Chapter 113
Louis's POV
I sat in the high-backed chair in the Blood River Pack's great hall, my fingertips tapping lightly against the armrest.
On the dark red animal hide carpet, Morena knelt before me, delivering her report. Her short, stout figure looked rather disheveled, her black robes still marked with scorch marks and mud stains.
"Alpha Louis," her voice carried a flattering tremor, "I discovered a mysterious lightning elemental spirit in Thunder Canyon."
I lifted my eyes slightly, gesturing for her to continue.
"I originally intended to capture that lightning element and present it to you." Morena paused, her voice growing more cautious. "But... there was a small mishap."
Her bedraggled appearance drew soft laughter from the corner of the hall.
"Oh my, our great Sister Morena actually failed for once?"
The speaker was Elvira.
She leaned against a stone pillar, tall and slender like an elegant viper. Her voice dripped with mockery as her long fingers traced a contemptuous arc through the air.
"Seems that elemental spirit was harder to handle than you thought." Another voice emerged from the shadows.
Uma stepped forward from the darkness. Her figure was the most proportionate among the three sisters, the curves of her form barely visible beneath her black robes.
Her smile was gentle, but her eyes assessed like she was sizing up prey.
"Shut up." Morena glared at them in embarrassed anger, but quickly bowed her head submissively. "Alpha, though I failed to bring back the elemental spirit, I discovered some extremely valuable intelligence."
I stopped tapping the armrest.
"Speak."
"I found a wolf who is naturally immune to and can carry elemental power." Excitement colored Morena's voice. "He can directly touch the lightning element without harm, and even absorb its power."
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Elvira broke the silence first, her laughter sharp and cruel. "Naturally immune to elemental power? What excellent material."
She moved away from the pillar, her slender shadow casting twisted shapes in the firelight.
"We could pull out his bones and teeth one by one to craft into magical artifacts," Elvira's eyes gleamed with madness. "Maybe we could even kill those elemental holders. That way, the Crimson Flame Warlord—"
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat softly. The sound wasn't loud, but it made Elvira shut her mouth immediately.
She tactfully retreated into the shadows, though her eyes still held lingering cruelty.
I stood and walked slowly to the center of the hall.
Flames danced in the brazier, casting flickering light and shadow across my face.
"All elemental powers must be under our surveillance." My voice was calm and gentle, as if discussing the weather. "Uma."
"Yes, Alpha." Uma stepped forward respectfully.
"Find a way to infiltrate the Silver Moon Pack." I turned to look at her. "Create chaos when the opportunity arises and seize the ice element. Remember, proceed carefully."
"As you command." Uma bowed, her black robes dragging a long trail across the floor.
My gaze fell on Morena. "As for the lightning element, Morena, since you've already found its trail, figure out a way to obtain it. Don't fail again."
Morena's body trembled slightly, then she bowed her head even more respectfully. "Yes, Alpha."
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the hall.
A young warrior knelt at the entrance. "Alpha, the Crimson Flame Warlord has arrived for his audience as commanded."
I nodded.
Elvira stretched lazily, her voice full of disappointment. "Alpha won't let me participate again. How boring."
Her tone was light, but her eyes flashed with sinister malice.
Like a viper caged and ready to bite through any throat that came near.
I raised my right hand.
The black ring on my finger gleamed in the firelight.
Morena reacted first. She bowed her head respectfully as her body began transforming into a wisp of black mist, following the runic patterns on the ring and disappearing inside.
Uma followed immediately after. Her form twisted in the air, becoming translucent black smoke that flowed into the ring like water.
But Elvira was in no hurry.
She transformed seductively into a semi-mist state, the black fog coiling around the young warrior at the door.
"So boring," her voice came from all directions with an eerie echo. "Guess I'll just play with a little nobody then?"
"No... please don't..."
The warrior's voice filled with terror.
His body struggled in the black mist but was soon completely consumed.
The fog contracted and swirled, finally leaving only a single drop of bright red blood on the hall floor.
That drop of blood looked particularly striking in the firelight.
Elvira's satisfied laughter echoed through the air before she too transformed into black mist and vanished into the ring on my hand.
The runes on the ring flickered once, then went still.
I stared expressionlessly at the drop of blood on the floor.
These witches never showed mercy to my soldiers. But I needed their power, so I had to tolerate their capriciousness.
That was part of the bargain.
I turned and walked toward the bronze mirror at the far end of the hall.
The mirror reflected my face—young, handsome, with a gentle smile.
This face looked harmless, like a young nobleman who'd just inherited the family business, not the Alpha who ruled the Blood River Pack.
I needed this face.
The Crimson Flame Warlord was a clever man. He would observe, he would test. So I had to show him a respectful, innocent, mediocre, and kind Alpha.
An Alpha not worth being wary of.
I adjusted my expression before the mirror.
The smile needed to be more sincere, but not excessive...
The eyes should be respectful, but with a hint of nervousness...
The shoulders relaxed...
Over the years, I'd perfected this mask.
"Show the Crimson Flame Warlord in," I called toward the door.
Footsteps echoed down the corridor.