Chapter 142 142
Venessa’s POV
“Let’s keep the ultraviolet weapon production to ourselves,” I said firmly. “Yes, we announced it but we should tell them we’ve abandoned the idea. We’ll say it’s too difficult to create.”
Rayon frowned immediately.
“That will only frighten them more,” he argued. “Those creatures are immune to silver. If we can’t produce ammunition capable of killing them, that becomes a serious problem.”
I nodded, understanding his concern.
“Eshera has made it harder to identify her disciples because she knows of me now,” I explained. “Speaking to me through Kimberly was her way of assessing what we had. But now that she knows I can see those who carry her life force, she’s changed her tactics.”
They listened closely.
“With this new method, we won’t know who works for her. These are people she’s seduced offering to grant their deepest desires in exchange for loyalty… and their souls.”
My voice hardened.
“They still carry their natural life force. That makes them harder to detect. They aren’t immune to silver because they’re still like us only aligned with her. Eshera’s awareness of me forced her to evolve, and we cannot give her time to prepare for ultraviolet ammunition. That would be foolish.”
I looked around the room.
“So we tell them it’s impossible. Meanwhile, we decapitate the real monsters and use silver bullets on her willing followers.”
They understood immediately. Every one of them agreed.
That evening, we prepared for the meeting.
Because of the sudden change in location, the gathering didn’t begin until nightfall. The alphas were uneasy night was when Tremaine and his minions were strongest but I assured them that Blood Moon Pack would not be attacked.
Reluctantly, they relaxed.
King Fabian sat beside his daughter and Tyrell. King Donovan was seated with Alpha Keon. My uncle was present as well he formally introduced himself, and we promised to reconnect once the meeting concluded.
The debates dragged on endlessly. Snacks and drinks were served as tempers flared.
Some despised the idea of negotiation. Others leaned toward it.
“We can’t solve every problem with violence,” one alpha said. From his stance alone, I knew he was a bear.
“These creatures understand nothing but violence,” Alpha Keon snapped back.
“Still, we must try,” Alpha Marlon added calmly. “Too many lives have already been lost. We should be certain there is no peaceful resolution before choosing war.”
He was a werewolf.
We listened patiently until patience ran out.
The arguing devolved into shouting, insults, and childish posturing. Everyone wanted to be heard. Some spoke over others at the top of their lungs.
I understood both sides. What they didn’t understand was that Eshera could not be reasoned with.
She wanted dominion. She wanted the world.
That was all.
They treated it like a debate. Like an abstract problem. So I decided to indulge them briefly.
“Silence.”
My voice cut through the room like a blade. Every alpha fell quiet instantly.
“You are not children,” I said sharply. “You are leaders. Start behaving like it.”
Not one of them spoke. I was the youngest there, yet they had embarrassed themselves.
“For those who want to dialogue with Tremaine,” I continued coolly, “do you have his location?”
I scanned the room. No one answered.
“So how exactly were you planning to communicate with him?” I pressed. “If you write a letter, where would you send it?”
Still nothing until a bear alpha named Desmond raised his hand timidly, like a child seeking permission. I nodded.
“Can’t you sense him?” he asked hesitantly.
Rage flared through me.
“If I could,” I snapped, “we wouldn’t be having this meeting. I would have already wiped him off the face of our world.”
The room stiffened.
“Those of you who want dialogue may find him yourselves. You can send your letter while we prepare for war. Whatever comes of it, we proceed from there. But understand this nothing will stop me from preparing to destroy those creatures.”
My resolve was unshakable.
“How do we fight things that can’t die?” someone asked nervously. “What if they refuse to engage at noon?”
I shrugged.
“Then we fight in human form,” I said flatly. “With blades sharp enough to take their heads.”
A murmur rippled through the room.
“What about the ultraviolet bullets?” King Donovan asked. “I heard”
“They don’t exist,” I interrupted. “We’re settling for silver and steel. Not all of Tremaine’s followers are immune. Some are just like us and they fall to the same weapons.”
Grumbling followed.
“Most of us will die,” someone muttered.
“At no point did I promise survival,” I said coldly. “This is war. People die. And if you believe dialogue will save you, you’re welcome to try but prepare for battle regardless.”
I met their eyes one by one.
“If you won’t fight for Atabey, then fight for your future. Fight for your packs. Because none of you will survive Eshera’s darkness.”
Silence swallowed the room.
They understood. But I also knew better than to rely on them completely. Their devotion would only come once all other options failed.
“I’ll give you time,” I said finally. “If you can find Tremaine, attempt dialogue. I can’t sense him and he can’t sense me. But while you search, you will train your armies.”
I paused.
“This war happens within three months. We get one chance.”
They visibly relaxed. I had given them the illusion of choice and they were grateful for it.
“We’ll try to find him and report back, Your Highness,” Desmond said.
I smiled and nodded, already knowing the outcome.
They would fail.
But they needed to reach that conclusion themselves.
As long as they trained their forces and prepared for war, we would have something to work with when the inevitable came.
The meeting dissolved into smaller discussions trivial matters. They were assigned rooms within the pack house and nearby buildings. At dawn, they would depart for their respective territories.
And when they returned…
They would be ready for war.