Chapter Forty-Six - A Peace They Wouldn't Accept

Kael’s POV

The moment we crossed the Ironcrest border, I glanced over my shoulder.

The territory stretched behind us, its familiar mountains and thick forests gradually disappearing from view. Somewhere beyond those gates was the woman I had left standing in the courtyard that morning.

I could still remember the way aria had thrown herself into my arms, holding me as though she could keep me from leaving simply by refusing to let go.

I had hated leaving her like that.

But I couldn’t afford to let my personal feelings interfere with what needed to be done. Two packs were on the verge of conflict, and as Alpha of Ironcrest, I had a responsibility to ensure that the situation didn’t escalate into something neither side could control.

“Alpha.”

I turned my attention to the warrior riding beside me.

“What is it?”

He glanced at the other guards before speaking.

“I think we should be careful about how much we offer Alpha Dominic.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Explain.”

“Crimson Snow has already accused us of murdering one of their own. They’re threatening war before even presenting proper evidence. We shouldn’t go there making too many compromises.”

I remained silent, allowing him to continue.

“If Dominic becomes difficult, we should leave immediately. There’s no reason to entertain his nonsense. The moment he becomes too demanding, we return to Ironcrest and prepare for war.”

One of the warriors behind us nodded.

“I agree. We have enough trained fighters to defend our territory. We shouldn’t allow Crimson Snow to mistake our willingness to negotiate for weakness.”

I turned toward them. “Enough.”

My voice was firm, and the men immediately fell silent.

“Is that what you think this meeting is about? Finding an excuse to return home and prepare for battle?”

The warrior beside me shifted uncomfortably.

“Alpha, we only want to protect Ironcrest.”

“And I intend to do exactly that.” I scoffed.

“Then why are we wasting time negotiating with a pack that has already accused us of murder?”

“Because an accusation is not proof of guilt.” I frowned.

I looked at each of them in turn.

“We are going to Crimson Snow to establish the truth, not to threaten their Alpha. I will not walk into another pack’s territory looking for a reason to draw my sword.”

The warrior beside me sighed.

“With all due respect, Alpha, you have become too soft.”

My eyes narrowed. “Be careful with your words.”

“I mean no disrespect, but we have seen what happens when Ironcrest goes to war. We followed Alpha Lucien into battles, and we returned victorious. Nobody dared threaten our territory afterward.”

Another warrior joined in. “Alpha Lucien never allowed another pack to intimidate him. When enemies challenged Ironcrest, he answered with strength.”

I tightened my grip on the reins.

They weren’t wrong about Lucien.

I had followed him into battles. I had fought beside him, watched him command warriors, and witnessed the victories that had made Ironcrest one of the most respected packs in the region.

But I had also seen the cost.

I had seen warriors carried home on stretchers. I had watched families mourn sons and husbands who never returned. I had witnessed the devastation that followed even a victorious battle.

War was not a glorious thing simply because one side emerged victorious.

“Do you think Alpha Lucien enjoyed every battle he fought?” I asked.

The warriors exchanged glances.

“He fought because he had to,” I continued. “He protected Ironcrest when there was no other choice. But that doesn’t mean he believed war was always the answer.”

“He never backed down from a challenge.”

“Neither will I.”

I turned my attention to the road ahead.

“Sometimes the solution isn’t always war. Sometimes strength is knowing when to fight, and sometimes it is having the patience to prevent a fight from happening in the first place.”

Nobody responded.

I knew some of them disagreed with me. They had grown accustomed to seeing strength demonstrated through battle. To them, refusing to fight could easily be mistaken for fear.

But I had no intention of proving my strength by spilling blood unnecessarily.

“I won’t sacrifice our warriors simply to satisfy another Alpha’s pride,” I added. “If Crimson Snow attacks us, we will defend ourselves. Until then, we will pursue peace.”

That ended the discussion and e continued riding.

The journey to Crimson Snow took several hours. The farther we travelled, the more the landscape changed. Ironcrest’s familiar mountain slopes gradually gave way to the colder, heavily wooded terrain that marked Crimson Snow’s territory.

Eventually, we reached their border.

Two guards stood at the entrance, their weapons strapped across their backs. They approached as soon as they noticed our arrival.

“Halt! Identify yourselves.”

“I am Kael, Alpha of Ironcrest. I have come to meet with Alpha Dominic.”

One of the guards exchanged a glance with his companion before bowing.

“Welcome to Crimson Snow, Alpha. We have been expecting you.”

He signalled to the others, and the gates were opened.

We rode into the territory.

Unlike Ironcrest, which had a bustling market square near the packhouse, Crimson Snow appeared quieter. Several wolves watched us from a distance as we passed. Some wore expressions of curiosity, while others looked openly hostile.

I couldn’t blame them entirely.

If their Alpha had told them that Ironcrest warriors were responsible for the death of one of their own, they would naturally view us with suspicion.

Still, I didn’t appreciate the way some of them looked at my men.

We weren’t there to be intimidated.

A group of warriors escorted us toward the packhouse. Once we arrived, we dismounted, and a guard led us inside.

The interior was spacious, with dark wooden furniture and large portraits of previous Crimson Snow Alphas hanging along the walls.

We were ushered into a receiving hall.

A moment later, the doors at the far end opened.

Alpha Dominic entered.

He was a broad-shouldered man with dark brown hair, a thick beard, and a scar running along his left cheek. His eyes moved over my guards before settling on me.

“Alpha Kael.”

“Alpha Dominic.” I replied

We exchanged a brief nod. He didn’t offer his hand.

“I’m surprised you came personally.”

“I thought it was important that we discussed this matter face-to-face.”

Dominic gave a humourless smile.

“Of course. I imagine you would prefer to discuss it before my warriors come looking for answers themselves.”

I ignored the provocation.

“Perhaps we should sit down.”

He gestured toward the chairs surrounding the large table.

“By all means.”

I took a seat opposite him, while my guards remained standing behind me. Dominic’s warriors occupied positions around the room, watching us closely.

For a few seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Dominic leaned forward.

“Do you know why I agreed to this meeting?”

“Because you want answers about Damon’s death.”

“No.” His voice hardened. “I agreed because I wanted to give you the opportunity to explain why one of your warriors murdered a member of my pack.”

I stared at him. “That’s a serious accusation, Alpha Dominic. Do you have evidence to support it?”

“My member is dead. His remains were found outside your territory, and you expect me to believe your people had nothing to do with it?”

“I’m not asking you to believe anything without evidence. I’m asking you to investigate before making accusations.”

Dominic scoffed.

“Investigate? What more is there to investigate?”

“A great deal, apparently. We received a report that Damon was attacked by rogues shortly after leaving Ironcrest. His body was recovered outside our border. That doesn’t establish who killed him.”

“And you expect me to believe that rogues suddenly appeared at the exact moment he was leaving your territory?”

“Rogues move through these forests regularly. You know that as well as I do.”

“Don’t insult my intelligence, Alpha Kael.”

“I have no intention of doing so.”

“Then stop pretending this is some unfortunate coincidence.”

I leaned back slightly.

“I didn’t come here to argue about what you believe happened. I came here to establish what actually happened.”

Dominic’s expression darkened.

“Your words are convenient. You sit there speaking about truth while my people are preparing to bury one of their own.”

“I understand that you’ve lost a member of your pack.”

“You understand nothing!”

His palm struck the table. Several of his warriors immediately straightened, and my guards reacted instinctively.

I raised one hand, silently instructing my men to remain where they were.

Dominic continued.

“Damon came to your territory alive. He left your territory, and shortly afterward, his body was found near your border. You want me to believe that Ironcrest bears no responsibility?”

“I want you to understand that the circumstances surrounding his death are still unclear.”

“Then perhaps I should make them clear for you. I want the warriors responsible handed over to Crimson Snow. I want a public admission of guilt from Ironcrest, and I want compensation for the life that was taken.”

I frowned. “You’re asking me to hand over warriors without proof that they were involved?”

“Your people should answer for what they’ve done.”

“And what if they haven’t done anything?”

“Then you have nothing to fear from an investigation.”

I held his gaze.”

“An investigation conducted by whom? Your warriors? Mine? Or both?”

Dominic’s expression shifted slightly.

“Are you suggesting I cannot investigate the death of one of my own?”

“I’m suggesting that an investigation should be impartial. If you want the truth, then both packs should have representatives present. We should question the patrols stationed near the border, examine the area where his body was found, and establish whether there were any signs of rogue activity.”

Dominic shook his head.

“You’re trying to delay this.”

“I’m trying to prevent an innocent wolf from being punished for something he didn’t do.”

“And what about Damon? Who speaks for him?”

I paused. For a brief moment, Aria’s face appeared in my mind.

I remembered what she had told me about Damon. I knew the man had once been important to her, but I also knew the pain he had caused her.

Still, none of that changed the matter before us.

A dead wolf deserved the truth, regardless of his past.

“I am not asking you to forget Damon,” I replied. “I’m asking you to allow us to discover who killed him.”

Dominic stood abruptly. “Enough.”

I remained seated.

He paced around the table, visibly struggling to contain his anger.

“You come into my packhouse, speak as though you are offering me some generous favour, and expect me to accept it?”

“I’m offering you a peaceful way forward.”

“I don’t want your version of peace!”

His voice echoed through the room.

I stood. ”Then tell me what you want, Alpha Dominic. And I am willing to help you find it.”

“No. I want the warriors responsible for Damon’s death handed over. I want Ironcrest to publicly accept responsibility, and I want compensation for what has been done to my pack.”

“Those terms are unacceptable.”

His eyes narrowed. “Then perhaps we have nothing left to discuss.”

I exhaled slowly.

“Dominic, think carefully about what you’re asking. If you insist on punishing Ironcrest without evidence, you will be forcing both our packs into a conflict that could cost hundreds of lives.”

“Perhaps you should have considered that before your warriors killed one of mine.”

- [ ] “My warriors did not kill Damon.” I frowned. “And yours is an accusation.”

For a moment, neither of us moved.

Then Dominic stepped closer.

“I will not accept your terms, Kael.”

The room fell silent.

I looked at the Alpha standing before me, then at the warriors surrounding him.

I had come to Crimson Snow believing that reason might prevail. I had hoped Dominic would be willing to examine the facts before deciding the fate of two packs.

But he had already made up his mind.

He didn’t want an investigation, he wanted someone to pay.

And he had decided that Ironcrest would be that someone.