Chapter 2. The Rogue Leader

* Cerberus *

  The music was so loud, it'd been ringing in my heightened wolf ears for hours. But we'd gotten used to it. My wolves and I had lived long enough in the city to adapt. We blended in with the humans, learned their ways, walked their streets. We lived like them, talked like them hell, we even worked alongside them.

  I owned a tavern tucked away on the outskirts of the city. It was just far enough from the central patrol routes to stay out of direct scrutiny, but close enough to stay in the loop. The place was always alive with chatter, laughter, and clinking glasses. My staff? A mix of humans and wolves. We followed human rules, put on our best smiles, filed taxes, and played friendly. But even then, the Alpha King's warriors always managed to sniff us out, like hounds following a trail that never quite went cold.

  "Alpha, there are three warriors sitting in the corner of the bar," a voice crackled through the intercom.

  I looked up from the mountain of papers scattered across my desk. The voice belonged to Andre, my head of security.

  "Shit. Again?" I rubbed my temples. "How many times is it this month?"

  There was a pause. Then, "More like the third time this week, Alpha. And... after what happened at Celine's place..."

  I clenched my jaw, the muscles ticking along my neck. Reaching for the remote, I turned the CCTV monitor toward me. The screen blinked to life, and there they were, three warriors clad in civilian clothes, pretending to nurse their drinks. But their eyes, those sharp, trained eyes, darted around the tavern like knives searching for a weakness in the armor.

  "Tell our guys to be careful," I said, voice low and firm. "Tell them to mask their scents. I don't want any incidents tonight. We've made it this far by staying invisible. We don't let them see us. Not now."

  "I'm just letting you know, Alpha," Andre said before ending the call.

  I leaned back in my swivel chair, letting the leather creak beneath me. The pressure in my head throbbed like a drum. The constant tension of living two lives, alpha and civilian, wolf and man, was enough to break anyone. But I didn't break.

  A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. The door opened before I could respond.

  "Good evening, Alpha."

  It was Kael, my Beta. A mountain of a man with shoulders like stone pillars, and a face that rarely gave anything away unless it was sarcasm or worry. Today, it was worry.

  "You're early," I said. "Factory workers got their pay sooner than expected?"

  Kael shrugged, stepping inside. "Yeah, barely got any profit from that place. But you insisted on keeping it."

  I smirked at his tired, exasperated tone. "You know why. Keeps our cover solid. Gives us a reason to exist in the system. The government sees paychecks, taxes, job creation. We look like heroes."

  "And yet..." he sighed dramatically, "beneath that terrifying frame and inked-up body lies the heart of a damn humanitarian. Helping poor humans get steady income. Admit it, boss, you're a secret softie."

  I narrowed my eyes playfully. "What do you want, Kael? You never butter me up unless you've got something ugly to drop."

  He leaned against the couch, arms folded. "I'm worried about Celine."

  I scoffed, the name tasting like ash in my mouth. "That bitch."

  Her betrayal still stung. She had stolen something from me, something valuable, personal. And then she had the audacity to think she could survive without my protection. Now? She'd paid for that arrogance. Or so I thought.

  "She was too damn proud," I muttered. "Thought she could make it on her own. That's why she lost to the Alpha of the West."

  Kael nodded. "But it's not just about her, boss. The Alpha King's eyes are on us now. We're rogues to him, no matter how human we act. We need to consider a long-term plan."

  I let out a heavy breath. "There's no plan that doesn't risk our people. We are survivors, Kael, not soldiers. Seeking an audience with the Alpha King? It's suicide. Especially if he learns the truth about my lineage."

  Kael sat up straighter, his face more serious now. "Then what if we don't go to him? What if we conquer instead? Take over the Western Pack. Their new Alpha may have taken down Celine's group, but he hasn't faced us."

  I shook my head immediately. "You're thinking with pride. His mate is the Alpha King's sister."

  Kael blinked. "You're kidding."

  "No. That's why he moved on Celine so confidently. He had royal backing. He took a trophy and made her his Luna. Now he's practically untouchable."

  "Shit..." Kael muttered. "That explains everything. Bastard won more than a war, he got a throne."

  I didn't respond. My mind was already spinning. Royal wolves weren't just strong, they were born to lead, descendants of the First Howl. Their power was legendary. But even so, I'd tear the earth apart if it meant protecting my wolves.

  Kael leaned forward. "About what Celine stole... you really let it go?"

  My hands tightened into fists. "I had to. She's probably dead now."

  "Maybe not," Kael said, voice softer. "There's a rumor. She was taken alive, prisoner. She's locked in the dungeons of the West."

  My heart skipped a beat. If Celine was alive, she was surviving. Manipulating. Bargaining. And if she had it, she could twist the power it held into something dangerous. I couldn't allow that.

  A knock interrupted the heavy silence, and the door opened without waiting for a reply. Lory stepped in.

  Tall. Beautiful. Barely clothed in a red bra and matching thong, heels clicking softly on the floor. She's a dancer in the tavern. Kael whistled low.

  "Damn, Lory. You trying to give a man a heart attack?"

  She rolled her eyes. "I'm not here for you."

  Her gaze locked on mine, teasing smile in place. I smirked, gesturing to Kael.

  "Out Kael, give us a minute."

  Kael groaned. "Why am I never included in the fun?"

  He slipped out, and Lory stepped forward, perching herself gracefully on my desk. Her flirtatious air vanished the moment the door shut.

  Her smile faded. Her shoulders slumped. Her eyes lowered.

  "My mom's in the hospital, boss."

  I rolled back in my chair, giving her space. No games now.

  I knew her story. Her mother had been battling cancer for years. In and out of treatment. A war she couldn't fight alone.

  Without a word, I pulled open the drawer and wrote her a check.

  "Here. This should cover it."

  Tears welled up in her eyes as she took the slip of paper. "Thank you," she whispered, voice breaking. "I owe you my mother's life."

  "Don't ruin the check. It'll bounce if it gets wet," I muttered.

  She let out a choked laugh. "You're actually charming, boss. If only you'd cut your hair and ditch some of those tattoos..."

  I rolled my eyes, watching her walk to the door. She stopped before leaving, looked over her shoulder.

  "You're a good man, Cerberus."

  The door shut behind her.

  I sat in silence, the weight of a hundred decisions pressing down on my shoulders. Celine. The Alpha of the West. The King. My people. The thing she stole.

  I could feel the storm gathering.

  And I knew, soon, I'd have to choose between hiding and fighting. And I am good with both. But if Celine is alive, I have to find a way to get her out and take the thing that she stole from me. For me it was an important item, even more important than her life. Saving her, means taking it back.

  If she is confined in the dungeons, I have a chance to take her without alerting the Alpha house of the West and would only involve a few warriors.