Chapter 27

Chapter 27
Victoria's POV

The Blood River Pack's territory was as desolate as ever.

The swamp reeked of rot, poisonous insects buzzed in the air, and distant beast howls echoed from afar.

Returning to this land ruled by violence and savagery, a strange sense of belonging surged within me.

Here there were no hypocritical ceremonies like those of the Silver Moon Pack, no self-proclaimed noble aristocrats. Here, only the most primal law of strength prevailed—the strong survive, the weak perish.

I stepped through puddles, mud splashing onto my hem. The old me would have frowned at this, but now I simply continued forward with cold indifference.

Ever since Mother died in that "accident," ever since Kane chose that lowborn wretch when I needed him most, I understood—no one in this world is worth trusting, except power itself.

The wolf house sat at the territory's center, constructed from rough stone and beast bones. I pushed open the heavy wooden door to be met with the mingled scent of blood and spices.

Louis sat on his bone throne atop the raised platform, looking down at me.

His very existence was a form of oppression. Not Kane's oppression born of rage and unwillingness, nor Julian's calculation beneath a gentle exterior, but a pure, absolute desire to dominate.

When his gaze swept over me, it was like examining a trophy about to be claimed.

Behind him, three witches stood in silence. They wore tattered black robes, their faces painted with eerie runes, their eyes as hollow as the dead. Yet I could feel the dark magic surging within them—a twisted, unnatural power that made the very air thick and oppressive.

"Victoria." Louis's voice was low, carrying a certain pleasure. "You've returned."

I knelt on one knee, lowering my head. "Yes, my Alpha."

"Rise." He waved his hand. "Tell me, what did you see in Free Haven?"

I stood and recounted my discoveries in Free Haven one by one.

The Orta Crown, Ella and Julian, and that so-called goddess who might possess the wind element.

At the mention of the last, a glint of greed flashed in Louis's eyes.

"Wind element..." he murmured, fingers tapping on the armrest. "If we could obtain it, combined with thunder's power, we could..."

He suddenly stopped, his gaze sharpening as he looked at me.

"Come forward."

My heart clenched violently, but I forced myself to step forward. Each step felt like treading on knife points, because I knew Louis's moods were unpredictable—smiling one second, taking lives the next.

When I stood before the throne, the bone spear beside him began crackling with purple lightning.

"Kneel." Louis commanded.

I knelt again, this time on both knees. He rose from the throne, looking down at me from above, then picked up a wine glass from the nearby table.

The glass held not wine, but blood.

In the candlelight, the liquid showed an eerie dark red, emanating a faint sweet-metallic scent. Louis raised the glass before me, slowly tilting it as blood dripped along the rim.

"Drink it." He said.

I didn't hesitate. I opened my mouth, letting the warm liquid slide down my throat.

The blood's taste was more complex than I'd imagined—not just rust and fishiness, but an indescribable bitterness, and a certain addictive sweetness.

It flowed over my tongue, slid down my esophagus, igniting a fire in my stomach.

I felt that power. It coursed through my bloodstream, like countless fine needles stimulating my nerves.

"This is the blood of an erased pack's Alpha." Louis withdrew the glass, his voice carrying a morbid satisfaction. "He once ruled a fertile land, commanded hundreds of warriors. But he made one mistake—he tried to stop me."

He bent down, using one finger to lift my chin, forcing me to meet his eyes.

"Anyone who obstructs me will meet this same end." His voice was soft, yet more terrifying than any roar. "Their blood becomes my nourishment, their bones become my weapons, their souls will wail in hell forever."

I looked into his eyes—those eyes held no humanity, only pure madness and ambition.

Yet strangely, I wasn't afraid.

On the contrary, I felt a twisted kinship.

This world was mad to begin with—my mother was dead, my mate had betrayed me, my child was treated as a tool before even being born. If so, why not embrace this madness? Why not make the entire world pay the price?

"Do you understand?" Louis released my chin, stepping back. "Pain has meaning. It will make you stronger, will make you understand—the only thing worth relying on in this world is power."

"I understand." I heard myself say, my voice more resolute than expected. "I understand, my Alpha."

He nodded with satisfaction, returning to his throne. "Good. Then tell me, Victoria, what do you want?"

I raised my head, meeting his gaze directly.

"I want revenge." I said, each word seeming to squeeze through gritted teeth. "I want those who betrayed me to pay the price. I want Ella kneeling before me begging for mercy, I want Kane to regret his choice, I want Julian to understand—he can never truly possess her."

Louis smiled. That smile was cold and cruel, like an unsheathed blade.

"Then go do it." He said. "Free Haven will be your stage. Take Uma, conquer that city, seize the wind element. If you succeed, I'll give you everything you desire—power, status, and the chance for revenge."

He paused, his voice dropping lower: "But remember, Victoria, if you fail..."

He didn't finish, but I understood his meaning.

"I won't fail." I stood, placing a fist over my chest in salute. "I swear, I will bring you the wind element, will make Free Haven kneel before the Blood River Pack."

Louis waved for me to withdraw. I turned toward the door, but just as I was about to leave, he called out again.

"Victoria."

I turned back.

"Tonight no one is to disturb me." He said, a strange gleam flashing in his eyes. "I have important matters to attend to."

I nodded and pushed through the door, leaving the wolf house.

Outside, the night sky was oppressively dark, clouds blocking the moonlight. I took a deep breath, remembering Mother's final moments—how she chose to face death alone to protect me.

I thought of Kane—that man I once believed I could depend on. But when I needed him most, he chose that lowborn Ella, chose his hypocritical principles.

I thought of Julian—that hypocrite wearing a gentle mask.

He considered himself noble, considered himself merciful, but in reality he was no different from the others, all just using people.

They would all pay the price.

I raised my head, looking toward Free Haven in the distance. There lay my prey, my revenge, and the power that could make me stronger.

The night wind of Blood River blew past, carrying the stench of rot and death.

I spread my arms, embracing this darkness.

Because I had nothing left to lose.