Chapter 125

WRITER

Bradley sat down at the table, tracing the maps. Elias had left with the troops some hours ago and no news had come back from them.

The news of their success in cutting off the troops had reached him pleasantly.

He had been glad to hear the news; he was sure they would win now. His army wasn't limitless, but without any reinforcements, Loras' army would be demolished in minutes.

The door opened and Diana walked in. She looked tired, her eyes red from staying awake all night, and it was now nearing dawn.

“I couldn't stand staying inside," she told him, taking the chair next to him.

Bradley looked at her, “Yes, I know. Well we haven't been breached for now, so you can be out"

Diana blinked hard, trying to keep her eyes open. “Has there been any news?" She asked.

Bradley shook his head, “Not yet, our troops are still out and we've asked one of them to come back only if they're losing, so good news isn't it?”

He was skeptical, but he knew his soldiers; they were obedient and loyal. If they were losing, news would have reached him.

A knock came on the door. "Come in,” he answered.

Jonathan walked in, and immediately Diana sensed the graveness in his expression, the way he looked, something was wrong.

"What happened?” Bradley asked, his jaw tensed, waiting for the news.

Jonathan sighed.

Loras stood side by side with Jael, both of them looking on as their army was slowly wiped out.

Fuck, things weren't looking too good.

He moved away from the crowd, away from the dead body of Elias, Bradley's man. If he heard what happened there was no doubt he would come here and they wouldn't be ready for him.

He had been waiting for his sister and mom to send the additional troops, the ones Jael had arranged for, were wiped out, but his were still coming.

His beta ran towards him, away from the fighting men.

“Alpha, our men are reducing greatly, one of our soldiers just came back now, our army at the other gate has been wiped out," he said, panting and sweating.

Loras sweated, his nerves were frayed. Fuck, they were losing.

“Do you think we can hold it till the rest of the troops arrive?" Jael asked, interfering.

Loras didn't like it but he didn't really have a choice.

“No, sir," his beta shook his head. They both turned to the fighting men.

They had reduced significantly, and they wouldn't be able to.

The feeling of loss dawned on Loras. Maybe he would retreat for now but he would be back, he would make sure he was.

He gritted his teeth in annoyance, “Then we have no choice"

“Retreat" he howled to the pack mixed with the blackwoods.

Immediately they received the message and were ready for flight.

….

Bradley raced to the northern gate, he couldn't believe it. The words Jonathan had said, not until he saw it.

He didn't want to.

He could hear Diana not far behind him, racing to catch up as well. It had been shocking to hear it as well, and she didn't want to believe it either.

Immediately they had heard the news, Bradley had jumped out of the chair and raced out of the room.

Because a few minutes earlier, Jonathan had announced to both of them, “Elias is dead Alpha"

He had told them of the wolf that had run back from the battleground to deliver the news, which usually happened when a high-ranking, like the beta, died.

Bradley had felt an influx of agony and anger mixed in a shrewd mixture. He hadn't known how to react, just wanting to find out for himself.

Very soon, when they arrived at the grounds, a few men remained. Their bodies were bloodied either with their blood or the wolves they had killed.

“Where is he?" Bradley gritted out.

The other wolves bowed at his presence and one of them pointed very close to the gate.

Bradley didn't look at anyone when he walked there, his eyes were rimmed red, and he couldn't see anything except it.

There, close to the gate, amongst the other fallen, distorted bodies he could see his best friend and beta.

He lay face down on the ground, his hands twisted in a fist.

Bradley could feel his heart tear apart. The sight was one he hadn't thought he would ever see. Along with the surge of pain came the surge of hungry anger.

The one who had done this would make them regret it like he never had. He vowed as he stood over his body, Loras Whitemore would die by his hands, his hands alone.

He bent over the body, turning it over when he saw something, a piece of paper under him.

He picked it up, his mind rummaging, wondering what message Loras could have wanted to send.

Diana stood beside him as well, wondering what the paper could contain. She could feel the pain emanating from Bradley, and she could only imagine.

It must have felt just as hurtful as losing his parents had felt.

Bradley dropped the scrunched paper on the floor, his face hardening with hatred. Diana picked up the paper to read as well, wondering what could have caused the reaction she was witnessing.

Do you know that just before I ripped out his throat I told him the truth of what happened to his parents? The collateral damage they were. I hadn't really wanted to but they were just as much fools as your parents had been, a pity really. You see Bradley Blackwood, you're playing a losing game, one you will never win. You do not understand the power I possess and the strings I have pulled even before you were born. This battle may not have been ours, but I will blame that on my ally's naivety. But I will be back, that I can promise and I will snatch everything away, just as I needed to all those years ago. I will make you watch as I mount your throne, I will make you watch as Loras tears out the throat of your Luna, her blood splotching all over just as his had and then I will kill you, myself, with these very claws. You see, son, you've been playing a losing game right from the start, and it has reached its end. And how I itch to meet you, if you are brave enough to face me on the battlefield.

JC

There was no Yours sincerely this time, the fake pleasantry. Now she understood why that burning hatred filled Bradley's face. Everything here indicated a spite that Diana had never witnessed.

She couldn't help but think about who this man could be. That had so much power, apparently, and wit to attack Bradley and think he could win.

She wasn't too deeply versed in other packs' businesses, but the Blackwood pack was one of the greatest in the country; its name superseded its presence. Bradley had single-handedly built it all up for this JC to think he could take over so easily.

She tucked it into her jean pocket. She would reread it when spirits were calmer.

Jonathan came to stand behind both of them, his head bowed in respect.

Bradley just stood there, in the middle of the sea of bodies, his eyes staring into the vast darkness beyond the pack gates.

“How did you let this happen?" He turned to Jonathan suddenly and asked.

Jonathan's eyes widened in fear, “Alpha, I wasn't at this gate, I had no idea" he managed to let out, nervous and scared.

Bradley's jaw tightened, his face flashing with so many emotions that it was difficult for Diana to catch, well all except one. Anger.

“They are coming back, and this time, preparations must be top notch," he had determined in his head. He would surprise them this time.

“Yes, Alpha, our army was reduced significantly today," his voice dropping as he talked.

“I expected so, well, we have allies who will be willing to help” he began to head back to the pack alongside Jonathan.

They were both preparing for war, and Diana watched on. She hadn't been included too much so far and in a way, she hadn't wanted to. Not yet, not until she knew who this man was and what he was capable of, and somehow one name flashed across her as who would have the information.

Jay Cross.

Loras stormed into the pack house, anger clearly written across all his features as he headed to the pack room, where all preparations for war were made. This was where he would find his mom.

Just as he had expected, she was there.

“Why exactly weren't reinforcements sent?" He asked, calmly. His voice is not a reflection of the turmoil of emotions inside him.

Celia's head snapped up. She hadn't known when Loras had headed for war, and she hadn't given him the go-ahead either.

“Not everybody had been ready yet," she said firmly. One thing she was never scared of was Loras.

Loras glared at her angrily.

The door opened behind him, and the tall, dark, and mysterious man stepped in, his eyes shining with something Loras couldn't place.

Celia's face changed into one of shock, her eyes widening at the sight in front of her.

There wasn't a way this was possible, she had seen it happen with her very own eyes, his body being lowered into the ground. His son paid the last respects.

She had seen it all. So how was he here then?

“Jae

l Cross?" She said softly, her eyes not leaving his striking figure.

Jael smirked in satisfaction. “That's right, how long has it been Celia Whitemore?"