The Attack

Sebastian’s POV:

Fuck.

Did she find out about I and Mona?

If she knew about that, this was bad. Really bad.

"Found out?" I asked, trying to hide the panic creeping into my voice.

"Yes, Uncle. I already know about everything." Keisha slowly removed my hands from her shoulders and held them in her own. "Kade told me.”

"Kade?" Shock laced my voice as my brows furrowed.

What could Kade possibly know about I and Mona?

"Yes, Uncle." She continued. "Kade told me about the recent attacks that have been going on in the pack. He said you’d even asked him to fetch the head guard? Earlier tonight?"

"Oh." I let out a breath of relief as the words left her mouth.

My heavily pounding heart slowed as my panic subsided. This wasn’t about I and Mona.

It was about something far more significant. Something that was supposed to be a secret.

For a few weeks, just before Keisha announced her engagement, there had been reports of anonymous attacks across the pack. Werewolves and hybrids being found dead—on the streets, in their homes, even at the worship temples.

We had hidden it from Keisha, thinking we would get it under control before the wedding preparations began. We didn't want to spoil her big day. But the attacks continued.

And what made it worse was that the victims showed no signs of a physical struggle. No wounds, no claw marks. Just bodies left bluish-pale, cold, and close to death. No matter what the pack doctors tried, they couldn't bring them back.

That led us to only one suspicion: sorcerers.

The attacks had the markings of dark magic, but we couldn't understand how they were breaching our land. As far as I knew, sorcerers had been extinguished from Nightfang Pack years ago. Magic had been prohibited after what happened with Keisha's mother.

We had no idea how they had gotten in, or how they were gaining access to our households. We were meant to keep this from Keisha—at least until after the wedding.

But unfortunately, Kade couldn't keep a damn secret.

"Yes, Uncle." Fear flickered across her face as she squeezed my hands. "I know all about it. So, were you informed of another one? Was that why you stormed out?"

"Well..." I dragged the word out, letting out a heavy sigh before the lie came. "Yes. I received another message from Beta Charles. Another household was attacked last night."

"Damn." She gasped, shaking her head. "A whole household?"

"Yes, Keisha." I tightened my grip on her hands, solidifying the lie. "But..but you don't need to worry. I've spoken to the head guard. We're on top of it. The perpetrators will be found soon enough."

"Hm." She sighed. "I really hope so, Uncle Sebastian. The wedding preparations are still—"

"I said you don't have to worry, Keisha. Trust me when I say this." I kept my voice firm but reassuring.

"Okay, Uncle." She nodded, looking away, the worry still evident on her face.

I placed my hand under her chin and tilted her face back toward me. "Trust me."

With a final nod, she wrapped her arms around me. I didn't return the hug, just rubbed my palm against her back in response. After a short moment, she stepped back and wished me goodnight.

I gave a curt nod as she turned to leave. But the moment her hand touched the doorknob, I knew there was still a ticking bomb I had to defuse. I needed to handle the Mona situation before someone found out something they shouldn't.

"Keisha." I called, my voice stopping her cold.

She froze, her hand still on the knob. "Hm?"

"I'd like you to make new arrangements for your friend's chambers..” I said, before clearing my throat. "..Mona."

"Mona?" Confusion laced her voice as she slowly turned to face me.

"Yes." My tone left no room for argument.

"But why?" Her brows furrowed. "She deserves the best guest chamber. She's the bride's best friend."

"The guest wing is too close to the outer perimeter. With the recent attacks, it’s not safe.” I lied, already turning away from her.

I knew damn well that wasn’t why I wanted her moved.

“And what if she asks why she’s being moved, do I tell her that?” Keisha asked.

“I believe we should keep the news of the attacks as low-key as possible.” I mode in disagreement. “The last thing we want is to spread fear in the minds of our guests.”

Silence stretched between us. She stood frozen, watching me select clothes from the wardrobe. After a moment, she let out a deep, frustrated breath before finally speaking again.

“I’ll think of something.”

And with that, she yanked the door open and slammed it shut behind her.

*******

*THE NEXT DAY*

"We have gathered a list of possible suspects, Alpha." Elder Orion slid a scroll across the ceremonial table toward me.

The elders and I were gathered for our weekly meeting in the early hours of the next morning. A list of possible sorcerers and dark magic practitioners—those responsible for the recent attacks—had been compiled and presented on the round table in the ceremonial hall.

"And you believe the perpetrators are on this list?" I scanned the names.

"Precisely, Alpha." Another elder nodded.

“Well then, excellent.” I stood, rolling up the scroll and handing it to one of the elders—a final statement to close the meeting. “They will be brought by the guards for interrogation by sunset. After that, we’ll know the next step to take.”

“As the Alpha wishes,” they said in unison, bowing to me. With that, I pushed back my chair and stepped away from the table.

The doors of the ceremonial hall were opened wide as I approached, and I stepped through, leaving the elders and members of the court behind.

I had a destination in mind. Something that needed to be handled before it spiraled out of control.

Kade’s chambers.

I made it three steps before I stopped.

What exactly was I going to say to him? Stop looking at her? Stop making her laugh? She’s mine?

She wasn’t mine. She was a guest. A complication. A woman I’d told to pretend we never happened.

So why did the thoughts of his hand on her make me want to put my fist through a wall?

I dragged a hand down my face. This was pathetic. I was the Alpha of Nightfang. I didn't get twisted up over women. Especially not women who threw themselves at my son just to spite me.

And yet here I was. Marching to confront my grown son like a jealous teenager.

Jealous.

The word sat in my chest like a stone.

No. Not jealous. I was protecting Kade.

From himself. From a woman who was clearly using him to get back at me.

That was all.

I started walking again. Faster this time. Before I could convince myself otherwise.

I needed to talk some sense into him—soon—so his foolishness with Mona would finally come to an end. He had far more serious matters at hand than frolicking with some… girl.

But by the time I reached the hallway where his chambers lay.

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.