The Serpent’s Report

The spy knelt low, head bowed, breath still ragged from the long journey.

Beta Delon stood before him in the dimly lit chamber beneath the council hall, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable.

“Well?” Delon asked calmly.

The spy swallowed. “She lives.”

Delon’s lips twitched—just slightly.

“Go on.”

“She crossed the northern border barely alive. Would’ve died if not for him.”

Delon’s eyes sharpened. “Him?”

“The Rogue Alpha of the Southern region,” the spy said, voice hushed with awe. “The one they call the Shadow King.”

That was enough to confirm it. Delon dismissed the spy with a flick of his hand, already turning away as his mind raced.

So… fate finally moves. He had always known.

Years ago, when whispers first reached him of a rogue Alpha who ruled not with chaos but with iron discipline—an Alpha feared even by other rogues—Delon had suspected the truth. He had recognized the tactics. The restraint. The intelligence.

Knox. Finn’s exiled older brother.

Delon had kept that knowledge buried, locked away like a blade meant for the right moment.

And now— Now the moment had come.

That evening, Delon made his way to Finn’s study.

The Alpha sat behind his desk, shadows stretching across the room, his face gaunt with exhaustion and simmering rage. The rejection, the miscarriage, the whispers in the pack—none of it had left him untouched.

“You asked for updates,” Delon said respectfully, bowing.

Finn looked up sharply. “Speak.”

“We found her,” Delon said.

Finn’s body went rigid. “Where?”

“South,” Delon replied. “Beyond our borders.”

Finn’s eyes darkened. “With rogues?”

“With him.” Delon paused deliberately, then delivered the blade.

“The Rogue Alpha of the Southern region is Knox.”

The silence that followed was violent.

Finn surged to his feet so fast the chair scraped harshly against the floor.

“That’s impossible,” he snarled. “He’s dead.”

“So we were told,” Delon said carefully. “But he lives. And he rules even more powerful.”

Finn’s aura exploded outward, the room trembling as rage flooded the air.

“That traitor,” Finn hissed. “That cursed brother of mine!”

Delon stepped closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret too dangerous to speak aloud.

“There’s more.” Finn’s gaze snapped to him.

“She’s under his protection,” Delon said. “Your former mate.”

Finn’s fists clenched. “That doesn’t mean anything.”

Delon nodded slowly. “At first, I thought the same. But… patterns began to emerge.” Finn stiffened.

“Delilah’s disappearance,” Delon continued smoothly. “Before the mating ceremony. During critical moments.” Finn’s jaw tightened.

“And the miscarriage,” Delon added softly. “Caused by poisoning meant for you—or so one of the healer’s working with her said after my investigations.”

Finn slammed his palm onto the table. “Enough,” he growled. “Do not twist this.”

“I would never,” Delon said gently. “But tell me, my Alpha… is it not strange that Knox appears now? That she survives exile only to fall into his arms?”

Finn’s breathing grew heavy.

“What if,” Delon said quietly, “she was never as innocent as she seemed?” Finn’s eyes flickered.

“What if she was the bridge?” Delon pressed. “The inside link. What if Delilah was targeted because she stood in the way?”

“No,” Finn muttered. “She wouldn’t—”

“She had a motive,” Delon said smoothly. “And Knox has always wanted your throne.” The final piece clicked into place.

Finn struck the table again, wood cracking beneath his strength.

“I will destroy them,” he vowed, eyes blazing. “Both of them.”

Delon stepped back, hands raised placatingly, though triumph sang in his veins.

“Peace, my Alpha,” he said. “Anger clouds strategy.”

Finn inhaled sharply, forcing himself to still.

“Write a letter,” Finn ordered coldly. “An official command.”

Delon inclined his head. “To Knox.”

“Demand he release her into our custody,” Finn continued. “She will answer for her crimes.”

“And if he refuses?” Delon asked.

Finn’s lips curled. “Then he will be branded a traitor to the southern alliance treaty packs.”

He turned away. “Call an emergency council meeting. Tonight.”

“Yes, Alpha,” Delon said. Finn dismissed him with a wave.

As Delon left the study, his composure finally cracked.

A slow, satisfied grin spread across his face.

The board was set. The pieces were moving.

And soon— Two brothers would go to war.

And Delon would rule what remained.