Chapter 46

Jared’s POV

The flickering candlelight cast shadows along the walls of my office, their shifting forms as restless as my thoughts. The scent of aged parchment, ink, and whiskey filled the air, but none of it soothed the gnawing unease in my chest.

I had all I desired: authority, dominance, and Midnight Moon's undivided devotion. Nevertheless, I tightened my hold on the crystal tumbler in my hand, leaving the liquor unharmed.

Because something didn't feel right.

It was too long since Lila had left. She had vowed to bring Claire back and that her plan would cause Redwater to fall apart. However, the longer she remained away, the more Redwater's silence gnawed at me like a warning.

Then there was Claire.

I leaned forward in my chair and let out a sharp exhale. She is now the adversary. She made up her mind.

However, that didn't account for the memories that managed to infiltrate my thoughts every night.

The way she used to smile, tentative, warm, and soft. She used to gaze at me as though I were more than just an Alpha with a heavy workload. As if I were a person worth believing.

I pushed the thoughts aside and grabbed the pile of reports that were on my desk. Rumours about Redwater's strength and how Derek had accepted Claire as one of his own had been circulating among Midnight Moon's warriors.

I should have been furious.

Rather, it tightened my throat.

I was startled out of my reverie by a jarring knock on the door. I said, "Enter," in a sharper tone than I meant.

My Beta, Vaughn, appeared as the door swung open. He had a sombre face. "We're having trouble."

We did, of course.

I motioned for him to talk.

"Lila's mission was unsuccessful."

The words sank into my veins like ice.

"Failed?" I echoed slowly and purposefully.

According to Vaughn, "Redwater wasn't just prepared—they were expecting her." Claire prepared for the assault. Lila also barely made it out alive.

I pushed away from my desk and stood up so quickly that my chair brushed the wood floor.

"Claire knew."

Vaughn paused. "That's how it appears."

My jaw tightened as my rage clashed with something more profound that I would not identify. "How?"

Vaughn remarked, "She must have discovered something before she left." "Or perhaps she's simply that intelligent."

I didn't want to admit how painful the thought was.

Claire had been the reserved, cautious one. Constantly observing, contemplating. The way her mind solved problems in a way that mine never did was something I used to admire. I believed I understood her.

However, if she had outwitted Lila...

If she'd been ready for the assault before it happened...

Then perhaps I never knew her.

Vaughn moved apprehensively. "There's more."

I looked into his eyes and waited.

"Lila is not merely upset; she is inciting the pack to rebel against you."

The air between us became extremely sharp.

"Explain."

"She is accusing you of being weak. That rather than allowing Claire to get away with it, you ought to have dealt with her yourself. She is informing the warriors that you lack sound judgement. Vaughn's voice trailed off. "And they're beginning to trust her."

My jaw muscle twitched.

Lila was always a driven individual, but this.

This was betrayal.

I forced myself to control my emotions by running a hand through my hair. I said, "Gather the inner circle," "Now."

Without saying anything more, Vaughn nodded and walked away.

I walked over to the window and gazed out at the land I had devoted my life to defending.

My greatest regret had been Claire. My biggest error.

And Lila was a fool if she believed she could use that against me.

Redwater was no longer the only factor in this conflict.

It had to do with the future of Midnight Moon.

And I would be damned if I failed to grasp it.

There was a tense silence in the council chamber as my best advisors and warriors assembled. We sat at a weathered wooden table with long shadows from flickering torches lining the stone walls. Since everyone in the room had heard the rumours, there was uneasiness on every face.

Like a serpent, Lila was causing strife among my warriors by whispering doubts in their ears. It was time for me to stop it.

At my right, Vaughn sat with a stiff posture. Magnus, one of my senior commanders, folded his arms across from me. He was a loyal but cautious man who carefully considered all of his options.

Saying, "We need to talk about Lila," I broke the ice.

A few suspicious looks passed back and forth. There was no desire to speak first.

Vaughn said, "She's overstepping," at last. "Testing your ability to lead in front of the warriors."

Magnus let out a breath via his nose. "They're also paying attention. Jared, she's not entirely incorrect. After being an issue, Claire is now flourishing under Derek's care. It causes you to look—" He paused.

"Weak," I said in a chilly tone as I finished for him.

Magnus remained silent.

I felt the weight of the word as I let it sink between us.

I wasn't weak.

Perception, however, was important. And at the moment, Lila was portraying me as a leader who had allowed his feelings to override his authority.

"Alpha, what are you suggesting?" Vaughn enquired.

With my fingers steepled, I leaned forward. "We remind all those in authority."

Magnus scowled. Lila is powerful. She will exert greater effort if you confront her directly.

I said, "Then I'll make sure she doesn't get the chance," in a low, menacing voice. "I gave her too much time to play her games. That's over now.

Quiet.

Vaughn then nodded sharply. "What's the plan?"

"Before she moves, we're going to remove her influence. Command the fighters. Encourage loyalty. And if she transgresses once more... A sardonic grin curved my lips. "I'll remind her of my Alpha status."

The space moved. My men knew what I was talking about.

Lila desired authority. She intended to elevate herself above me by using Claire's betrayal as justification.

One thing, though, she had forgotten.

I wasn't the type of man to let other people decide how I lived.

—Later That Evening—

I stepped onto the balcony of my private chambers, the cool air stinging my skin as the wind howled outside. My warriors' campfires burned below, their flickering light barely penetrating the forest beyond.

Lila believed she had me in a tight spot.

She was mistaken.

Behind me, I heard a soft click of boots on stone as the door opened.

"Jared, you're making a mistake."

Lila had a smooth, surprisingly serene voice. I didn't look back.

"Am I?"

She approached, coming up right behind me. She had failed the mission, and I could smell the faint scent of blood on her.

"Claire is a problem," she said. "You know that. However, rather than correcting your error, you allowed her to escape. She is currently establishing herself in Redwater.

Then I turned to look into her piercing eyes. "Lila, you seem worried about Claire. It almost seems like this has nothing to do with Midnight Moon.

Her mouth quirked. "Jared, it's about power. You're already losing if you're unable to see that.

"Power?" I lowered my voice and took a step closer. "Lila, let me clarify one thing for you. I don't share authority. I don't haggle over it. Furthermore, I refuse to follow your instructions.

Something flickered in her face for the first time, uncertainty.

Adding, "I suggest you tread carefully," "Because I won't be so forgiving the next time you try to turn my pack against me."

Between us, the tension splintered like a perilous line in the sand.

Lila had played her hand too much. And she would soon see what a serious error that had been.

For if she believed that I was weak...

She was going to learn otherwise.