Chapter 175 The Reveal
Chapter 175 The Reveal
The moment the hall descended into chaos, Darius did not stay to watch the aftermath unfold.
While voices rose in confusion and guards rushed to obey Fernando’s command, he moved with careful precision along the edges of the gathering, his expression arranged into concern for anyone who might glance his way. His steps were neither hurried nor slow, blending perfectly with the disorder that had taken over the pack.
A guard brushed past him, shouting orders to secure the area, and Darius lowered his gaze briefly as though affected by the tension.
He slipped into the corridor and continued walking, his posture straightening the moment he was out of sight. The noise behind him faded gradually, replaced by a quieter atmosphere that allowed him to think clearly.
His jaw tightened slightly.
“It is done,” he murmured under his breath.
He turned into a narrower path that led toward the outer gates. The farther he moved, the fewer people he encountered. The confusion from the hall had not fully reached this part of the territory, though its effects were visible.
A guard stood near the wall, his shoulders slumped slightly as though fighting to remain upright. His eyes lifted when he noticed Darius approaching.
“You should be in the hall,” the guard said, though his voice lacked strength.
Darius slowed his steps, studying him carefully.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
The guard frowned, pressing a hand briefly to his temple.
“I do not know what is happening.”
Darius stepped closer, lowering his voice.
“You should sit.”
The guard tried to respond, but his knees gave way beneath him. He collapsed onto the ground with a faint groan.
Another guard nearby attempted to move, but his balance failed just as quickly.
Darius watched them for a moment, his expression calm.
“The poison is working faster than expected.”
He stepped past them and approached the gates.
The heavy structure stood closed, a barrier between the pack and what waited beyond.
Darius placed his hand against it.
For a brief second, he paused, listening.
Then he pushed.
The gates opened slowly with a low sound that carried into the quiet air outside.
Shadows shifted beyond the entrance.
Figures emerged from the darkness.
At the front stood Balad.
His presence commanded attention without effort, his eyes settling on Darius with a quiet intensity that held both expectation and approval.
“Well?”
Darius stepped forward, inclining his head slightly.
“It is done.”
Balad’s gaze sharpened.
“All of it?”
Darius nodded.
“All the guards have been poisoned, and the ones who are still standing are already weakening.”
Balad glanced briefly toward the open gates before returning his attention to him.
“And Alberto?”
Darius did not hesitate.
“He has been confined.”
Balad’s lips curved faintly.
“Good.”
Darius continued, his tone measured.
“It will be easy to use his blood for the formation now that he is isolated.”
Balad took a slow step forward, his expression thoughtful.
“You have played your part well.”
Darius met his gaze without flinching.
“This is only the beginning.”
Balad nodded slightly.
“Of course it is.”
He turned his attention toward the territory beyond the gates, his eyes scanning the land as though already envisioning what would come next.
“They will not expect the timing.”
Darius allowed a small smile to touch his lips.
“They believe they are still in control.”
Balad looked back at him.
“And you have ensured they remain blind?”
Darius gave a slight nod.
“Yes.”
Balad’s voice lowered slightly.
“Then we move.”
Behind him, the waiting forces stirred.
The attack had begun.
Inside the pack quarters, far removed from the unfolding infiltration, a different kind of tension filled the room.
Fernando stood near the center, his posture composed, his expression steady as he looked at those gathered with him. Lucia stood to his right, her arms folded, her gaze sharp and attentive. Mira remained near the table, her hands resting lightly against its surface as though grounding herself in the moment. Gilat stood near the window, his eyes occasionally shifting toward the outside, while Rowan leaned slightly against the wall, watching everything unfold with quiet interest.
The door remained closed.
The silence held for a moment before Fernando spoke.
“Was it believable?”
His voice carried calm authority, though there was a subtle edge beneath it.
Mira lifted her gaze toward him and nodded.
“It was believable.”
Lucia shifted slightly, her expression thoughtful.
“No one hesitated.”
Rowan added quietly.
“The reaction was immediate, which is exactly what we needed.”
Fernando exhaled slowly, his shoulders easing just slightly.
“Good.”
Gilat turned from the window, his voice measured.
“They will act on it.”
Fernando nodded once.
“That is the intention.”
Lucia glanced between them.
“If they believe Alberto has lost control and you have been weakened, then they will not hold back.”
Mira’s voice remained calm.
“They will think this is to their advantage.”
Rowan straightened slightly.
“And that confidence will push them forward faster than they planned.”
Fernando’s eyes darkened faintly.
“Which gives us the opening.”
Gilat stepped closer, folding his arms.
“They will not question it?”
Fernando shook his head.
“They saw it.”
Lucia added.
“And they felt the chaos that followed.”
Mira looked at Fernando carefully.
“The wound was convincing.”
Fernando gave a faint nod.
“It had to be.”
The door opened suddenly.
All eyes turned.
Alberto stepped inside.
The moment he saw Fernando, his composure broke.
“Fernando.”
His voice carried urgency as he crossed the room quickly, closing the distance between them without hesitation.
He reached him and pulled him into a firm embrace, his grip tight as though confirming something he had not been able to confirm before.
Fernando’s arms wrapped around him just as quickly.
“I am here.”
Alberto pulled back slightly, his hands moving immediately to Fernando’s chest, his fingers pressing lightly as he checked for any sign of damage.
“Let me see.”
Fernando gave a small smile.
“I told you, I am fine.”
Alberto’s brows drew together, his gaze searching his face.
“i should not have taken that risk.”
Fernando leaned forward, closing the space between them, and kissed him deeply, silencing the worry before it could grow further.
“I said I am fine.”
Alberto stilled for a brief moment, his hand still resting against Fernando’s chest before he let out a quiet breath.
“Do not do that again.”
Fernando’s expression softened.
“We needed them to believe it.”
Rowan’s voice broke in lightly.
“That was more than believable.”
Lucia let out a breath, shaking her head slightly.
“You both nearly brought the entire hall down with you.”
Gilat watched them silently, his expression unreadable but steady.
Rowan pushed himself away from the wall.
“I should thank you.”
Fernando glanced at him.
“For what?”
Rowan’s gaze held his.
“For breaking the curse.”
Lucia frowned immediately.
“What curse?”
Mira’s eyes flickered slightly, though she said nothing yet.
Gilat’s attention sharpened.
“Explain.”
Alberto stepped back from Fernando, his expression shifting into something more serious.
“A day before the coronation, Mira came to Rowan.”
Lucia turned toward her sharply.
“You knew something?”
Mira met her gaze without hesitation.
“Yes.”
Alberto continued, his voice steady.
“She told him about Darius.”
Fernando’s expression hardened slightly.
“What about him?”
Alberto’s gaze did not waver.
“He has been working with them and his father is equally alive.”
Gilat’s jaw tightened.
“You are certain?”
Mira spoke this time.
“He tried involving me in it but I can't bring myself to betray anyone for my gain."
Lucia’s eyes narrowed.
“And you waited until then to say something?”
Mira held her ground.
“I needed proof.”
Rowan crossed his arms.
“And the curse?”
Alberto looked at him.
“They planned to use it on me.”
Lucia’s voice sharpened.
“To do what?”
Alberto answered calmly.
“To bind me.”
Fernando’s gaze darkened.
“And control you through the bond.”
Alberto nodded.
“Yes.”
Mira added quietly.
“They intended to turn him into a weapon.”
Gilat stepped forward slightly.
“And the dagger?”
Alberto met his gaze.
“That was the only way to break it.”
Lucia shook her head slightly.
“You stabbed him during the ritual to stop the bond from completing?”
Alberto nodded.
“Yes.”
Rowan gave a small nod.
“It disrupted the process.”
Fernando added.
“If the ritual had finished, the curse would have taken hold.”
Mira spoke softly.
“So we changed the outcome.”
Lucia let out a slow breath.
“And the poisoning?”
Mira answered.
“I made it appear real.”
Lucia glanced at her.
“You had the entire pack convinced.”
Mira’s lips curved faintly.
“That was necessary.”
Fernando leaned back slightly.
“They needed to believe the pack was weakened.”
Rowan added.
“And distracted.”
Gilat turned toward the window again.
“They should have crossed in by now.”
Fernando nodded once.
“They have.”
Lucia straightened.
“Then we move.”
Alberto stepped forward, his voice calm but firm.
“No.”
They all turned toward him.
“Maleek is mine.”
Fernando’s eyes fixed on him.
“You are not facing him alone.”
Alberto met his gaze steadily.
“I need to.”
Gilat spoke, his tone firm.
“That is not something you decide on your own.”
Alberto’s expression did not change.
“He wants me.”
Rowan studied him carefully.
“And you intend to use that?”
Alberto nodded once.
“Yes.”
Fernando stepped closer.
“You are not walking into that without support.”
Alberto placed a hand on his arm.
“You will have your role.”
Fernando held his gaze.
“And what is that?”
Alberto’s voice remained steady.
“Hold the pack together and deal with what is coming through those gates.”
Lucia added.
“We will handle the army.”
Rowan nodded.
“They will not come in small numbers.”
Gilat turned back toward them.
“This is not just about him.”
Alberto’s eyes hardened slightly.
“I know.”
Gilat’s voice remained steady.
“Then do not underestimate what stands behind him.”
Alberto nodded once.