Chapter 69: The Cracks in the Throne

Kieran’s POV

It hung like a curse over the Midnight Moon stronghold, the smell of blood and damp stone. Standing in the darkened war room, Kieran watched as the remains of a once-proud pack broke apart in front of him. The warriors' confidence in Jared was ebbing and they were restless. Rumours of dissension had been rife with the stench of fear ever since the council had turned against them, and they had been spreading like wildfire.

Once a man of authority, Jared now ruled with desperation. His outbursts and penalties had become capricious. The pack now looked to Kieran, his Beta, as their leader instead of him.

Kieran was aware of it.

He had been by Jared's side for years, imposing his will and keeping his opponents quiet. But now that he was seeing the Midnight Moon fall apart, he realised that Jared was no longer capable of being a leader. His pride had turned the pack against him, his desire for vengeance had made him reckless, and his obsession with Claire had blinded him.

Already, the Alphas of the nearby packs had started to circle like vultures, recognising Midnight Moon's vulnerability. The fortress that had once been an invincible force was now at risk. Jared also did not see it.

The door to the war room flew open, and Kieran turned. Inside, a battered and panting warrior stumbled.

The man, with blood streaming from a cut on his forehead, gasped, "Alpha Jared demands your presence." "Now."

Kieran rolled his shoulders and let out a slow exhale. This was what he had anticipated. The confrontation was inevitable, and Jared was losing his mind. He trailed the fighter through the dim hallways, past fighters who hardly looked at him. They had lines of fear, but there was also hope.

They waited for him to decide on something.

The smell of alcohol and rage filled the air as he walked into Jared's room. Jared stood with his knuckles white and his fists clenched by the fire. Sleepless nights had left his face gaunt and his once immaculate armour scuffed.

"You sent them away," Jared spat, his eyes bloodshot as he turned to Kieran. "The scouts I ordered to take Redwater—you called them back!"

Kieran did not recoil. Considering that it was suicide. Redwater is ready. We are not.

Jared gave a guttural snarl. "We strike now, before they have a chance to regroup!"

"We don’t have the numbers," Kieran stated, without bias. "The pack is weary and injured. We have already lost too much. You must recognise reason—"

Jared made a lunge. He quickly wrapped his hand around Kieran's throat and slammed him against the stone wall. He had a bruised grip and hot, angry breath.

"You dare question me?" Jared gave a hiss.

Kieran looked up at him fearlessly. "Yes."

The room fell silent for a moment. Then, stepping back as though burned, Jared let him go with a growl.

Kieran took a deep breath and centred himself. "Jared, they no longer trust you. You are guiding them towards destruction.

Jared shook his head and laughed sharply. "You believe they have faith in you instead? "My faithful Beta?"

Kieran's jaw tightened. "I think they want a leader who isn’t blinded by his obsession."

Something sinister, something perilous, twisted Jared's face. However, a knock on the door interrupted him before he could say anything.

Barking, "Enter," Jared said.

With his eyes darting between them, a young warrior entered. "Alpha, we have a problem."

Jared betrayed him. "What now?"

The warrior took a swallow. "The Alphas from the north... They have demanded a summit. They wish to talk about Midnight Moon's future.

Kieran froze. The Alphas from the north were strong and had sway over many different regions. They must no longer consider Jared a threat if they were meddling now.

Jared's expression darkened. "They have no say in this war!"

Kieran moved forward slowly. "They do when they believe you’re too weak to lead."

Kieran refused to back down when Jared growled at him. He was aware that this was his time.

"You want to keep pretending you're in control, Jared?" Kieran said, his voice low and steady. "Then go to that summit and prove it. But if you think for one second that you can keep leading this pack into destruction, you’re a fool."

Jared’s hands trembled at his sides, but there was something in his eyes now—fear.

Kieran had never seen him afraid before.

But Jared wasn’t afraid of the Alphas. He wasn’t afraid of war.

He was afraid of losing everything.

Jared’s voice was hoarse when he finally spoke. "You’re either with me, or against me."

Kieran’s heart pounded. He had fought beside Jared for years, through countless battles. But this wasn’t the Alpha he had once followed. This was a man drowning in his own madness.

He had already made his choice.

Kieran stepped forward, lowering his voice so only Jared could hear. "I’ve already chosen, Jared. And so has the pack."

Jared’s breath hitched.

Before he could respond, Kieran turned and walked out of the chamber, leaving his Alpha behind.

The storm was coming. But this time, Jared would face it alone.