Betrayed By One's Blood

Betrayed By One's Blood

Chapter 165: Betrayed By One's Blood

Marcus, Elias’s most trusted ally, resembled Elias closely. However, he was slimmer and his body bore far fewer scars. His clothes were stained with dust, likely from hours spent training and working in the labs.

"Elias,” Marcus said, making his way toward them. "One of the messengers has returned.”

Elias waved a hand dismissively. "Speak. But if it's about the group sent to capture Lena, I already know they failed. Their minds went silent a few seconds ago."

Marcus hesitated. Had he known Elias already knew—given his strange gifts—he wouldn't have climbed all the way here to see him. “Yes, the group was completely annihilated. But it wasn't the wolves that did it. Well, not alone."

Elias narrowed his eyes. "What exactly do you mean by that?”

"They have humans on their side—particularly the mercenaries, soldiers, and talented groups living on the same land as the wolves. They are allies now. The group responsible was the Valiant Fleet…”

Johan exhaled in exasperation. "Commander Orion and Cain.”

Marcus nodded. "They used cannons to fight. They didn't even need to deploy the wolves or soldiers."

Elias's eyes narrowed further, a low growl building in his throat. In a fit of rage, he kicked the table, sending the wine glass and everything else shattering across the roof.

"Humans and werewolves? Together? Why? Those flea-bitten curses have slaughtered humans for generations. What madness drives them to unite?"

Jonah let out a bitter laugh. "Not all humans are as ambitious and determined as we are in the Haven Society. The humans siding with the werewolves are weak cowards who condemn us for harboring hatred for the race that continuously slaughters us.” He paused. “They have the same goal as we do. They've put aside their grudges to crush you before you crush them.”

Elias glared at him. "You make it sound like this is a normal thing. This is not amusing; it complicates everything."

Jonah's expression turned serious. “It's nothing we can't handle. I'll deal with the humans. I have people within their ranks. You focus on destroying the werewolves and claiming Lena. Get out of there safely. The Haven Society and the Rogues will handle the remnants and whatever brave humans are left.”

Elias paused, his breathing steadying as he considered the words. Jonah was right; they had enough forces—more than any cannons or guns could stop.

“Very well. Continue your training. Keep expanding and scouting their territories, but do it quietly. We need to make them lower their guard completely before we attack."

Jonah nodded. "Consider it done.” He turned to leave almost immediately when Elias gave him a look he knew all too well. Elias watched him go, then shifted his gaze to Marcus, who stood silently, exhaling smoke from the cigarette between his lips.

After a few minutes of silence, Marcus spoke up. "So, what now?"

Elias's eyes gleamed with renewed determination. “I need you to tell me everything you know about your kid and your other family."

Marcus frowned. “I understand the girl, but what does my other family have to do with this?"

Elias tilted his head. “Apparently, I lost contact with my last first-generation Crawler. After investigating, I found out she's with Cain's pack. She's one of the strongest, and I need her back here."

Marcus exhaled a thin stream of smoke, his gaze fixed on the broken glass scattered across the roof. "About Lena,” he began quietly. "As you know, she has a very stubborn personality. But she has a soft spot—one that grew larger during her time with the wolves."

Elias leaned against the stone railing, arms crossed. “Go on.”

"She hates seeing those weaker than her suffer, especially children. She'd risk beatings and punishment just to help anyone suffering—be it human, wolf, or animal."

Elias’s red eyes gleamed with interest. “A child Crawler, then?”

Marcus gave a small nod. "If it's one that transforms back right before her eyes, it should work."

Elias tapped a finger against his chin. “And how do I pull her away from Cain? He shadows her like a damn guard dog.”

Marcus shrugged. “I don’t know. She trusts him deeply. You’d need to separate them first; creating chaos alone is not enough. You must do something to draw him off. But the child bait... that would definitely work.”

Elias studied him for a long moment. “You talk like you know her well. Last time we spoke, you said she was hard-headed.”

Marcus took another drag from his cigarette. “I watched her grow up. From a scared little thing to… whatever she is now.”

Elias smiled slowly, then smirked with a knowing look in his eyes. “You’ve been awfully quiet lately, Marcus. I heard you haven't gone on any missions and have been avoiding scouting.”

Marcus said nothing. He only flicked ash over the edge and let out a long breath of smoke.

Elias’s smile faded. “I saved your life because you are my brother and you were the key to the power I crave. I intended on making you my right hand, but as it is, I have no use for tired soldiers—especially one turning soft.”

Marcus’s eyes flicked up. “What—”

Before the word finished, a massive fist punched straight through his chest from behind.

Blood sprayed across the roof floor. Marcus gasped, the cigarette falling from his lips. He looked down at the arm buried in his ribs, covered in his own blood, and then turned his head. Marques, the hulking leader of the Rogues, stood there grinning, claws dripping red. His yellow eyes gleamed with pleasure.

“You… bastard…” Marcus choked, blood bubbling at his mouth.

Elias didn’t move. He only watched as Marcus’s knees buckled. The man dropped to the ground with a loud thud, his body twitching once before going completely still.

Marques flicked the blood off his arms and scoffed. “He was getting soft anyway.”

Elias stepped over the body without looking down. “Clean it up. Tell the engineers to prepare the weapons and bring three of your soldiers to the lab.”

He walked away, his red eyes glowing brighter with satisfaction.