Chapter 62 Revenge; A Dish Best Served Cold
The night was unusually quiet, the moon hanging low as if it were watching the world with bated breath. Derek sat in his study, pouring over maps and reports from scouts patrolling the borders. The plague had slowed but had not yet disappeared, and Kevin's schemes loomed like a storm cloud.
A sharp knock broke the silence, and his Beta, Alex, stepped in, his expression grim.
"Alpha," Alex began hesitantly, "there’s someone at the border requesting to see you."
Derek raised a brow. "Who dares to request an audience at this hour?"
Alex shifted uncomfortably. "It’s Kael Blackthorn."
The name hit Derek like a punch to the gut. His eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. Kael. The rogue Alpha. The man who had once stood at the pinnacle of power, only to be cast down for crimes he swore he never committed.
“Take me to him” Derek ordered, his voice cold.
Alex hesitated. "Are you sure? He—"
"Now," Derek cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Minutes later, they got to the border. And there he was. The man’s presence was magnetic. His black hair was slicked back, revealing sharp cheekbones and an angular jaw. His piercing silver eyes glinted with amusement as he observed Derek’s tense stance. He wore a long black coat that flared around him like a cloak of shadows, and his gait was confident, almost cocky.
"Well, well," Kael drawled, a smirk playing on his lips. " Alpha Derek Kingston. It’s been a while.”
"Kael," Derek said, his tone cold. "You’ve got a lot of nerve stepping into my territory.”
Kael gave a slow, mocking clap as he approached. "Well, well, Alpha Derek Kingston. Your reputation precedes you." His voice was smooth, laced with sardonic humor.
Derek didn’t flinch. "You’re trespassing, Kael. State your business or leave."
Kael smirked, his sharp canines catching the light. "Direct as always, I see. But trust me, you’ll want to hear what I have to say."
Beta Alex growled, stepping forward. "We don’t entertain rogues.”
Kael raised an eyebrow, unfazed by Alex's aggression. "Rogue, yes, but I’m not here to pick a fight. Quite the opposite, actually. I’ve come to offer you information—valuable information about your enemies.”
Derek crossed his arms, his tone icy. "And what makes you think we need anything from you?"
Kael’s smile widened, his silver eyes gleaming. "Because you’re losing this war. The enemies have been one step ahead of you at every turn, haven’t they? Plague, ambushes, rogue attacks...and I heard, the kidnap of your mate. They’re tightening the noose, and soon, you won’t have a pack left to defend.”
Derek’s jaw clenched, but he didn’t deny it. The mention of Ella made his heart clench. Kael took his silence as an invitation to continue.
“Let’s start with the basics: Alpha Kevin, is a lot more cunning than you give him credit for. And the plague? It’s not just some random act of cruelty. It’s a weapon—targeted, precise, and designed to weaken the strongest packs."
Beta Alex leaned forward, his growl low and menacing. "We already know the plague wasn’t natural. What we need is proof—names, locations, anything that connects it to Kevin.”
Kael chuckled. "Patience, Beta. All in good time. I’ll give you what you need, but first, we need to discuss my terms.”
Derek’s expression darkened. "You’re in no position to make demands, Kael."
"On the contrary," Kael said, his voice dropping into a deadly seriousness. "I’m the only one who can lead you to the source of the plague. You don’t have to like me, Derek, but you do need me."
“Kevin’s greed and ambition have finally tipped the scales. He’s planning something big, Derek, and this plague is just the beginning. But it’s not just him. He’s got allies—wolves who see this plague as an opportunity to topple the old order. ”
Derek’s wolf stirred uneasily within him, but he kept his composure.
"I know their next move," Kael said, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
Alex growled, "Why should we believe you?"
Kael’s smirk vanished, replaced by a chilling intensity. "Because I’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking Kevin down. You think I want to live my life as a rogue? Exiled from my birthright?”
Derek studied him, his wolf bristling. There was something about Kael’s tone—anger, bitterness, maybe even truth. But it could just as easily be a well-rehearsed performance.
"But I don’t give away such intel for free. I need something in return." Kael continued
Thought as much.
Beta Alex stepped forward, his fists clenched. "We don’t negotiate with rogues."
Kael laughed, the sound echoing in the stillness. "Ah, the loyal Beta, always ready to bark for his master. But this isn’t a negotiation; it’s a trade.
"What do you want?” Derek's cold voice rang out.
Kael leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "Protection. A place in your territory where my wolves and I can live without fear of being hunted. In return, I’ll give you everything you need to take down Kevin and end this plague."
The room fell silent, tension thickening like a storm cloud.
"How do we know you’re not working with the enemy?" Alex challenged, his tone sharp.
Kael’s smirk returned, but his eyes remained cold. "If I were working with the enemy, you’d already be dead."
Derek held Kael’s gaze, searching for any sign of deceit.
“The plague is spreading, and your enemies are growing bolder. You need someone who knows how they think, someone who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty. Think it over, Alpha. I’ll be around." He turned and strolled back into the woods, disappearing as suddenly as he had appeared.
Beta Alex turned to Derek, his expression grim. "We can’t trust him."
"I know," Derek said, his voice tight. "But we can’t ignore the possibility that he knows something we don’t."
Alex hesitated, then nodded. "What’s the plan?"
Derek’s gaze hardened. "Keep an eye on him.
Hours later, Kael stood alone at the outskirt of the Pack’s territory. The forest was silent, save for the rustle of leaves in the wind. He glanced over his shoulder, ensuring no one had followed him, before stepping deeper into the shadows.
A figure emerged from the trees, his golden eyes glowing in the darkness.
"Alpha Kevin," Kael said, his voice low but steady.
Kevin smirked. "You’re late."
Kael rolled his eyes. "I was busy convincing Derek I’m his new best friend.
Kevin’s gaze was sharp as he studied the rogue Alpha. "Did he take the bait?"
Kael shrugged casually. "Derek’s suspicious, but he’ll play along. He can’t afford not to. They’re desperate, Kevin. The plague is crippling them.
Kevin crossed his arms, his expression smug. "Good. The Moonstone Pack is key to the plan. Once they’re distracted, the other packs will fall."
Kael’s jaw tightened, his usual smirk replaced by something colder. "I’m only doing this because of what Clara’s father, the former Alpha of moonstone pack did to me. When this is over, I want Moonstone in ashes, and I want Derek to see it burn."
Kevin chuckled. "Revenge suits you, Kael. But don’t forget our deal—this alliance ends the moment the packs are destroyed. It’s every Alpha for himself."
Kael nodded, though his silver eyes gleamed with something darker. "Understood."
As Kael turned to leave, Kevin’s voice stopped him. "And Kael? Don’t underestimate Derek. He’s not as weak as you think."
Kael glanced over his shoulder, his silver eyes gleaming. "Neither am I."
With that, he disappeared into the shadows, his mind already racing with plans. He would destroy Derek and the Moonstone Pack, and every Alpha who played a part in his downfall.
But he would do it on his terms. After all, revenge was a dish best served cold.