The heavy wooden door of the meeting room closed, muffling the sounds of the bustling headquarters beyond. Inside, the air was cool and dimly lit, the only illumination coming from the low-hanging industrial lights that cast deep shadows across the long table.
The faint scent of sandalwood and smoke filled the room, mixing with the ever-present tang of danger. A man sat at the head of the table, one hand lazily draped over the armrest of his chair. In his other hand, he held a glass of amber whiskey. He leaned back on his chair, his sharp eyes fixed on the map of the city spread across the table, its streets lined in red and black. His light brown hair fell on his forehead. Around him, his trusted inner circle debated strategies, voices bouncing off the high brick walls of their headquarters.
To his right sat Milo, a quiet omega, absorbed in her tablet. Her fingers danced over the screen, pulling up maps and encrypted data feeds with an almost clinical precision.
Rowan Vale, a beta, sat opposite Milo. He wore a sharp three-piece suit, his glasses glinting under the harsh lights as he looked at the reports.
A few other trusted members lingered near the edges—Jax, an alpha, Nico, a beta, Kade, an alpha, and Talon, also an alpha.
They are THE WOLF MARKS, one of the most dangerous and deadliest gangs in the underworld. The man sitting at the center of the table is the leader of this gang, KAEL VESCARI, an alpha. Although not the founder of the gang, he is the one who expanded its influence in the underworld and made The Wolf Mark one of the most powerful gangs to exist.
"The Ash Fangs," Milo muttered in the quiet room. "They aren't just causing ripples anymore; they burned down one of our warehouses last night. No survivors."
"They have gone too far this time. We can't let this go on like this anymore," Rowan said with a frown on his face.
Talon looked up, brow furrowing. "It's not just us. They've been attacking other groups, too."
Nico's brow furrowed, his voice even. " They're making a play to unify the underworld… under them."
"Looks like they are planning to go on an all-out war," Kade said.
A deep, cold voice rang in the room as Kael said," If they want a war, then we will give it to them."
"After all, they still owe me a debt, a debt of life," Kael said with a cold voice that sent a shiver down the spine of the people present in the room.
The entire room fell into silence. There was one thing on everyone's mind: the Ash Fangs.
After some time, Rowen broke the silence," There will be a meeting in two days in the Cruz club. All the gang leaders are coming to discuss the matter of the Ash Fangs. If we are going to prepare for a war against them, then we need to make more allies."
Jax spoke up, his voice low and brimming with disdain. "We don't need their help. We've never needed help from anyone to break bones or end threats."
Milo's eyes lifted from her screen. "It's not about needing help to break bones, Jax. The Ash Fangs are cutting off everyone's trade and supplies. If we stand alone, we're next."
Jax's jaw tightened. "I don't care about that—The Wolf Mark bows to no one. We're stronger than every one of those lapdogs they've been bullying."
Kael, who had been listening silently at the head of the table, finally shifted in his seat.
"Jax," he said softly, his tone calm but edged with steel."True strength isn't in standing alone—it's in knowing when to forge alliances that ensure the pack survives."
Kade's lips curled into a half-smile. "You're suggesting an alliance," he said, more amused than surprised. "Since when do we play nice with others?"
Kael's dark eyes settled on him, calm and unflinching. " He is the one who decided to challenge everyone, not just us."
He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low murmur that carried a razor's edge. "The Ash Fangs aren't just another gang—they're consolidating power. If they control the trade routes and the supply chains, it won't matter how strong we are. We'll be starved out, piece by piece."
A beat of silence stretched out, heavy with understanding.
Kael straightened, his fingers tapping lightly on the table. "We don't have to like them," he said softly. "We just need to stand together long enough to put the Ash Fangs in the ground."
Jax let out a frustrated huff, but he didn't argue again. The others shared glances, reading each other's thoughts in the tense silence.
Kael's eyes glinted with cold resolve. "Tonight's meeting isn't just a gathering. It's the first step in deciding who we trust to watch our backs… and who will be the first to die if they don't."
After a moment of silence, Nico Lore, the arm dealer of the gang, cleared his throat. "So… who's going to this alliance meeting, then?"
Milo pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "You're going, Kael. They'll expect the Wolf Mark's alpha to show his face. And I think Rowen should go too."
Kade, ever watchful, idly flipped a knife between his fingers. "I'll come too. Just in case things get… interesting."
Kael nodded faintly. "Alright. That leaves one more seat open. Who else?"
" If we are going to that place, then I am going too," Jax said with a gloomy face
A faint smirk tugged at Talon's lips. "You know, they say the Crimson Vultures will be there too. A gang that climbed to the top of the underworld in just five years. It's kinda impressive if you ask me."
"They certainly are interesting. To climb to the top in such a short time, we have to be careful of them," Rowen said
"I am more interested in their leader. He never shows his face. If he wants to ally with others, then he has to come there personally to show sincerity," Nico said.
Talon shrugged and said," Who knows. I did not get any information on this mysterious leader. I am just as curious as you are about this."
A beat of silence stretched in the room before Kael's lips curved into a cold, deliberate smile. "Let's see what secrets this alliance meeting has to reveal."
On the other side of the world, a man leaned on the railing of the balcony of a sleek hotel suite, the late-night skyline of the foreign city stretching out behind him in a haze of neon lights and drifting fog. A gentle breeze rustled the tailored lines of his charcoal-gray suit, the lapels perfectly pressed, a faint sheen of expensive fabric catching the moonlight.
His neck-length hair, dark as ink, falling in soft waves to his jawline, framed his sharp features. High cheekbones, a straight nose, and slightly plump lips —he was the kind of man who drew eyes without ever trying.
A lit cigarette dangled between his elegant fingers, smoke curling in lazy spirals as he took a slow drag. His amber eyes, flecked with hints of gold in the city's glow, were calm and distant—like a man who'd learned to watch the world without letting it touch him.
A man's voice crackled through the phone speaker, a faint static overlaying his deep, measured tone. "Boss, we've just confirmed the Ash Fangs have struck again. They hit two of our storage facilities last night."
A soft but heavy sigh was heard from the other end of the phone. The man spoke again when he did not hear any answer from the other side, "It's not just us. They've been making moves on everyone else, too. There's going to be a meeting in two days, and all the other gangs will be present. Will you… Be there, boss?"
The man was silent for a moment, eyes narrowed as he studied the distant skyline. He spoke after some time, his tone calm but thoughtful. "I'm tied up here, and I might not make it back in time."
A barely audible sigh could be heard in the quiet atmosphere. "Understood. Do you want me to represent us?"
"Of course," The man replied, flicking ash from his cigarette with a flick of his wrist. "Handle the meeting, Lucas. Make sure they know we're not backing down, even if I'm not there in person."
Lucas chuckled softly. "Got it. I'll handle it."
After ending the phone call, the man took one last drag of his cigarette and stubbed it out, his amber eyes gleaming as he looked at the night sky.