Chapter 119 A Summons Written in Blood

Chapter 119 A Summons Written in Blood
POV Asher:

“So this Rosa can only be resurrected if an Alpha dies? Is that it?” Una breaks the silence that follows.

“I don’t really know how it works. But Orion said that the more powerful the soul, the higher the chance Morana will accept the bargain.” Begay says, sounding calmer. “What soul is stronger than an Alpha’s?”

“If that’s the case, we can use Therak’s father’s soul—we’re going to kill him anyway—and bring that girl back. I don’t understand why you care so much about someone else’s pup, but if it makes you happy…” Our omega shrugs, acting as if everything were very simple to solve.

This time, I can’t hold back my laughter.

“Oh, sweetheart, what would our lives be without you and your ideas?” I ask, leaning in to kiss her.

“Actually, Una’s right!” Therak suddenly says, full of excitement. “I’m going to kill Declan to keep you safe, and then we can trade him for Rosa’s soul. It’s a brilliant idea!”

Begay’s and my mouths fall open in surprise when we realize Therak is serious.

“W-would you really do that?” the lynx asks, stunned.

“And why not? Bringing Rosa back will only bring benefits. We’ll secure a harmonious agreement with the Alpha of Juneau.” Therak raises a finger to count. “Ensure my father can never come back to torment me again and, most importantly, remove this foolish guilt from your shoulders. Give you peace.”

The red lynx lowers his gaze, visibly emotional, and we all move closer to hug him, showing that his problems matter to us.

“That would be incredible. Orion is very important to me,” he admits, resting his cheek against the bear’s broad chest, which begins to emit a strange purring sound that makes me drowsy. “He saved me when I had already given up on myself. He gave me a second chance and even considered me part of his family. Knowing I can repay that somehow… means a lot.”

“Then let’s make it happen,” Una says with her usual simplicity. “As soon as Therak kills Declan, we’ll make the trade. It won’t take long, right?” She turns to Therak. “You just need to smack him with your huge paw and rip his head off his shoulders.”

This time, everyone laughs.

How incredible the world would be if it were as uncomplicated as in my mate’s mind.

“It’s not quite that simple, love. My father isn’t just anyone,” Therak replies, rubbing his beard. “He’s powerful and has the loyalty of many members of my pack, since most still see him as the true Alpha.”

“So what?” Una asks, as if that means nothing. And to her, it really doesn’t.

The little fox is just now discovering how the Lykae world works. She knows the law of the wild, which is often far more merciful…

“If the pack sides with Declan, they could hunt Therak and try to kill him. And even if they don’t, it will be difficult to rule afterward, because they’ll keep thinking our mate stole the position.”

“They already think that. Don’t you remember the she-bear you met in the forest? She said I was a usurper. A monster.” Therak pauses, his jaw tightening with anger. “The truth is, I can’t trust anyone. Even my beta, whom I was certain was loyal, betrayed me. He freed my father, even knowing how cruel Declan is.”

“You can trust us, Therak,” I say slowly, touching the side of his face to make him look at me. “I know it’s important to have allies within the pack, but you’re not alone. We’ll figure this out. I don’t know how, but we will.”

“I fought so hard for this pack… for this territory. Twenty years dedicated to taking care of every Lykae who lived in Moonclaw Ridge.” He swallows hard, his blue eyes unfocused, as if lost in memories. “I know I shouldn’t care about those who always turned their backs on me, but I do. I can only think about every innocent person who will suffer at my father’s hands if he returns to power.”

“He won’t—” The words die in my throat when my ears pick up sounds from above.

Therak’s eyes widen as he also hears footsteps approaching the tunnel entrance. The Alpha sets Begay on the ground and rises, tense as a drawn bow.

“Stay here,” he orders through clenched teeth, emanating so much fury and power that my rallun whimpers in my chest.

Of course, I don’t obey.

I slip past the metal gate before Therak can release it, letting the iron spikes sink back into the ground. He growls at me irritably, but doesn’t force me back inside, which tells me two things: first, he meant it when he said he would make me his right hand, and second, he doesn’t want to be alone.

My heart tightens for the great bear, who has to deal with this shit right now, just when he thought he would finally have his “happily ever after.”

We’ll still have it. I reinforce in my mind, searching for strength as I follow him toward the place where we entered—and where I now catch the strong scent of blood.

A heavy thud echoes through the dark corridors, like something large hitting the ground, making Therak stop abruptly, and I nearly crash into his back.

The metallic smell intensifies as we hear the manhole cover slam shut, sealing us inside our hiding place, which suddenly feels far less safe than we thought.

“It’s a body,” I murmur before we even turn the final tunnel and come face to face with what was left for us.

“It’s my beta.”

Therak’s voice sounds as lifeless as the poor man before us, whose torture marks make my stomach churn.

The word “disfigured” to describe Sergei—or what remains of him—is almost an understatement.

His pale skin is covered in dark bruises and whip marks. His arms are broken at grotesque angles, just like his legs, and most of the fingers on his hands are missing. The metallic stench filling the air comes largely from the wounds on his back, which, as I get closer, I realize are words.

A message carved in flesh, blood, and pain.

To Therak Nunuk.
The Council summons your immediate presence for questioning. Failure to appear will be interpreted as an admission of guilt.

“He did exactly what I feared… He called the ACS.” The bear whispers, smelling of a terror that shocks me.

“That’s good, isn’t it? You’re part of the High Council of the Lykae. They’ll be on your side!” I exclaim, trying to understand why he looks so shaken.

The laugh he lets out, full of despair, echoes through the tunnels, making me swallow hard.

“Asher, when you’re judged by the Council, you automatically cease to be part of it.”

“But you still have friends there. They can help us.”

“They won’t matter, because the Goddess will kill me first.”

“What are you talking about?” I gasp, convinced he’s lost his mind.

“I’ve just become unable to fulfill my part of the blood pact I made with Orion.” Therak smiles, his eyes filled with unshed tears. “He handed me my mate on a silver platter, but I can no longer support his entry into the council, since I’m no longer part of it.”

“No. It can’t be like this.” I shake my head hard, refusing to believe it.

“Declan did it.” The first tear falls down his cheek as I finally understand the situation. “He signed my death sentence by preventing me from fulfilling my part of the agreement.”

“And ours too,” I whisper, feeling my blood run cold.