Chapter 6

Bloodhowl Pack 

Smell of blood lingers in the air as I and my Beta — Riven examine the young wolf's corpse. Guards watching from a distance. 

“Tell me Riven, am I not capable enough?”, I asked, frustration laced in my voice. “The rogues attack are getting too much and my people are starting to wonder if I am proficient” 

“You are capable Cade, maybe we just have a spy among us” 

“Huh, you think so?” I asked flatly 

“I guess”. 

Disappointed, we headed back to the Pack.

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I walked into the room and glanced at the window. Floods of memories hitting me. 

The table would be too nice a spot for her. The girl disgusts me and I can't wait till she Crawls into the grave like her useless parents”.

Seven years later, my words still echoed with regret. What I said made her run and that was the last time I  saw her.

“If you think that this means I get to forget everything then you are mistaken”. 

“You never had me Cade, Not in the way that matters, you were just the loudest voice in a world that silenced mine”. 

Her words haunted me like a plague, will she ever forgive me ?. After everything I have done to her. 

But all I want is her forgiveness and to claim her as MINE.  

I was still in my world of thought when one of my trusted guards knocked, I hum a reply and he entered, spilling the news. 

“Alpha, one of the rogues we found yesterday is yet to confess, after all the torturing he still refused to tell us who sent them”. 

“Lead me to the torture room” I replied, my voice a bit raspy. 

♧♧♧♧♧

“Ha ha ha ha, you think I will reveal to you who sent us ?”, the shattered man covered in blood with a dishevelled appearance growled  — rogue.

“No, I'm not expecting you to confess easily” with a smirk plastered on my face, I faced the nearest guard to me, “hand me the hot steel” 

“You will burn me?, no matter what you do, you will never get the truth out of me” 

In a swift moment, I burned his face and a loud scream erupted in the four corners of the slightly dimmed room. 

“Watch out Alpha Cade, No matter what you do more is coming and it will destroy you” after saying his last statement, he burst, his bloods and intestines spilling everywhere 

Shocked is an understatement, I am horrified at what just happened 

“Only a witch can make this happen, a witch is involved” I faced the guards also staring with pure shock on their face 

“Find me all living witches and bring them to my feet”. I thundered, power lacing in my voice as I walked out. 

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"Who is in the shadows, throwing darkness in my light?" I groaned, exhaustion seeping into my bones.

 The weight of the day's discoveries bore down on me, and I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

It's past noon, and I've spent the morning devouring legends about witches, but found nothing conclusive. 

As I opened the 25th book, 'Witches and Vampires,' curiosity got the better of me. I flipped through its pages, scanning line by line. 

What caught my attention was the stark revelation: their lineage had been wiped out, and the few remaining members had been hiding for decades, stripped of their power.

I was stunned—amazed, even. Their bloodlines were all but extinct, and the survivors were likely too afraid to come out of hiding.

As I closed the book, memories of my coronation day flooded my mind. 

The joy, the celebration, the sense of purpose – it all felt like a lifetime ago. Now, the weight of this threatened to overshadow it.

"I stepped out into the corridor, the guards falling into step beside me. We walked through, passing by the maids quarters — each rushing and bowing as they felt my presence.

The palace had grown quieter these past few days. Not the usual, comfortable quiet of order, but a strained silence, like the air itself was holding its breath. 

We turned another corner, heading toward the eastern wing—the place where the guards combat and train 

A maid dropped her basket when she saw me coming. The apples scattered across the floor, rolling in all directions.

 She stammered an apology, trembling as if expecting punishment.

I knelt beside her, picking up a crimson apple.

“Don’t be afraid,” I said, handing it back. “No harm done.”

She looked at me then, truly looked—eyes wide with something between awe and confusion. “Thanks, Your Highness” 

She  gathered her things, and fled before I could change my mind. 

I stood there, still holding one of the apples. I took a bite and we resumed our walk to the eastern wing. 

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After what felt like hours, I was back in my chamber — preparing to call it a day. 

 But I can feel her, smell her. She is closer and coming to me. A smile crept on my face as I imagined. 

I knew she would be back, she can't stay away for long. I was still in my world of delusion when I heard a knock. 

“Alpha, Ayla Rowan is here to see you and she's waiting in the garden” 

I heard the voice of Kay— my guard. 

_________

“I knew you'd be back Ayla, you will always come back to me”  I uttered, a smirk and a hint of amusement in my voice. 

I looked at her—studied her face for a sign, a flicker of emotion, anything that would give her away. 

But her expression shifted too quickly, like the wind changing direction. Whatever she felt, she buried it well.

But what she said next shocked me, no stung — a stung in my damn heart.