Blessed Praise의 작품

Crystal’s POVI crossed my arms, pacing slowly in front of them, each step echoing with purpose. “No,” I finally said. “We don’t kill him in five minutes. That’s too rushed. Too suspicious. We need time—leverage.”Lucy arched an eyebrow. “Leverage?”I turned to her. “Yes. We give him a poison… one that doesn’t kill instantly, but slowly. A week. Just enough to make him weak, disoriented, terminal. He won’t know what’s happening at first. By the time he realizes it, it’ll be too late.”Thorne’s brows furrowed. “And what do we gain from that?”I smiled faintly. “Everything. In that week, we send a letter to Elena. Say her dying father wishes to see her one last time—make it dramatic, emotional, whatever it takes to lure her in.”Lucy’s lips curled with intrigue, catching on quickly. “And while she comes thinking she’ll say goodbye…”“She walks into our hands,” I finished for her. “No fight. No chase. Just a girl walking straight into her own trap.”Thorne let out a low whistle, both imp

Elena POV The words hung in the air like a challenge—sharp, cold, and non-negotiable.“Show me.”Alpha Regal’s tone wasn’t angry. It wasn’t demanding. It was worse than that. It was indifferent, like if I failed, he wouldn’t even be surprised. Like I was just another exaggerated tale from the border, another ghost story brought to life.My palms were damp as I slowly rose from my seat.“Are you certain?” Ryan asked from behind me, voice low but firm.I glanced over my shoulder and gave him a nod. “If I don’t show them now, we’ve already lost.”“Whatever happens, it won't change a thing, remember.”Je whispered, and then with a small nod. I smiled softly then turned away. I stepped out into the open space at the center of the council chamber. The cold stone floor grounded me, even as every pair of eyes in that room watched me with dissecting precision.I closed my eyes and exhaled slowly.You’ve done this before. You know what it feels like.But this time, there was no fear. Just cl

Elena POVThe leather straps of the harness bit slightly into my shoulders as I adjusted them tighter. My jacket was fastened, my boots laced, and my dagger sheathed along my thigh. I was ready—or as ready as I could be for what lay ahead.The house was quiet, save for the distant shuffle of footsteps—Ryan and Trevor, moving through the hall like the shadows they’d trained to be. I stood by the doorway of my room, eyes fixed on the small mirror beside it. The reflection staring back wasn’t the same girl who arrived at the Star Raiders half-alive and running. There was steel in her now.A knock pulled me from my thoughts. The door opened and Ryan stepped in, dressed in his black combat jacket, the crest of the pack pinned over his chest. “You good?”I gave a quick nod. “As I’ll ever be.”His gaze swept over me, lingering for a second too long on my eyes. “You don’t have to prove anything, Elena. This meeting… it’s political. Not a battlefield.”I shrugged. “And yet, I still have a targ

Crystal’s POVThe hall felt colder today. The same white stone walls, the same silver torches crackling with pale fire—but the tension, the weight of expectations, made the air thick and heavy.Thorne stood beside me, calm as ever, arms behind his back. I, on the other hand, was rigid with anticipation. We had presented our request last night—an additional wave of two hundred warriors to reinforce our frontlines before the assault on the Star Raiders.Now, we waited.Zaphyr sat tall on his throne. He wore a simple black coat lined with white fur, his expression unreadable as his eyes flicked between us. Lucy stood beside him, unmoving. There was a long silence, stretching the tension in the room.Finally, Zaphyr spoke.“My answer is no.”My brows pinched. “Excuse me?”“You asked for more warriors beyond the two hundred already dispatched. I said no,” he repeated, voice smooth and final. “You’ll use what you already have.”I didn’t speak right away. I looked to Thorne, who barely rea

Ryan’s POVThe war room was filled with tension. I sat at the head of the long table, flanked by Trevor on one side and Elena on the other. Aria stood behind me, arms folded tight. We all waited to hear the feedback Elder Chorwin got. Elder Chorwin stepped forward, holding a thick scroll in his hand. Then he opened it. “I’ve received word from the Iron Fangs,” he announced, his voice loud and clear. “They have acknowledged our message and responded through one of their messengers this morning.”Trevor leaned forward. “What did they say?”Chorwin met our eyes one by one before he continued. “They are open to discussing an alliance… but they have conditions.”Of course they did. They always do.“What is it?” I exhaled sharply. “The first,” he said, “is that there must be only two representatives from our side attending. They wish for neutrality and minimal exposure. And they named who they want—Ryan, and any one man of your choosing.”My jaw tightened, but I gave a single nod. “Und

Thorne's POVI stood in the barracks, the smell of steel and sweat thick in the air. Kael, one of my most trusted warheads, waited before me with some important information. Kael beside being my most trusted warheads, was practically the only man I have ever trusted and he didn't let me down. He’d followed me from the beginning, even when I was just a pampered son of an Alpha. He gave a stiff nod. “Zephyr held his end of the deal, he gave us two two hundred warriors and twelve scouts. I didn’t answer right away. I stared past him at the stretch of men training in the yard,white snow warriors. Two hundred wasn't a bad number. It puts us at an advantage to Star Raiders, but i wasn't still not sure if it enough to put me at ease.Star Raiders posses the most skilled men of all packs, this number would be enough against any other pack but them.And their quality?” I finally asked.Kael scratched his chin. “Better than what I expected.But still from what I see they lack motivation. F