Chapter 56 Betrayal In The Depths

Chapter 56 Betrayal In The Depths
CHAPTER 56: Betrayal in the Depths

Darius’s POV

My wolf surged inside, claws pushing at my fingertips. I didn’t think. I just reacted.

“Partial shift!” I shouted.

“Now!”

My body changed fast. Fur rippled across my arms and fangs lengthened in my mouth. The half-form gave us claws and strength.

Around me my men did the same. Growls filled the dark space as the air grew thick with the scent of rage and blood.

The enemy crashed into us like a wave. Snarls echoed off the stone walls and claws tore flesh. Bodies slammed together in the tight space.

A big rogue slammed into me, his fangs snapping near my throat. I twisted hard and raked my claws across his side and hot blood sprayed across my chest.

“You won’t win this,” he growled, voice rough from the partial shift.

I grabbed his neck and slammed him against the wall. “Watch me.”

All around us the fight turned brutal. Lucas fought two rogues at once, his claws flashing as he tore into one.

Killian, the younger soldier took a deep gash across his leg but kept swinging, teeth bared.

The tunnels echoed with pain and anger. Wolves crashed into stone, claws scraped and someone howled in pain close by.

I fought like my life depended on it. I couldn’t let these traitors break through.

One rogue tried to slip past me toward the stairs. I caught him by the arm and yanked him back. “Where do you think you’re going?”

He snapped at my face. “The king’s time is over. His human mate dies tonight.”

Those words lit a fire in me and I drove my claws deeper into his shoulder.

He screamed but something felt wrong. These rogues weren’t pushing as hard as they should. They kept us busy, yes but they weren’t trying to break through to the upper levels.

I caught a new scent on the air. It was faint but clear. The smell of oiled metal and leather. It was the weapons being moved away.

“They’re stalling us!” I roared over the chaos.

“Some of them are escaping with the stolen weapons through another tunnel!”

Lucas looked at me while still fighting as his eyes widened.

“What? How do you know?”

“I smell it. Lucas!” I called to one of my strongest warriors.

“Take five men and follow that scent. Stop them before they get the weapons out. Go!”

Lucas nodded quickly, blood on his face.

“On it, Prince. We won’t let them escape.”

He and five others broke away and disappeared down a side passage.

I turned back to the fight, heart pounding. My shoulder burned from an earlier wound but I kept moving.

Another rogue came at me. We crashed together, claws and fangs tearing. I felt his hot breath on my neck as we struggled.

“Why are you doing this?” I growled, pinning him against the wall.

“Aric has kept the pack strong. Why betray him?”

The rogue laughed through pain. “Strength? He chose a weak human. The real leaders know the old ways are better and war brings power.”

I slashed his chest and stepped back as he fell but more kept coming. The battle stretched on and my arms grew heavy.

Sweat mixed with blood on my skin. Every growl and clash made my wolf more restless. I thought about Seraphine’s brave face upstairs, about Aric standing between her and the angry crowd. They were fighting for something real. These traitors only wanted power.

I took down another rogue with a hard strike and he dropped, breathing ragged.

“Please,” he whispered. “They promised us a better pack, do not kill me please..”

I knelt beside him, breathing hard. “Who promised you? Tell me.”

Before he could answer, another whistle sounded. An arrow struck him. Poisoned. He jerked once and went still.

I spun toward the darkness with immediate effect.

“Cowards!” I shouted. “Fight me face to face!”

No answer came, only the sounds of the remaining fight.

We kept pushing. Slowly the enemy numbers thinned. I fought the last rogue myself. He was strong but I was angrier.

I slammed him into the ground and pinned him there.

“It’s over,” I growled.

He spat blood. “For you maybe.”

I ended it quickly. The tunnel fell quiet except for the heavy breathing of my men. Bodies lay everywhere, blood stained the stones, I wiped my claws and stood up slowly.

Pain throbbed in my shoulder and side but I couldn’t stop now.

“The scent is still strong,” I said. “I’m going after Mercer. Lucas, secure this area and send word to Aric. Tell him the armory is empty but we’re chasing the thieves.”

Lucas nodded, looking tired but determined.

“Be careful prince. This feels bigger than we thought.”

I followed the trail alone at first, then picked up two more men on the way. The scent of the stolen armory grew stronger as we moved through hidden passages I barely remembered existed.

My wolf stayed close to the surface, guiding me.

We reached a larger hidden chamber. Torchlight flickered inside, the sound of wagons creaking and men working filled the air. I crept closer and peered around the corner.

My heart dropped.

Dozens of stolen weapons lay piled on wagons. Swords, spears, armor and everything taken from the royal armory.

Standing at the center, calmly directing the loading, was Commander Varak. One of the most trusted Lycan commanders in the kingdom. A man who had fought beside Aric for years.

Betrayal hit me like a punch as I stepped forward without thinking.

“Varak,” I said, voice cold. “What have you done?”

The commander turned slowly as his eyes glowed with his wolf and a small, calm smile touched his lips.

Around him, rogue Lycans stopped working and reached for weapons.

“You’re too late,” Varak said quietly.

His voice carried through the chamber like a death sentence. He raised his hand. “Kill them. All of them.”

The rogues surged forward with snarls and glowing eyes. My men tensed beside me and I gripped my claws tight with heart racing. The real fight had only just begun.