Chapter V

“By kissing fear, I give birth to something morbidly beautiful.”

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“We need to expand.”

Keilo stated. His eyes were glued on the map.

“But, my Alpha, I don’t think we are fully equipped to start a war and we cannot disregard the treaty, it’s punishable by law.”

Benedict bowed.

“Do you really think the King would give a fuck? For all, we fucking know he might as well be dead and the council is ruling.”

Their Alpha spat.

Keilo hated the Arche, They had abandoned them and watched their own kingdom burn through endless civil wars. He had seen the residue of prosperity as a child but over the years they started to slowly neglect the people. Corruption was a weed planted by humans among their kind, their instincts taken over by greed and pride.

But Keilo believed he wasn’t like that, that power meant nothing to him. That what he had done was no sin but for his people.

“I worry the Custodian might rain her blades upon us we can’t-“

“BENEDICT! It has been more than a few decades since World War III, I would think the Custodian is more than bones in the graveyard.” Keilo snapped.

Benedict closed his mouth and bowed his head.

Keilo turned around not before seeing from his side that Benedict made a hand gesture, hand flat and slanted to the side, placing it upon his chest and dragging it sideways, to show silent respect towards the Custodian.

He snorted in disbelief ignoring his high rank. He was one of those believers treating a dead Savior as if it was a god.

Placing his hands on the map he contemplated. He felt frustrated they were running out of supplies, their land was slowly dying, everything had stopped growing, it was as if they were being plagued. No one knew why outside their territory the plants were unaffected by such disease. Everything was dying. He needed to act fast.

Nail morphed into a claw as he used it to circle a small gray area.

“There, I need you to gather my men and proceed to scout,” Keilo said.

Benedict glanced at the location, and made a face.

“What now?” Keilo growled.

“But my Alpha, it would be a mockery to claim such sacred grounds, we can’t just scout there as if blood was not spilled on those soil.”

Keilo roared in frustration, as he yanked Benedict’s face close to his.

“You’re pissing me off. Everything we’ve been doing for the last couple of years has blurred morality and righteousness, no one gives a fuck.”

Averting his eyes Benedict could feel how deep down Keilo wanted an excuse to start a fight. It had been 2 years since he had taken over, people had assumed his reign would bring prosperity and security, but none was still delivered.

Keilo shoved his face off.

Stumbled, Benedict offered a piece of advice instead.

“My Alpha, why don’t we send word to the Arche about our plans, it does not matter if they respond or not, what matters is we have a paper trail and their silence had to lead us to resort to our “Independence from them.”

“Very well send word.”