Xaden’s POV
I stood resolutely on the balcony of my pack’s compound, my hands gripping the cold stone railing. Below me lay a sea of rooftops and the low hum of a distant crowd. It was a suffocating reminder that chaos lurked just beneath the surface, ready to erupt at any moment. I let out a bitter chuckle, the sound almost startling to my ears.
“Very unique,” I muttered with a sharp edge to my voice, my grip tightening on the stone as a fleeting spark of amusement danced at the edges of my mind, a relic of a past I could never fully escape.
Then the gate swung open.
I straightened instinctively, narrowing my eyes at the figure that stepped through. He wasn’t one of mine—the uniform was all wrong, distinctly different from how my guards wore their insignias. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I studied the newcomer.
Who the hell is this? My instincts roared to life, and I could see my pack’s soldiers snap to attention, weapons drawn in a heartbeat, eyes fixed on this stranger who dared to enter our territory.
The unfamiliar guard raised his arms in a clear gesture of surrender.
“Identify yourself!” one of my soldiers barked, their voice cutting through the tension with authority.
The man’s voice trembled, yet he fought to hold his ground. “I have a message for Alpha Xaden—from your brother… who has been captured. He’s… in the dungeon in my pack.”
His words struck me like a freight train. Dungeon? Ryker, my brother? No. I had sensed it all along. The knot in my chest, a constant reminder of his absence, tightened painfully as realization sank in. I had known this moment was coming.
“I knew it,” I hissed under my breath, heart pounding. I locked eyes with the crowd of angry, suspicious soldiers surrounding the courtyard. The buzz of uncertainty filled the air, but I understood the message loud and clear.
“Let him in,” I commanded, my voice slicing through the tension.
The gate creaked open, and the unfamiliar guard stepped inside, his eyes wide and fearful, like a rabbit cornered by a predator. I scrutinized him as he moved cautiously, avoiding my gaze. The silence of the courtyard was palpable.
“Speak,” I ordered, tone low and authoritative.
He swallowed hard before meeting my eyes. “Ryker… he’s alive. I—he’s in Alpha Aaron’s dungeon. I was told to inform you that he’s been captured, but he’s alive. He wanted you to know.”
The weight of his words barely registered. A rush of emotions surged—tightness in my chest, gnawing fear, overwhelming relief. I had known deep down that Ryker wasn’t gone. There was no way I’d let him slip away so easily.
“Where is he?” I growled, fury igniting within me.
The guard flinched under my intense gaze, his hands trembling. “I don’t know. But I’m supposed to tell you that you need to act quickly. Aaron... Aaron won’t stop until—”
“What else?” I interjected, stepping closer.
“I—” He hesitated, anxiety flickering across his face. “I wasn’t meant to share this. I’m just a messenger. If Aaron finds out—”
“You’re already in the thick of it,” I shot back, frustration boiling over. “I want details. Now.”
He shook his head, mumbling to himself in distress. I could see how terrified he was standing before me—the Alpha of his enemies—and he trembled like a leaf. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he constantly glanced over his shoulder, as if expecting someone to burst in and drag him away.
“I can’t be seen here,” he whispered, barely audible. “But I must tell you… Violet’s with him. She’s also captured. I don’t know how… or why… but she’s in the dungeon with him. I can’t provide more details because I’m not close to the alpha.”
The mention of her name struck me like a punch to the gut. Violet. Thoughts collided in my mind. She was the last person I expected to hear about in this nightmare, and now, the reality of her capture twisted my insides. For what purpose?
I ran a hand through my hair, struggling to keep my composure. “What else?” I asked again, forcing my voice to stay steady.
The man seemed to gather his thoughts, but it was clear the fear weighed heavily on him. “I—I was told to send word to you, to help you reach your brother. But if I’m caught—”
“You’re already risking your life and stop repeating yourself” I cut in, moving to close the distance between us. “Tell me everything.”
The guard’s eyes flickered toward the rest of my soldiers, who were watching in dead silence. He lowered his voice further, nearly inaudible. “Alpha Aaron is dangerous. He’ll kill anyone who opposes him, even you. If you make a move, if you come for your brother, Aaron will destroy you. But… if you make it out, if you manage to get Ryker back, you’ll be able to strike back. Take the pack. Make sure he doesn’t—”
“Don’t tell me how to defeat Aaron,” I growled, my impatience starting to show. “I’m already doing it. What do you want from me?”
The guard hesitated, almost as though he was trying to keep the words locked inside him, as though speaking them aloud would seal his fate. His breath came in short bursts, his nerves clearly getting the better of him. Then, at last, he spoke.
“I need to survive this,” he muttered, his words heavy with guilt and fear. “I was told… when this is over… if you win… if you’re able to escape… promise me... you’ll protect me. Keep me safe from Aaron. I can’t… I can’t face him.”
His plea was raw, desperate, and for a moment, I understood the weight of his position. He was a man caught between his survival instinct and the loyalty to his own Alpha. His gaze darted between me and the soldiers behind me, as though weighing the risk of even speaking these words aloud.
“I’ll protect you,” I said, voice cold but steady. “After we win. You’ll have my protection. But that won’t be the only price you pay. You’ll help me. Now.”
The guard swallowed, nodding shakily. “I’ll do it. I’ll send a message to your brother. But when it’s over… when Aaron is gone, you have to protect me from him. I can’t be caught, please alpha.”
His voice dropped to barely a whisper, “The Moon Goddess will accept my soul… if I do this for you.”
His gaze met mine, and in that fleeting moment, I caught a glimpse of hope flickering within him. It was a hope that transcended mere survival; it was a yearning for redemption. He was putting everything on the line for a future shrouded in uncertainty.
I nodded, albeit stiffly. “You fulfill your role, and we will handle ours.”
There was no time for further inquiries. He had provided the crucial information I required, and now the responsibility lay squarely on my shoulders. As the guard began to turn away, I signaled to one of my most reliable soldiers.
“Detain him,” I commanded. “Arrest anyone else who assisted him in getting here; I trust no one. Ensure that no one escapes our grasp.”
The soldier acknowledged my order and swiftly moved away, but my attention remained fixed on the messenger. A barely perceptible smile crept onto my face, a sensation that felt both strange and essential. This was my opportunity. This marked the start of something significant.
And I was determined that no one, not Aaron or anyone else, would hinder my progress.
As the gate shut behind the guard, I faced my men, the gravity of my choice settling heavily upon me. “Get the pack ready,” I instructed, my voice resolute. “We set out tonight.”
Holding Ryker's message firmly, I knew I couldn't afford to delay any longer. I was determined to bring him back.