19

The aftermath of the battle weighed heavily on the pack. The ground was littered with fallen warriors—both theirs and the enemy’s. Blood soaked into the earth, a grim reminder of the price of war. Despite their preparations, they had been caught off guard. The rogue leader had anticipated their tactics, and now they were left reeling from the consequences.

Kian stood at the center of the wounded, issuing orders as warriors hurried to aid their fallen. His jaw was tight, his eyes dark with fury. Amara approached him, wiping blood from her forehead.

"We need to regroup. This wasn’t just a battle—it was a message," she said.

Kian exhaled sharply. "He knew we were coming. Someone tipped them off."

Jarek limped toward them, his side wrapped in hastily applied bandages. "We lost too many. They weren’t just testing us—they were leading us into a trap."

"And we walked right into it," Amara muttered, her fists tightening.

Kian’s gaze shifted toward the forest, where the last remnants of the enemy had vanished. "We can’t afford another mistake like this. If they have spies among us, we need to root them out."

Jarek nodded grimly. "Then we start with the ones who knew about the ambush."

The following night, the pack gathered in the war hall. Tension crackled in the air. Every warrior, elder, and scout who had been part of the failed attack was present. Kian stood before them, his expression unreadable.

"Someone in this room betrayed us," he began, his voice cold. "And if we don’t find out who, more will die."

A murmur swept through the gathered wolves. Accusations wouldn’t come easily, but trust had already begun to fray. Amara observed the room carefully, watching for nervous glances, stiff shoulders, anything that might give away the traitor.

Then, a scout hesitated under her gaze.

"Eren," she said, stepping forward. The room fell silent as the young scout looked up, eyes wide with barely concealed fear.

"I didn’t—" he started, but his voice wavered.

Kian’s eyes bore into him. "Then explain how they knew exactly where we would be."

Eren swallowed, his gaze darting toward the door. He was going to run.

Amara moved first.

With a swift movement, she grabbed him by the arm before he could flee. "You have one chance to tell us the truth. Who are you working with?"

Eren’s breath came in quick gasps. "You don’t understand—they gave me no choice!"

Jarek stepped closer. "You sold us out. How many did you get killed?"

"They have my sister," Eren finally confessed, his voice breaking. "They threatened to kill her if I didn’t tell them your movements."

Silence settled over the room, heavier than before.

Kian’s expression didn’t change. "And where is she now?"

Eren shook his head. "They move her constantly. But I know where they’ll be in two nights."

Amara exchanged a look with Kian. "Then we use this. We set our own trap."

Kian nodded. "Prepare the warriors. In two nights, we end this."

Two nights later, the warriors were ready. The pack had spent every hour refining their plan, ensuring that no rogue would leave the battlefield alive. Amara stood beside Kian as they observed their warriors preparing for the coming fight. The tension was thick, but there was no fear in their eyes—only determination.

"Eren, you’ll lead us to their location," Kian instructed. "The moment you see your sister, you pull back. We’ll handle the rest."

Eren nodded, his face pale but resolute. He knew this was his only chance to make things right.

As they approached the rogue hideout, Amara signaled for silence. Shadows moved ahead, flickering in the moonlight. The enemy was waiting. But this time, the pack would not be outmaneuvered.

Jarek moved first, taking down a rogue standing guard. The others followed, slipping through the trees like silent predators. They had learned from their mistakes.

Then, a scream split the night.

"That’s her!" Eren whispered frantically. "My sister!"

Kian’s eyes darkened. "Go. Now."

Eren sprinted forward while the warriors surged ahead, crashing into the rogue encampment with deadly precision. Amara fought her way through, cutting down enemies with fierce determination. The rogue leader was nowhere in sight, but she knew he was close.

Kian’s voice rang out. "Hold your ground! Take them down!"

A new presence emerged from the shadows. The rogue leader, his golden eyes glinting with malice, stepped forward. Amara’s grip tightened on her blade. "This time, you don’t escape."

The battle had truly begun.

The clash of steel and claws echoed through the night. The pack fought with fierce precision, driving the rogues back step by step. Eren had reached his sister, cutting her bindings with trembling hands. She was weak but alive.

"We need to get her out of here!" Eren called, shielding her from an approaching rogue.

Amara lunged at the enemy, dispatching him with a quick slice of her blade. "Take her and go! We’ll handle the rest."

Kian battled his way through the chaos, his strikes lethal and unrelenting. He met Amara’s gaze. "We can’t let them regroup. We end this now."

Jarek, bloodied but standing strong, pointed toward the retreating rogue leader. "He’s running!"

Without hesitation, Amara and Kian sprinted after him, weaving through the battlefield. The rogue leader was fast, but they were faster.

They cornered him at the edge of a cliff, the moon casting a silver glow over his sharp features. He smirked, despite being outnumbered.

"You think this ends with me?" he taunted. "You’re only delaying the inevitable."

Kian stepped forward, his voice deadly calm. "No, we’re making sure it never happens again."

Amara raised her blade. "This time, you don’t escape."

The final confrontation had begun.