voice. "It was buried deep. If the floorboard hadn't been slightly different in color, I would've missed it."
Leo stared at the badges, his throat bobbing slightly.
"There are also a few letters," Kael continued. "The content is vague, no direct mention of any plans, but the paper is the special kind used by the Grey Iron Pike for encrypted messages. Even if it can't directly convict Garran of treason, it's enough to prove he had dealings with the mercenaries."
"This will be enough," Leo said softly.
Soon after, the Bloodfang chieftain summoned the council of elders to convene an emergency meeting in the central stone hall.
Torches soaked in wolf oil burned around the hall, casting their flames onto the surrounding ancestral bone statues and stone-carved totems. The flickering shadows circled the space like restless spirits, solemn and suffocating.
Orton sat at the head of the hall, his face as cold and unyielding as a cliffside. He listened silently as Kael presented the findings, his gaze briefly passing over Leo before settling on Selena.
"Envoy of the Moontrace" he spoke in a deep voice, "what is your view on this matter?"
Selena stepped forward slowly, her cloak fluttering slightly, silver hair gleaming with a cold sheen under the torchlight.
"The authenticity of this evidence is extremely high," she said evenly, her tone carrying a natural pressure. "Our scouts have also confirmed that the Grey Iron Pike has been massing troops along the border. Even if Garran's collusion cannot be fully proven, we must prepare for conflict. My people are willing to ally with Bloodfang to eliminate this group of war profiteers."
The elders exchanged glances. Though a few still looked hesitant, more had begun to loosen their expressions.
Just then, a voice filled with laughter and contempt rang from a dark corner:
"We need the help of humans now?"
Derrick leaned against a stone pillar, eyes gleaming with mockery."The proud Bloodfang tribe, relying on two-legged beasts to fight our wars?"
Selena's gaze turned cold as she faced him, her voice cutting sharp as a blade:
"War is not won by brute force alone, Derrick," she said, pausing for emphasis. "From what I know, the Grey Iron Pike commands over a hundred elite wolf hunters. Your tribe has already paid dearly for underestimating them."
"You!" Derrick's face darkened instantly, a werewolf's rage exploding into the air.
"You cowardly humans," he sneered, "all you know is how to hide behind orders and cry for protection."
Selena completely ignored his provocations.She turned back to Orton, her voice calm once more,
"The Grey Iron Pike numbers at least a thousand strong, well-armed and highly trained. They conspired with Garran to destabilize Bloodfang through internal strife. Garran's death left them without a pawn—thus the temporary peace. But they are merely biding their time, strengthening their forces. If we wait, we will only be crushed later. Instead…" She smiled slightly, bowing her head with a blade hidden in her tone. "Why don't we send them another 'collaborator'?"
Orton's eyes flashed with approval. He nodded slightly."You mean... send someone in under false pretenses, lure them out, and crush them all?"
Selena inclined her head slightly. "Exactly."
The elders murmured among themselves and soon voiced unanimous agreement—however...
"Who will go?"
Leo stepped forward, dropped to one knee, and said firmly:
"Father, I am willing to go."
Orton narrowed his eyes, staring at the son he had cast out three years ago. This child, now, was willing to risk his life for the tribe again?
Leo seemed to understand his father's hesitation. His voice was steady, weighted:
"Father, you thought I killed Garran back then. But you chose banishment over blood vengeance—you gave me a chance to live. Today, I will repay that mercy. I will cleanse our shame... and reclaim my honor."
Orton slowly nodded. "Very well. Go. But be cautious."
Selena glanced at Leo, then spoke to Orton,
"I have already planted agents within the Grey Iron Pike. They will assist Leo. Meanwhile, we must reinforce our borders, set traps, and ensure the enemy has no way to retreat."
Orton nodded again. "Kael, strengthen the defenses. Derrick, arrange the ambushes."
Kael responded immediately: "Yes, Chieftain."
Derrick smirked, drawing out his reply lazily: "Yes, Father."
The council dispersed, and the crowd filtered out one by one.Kael and Derrick lingered behind, murmuring about the defense plans.
Kael soon left, but Derrick did not immediately return to his quarters.He stood at a crossroads, his gaze heavy, staring at a distant stone house.
Faint firelight spilled from within, casting two silhouettes standing side by side.
Leo leaned against the doorway, one hand braced against the wall, clearly not fully recovered.Selena stood next to him, speaking softly, her body leaning forward slightly in a gentle, almost tender posture. Leo listened quietly, occasionally smiling—a soft, unguarded smile.
That smile made Derrick's fists clench tightly, a dark fury roaring inside him.
Selena—The moment he first laid eyes on her, Derrick had known—she was meant to belong to him.
Cold, proud, impossibly beautiful.Such a woman could only be tamed by Derrick Thorne.
And yet she smiled at that broken waste.
He abruptly turned away, his cloak whipping in the wind, the night howling behind him.
Once back in his own quarters, Derrick immediately summoned a trusted subordinate.In a low voice, he gave his order:
"Send a letter. Make sure no one notices."
The subordinate slipped away into the night.Derrick picked up a cup of wine from the table, took a slow sip, and let a wicked grin spread across his lips.
"The plan that was stalled for three years... can finally begin again."