Chapter 176

Chapter 176
Angela's POV

The wind howled outside my private office windows as I stared at the red pins marking Arctic wasteland on the massive wall map. My fingers drummed impatiently on the desk until Leonardo's voice finally broke the silence.

"Boss, they left an hour ago. Two vehicles, avoiding main roads like we predicted."

I kept my back to him, savoring this moment. After months of careful planning, everything was finally falling into place. "Good. How many with them?"

Kevin stepped forward, consulting his tablet. "Caleb and that Dawn Pack girl Zoe. Also Nightshade Pack's Evander and Silverclaw Pack's Theodore."

Perfect. A slow smile spread across my face as I turned to face my lieutenants. "Even better. One strike, and I eliminate multiple threats."

Leonardo shifted uncomfortably. "Boss, that's a lot of powerful wolves. Are you sure the hunters can handle—"

"They'll handle it." My voice came out sharper than intended. "Edmund Bell doesn't take contracts he can't complete."

'Especially not for one hundred million dollars.'

I closed my eyes, and immediately the memory flooded back – that fucking moment during the warrior certification when everything changed.

Freya, standing in the center of the arena, silver light erupting from her body like liquid moonfire.

'Faith family bloodline. Of course it had to be her.'

My hands clenched into fists so tight my knuckles went white.

"This time," I whispered to myself, "the Moon Goddess is finally on my side. Freya's desperation to save that little wolf pup will be her downfall."

I moved to the reinforced safe behind my desk, entering the complex code with steady fingers. Inside, stacks of pristine hundred-dollar bills filled a metal briefcase.

Leonardo's eyes widened. "Boss, that's—"

"One hundred million dollars. Edmund's price."

---

Three hours later, our modified SUV cut through increasingly hostile terrain. The GPS showed outside temperatures dropping rapidly as we approached the wasteland border.

I activated the encrypted communication system. "Edmund, this is Angela. We're proceeding as planned."

The gravelly voice crackled through static. "Angela. My teams are in position at all three extraction points. Your information about their timeline was accurate."

Leonardo glanced at me from the driver's seat. "Boss, what if they don't exit through the predicted routes?"

I smiled coldly at the swirling snow outside. "There are only three safe passages out of the moongrass growing region. Edmund's people will force them toward our chosen ambush point by blocking the other exits."

Kevin's voice carried obvious concern. "And if their combat abilities exceed our estimates?"

"That's why we're paying premium rates." I checked my silver-loaded weapons one final time. "Edmund has never failed to deliver a target."

I checked the dashboard clock as our destination grew closer. "Nine days until the full moon. They need to find moongrass and return before Luke's condition becomes irreversible."

"That means maximum four days in the wasteland, departure on day five," Kevin calculated.

"Exactly. Our window for the ambush is extremely narrow." I studied the tactical map spread across my lap. "One opportunity. One chance to end this."

Leonardo's knuckles were white on the steering wheel. "What if they can't find the moongrass at all?"

My laugh came out cold and sharp. "Even better. Luke's death will destroy Freya emotionally. Broken wolves make easier targets."

---

The Hunter's Den

The military-style compound appeared through the blizzard like something from a nightmare. High-voltage fencing, guard towers, and armed sentries created an imposing perimeter.

As we passed through security checkpoints, I noted the professional-grade equipment and disciplined personnel. Edmund ran a serious operation.

The interior walls displayed mounted werewolf pelts and heads like hunting trophies – a message about Edmund's success rate that wasn't lost on me.

'These humans know their business.'

Edmund emerged from the main building's shadows – a weathered man in his fifties with predator's eyes and scars mapping a lifetime of dangerous hunts.

"Angela. Finally we meet face to face. I understand you need us to handle some... exceptional prey?"

I slid the metal briefcase across the table between us. "One hundred million, as agreed."

Edmund opened it, examining the cash with obvious satisfaction. "Very good. But this price suggests we're dealing with Alpha-level werewolves, doesn't it?"

'Smart man. That's why I chose him.'

"Among other complications," I confirmed.

Edmund spread detailed topographical maps across the war room table. "Three exit routes from the moongrass region. We've studied werewolf movement patterns extensively."

He pointed to strategic locations marked with red X's. "The core growing area is here, within this radiation-contaminated zone. Humans can't survive there long, but werewolves can."

"However," his finger traced the extraction routes, "they must emerge through one of these three passages. That's where we'll be waiting."

I studied the terrain carefully. "What about their scent masking techniques?"

Edmund's smile was predatory. "Scent masking works on animals. We use thermal imaging, motion detectors, and infrared technology. Plus, extreme cold makes werewolf body heat signatures more prominent."

"I have three teams ready," Edmund continued, "each equipped with silver ammunition and tranquilizer guns."

Kevin looked skeptical. "What if their combat abilities are exceptional?"

Edmund gestured toward the trophy wall. "I've never met a werewolf that could escape my methods."

My wolf stirred uneasily. Something in his confidence felt too absolute, too practiced. But I needed his expertise.

"What's your strategy for multiple targets?"

"Separate and isolate. Werewolves fight best in packs. Alone, they're just animals with enhanced reflexes."

I leaned forward, meeting Edmund's gaze directly. "The primary female target isn't ordinary. She carries Faith family bloodline."

Edmund's expression shifted immediately. "Faith family? The legendary werewolf aristocracy?"

"You know of them?"

"Old hunting families pass down stories. Faith bloodline wolves are... significantly more dangerous." He paused, calculating. "I'll need additional silver weaponry and more personnel."

I nodded. "Money isn't an issue. But failure isn't an option."

Edmund's jaw tightened with determination. "I'll lead the primary team personally. My best hunters, specialized equipment."

He paused. "What about the male Alpha?"

A complex mix of emotions flickered through me. "Keep Alexander alive. I have... future plans for him."

"What if they split up?" Edmund asked.

"Primary objective remains Freya. The others are secondary targets."

Leonardo shifted nervously. "Boss, if the Moon Shadow Pack investigates—"

"By then it'll be too late." My voice carried deadly certainty. "Arctic wasteland is notorious for claiming lives. A few werewolves dying in such a dangerous place? Tragic accidents happen."

Edmund called his hunters together in the main briefing room. "Tonight we hunt ancient bloodline werewolves. Extreme caution required."

I watched as the hunters checked their equipment: silver bullets, silver knives, tranquilizer guns, thermal scopes. Professional killers preparing for professional work.

'Freya has no idea what's waiting for her.'

"Three teams, three exit points," Edmund announced. "Immediate communication when targets are spotted."

I stepped forward. "I want to accompany the primary team. I need to witness this personally."

Edmund studied me for a moment, then nodded. "You'll stay behind cover until we've secured the targets."

'I want to see the light die in Freya's eyes.'

As we prepared to depart, Edmund glanced at the weather readings. "Tonight's blizzard will intensify. Arctic wasteland becomes a death trap in these conditions."

"Even werewolves can get lost in whiteout conditions."

I smiled with cold satisfaction. "Perfect. Every factor favors us tonight."

'After tonight, Alexander will be mine. And Freya will be nothing but a memory buried in ice.'