Chapter 41: Chapter#41

Leandro’s POV

Nothing can come between me and that Silverthorn bitch.

I’d tear Ironfang apart to drag her back, chain her to my bed, and break her until she begged to be my mate.

Stormhowl’s stone walls loomed ahead. Its iron gates were barred against the dusk sky. My knights halted behind me. I raised a fist, silencing my army. Stormhowl’s archers stood ready with their arrows notched.

“What do you want?” one of the archers asked, yelling from atop the wall.

“I’m Alpha Leandro of Bloodclaw.” I roared, “Open the fucking gates! I’m passing through to Ironfang.”

The archers exchanged looks, and then one of them spoke, “We can’t let you through. Turn around, Alpha, and sail through the Elarin River.”

“Don’t waste my time!” I snapped, “Call your Alpha.”

No continent can close doors on me. Do they not know who I am?

A few minutes later, a figure appeared atop the wall. It was Alpha Gavric, Stormhowl’s Alpha. His black beard was braided with bone beads.

“State your business, Leandro!” he bellowed, “Stormhowl closed its door on you since the day your wolves captivated my knights and slaughtered them, even when we had an alliance against Emberclaw.”

I bared my fangs, “Let me pass, Gavric,” I snarled. “And I’ll free your slaves. A fair trade.”

Gavric leaned forward, “Stormhowl slaves? How many?”

“You know me, Gavric. I lost count,” I shrugged my shoulders as I got off my shadow hound. “They’ve been trained well. They know labour, how to clean floors, cook food...”

“They are knights, Lenadro!” Gavric growled, “And you made them your slaves?”

“It doesn’t make sense to talk about what already happened.” I took a step forward, raising my voice, “I’ll free them when I return from Ironfang. You have my word.”

“Your word?” He harshly laughed, mocking me, “Bloodclaw’s word is worth less than dog shit.”

“What do you want me to do?” I hissed.

“Free my wolves first,” he barked, “And I’ll consider letting you through.”

I clenched my fists. The urge to scale the wall and rip his throat out surged, but I forced it down. Selene was the prize, not this fool’s head.

“It’ll take a day for them to reach here,” I growled. “They’re scattered around Bloodclaw. I’ll send some of my men to go back and bring them here. You’ll have them by tomorrow’s dusk.”

Gavric stroked his beard, “A day, huh? Fine. You’re welcome to stay in Stromhowl till then.”

“I am no prisoner!” I hissed, getting back on my hound.

“No one’s a prisoner in Stromhowl, Leandro,” he raised his voice, “You’re our guest. Get comfortable. Rooms for you and your wolves will be set, and you’ll join me for meals in the packhouse. But you cannot leave until our knights are freed from your reign.”

I sneered. The idea of his hospitality grated. But refusing would slow me down. I needed those gates open.

“Agreed,” I nodded, raising my voice, “Open the gates, Gavric. Don’t keep me waiting.”

The iron groaned as the gates swung wide. Knights guarding the gates stepped aside, making a way for me and my army. I spurred my hound forward.

Stromhowl was a sprawl of stone and smoke. Its alleys reeked of ale and piss. Whores lounged in doorways and merchants hawked charred meat and stolen trinkets.

“It’s time we break bread in Stromhowl.” Gavric greeted me.

Gavric’s knights led us to the packhouse. Inside, the royal dining chamber was a spectacle of excess. It had three long tables groaning under platters of roasted boar, spiced roots, and rivers of dark wine.

Lords and their retinues filled the seats. Naked whores draped over them. Some perched on their laps while others knelt at their feet. One lord had a whore’s breast in his mouth with his wife beside him laughing.

Always have been a shit show here.

“Welcome, Leandro!” Gavric boomed from the head table, raising a goblet. “Eat, drink, fuck. Stromhowl’s hospitality is yours.”

I took the seat offered, ordering my knights to spread among the tables. The opulence churned my stomach.

I grew up in Bloodclaw’s ash-choked wastes. My father’s whip taught me strength, and my mother’s shattering screams taught me cruelty. Meals were solitary, taken in my throne room. My only company was the crack of my whip on obedient slaves.

This… this was bullshit.

“Choose a whore for the night,” Gavric grinned as he slapped the ass of a blonde beside him. “It’s tradition here. Our lords share their beds with whores, even their wives join in. Pick one, Leandro. They’re well-trained.”

My gaze was cold as I scanned the room. I’ve had a slave pleasing me since I was eight. They didn’t please me anymore. Stromhowl’s whores were nothing different. They stirred nothing in me.

My desire was reserved for only Selene now. These creatures were something to spit on.

But then, a naked woman emerged from behind Gavric, dropping to her knees beside him. My breath caught as my eyes fell on her.

“Rhea…” her name slipped out of my lips in a rough whisper.

She was my beta. Bloodclaw lost her over a year ago during a raid on the Frostfang border. I thought she was dead.

Her auburn hair was matted. Chains clinked at her wrists. Her naked body was marred with bruises; I recognized they were hickey.

“You know this one?” Gavric raised a brow as his hand tangled in Rhea’s hair, yanking her head back.

“Where’d you find her?” I growled, standing as my fists clenched. “She’s my beta. You’ve had her long enough, Gavric.”

“Your beta?” he laughed, “How can she be your beta? She’s from…”

“He’s right,” Rhea said, getting up on her feet. “I am his Beta.”

The room quieted. Gavric’s smile faltered as his grip tightened on Rhea. “Your beta, huh? She’s been a fine whore for us.” He turned his head to me, “You sure you want used goods?”

I took off my cloak and put it around her shoulder to cover her naked body.

“Get your ass up!” I barked at the lord sitting next to me. With a word, he got up and moved aside. I signalled Rhea to sit, “You’ll share a meal with me.”

“Whores don’t eat at our tables!” Gavric barked, slamming his hand on the table.

“Don’t test me,” I snarled, stepping closer, “I’ll carve your heart out and feed it to your whores.”

Gavric laughed, but it was forced, “Easy, Leandro. I never knew she was your Beta.”

He shoved Rhea forward. Her chains rattled as she stumbled. I caught her arm, steadying her.

“He knew…” She looked up at me, “I told him I was your beta.” She turned her head to Gaveric and spat on his face, “I fucked me every night telling me you didn’t want to take me back.”

“Leandro,” Gaveric’s voice cracked, “You believe this whore? I am a respectable man. ”

“Wolves,” I roared, “On your position!”

In an instant, every Stromhowl lord had a Bloodclaw sword on their throats.

“I can destroy this city in minutes.” I hissed grabbing Gaveric’s collar, “I’ll sell your children and fuck your wife. Another word, and I’ll prove whatever I say can be true.”

His eyes fell on the ground, and another irritating word didn’t come out of his mouth.

I grabbed Rahea’s hand and faced my knights, “Get back on your seats, and enjoy your meal.” My head turned to Gaveric, “I hope my wolves love your hospitality, Alpha Gaveric.”