Robert.
"I'm going to the neighboring town to get some food, Alison," I said as I watched my daughter busy herself with arranging the meager belongings we had left. We had been reduced to mere scavengers, all because of that filthy girl, Arya. My jaw tightened with anger at the thought of her.
"Stay hidden if you hear any sound and try not to draw attention to yourself," I instructed, my voice firm but tinged with concern. Alison nodded, her eyes reflecting the uncertainty that hung heavy in the air.
"Be careful, Dad," she replied, her brow furrowed in concern.
"Careful?" I scoffed, unable to suppress the bitter edge that tinged my words. My fists clenched at my sides as the memory of my former status crossed my mind. "I was once Beta of Crest pack, daughter," I reminded her, my voice edged with a tinge of defiance. "I have more warrior instinct than any guard."
With a final glance at Alison, I turned and made my way out of our hiding spot. The forest seemed to close in around me, the canopy of trees overhead filtering the weak sunlight, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at my insides. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, sent a shiver down my spine. I couldn't afford to let my guard down, not even for a moment.
The path to the neighboring town was familiar, yet each step felt heavier than the last. The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the distant chirping of birds. I quickened my pace, eager to reach my destination and gather whatever information I could.
Upon reaching the town, I wasted no time in making my way to the bustling market square. Stalls lined the narrow streets with their colorful awnings displayed on the cobblestone pavement. The scent of spices and freshly baked bread hung in the air, mingling with the murmur of voices and the clink of coins exchanging hands.
"Did you hear that the new Alpha of Crest pack was back with his wife, Arya?" I heard one trader whisper to another. "He plans to merge the pack with Rogue pack."
My ears pricked up at the mention of the Crest pack. I edged closer to the conversation, straining to catch every word. Arya. The name sent a surge of anger coursing through my veins.
I listened intently as the traders exchanged rumors and whispered gossip, piecing together fragments of information like a puzzle.
"I heard. It's a good thing though, especially with Ethan dead." The other trader replied.
Tyler and Arya, were in Crest mansion?
It was time to act. Arya would surely pay for taking everything from me. I needed to go to Crest pack.
I made my way back to the hideout in the forest where Alison was waiting. The weight of the provisions I had purchased seemed to grow heavier with each step.
I dropped the supplies at Alison's feet, my expression somber as I met her gaze. "I want to go for a walk," I said quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.
Alison's eyes widened, her brow furrowing with worry. "A walk? It's dark and you want to take a walk?"
"Are you questioning my decisions now?" I asked her, my brows raised in annoyance.
"No, I'm not. But whatever you do, be careful," she pleaded, her voice tinged with fear. "You're not Beta anymore. You're not invincible."
I nodded solemnly, the weight of her words settling like a stone in my chest.
"I'll be back soon," I promised, though the words felt hollow on my lips. With one last glance at Alison, I turned and disappeared into the shadows of the forest, my footsteps echoing in the silence.
As I approached the outskirts of Crest pack, I slowed my pace, my senses alert for any signs of danger. The air was heavy with tension, the silence broken only by the distant howls of wolves. I navigated through the labyrinth of trees with practiced ease, my movements guided by instincts honed in the crucible of survival.
Sneaking into the pack was no easy feat, the walls of the pack a formidable barrier against intruders. I sought out the hidden entrance known only to the Alpha's inner circle, my heart pounding with anticipation as I found it. With a quick glance over my shoulder to ensure that no one was watching, I slipped through it, disappearing into the darkness of the pack territory.
As I ventured deeper into the heart of the pack, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Every shadow seemed to conceal a threat, every rustle of leaves a potential danger. I kept my senses sharp, my movements fluid and deliberate as I made my way towards my destination.
Finally, I arrived at the doorstep of Ryan, one of Ethan's trusted informants. I raised my hand to knock, but before my knuckles could make contact with the door, I was met with a sudden barrage of movement.
Ryan lunged at me with startling speed. Instinct kicked in, and I barely managed to dodge his attack, sidestepping just in time to avoid his grasp. "Wait!" I exclaimed, raising my hands in a gesture of surrender. "I'm not here to harm you."
"Who the fuck are you?" he asked, his eyes alert as he watched me.
"Ryan," I replied, removing my camouflage. "I'm Robert."
Recognition flickered in Ryan's eyes, his posture relaxing slightly at my words. "Robert," he repeated, his voice tinged with relief. "What are you doing here? Especially considering you're still a wanted person in this pack."
I swallowed hard. "Arya," I whispered, the name bitter on my tongue. Ryan raised an eyebrow, silently urging me to continue. "She destroyed everything we worked for, everything Ethan believed in. I heard she's in town with Tyler."
Ryan's expression darkened at the mention of Arya's name, his jaw clenched with suppressed anger. "And what do you plan to do about it?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"I want revenge," I confessed, the words tasting like ashes in my mouth. "I want to make her pay for what she did to Ethan, to all of us. But I can't do it alone. I need your help, Ryan."
For a long moment, Ryan said nothing, his gaze piercing me with its intensity. I could feel the weight of his scrutiny, the silent judgment hanging heavy in the air between us. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice grave and measured.
Ryan's lips twisted into a cynical smirk. "Since when did you care about Ethan?" he asked, his tone laced with suspicion. "I know you, Robert. You're not one to risk your neck for anyone but yourself."
I flinched at his words. Ryan was right, of course. I had always been driven by ambition, by the hunger for power and control. But Ethan had been different. He had been reckless, acting on impulse.
"I'll admit, I want power," I confessed, my voice barely more than a whisper. "But this isn't just about Ethan anymore. It's about survival. And if we don't act now, we'll both be at the mercy of Arya and Tyler. And now that Ethan's gone, someone has to step up and take charge."
Ryan regarded me in silence for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, slowly, he nodded, a grim determination settling over his features.
"So, what do you propose?" Ryan asked, his voice tinged with cautious interest. I could see the gears turning in his mind, weighing the risks and rewards of my proposition.
"We observe Arya and Tyler," I explained, keeping my tone measured. "Gather information, bide our time, and strike when the opportunity presents itself. Together, we can take control of Crest and Rogue pack, and ensure our own survival."
Ryan considered my words carefully, his gaze flickering between me and the dimly lit surroundings. I could sense his apprehension, his reluctance to fully commit to my plan. But deep down, I knew he understood the gravity of the situation. If we didn't act now, we would both be doomed to a fate worse than death.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Ryan nodded in agreement. "Alright, I'm in," he declared, his voice resolute. "But we need to be careful. If we get caught, there'll be no need for any plan."
I nodded in solemn agreement, acknowledging the truth in his words. One wrong move, one slip-up, and our carefully laid plans would go awry. But I was willing to take that risk, to do whatever it took to ensure my survival.
"I understand," I replied. "I'll be careful."
As I watched Ryan disappear into his house, a sense of determination welled up inside me. I would do whatever it took to get rid of Arya and Tyler, to seize control of Crest pack and change my life. The one that Arya had managed to ruin. At least, now she would finally be of use to me. I smirked as I slipped out of the pack into the forest.