Chapter 37: The Seeds of Chaos

\- Maximus POV -

But I couldn’t rest. Not yet.

Things have been clouding my mind. Where did Lyra come from? Does she... have a healing power?

If so, she could be in more danger.

I clenched my fists, if the enemy had someone inside my walls, it meant doom.

I turned my gaze toward the castle, my eyes darkening. From a distance, it looked peaceful, and quiet like nothing ever happened. But I knew better. That peace was a lie.

Somewhere behind those walls, a traitor was watching and waiting for a next move.

A low growl escaped my throat before I could stop it. “Coward,” I muttered under my breath.

They thought they could fool me, hiding among my people. They’d made one mistake, they dared to touch what’s mine.

Lyra didn’t deserve to be dragged into this.

She didn’t deserve to bleed for my war.

That’s why I couldn’t let her see the truth.

That’s why I had to stay away, for now. Because if they found out what she really meant to me…

They might use her.

I lifted my head as the moonlight caught my eyes.

“I’ll find you,” I whispered to the unseen traitor. “And when I do… I’ll make you regret ever breathing in my castle.”

The wind shifted, carrying the faint scent of smoke from the burnt fields. My muscles tightened again, ready for what was coming.

I turned back toward the trees, disappearing into the darkness once more.

Until I found the rat who's betraying me from behind, I couldn’t let Lyra out of my sight.

\- Third Person's POV -

The night was heavy.

Alpha Kozhem was sitting on his throne, like a storm ready to break loose.

His crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim light with his jaw clenched tight. Every second that passed only added more fire to his rage. His hands gripped the throne’s armrest so hard the stone cracked beneath his fingers.

The attack should’ve been simple. A distraction. A message.

But instead of chaos in the Kingdom of Gray, all he got… was a report of failure. His rogues were dead like insects crushed under a boot.

Maximus.

The name itself burned like acid in Kozhem’s mind. That cursed beast ruined everything.

The thick iron door groaned open slowly, scraping against the stone floor. A shadow slipped through the darkness. A man dressed in black walked inside with light on his feet, like someone trained to never be heard.

His shoulders were straight, his steps were sharp. His eyes were dull, and his aura was dark and cold. He's mysteriously dangerous.

"Rowan." Kozhem's dark voice echoed with anger, making his subordinates to shiver in fear but the man wasn't swayed, his face held no fear... it was all cold... Too cold.

He knelt at the foot of Kozhem’s throne and lowered his head.

“Master,” Rowan said, his voice was dark, it has no life at all. “You called.”

Kozhem’s growl rumbled through the chamber.

“You dare show your face here after what happened?” His voice was low but every word dripped with venom. “Tell me, Rowan. Why did my men die in an absolute silence?”

The man didn’t flinch, did not even stutter. He raised his head slowly with shadows crawling over his face like a second skin.

“It wasn’t supposed to happen,” Rowan said. “The rogues were in place. They were ready to attack. But then… Maximus appeared near the path. Earlier than anyone expected. They sensed him, making them panicked... he slaughtered them.”

Kozhem’s eyes narrowed, glowing brighter like burning coals. “Maximus…” he whispered. “That cursed beast.”

“He might be strong,” Rowan admitted. “But he’s nothing compared to you, Master.”

Kozhem leaned forward slowly, elbows on his knees, looking down at the man like a wolf sizing up prey. “Flattery won’t save you, Rowan,” he said coldly. “You promised me precision. You promised me control. And yet… they died. All of them.”

Rowan lowered his head again. “I will not fail you again, Master.”

The Alpha rose from his throne, his tall frame casting a long shadow over Rowan. His voice grew quieter, but heavier.

“No,” Kozhem whispered. “You won’t.”

He walked around the man slowly, like a predator circling its kill. “You’ll do something far more useful this time. The Kingdom of Gray trusts you. They see you as a loyal servant. I want you to use that. I want you to get closer.”

Rowan’s lips curled into the faintest hint of a grin. His human mask had fully melted away, revealing the predator underneath. “What do you want me to do, Master?”

“Plant the seeds of chaos,” Kozhem said.

A chilling silence filled the chamber. The flames from the nearby torches flickered low, as if afraid.

Rowan smirked as if an idea struck his mind, "I have a plan, Master. Trust me this time. I will destroy Maximus' core."

Kozhem looked at him, "Do it, Rowan."

Rowan stood slowly, head bowed, but a new kind of darkness was burning in his eyes. “As you command… Master.”

Kozhem stepped closer, placing a hand on Rowan’s shoulder. “And, Rowan… if you fail me again…” He leaned down until his breath brushed the man's ear. “I’ll rip your heart out myself.”

Rowan didn’t shake. He didn’t flinch. He only smiled... “My life is yours, Master. But, I won’t fail this time.” he whispered.

He turned toward the door, and as the shadows swallowed him whole, his eyes caught the torchlight, sharp, gleaming like a predator’s.

"A little more time... and I'll have your head, Maximus." Venomous words slipped his lips as he vanished, leaving black smoke.