MasukRonan’s POVI turned down the hall, my cloak brushing the floor, and headed straight for the lower chambers where I’d left Eros.If the elders wanted proof, I’d give them a corpse.And after that, once Darren and Elara were nothing but blood and ash, the pack would finally be mine.The day for the search came like a wind. I moved ahead of the others, my boots scraping against the marble floor, my voice steady enough to hide the storm brewing underneath. The elders had gathered at dawn, their faces grim, their voices hushed. I walked at the head of the small search party, every step echoed like a heartbeat. Behind me, the elders whispered, the betas muttered, and I could feel their suspicion like a blade at my back.They insisted that we searched the house first, and even though that didn’t sit well with me, I had to agree. I turned left, toward the lower chamber, my pulse steady. If they found him now, it was over and I couldn't afford for that to happen.I was halfway down the hall
Ronan’s POVAnother elder scoffed softly. “You were always loyal to him, Ronan. But this story doesn’t fit.”“Why not?” I asked, just sharp enough to show offense, not guilt.“Because the last time we came to see him,” the guards said, “Ronan told us the king was resting. That was nearly ten days ago.”I clenched my jaw inwardly but kept my expression soft. “He was grieving. He didn’t want the council to see him that way. He thought it would make him look weak, I was only acting on his instructions.”“Perhaps,” Tavis said, “but now he’s vanished entirely. You understand how this looks?”“Yes,” I said quietly, “and it breaks my heart as much as yours.”They exchanged looks, silent conversations made of raised brows and half-frowns. I could see it: they didn’t believe a word I said. Finally, Elder Seran said, “We’ll be raising a search party. Until the king is found, alive or dead, no one assumes command of this pack. Not you, not anyone.”The words slid into my chest like a blade.“O
Ronan’s POV They’d just created more reasons for me to gut them both.I tightened my gloves, exhaled once, and nodded for my men to follow. “We’re leaving, we need to get them.”“Yes, sir,” one said quickly, jogging to keep up.We made it out to the main corridor. I moved fast, every step echoing off the stone walls, every nerve in my body alive with fury.But a part of me couldn't stop thinking about Eros, “Why was he taking so long to die?” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head. “You’re lucky bullets don’t kill Lycans. Otherwise, I’d have put one between your eyes weeks ago.”We continued walking, there were more important things to handle.We were halfway to the gates when a voice called out behind me.“Ronan!”It was one of the guards stationed outside. He jogged over, breathing hard. “The council of elders have gathered. They’re waiting for you.”I frowned, that was the exact news I’d been waiting for even though I didn’t want it to obstruct my movement. “They want answ
Ronan’s POVMy men and I bounced to where he was, and grabbed him, throwing him on the floor like the piece of trash he was. Kellen hit the floor with a heavy thud, coughing up blood and dirt. He tried to lift his head, but one of my men kicked him square in the gut, knocking the air right out of him. The sound that came out of him wasn’t even human, it was a cracked, wet choke.“Again,” I said quietly.They didn’t hesitate. Their fists landed against his flesh in a dull, brutal rhythm. The smell of blood and sweat thickened the air. I just stood there, my arms folded, watching them with not a flicker of sympathy. Not even satisfaction, just focus.“Talk,” I said finally, crouching beside him. My voice was calm, steady. That always scared them more than shouting did. “Where are they?”He lifted his head an inch, his right eye already swollen shut. “Go to hell.”I gave a small smile. “You first.” He spat on my face. I motioned to one of the guards, who brought over a bucket of col
Ronan’s POV I tilted my head, considering. “It’s not an insult if it’s true.”One of the men laughed quietly. The sound bounced around the room, sharp and cruel. I turned to him. “Watch him. If he talks, you hit him until he doesn’t.”Then I moved toward the adjoining room. I didn’t plan to, but something pulled me there. A whisper at the edge of my senses. A reminder that I still had one loose end left to cut.The door creaked open.And there Eros was. The mighty Lycan King, sprawled on the ground like a broken doll. His skin had gone pale, his lips almost gray. Sweat soaked his hair, and every few seconds his body twitched as the poison fought him from the inside. He wasn’t dead, but close. So very close and there was no way he could survive this. I crouched beside him, resting my elbows on my knees. “You’re still fighting, huh?” I said softly. “Always so stubborn. You don’t even know when to die.” I said. “You should’ve died when I burned them,” I whispered. “Would’ve saved u
Darren’s POVHer eyes flickered with uncertainty, but she nodded.We crept deeper into the woods, every sound amplified, the crunch of leaves, the whisper of wind, the pulse of fear in our veins.Minutes passed. Then an hour, maybe more. The forest stretched endlessly around us, dark and quiet.Finally, when even the distant echoes of the chase had faded, I stopped. My breath came ragged, shoulders heaving.I turned in a slow circle, scanning the shadows.“They’re gone,” I said, the words coming out low, raw.Elara exhaled shakily, sinking to her knees. “Are you sure?”I nodded. “I can’t hear him. I can’t hear any of them.”The silence was thick, heavy, almost mocking. Somewhere far off, an owl hooted.But Ronan was gone. His men were gone at least for now.I stared into the dark, my jaw tightening.“We’re not done,” I muttered.And with that, I grabbed Elara’s hand, dragging her to her feet as we disappeared deeper into the shadows, leaving behind the scent of blood, smoke, and betra







