Chapter 10: Betrayal?

Thorne’s POV

I stopped walking as soon as I got to a clearing in the forest. It was dark and silent. The only light was the faint glow of the moon.

I stood for a while, listening for any sounds or presence. When I was sure everything was fine, I pushed the hood that covered my head down to fall over my shoulders.

“You can come out now.” I called out into the darkness.

At first, there was nothing.

Then I heard a twig snap and a small rustle.

“You're late.” A voice snapped.

I turned, coming face-to-face with a man that I knew I shouldn't be with.

Alpha Idris.

I frowned. “I had things I was attending to.”

Alpha Idris chuckled and stared me down. He was trying to remind me of my position.

I lowered my gaze briefly. “I wasn't sure you would honor my request.”

Alpha Idris nodded. “I wasn’t sure either. But something tells me you have a pleasing offer; if not, you wouldn't have requested an audience.

I nodded and clasped my hands behind me.

“There is a matter of urgency I would like to settle.” I started.

Alpha Idris narrowed his gaze on me.

“I wonder what could have been so urgent that would make you go against your king to talk to me. I am well aware that rogue monster would rip off your head if he discovered you are here, talking with me.”

I growled at the insult he dished at Caelan.

He was right. I was going against Caelan; in fact, it could be considered a betrayal, as I was about to make a deal with Caelan's sworn enemy, but I believed this was for his own good.

The bad blood between Idris and Caelan was beyond Caelan being a rogue wolf.

In fact, Idris was the main reason Caelan went rogue.

Alpha Idris had been Caelan’s father's close friend. He was the one who spearheaded the attack against his friend's pack and burnt it to the ground, along with killing him and his family.

The only survivor was Caelan.

I knew this, but more than the history, I wanted to protect Caelan.

If Caelan desired to be the strongest in the realm, holding that prisoner by his side would not help him achieve it.

My blood boiled just thinking about that girl.

Lyra.

That's what her name is. Everything about her disgusted me. She had the type of look that could ensnare any man, and I believed she was trying to manipulate Caelan to distract him.

The faster she gets dragged away from his side, the better for Caelan.

“I have an offer. There is a female wolf in the territory right now. She is of Alpha blood and might be useful to you. I want to trade her in exchange for an army.”

Alpha Idris chuckles. “A girl. In exchange for an army?”

“Not just the girl, I promise to be under your command when you need me. I will push off Caelan’s attacks against your people.”

Alpha Idris narrows his gaze. “This girl, who is she that you would be willing to betray your king?”

“She's no one. In fact, she is nothing but a pain. I want her gone.” I said, Salty.

After a short moment of silence, the Alpha nodded.

“Fine.” I will save you an army, and don't forget your promise. You must also get me an army when I need one.

I nodded. “Yes.”

Alpha Idris made a low grunt and backed away. He slipped into the shadows, and in a matter of minutes, he was gone.

****

I spent the next few days secretly putting an army together. Caelan was in the dark about it.

I had to make the men swear their secrecy, knowing that the minute Caelan knew about the army, we would all be dead. However, Caelan was sensitive and must have sensed something because it was less than a few days after that he called me to his study.

“Something is going on.” Caelan said with a frown. “The warriors are divided.”

Fear raced through me. “What do you mean?”

Caelan sighed.

“I'm not sure if I can see it right, but I feel the tension between my men. It feels like there is something else going on.”

“I'm sure it's just an assumption.” I said.

“No!” Caelan said. “The leader gave me a report; he told me some of the men go missing at odd hours, and some are getting more aggressive.

I nodded. “I also got a report.”

I paused for a second, my mind working on what I could say to dismiss Caelan’s conviction.

“The men are getting frustrated. They believe Lyra, the girl, is a distraction. They want her gone.”

Caelan frowned. “She has not been a problem to the pack.”

I shook my head. “It may not be now, but she will definitely be a hindrance to our plan.”

A knock on the door interrupts our conversation.

“Come in,” Caelan called out.

The door opens, and a girl walks in.

It was Lyra. This was my first time meeting her in close proximity. I have only seen her from a distance while I investigated her.

She bowed slightly and said, “You called for me.”

“Yes, I did.” Caelan replied. “I wanted to speak to you.”

He looked at me. “Thorne. This is Lyra; she came along with us from the Moonveil pack.”

I nodded, avoiding her gaze. I knew if I looked at her, I wouldn't be able to hide my hate.

Caelan continued. “We will talk later.” He said dismissively.

I nodded and stepped out, but not before I saw the look of excitement that crossed Caelan’s face.

There was something between them, a kind of chemistry that was almost too large to ignore.

I was right. That girl was dangerous.

I moved away from Caelan’s office towards the training grounds.

Now that Caelan was suspicious, I needed to be careful. We would have to suspend all operations until there were no more suspicions raised.