Chapter 235 Chapter 0235

Chapter 235 Chapter 0235
•DANTE•

"Are you sure that ten men are going to be alright, Alpha?" The commander asked when I arrived at the warriors' training grounds.

He was done selecting the ten men I had asked for.

"Yes, I am sure. I want them to follow behind me and be stationed a little distance from the Crimson Ridge. That's where the Ashbourne Council is stationed. It's only a few miles from that pack. But I don't think that the Alpha there knows it."

Kael's letter gave me a clue to where the Ashbourne Council was based. He mentioned that he would be waiting for me and drew a picture of the forest clearing where he would be waiting with Cassandra.

But since I had been around most of the territorial regions before finally ending up in Goldenmane Court, I remembered the place and realized that it wasn't far from the Crimson Ridge.

"Is there anything that you need me to do here, Alpha? Your father mentioned that since your coronation, the lycans in hiding had been coming out and wishing to see if you would bring change and make it safe for them to live wherever they wanted."

"You must keep them in the council hall until I return," I answered. "I won't take long."

The commander nodded and went back to his men to give them their final instructions before we moved out.

I stepped away from the training grounds and pulled out my phone. I had been ignoring notifications for days and hadn't opened my email since before everything with Cassandra and Kael escalated.

My phone rang before I could check anything, and it was Dr. Langford. I answered it. "Lang."

"Dante, I am glad I reached you," he replied. "The Director of the Department of Health for California contacted the hospital this morning. They are requesting that we close the building temporarily while they conduct an investigation."

I stopped walking. "What kind of investigation?"

"They received a tip," he answered. "Someone told them that this hospital has been using methods that go beyond what any licensed medical facility should be capable of. They used the phrase unnatural healing practices." He paused. "They want full access to patient records and staff files within forty-eight hours, or they move to shut us down permanently."

I pressed my hand against my forehead and swore under my breath. I had not checked my emails in over a week after signing everything over to Cassandra. I forgot to clear the air after the people had seen me in my lycan form.

The director probably knew the tip wasn't mistaken, since people had spotted something so bizarre near the hospital.

"Forward me the director's contact details," I replied. "I will handle it personally."

"I will send everything through now," he answered. He was quiet for a brief second before he spoke again. "Dante."

"Yes."

"Is it true?" he asked. "What people are saying. That Cassandra is not entirely human. They all believe that this is about her. The beast that broke into our hospital a few weeks ago wanted her."

My jaw clenched. "Cassandra has been through a lot and almost lost her life, but this is what the people care about? The beast could've killed her, but she survived. They should be praising her for her bravery instead of accusing her of things that they don't understand themselves."

"Yes, Dante. You're right," he answered. "I am sorry for asking as stupid as this. We've been working with Cassandra, and we should know that she's a talented and hard-working doctor. She has saved many lives, and this place is no longer the same without her."

I hung up the call and called a scout over. I gave her my cell phone and jacket to take to the house before I turned to the ten waiting warriors.

"Follow me, but not all the way to Kael," I instructed them. "I know that Kael will station people around that territory to inform him of my arrival, so if they see you with me, they will tell Kael and our plans would be ruined. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Alpha. We will take the route that leads us to the back of their building. They won't see us if we take the long way around. Once you arrive at their building, we will come out and surround them."

"Good. Stay hidden until I give the signal. If I sense anything unusual ahead of me, I will let out a long howl. That is your warning to stop where you are and wait for my next command. If you hear two short howls, move in immediately and surround the building. Do not attack unless I order it."

The warriors nodded together. "We understand, Alpha."

I took one last breath before allowing my Lycan to rise. My bones cracked and stretched as thick black fur covered my skin. My hands became large claws, and my senses sharpened.

The ten warriors shifted into their Lycan forms behind me.

Without another word, I pushed off the ground. We raced into the forest. Trees flew past as the wind rushed against my face. The earth shook beneath our paws while we crossed streams, climbed rocky hills, and leaped over fallen trees without slowing down.

After several miles, I reached the place where we had agreed to split up. I glanced over my shoulder, and their captain nodded.

The warriors turned to the left and disappeared into the thicker part of the forest. They would circle around and reach the back of Kael's headquarters without being seen.

I continued alone.

After running for nearly an hour without stopping, I saw a building. I slowed down my pace and stepped through the last line of trees.

A large building stood in the clearing ahead of me.

I had arrived just before Kael's two-hour deadline.

I shifted back into my human form and straightened my clothes as I watched the front entrance.

The door opened, and Kael stepped outside with a calm smile on his face. He folded his hands behind his back and walked toward me as though we were old friends meeting after a long time.

"It is good to see you again, Dante," he muttered. "If I knew it would be this easy to bring you into my trap, I would've captured Cassandra a long time ago," he smirked. "But you're here now. Let's have some fun."

I furrowed my brows as I looked at him. I wasn't expecting him to be standing there and appearing unaffected by the lycan bite.

"So it's true," I murmured. "You're a hybrid?"

"It took you so long to realize that, King." He leaned closer. "It's a pity that you and Cassandra won't be walking out of here alive."