Chapter 190 190

Chapter 190 190
That night, not a single soul in the pack truly slept.

Only the children and the elderly rested peacefully, unaware of the fear slowly spreading through the territory. Everyone else remained awake, moving around with tense expressions, waiting for any message from Xander’s pack.

The festive warmth from Leo’s birthday celebration had completely vanished.

Now the pack was drowning in uncertainty.

The warriors sharpened weapons throughout the night while scouts continuously guarded the borders. Fires burned near the watchtowers, and whispers spread through every corner of the territory.

Alyna stood near the balcony outside the house, staring toward the distant woods.

Her heart felt unbearably restless.

She wanted to go to Xander’s pack.

She wanted to help somehow.

Even if it was only to heal the injured or calm the frightened people there, she could not simply sit still knowing what was happening.

But she also understood the danger.

If Sarmon truly had invaded their land, then stepping into that battlefield now would be reckless.

Still, the helplessness was suffocating her.

Behind her, Leo slept peacefully in his small bed, hugging the little wolf toy one of the pack women had gifted him during the celebration.

Seeing him sleep so innocently made Alyna’s chest ache.

Everything she was doing now…

Every difficult decision…

Every painful vision she endured…

It was all for him.

Asher stood near the large table inside the room, studying maps under dim candlelight. He had not rested even once since the attack.

His eyes looked exhausted, yet his mind remained alert.

Alyna quietly watched him.

She could tell he was thinking deeply.

Strategizing.

Preparing.

Waiting.

Asher believed Xander could handle the situation.

After all, Xander possessed one of the strongest armies among neighboring packs. His warriors were disciplined, experienced, and fiercely loyal. Xander himself was powerful enough to terrify most enemies.

Under normal circumstances, no one would dare challenge him openly.

But Sarmon was not normal.

That uncertainty disturbed Asher the most.

They had heard stories about the Shadow Hunters for years, but none of them had truly faced them before.

No one knew their exact numbers.

No one knew how strong Sarmon truly was.

And worst of all…

No one knew what kind of tactics they used.

That ignorance itself felt dangerous.

Asher finally placed both hands against the table and closed his eyes briefly.

“I should move the women and children somewhere safer,” he muttered mostly to himself.

Alyna looked at him immediately.

“Then why haven’t you?”

Asher opened his eyes again slowly.

“Because I’m waiting.”

“For what?”

“To see Xander’s situation first.”

His answer unsettled her.

He was calculating everything carefully.

If Xander managed to eliminate the threat quickly, there would be no need to create panic within his own pack. But if Xander failed…

Then everything would change.

Alyna’s fingers tightened slightly around the edge of her shawl.

Deep inside, she already feared the answer.

Hours passed painfully slowly.

The sky gradually turned pale with dawn, yet no good news arrived.

Instead, the atmosphere only grew heavier.

Then finally—

Footsteps rushed toward the house.

One of Asher’s scouts entered breathlessly, his clothes stained with dirt and blood.

The moment Alyna saw his face, her stomach dropped.

Asher immediately straightened.

“What happened?”

The scout lowered his head respectfully before answering.

“Sarmon invaded Xander’s pack completely.”

Silence filled the room instantly.

Alyna’s heartbeat quickened violently.

The scout continued with visible unease.

“They attacked during the night from the western side. Several soldiers are already dead.”

Alyna covered her mouth unconsciously.

Dead.

It had escalated this quickly already.

“The pack is in chaos right now,” the scout added quietly.

Asher’s face hardened immediately.

For several moments, he remained completely silent.

Then suddenly, he began gathering his weapons without hesitation.

Alyna immediately understood his decision.

“You’re going there?” she asked anxiously.

“I need to see the actual situation myself.”

His voice carried absolute certainty now.

This was no longer something he could observe from afar.

If Sarmon truly possessed the strength to invade Xander’s territory so aggressively, then Asher needed information immediately before his own pack became vulnerable too.

He quickly stepped outside and summoned several trusted warriors.

“Strengthen every border patrol,” he ordered firmly. “Move the women and children toward the safer quarters near the eastern cliffs if necessary.”

The warriors nodded immediately.

Alyna walked toward him quickly.

“I’m coming with you.”

Asher turned sharply toward her.

“No.”

Her eyes widened slightly.

“I can help.”

“You’ll stay here.”

“Ash—”

“Alyna.”

The firmness in his voice stopped her immediately.

He stepped closer to her before lowering his tone slightly.

“I need you here.”

She shook her head anxiously.

“But Xander—”

“Xander is not your responsibility right now.”

His words hurt more than she expected.

But before she could respond, Asher gently touched Leo’s head as the little boy stirred awake nearby.

“Protect him,” Asher said quietly.

Alyna fell silent instantly.

Because that one sentence shattered all her arguments.

Protect him.

Leo.

Their son.

The child depending entirely on her.

Asher looked directly into her eyes then.

“Listen to me… at least this one time.”

There was no anger in his voice.

Only concern.

Only fear.

Alyna lowered her gaze slowly.

She hated this feeling of helplessness.

Hated standing behind while the people she cared about walked into danger.

But she also knew Asher was right.

There was no one else who could take care of Leo the way she could.

If she endangered herself recklessly now, then she would also endanger her son.

And that was something she could never forgive herself for.

Finally, she nodded weakly.

Asher visibly relaxed seeing her agreement.

Without another word, he leaned down and kissed Leo’s forehead before looking at Alyna one last time.

“Lock the doors after I leave.”

Then he turned and walked away with his warriors toward the growing danger waiting beyond the borders. Alyna's heart goes weak as she watches him leave. But she knew that he would survive everything. He would live many more years, but she's not that lucky.