Chapter six

Bella's POV

“An alpha should know when to be a coward and when his people's desperate pleas for justice should touch him!”

“A highborn heir, a firstborn and rightful apparent to the throne should fight for his justice when it is being denied him!”

“An alpha prince gets trials! He doesn't just get banished after being accused of a crime, regardless of what it might be… but that wasn’t the case with you, Draven."  I went on despite knowing that I was at his mercy. That I was only surviving the night, not bound or in chains at Moonstone pack because of him.

“You were banished before you could even defend yourself! Your brother had wanted to execute you before the banishment sentence was chosen instead. Are you just going to sit back and watch as everything you deserve as an alpha prince goes over to your brother and his son?”

“How bold of you! Remember that you are merely being allowed to stay in our encampment. How dare you say that to the Lord?” a rogue’s voice shot at me from behind, sharp as a blade drawn too quickly.

But I didn't care to note that nor listen.

I knew it was only going to be for the night. Draven’s eyes had said so when he allowed me pass through their gates before he locked it. He hadn't said anything, but I knew that he didn't want me here.

“Year after year, Moonstone pack suffers from severe famine and hunger. The people gnash their teeth at the leaders. The pack is buried in debt. Even when I became the Luna, it never stopped! It took me years to stabilize the pack because of how unfrugal its rulers are. Do tell me… is that how leaders are meant to be?”

A rogue turned his back at me and gritted his teeth. I paused as he obstructed me, almost running into him save for how I had stopped myself.

“The Lord is busy. He will not hear any more of this nonsense you're spitting!” he snapped once again, his tone laced with warning.

None of the guards behind him said anything.

Only him.

The one who stood closest to Draven.

He leaned towards me, his lips hovering just inches away from my ear, his breath cold, threatening.

“I know what you're trying to do, kid… and I won't let you. I won't let you incite my master to go for a war that would only benefit you and whatever sickened thoughts you have.”

He turned and continued walking directly behind Draven as we moved deeper into their encampment, as though he had already decided my words were worthless.

I kept quiet for a while, biding my next speech.

If this man thought he could scare me off with empty threats, then he was in for a surprise.

“Everyone knows how marginalized most rogues are. Many were even banished from their packs without due justice. Many were pronounced as saboteurs, outlaws, and the moon’s cursed! And many have been exiled because of the crimes they committed… but not all of them deserved it.”

My voice didn’t shake.

Not even once.

“Are you going to continue whiling away your time here while the whole wolf kingdoms believe that you are a traitor to your own pack?”

I didn’t stop.

And I sure as hell wasn’t scared of what Draven might do to me.

For daring to speak to him in this manner.

In his abode.

In the presence of his rogues.

He paused.

And so did I.

So did the guards behind me.

So did the rogue who had been shadowing him like a second skin.

The air shiftted.

I could feel it pressing against my lungs, making each breath slower and harder.

He turned and faced me.

I could notice everyone holding their breath.

I could feel their anxiousness seeping into my bones, crawling beneath my skin like a living thing.

I should be scared.

This was the demon everyone whispered about.

I should fear for my life, considering that I was from Moonstone pack—his mortal enemy.

But somehow…

I didn’t.

I had already taken too many risks to turn back now.

I had already placed my life on the line the second I ran away from Moonstone pack.

So what use was hiding now?

What use was fear… when I had nothing left to lose?

“Do you not realize whose presence you are before?” Draven asked as he began to walk closer towards me.

Like a predator closing in on his prey.

Like how Ronan was… except that Draven was worse.

Larger and more imposing.

A massive body, shoulders so broad they could swallow my entire frame in shadow.

The rogue behind him shifted, stepping aside to give him space to pass. I could see the hesitation in his movements—how he wanted to pacify him—but Draven did not look like a man who could be pacified.

And so, he moved.

“How dare you,” he added, his voice lower now… more dangerous, as he closed the space between us completely.

Before I could react, his hand shot out, gripping my jaw tightly as he tilted my head up to meet his gaze.

It was formidable.

Under the moonlight, his eyes locked onto mine—heartless, merciless… as though he could devour me in the next instant.

“The rogues were nothing centuries ago,” I said, even as his hold tightened. “They were merely thieves… assassins… men who could be hired by merchants to commit any abominable act just to survive—as long as they were fed.”

His gaze narrowed slightly, but he didn’t interrupt.

“But you…” I continued, my voice steady despite the danger curling around me, “you raised them. You made them formidable. You made them feared in all wolf kingdoms.”

His grip didn’t loosen.

“You are the only one befitting of the alpha crown of Moonstone pack, Draven. You alone… and not your twin brother. It is time to fight to reclaim what is yours.”

His fingers began to loosen on my jaw, but he hadn’t let go of it completely.

“How many more of your rogues would you have to sacrifice while retreating from fighting Moonstone pack?” I pressed on, refusing to back down. “How many more of them do you plan to lose just because you do not want war?”

My voice hardened.

“When you send them retreating… as Ronan sends his assassins… all because you do not want to provoke a war?”

That did it.

My last words seemed to strike something deeper.

Not just in him but in the men behind him as well.

They stilled.

Every single one of them.

Draven’s grip loosened further before he finally let go of my jaw completely.

Then he turned away.

“Only you are worthy of being alpha,” I repeated, softer this time… but no less firm.

He didn’t look at me.

For a brief moment, it felt like the world itself had paused—waiting.

Then he began to walk.

“You can stay the night,” he muttered, pausing just slightly before continuing forward, his back still turned to me.

His rogues followed closely behind him.

A slow smile spread across my lips as relief washed over me in waves.

I was finally going to have my revenge.

Draven’s rogue wolves, the very ones under his command had killed my parents in a battle at the borders years ago.

As warriors, they had gone with Ronan to quell rogue activity.

And that was where they died.

Now i wouldn’t just destroy Ronan.

I would use his own uncle to destroy him.

And then I would destroy Draven after.

Killing two birds with one stone.

That would be the nature of my revenge from now on.

“Are you coming or not?” a voice snapped, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I raised my head quickly and rushed toward the rogue who was now leading me to where I would stay.

This was only the beginning, I thought as I followed, bidding for the time to set my next plan in motion.