Chapter 10: Chapter Ten: The Storm Approaches

The words echoed in Alex’s mind long after Ethan spoke them.

"They’re coming. Tomorrow night. They’re going to take the den."

The weight of the confession settled over him like a suffocating blanket. Kara stood frozen beside him, her crossbow still aimed at Ethan, though her fingers trembled slightly. Alex didn’t need to look at her to know what she was thinking how close they’d come to being completely blindsided.

“Tomorrow night?” Alex asked, his voice sharp.

Ethan flinched, nodding quickly. “Y-Yes. That’s what they told me. They’ve been watching for weeks. They know the patrol routes and the weak points in the tunnels. They’re going to come from the east and force us out into the open.”

Alex’s claws flexed, a low growl rumbling in his chest. “And how many of them are there?”

Ethan hesitated, his wide eyes darting nervously between Alex and Kara. “I… I don’t know exactly. Maybe twenty? Maybe more.”

Kara let out a sharp breath. “Twenty rogues, and they’re coming straight for us? Fantastic.”

Alex ignored the sting of sarcasm in her voice and focused on Ethan. “You’re going to tell me everything every detail you know. And if you leave anything out…” He let the threat linger, his claws glinting faintly in the dim light.

Ethan swallowed hard and nodded.

By the time Alex and Kara returned to the main chamber, the den was already alive with tension. Wolves gathered in tight clusters, their voices hushed but frantic as rumors spread like wildfire.

“What’s going on?”

“Did they find the traitor?”

“Are the rogues coming?”

Lucas stood near the center of the room, his arms crossed as he glared at Alex’s approach.

“Well?” Lucas demanded. “What did you find?”

Alex stopped a few feet away, his posture tense but composed. “It’s Ethan,” he said, his voice loud enough for the pack to hear. “He’s been working with the rogues. They’ve been using him to learn our patrols, our weaknesses.”

Gasps rippled through the crowd as Ethan stepped into view, flanked by Kara and another wolf. His head hung low, shame radiating off him in waves.

Lucas’s eyes narrowed, his lips curling into a snarl. “You let a traitor into my pack?”

Alex bristled at the accusation but forced himself to stay calm. “This isn’t about blame, Lucas. It’s about stopping what’s coming.”

“And what exactly is coming?” Lucas growled.

“An attack,” Alex said. “Tomorrow night. The rogues are planning to take the den. Ethan says they’re coming from the east, using the tunnels to trap us inside.”

The pack erupted into chaos. Voices overlapped, some panicked, others angry.

“How did they get this close?”

“Can we stop them?”

“Lucas, what are we going to do?”

Lucas raised a hand, silencing the noise. “We fight,” he said simply. “If they want to challenge us, we’ll show them why the Crescent Fang pack is the strongest in the city.”

Alex stepped forward. “It’s not that simple. They know our defenses. If we just wait for them to come to us, we’ll be fighting on their terms. We need to think strategically.”

Lucas’s eyes flashed with anger. “And what do you suggest, Alex? That we run?”

“No,” Alex said firmly. “I suggest we stop underestimating them. We can use the tunnels to our advantage set traps, cut off their escape routes, and divide their forces. If we can force them into smaller groups, we’ll have a chance.”

The pack murmured in agreement, their gazes shifting between Alex and Lucas.

Lucas’s growl deepened, his claws flexing. “And who do you think should lead this brilliant plan? You?”

Alex met his gaze, his heart pounding. “If that’s what it takes to protect the pack, then yes.”

The room fell silent, the weight of Alex’s words settling over them like a heavy fog.

Lucas stepped closer, his presence towering over Alex. “You’re out of your depth, beta,” he said coldly. “But fine. If you want the responsibility, it’s yours. If this fails, the blood is on your hands.”

Alex didn’t flinch. “If it fails, I’ll take full responsibility. But it won’t.”

Lucas turned away with a scoff, leaving Alex standing alone at the center of the room.

The hours that followed were a blur of activity. Alex worked with Kara, Maya, and a few of the senior wolves to map out the den’s defenses. They marked weak points along the tunnels, places where the rogues were likely to attack and set up traps pressure triggers that would bring down sections of the tunnel if activated.

Ethan was kept under strict guard, his every move watched by two of the strongest enforcers. Though he’d given them valuable information, trust was a long way off.

As Alex crouched over the map spread across one of the stone tables, Kara leaned in beside him. “You sure about this?” she asked.

“No,” Alex admitted. “But we don’t have a choice. If we’re going to survive this, we need to stay one step ahead of them.”

Kara nodded, her expression grim. “Well, for what it’s worth, I’d follow you over Lucas any day.”

Alex glanced at her, surprised by the quiet conviction in her voice. “Thanks, Kara. That means a lot.”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” she said with a faint smirk. “You’re still an idiot half the time.”

Alex chuckled softly, but the tension in his chest didn’t ease.

By the time the sun began to set, the den was as fortified as they could make it. Wolves stood guard at every entrance, their eyes sharp and their claws ready. The traps were set, and the patrols doubled. All that was left to do now was wait.

Alex stood near the entrance to the eastern tunnels, his claws flexing at his sides. The air was thick with anticipation, every sound amplified by the silence around him.

“You think they’ll come tonight?” Maya asked, stepping up beside him.

Alex nodded. “They will. The rogues don’t bluff.”

Maya’s gaze was steady. “You’re doing the right thing, Alex. The pack sees it, even if Lucas doesn’t.”

Alex let out a slow breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thanks, Maya.”

Before she could respond, a low howl echoed in the distance, cutting through the stillness like a knife.

Alex’s body tensed, his senses sharpening.

“They’re here,” he said.

The first attack came just as Alex had expected from the eastern tunnels. The rogues moved quickly, their howls filling the air as they surged forward like a tide of shadow and teeth.

Alex’s pack met them head-on, their claws flashing in the dim light. The narrow tunnels worked in their favor, forcing the rogues into smaller groups that were easier to handle.

Kara’s crossbow fired rapidly, each bolt finding its mark. Maya fought with ruthless precision, her claws slashing through the air as she tore into the rogues.

Alex was at the front, his movements sharp and controlled as he took down one rogue after another. The scent of blood and earth filled his nostrils, his adrenaline surging.

But even as they pushed the rogues back, Alex knew this was only the beginning.

From deeper within the tunnels, a low, guttural laugh echoed a sound that sent a chill racing down Alex’s spine.

“Did you think it would be this easy?”

The rogue leader’s voice was smooth and mocking, cutting through the chaos like a blade.

Alex turned toward the sound, his claws flexing. The real fight was about to begin.