Chapter 135 Your Prove Old Man
Elder Vorn raised his glass high in the midst of the celebration, surrounded by a group of alphas who had pledged their loyalty to him in the wake of Fernando's departure. The gathering was meant to solidify his impending coronation, with tables laden with food and drink, but Vorn kept the focus on business, steering the conversation toward the pack's future prosperity.
"To a new era," Vorn proclaimed, his voice booming with confidence as he clinked glasses with the alpha beside him, a burly man named Garrick who controlled the eastern trade routes. "With Fernando out of the way, we can finally expand our pack trade without his restrictive policies holding us back. Garrick, tell me how are the negotiations with the Northern Ridge pack going for the fur shipments? We need to double our output if we're going to dominate the market."
Garrick took a swig from his glass before responding, his tone eager to please the soon-to-be alpha. "The Northern Ridge is ready to sign, Elder Vorn or should I say, Alpha Vorn? They've agreed to supply us with twice the pelts in exchange for our iron ore, but they're pushing for a lower price on the ore. I told them it's non-negotiable our mines produce the best quality, and they know it. If we hold firm, they'll cave within the week."
Vorn nodded approvingly, turning to another alpha, a shrewd woman named Selene who handled the southern borders and spice trades. "And you, Selene? The spice routes have been vulnerable since the Southern Ember skirmishes have you secured the caravans? We can't afford losses now that we're rebuilding the pack's economy under my guidance."
Selene leaned forward, her eyes sharp as she outlined her strategy. "I've doubled the guards on the caravans, and we've rerouted through the hidden valleys to avoid Ember patrols. The spices are flowing cinnamon and pepper stocks are up thirty percent. But we need more alliances; the Ember packs are still hostile, and if they blockade us, we'll lose half our revenue. What do you propose, Vorn? Should we offer them a truce with a share of the profits to keep the peace?"
Vorn chuckled, setting his glass down as he considered her words. "A truce? Only if it benefits us more than them. We'll send a delegation with a low offer enough to make them think twice about attacking, but not so generous that they get complacent. The pack trade will thrive under my rule because I'll ensure we hold the upper hand in every negotiation. No more of Fernando's soft-hearted deals that left us vulnerable."
Another alpha, a younger man named Thorne who had recently been reinstated after his brief demotion, chimed in with enthusiasm to prove his loyalty. "You're right, Vorn the old ways were too lenient. With you as alpha, we can push into the western markets too. I've heard the River packs are desperate for our timber; we could triple our exports if we secure those contracts. What timeline are you thinking for the coronation? The sooner we announce it, the sooner we can lock in these trades under your name."
Vorn smiled broadly, raising his glass again. "The coronation will be in three days enough time to rally the full pack and make it clear that my leadership is undisputed. Once I'm alpha, we'll formalize all these trades. The pack will prosper like never before, and those who doubted me will see the error of their ways."
Just as the alphas murmured their agreement, a messenger slipped through the crowd and leaned close to Vorn, whispering urgently in his ear. "Elder Vorn, the main security of the packhouse has been breached armies of wolves are heading this way, fast. They're armed and moving with purpose."
Vorn's smile vanished, replaced by a scowl as he set his glass down with a clatter. "What? How many? From which direction?"
The messenger kept his voice low. "At least fifty, coming from the eastern tunnel. They broke through the outer wards without triggering alarms. Someone must have helped them from inside."
Vorn stood abruptly, his chair scraping back. "Summon the soldiers now! Stand guard at all entrances. No one gets in here until I say so."
The alphas around him exchanged uneasy glances as guards rushed to obey, forming a defensive line with weapons drawn. "What's happening, Vorn?" Garrick asked, rising to his feet. "Is this the Southern Ember again? Or Fernando's loyalists?"
Vorn waved him off. "Stay calm. It's probably a false alarm or a minor raid. We'll handle it."
But as the guards positioned themselves, Darius emerged from the shadows at the far end of the hall, his sneer visible even from a distance. He strode forward confidently, flanked by a small group of armed wolves who had clearly been part of the breaching force.
Vorn's eyes widened in fury. "Darius? Guards seize him!"
Darius held up a hand, stopping his followers. "Not so fast, Vorn. You're the one who's done here. I announce your arrest for conspiracy against the pack, for disrupting the trust between the pack and that of the Southern Ember causing their attacks and for the release of the criminal Samael, the former gamma wolf. You set him free to sow chaos, and now you'll answer for it."
DThe alphas gasped, murmuring among themselves. "Conspiracy?" Selene whispered to Thorne. "Vorn released information to the Southern Ember Alpha? That madman nearly destroyed us."
Vorn's face reddened as he pointed accusingly at Darius. "You can't rope me into this nonsense! I have different evidence that proves you're the guilty one: letters, witnesses, records of your dealings with the Southern Ember. You're the one who manipulated everything from the shadows!"
Darius crossed his arms, his sneer deepening. "Then provide them, Vorn. Show us this so-called evidence right now, or be beheaded immediately for your crimes. The pack deserves to see the truth before I take you down."
Vorn opened his mouth to respond, but one of his trusted aides rushed in, leaning close to whisper urgently. "Elder Vorn, the secret warehouse has been burnt down completely everything inside is gone, including the documents and evidence you stored there."
Vorn's expression twisted in shock and rage. "What? How?"
The aide shook his head. "We don't know it happened during the breach. Nothing left but ashes."
Vorn turned back to Darius, his control snapping. "You—you did this! You'll pay for burning my evidence!"
Darius laughed coldly. "Your words mean nothing without proof, old man. Now step down, or—"
Vorn roared and lunged forward, claws extending as he aimed for Darius's throat. "I'll kill you myself!"
Darius dodged smoothly and slashed his own dagger across Vorn's neck in one swift motion. Blood sprayed, and Vorn clutched at the wound, gurgling as he collapsed to his knees.