Chapter 156: Revenge

Cassandra

The air in the old hut was heavy, thick with damp and despair. Cedric and I were trapped here, surrounded by Joaquin's guards, with no way out. Cedric, still wounded, was breathing heavily. His face was pale and every move he made drew a grimace of pain. In the distance, we could hear the angry murmurs of another meeting.

"The big packs won't join us, alpha," a worn-looking wolf growled. "They've already seen what happens to those who follow you. Our allies drop like flies."

"Aren't they even afraid of the disease?" asked a warrior, but the wolf shook his head. He knew Joaquin still had some infected wolves, probably more hidden away. The sickness was still alive. I suppose Christopher's allies had done their job - spread fear. It wasn't just a few alphas resisting; the most powerful of them were against Joaquin. By now, the rumors of what had happened at Silver Claws must have become legends, the kind of thing used to terrify other wolves.

"Nonsense," Joaquin spat, his voice hoarse and full of resentment. he was scared. I knew my brother; he knew he had no choices left. "What I offer - power and immunity from the disease - is too great a prize to pass up. If these damned Alphas won't join me, I'll find other allies. They don't deserve my help, and they will die like dogs.

"Several warriors have left," another wolf said, his tone dripping with contempt. "The humans, too. Who's left?" A murmur spread through the crowd before Joaquin spoke again, his voice angry:

"The rogues. The rabid wolves, driven from everywhere, the forsaken, the hated ones. They will follow me, just like the wolves that no one else wants, the packs that have been rejected by all." he spat. A shiver ran down my spine. How far would his lust for power take him? He would rather destroy everyone than step aside or accept defeat.

"If we offer them something in return, maybe," one of the participants commented skeptically.

"I'll give them everything," Joaquín promised. What exactly did he mean? My half-brother had nothing, but in no time, we were moving through the forest. Whispers and noises echoed around us. Joaquin wasn't desperately fighting, he was strategizing. I hoped this would give my brother time to prepare as well. Soon, we were faced with a terrible sight - the rogues had already joined my half-brother's ranks, but these... these were exiled traitors. The shame of all wolves. A desperate call.

"Gentlemen, I've come to make you an offer I believe will interest you. Join me in this battle, and I will give you what you need, what you deserved"

"We have very little, alpha, as I understand you do. What could you possibly give us that would make risking our lives worthwhile?" one of them replied.

"They say you are a lost and forsaken Alpha, a defeated one," said another with bloodshot eyes.

"Never! The blood of ancient alphas runs through my veins. My father bequeathed the pack to me, and I will reclaim it because it is rightfully mine. But I do not offer you power or protection from the disease I already spread. I bring you something beyond your wildest dreams: Shadowmoon City. That is my proposal - attack it. The city will be ours. Everything in it will be ours. Land, resources, women, people to subjugate and enslave, even..." My half-brother's words drew expressions of surprise and ambition.

"Will you share it with us, Alpha?"

"I promise, the biggest city, a big pack"

"We need a guarantee," said an Alpha from what must have been a very poor pack. He was covered in scars and rags.

"What do you suggest?"

"Something of yours, Alpha..." the wolf whispered, his eyes shifting to me. I was tied to a tree trunk a few paces away, and my half-brother was smiling.

"Ohh... my sweet Cassandra, my sister. The Luna of the Southern Wolves. When her Alpha is dead, she will be yours. If you wish it, you will have her, along with the pack. The wolf who helps me the most, who guarantees my victory, will claim her." My heart froze. I felt nauseous as I heard him offer me like a mere trophy. Cedric, beside me, tensed, his fists clenched in impotent rage.

"That's a fine offer," one of the rogues commented with a sickening laugh.

"She seems to be a beautiful and powerful she-wolf."

"A sexy one... she will be our whore" they laugh.

"We will be alphas when we have a pack," another rogue said, devouring me with his gaze.

"But we want results, alpha Joaquin; we need your word," they claimed.

"Then get ready," he said coldly. "We are approaching the city. And this time, we will not fail." The meeting continued with attack plans and strategies, but I could no longer listen. My world was falling apart. I caught Joaquin's attention as he stepped away from the others, my voice a desperate whisper.

"This is madness, Joaquin. You can't do this." His eyes darkened.

"You should be happy, sister. You'll be useful at last. You'll finally serve me as you always should have."

"This will destroy you," I insisted. "You will gain nothing but more death and suffering. Stop now, before it's too late." With a brutal move, Joaquin turned and punched Cedric in the stomach, bringing him to his knees. I screamed and tried to get closer, but the guards held me back. The ropes cut into my skin, but I couldn't bear to see him suffer.

"No! Stop!"

"Shut up," Joaquin spat, his scarred face twisting into something monstrous. He had not fully healed; the burns were horrific, making him look like a nightmare incarnate. "You have no right to speak of suffering! You took everything from me! You killed Hugo! Do you think I don't know? You killed One-Eye! You took my Beta! You turned my people against me! You bastards destroyed my pack, my allies! And you think I'll forget? Never!" His voice thundered through the hut, seething with hate. I trembled, but I didn't look away.

"You lost because you chose to betray your blood," I whispered. "That's why you ended up alone." The blow wasn't aimed at me, but at Cedric again. His groan of pain shattered my soul. Joaquin approached me and grabbed my face, his fingers pressing against my throat.

"Your stupid buddies made a mistake by not marking you. Besides, they will die, and you will be free. Get ready for a new owner, one so terrible you can't even imagine. Each of these wolves will destroy you the first night. I might even pay to be there and watch," he said with malice. Joaquin stepped back, his terrifying silhouette looming in the dim light. He was the embodiment of a nightmare. My worst nightmare.

"I won't allow it," Cedric whispered in the darkness.

"Tomorrow, we march to Shadowmoon City," Joaquin announced to his group. "And by sunset, the city will be ours." The howls of wolves and rogues filled the air. Destruction was coming, and I was powerless to stop it. I didn't know how many men they had, but we began to move again. Just before dawn, beyond the trees, I could see the tallest buildings in the distance beauty and pride of a city my beloved brother had fought so hard to protect. And if we didn't act soon, it would all be lost.