Chapter 126
THIRD PERSON POV
Ryker’s face was grim as he walked through the pack hospital. The hospital that once had fewer patients because werewolves hardly got sick was currently filled with lots of men, all injured one way or the other. They have had three other attacks at the border.
The attacks were telling on Ryker and his men. His shoulders were tense. He had lost so many men, and their numbers were reducing. They had to start training younger werewolves who had no warrior skills to at least handle the pack while the stronger ones were out there fighting the Lycans.
He stood quietly and watched as Alvin worked with the omegas to treat the injured soldiers. After a while, he turned to leave.
As he walked back to the pack house, pack members from all over stopped to greet him and bow their heads in submission. Ryker nodded in response, then noticed Ezren running towards him.
“Ryker, you need to come urgently. The council of elders and Alphas are waiting.”
Frowning, Ryker hastened his steps.
“What for?” His voice is sharp.
“You’ll see,” Ezren replied
As soon as they got into the pack house, they went straight for the throne room where the Alphas and council were currently having a debate. As Ryker approached, he noticed the Alphas and council were not alone. There were three other werewolves he didn’t know with them.
However, as he got closer and took a closer look at the strange men, he recognized them immediately.
“It’s you,” Ryker gave the man a quizzical look and climbed the steps that led to his chair, where he sat on the throne.
It was the merchants.
He and his men bowed their heads and finally raised their heads when Ryker gave them the go-ahead.
“Alpha King, they say they have a way for us to win the war.” Alpha Dorian, one of the council of elders, spoke, and Ryker’s gaze sharpened as he turned his attention back to the merchant.
“How so?” Ryker asked, his brows raised.
“Well, it’s been weeks, and we noticed the more fights the pack encounters with the Lycans, the more the pack warriors are reduced in numbers. Almost all the packs from all regions are here. But there are werewolves in the desert. Strong, fierce warriors who have killed Lycans in hundreds. They are strong, they have numbers, and they seem to know how to kill these Lycans in a swift blow.” The head of the merchant spoke.
“The West.”
“Yes, Alpha. The West,” The merchant answered.
“But there is a challenge. With the Lycans mounted at the border, how do they get to the gates? They would probably die at the borders before they get to us.” One of the Alphas spoke, and others who were hopeful suddenly felt exhausted.
After a few minutes, Ryker looked at the merchant. “You say they have strong fighting men?” And the Merchant nodded.
BLOOD FANG PACK
Xavier was seated in Lyra’s office. The seven early embers of the pack were seated, which included Lyra, Xavier, Mira, Daniel, John, Reed, and Amaya.
“We are on the last batch of food rations. We have tried sustaining what we had and managed to work on a feeding plan that has lasted us two months. This last batch can only go as far as a month, tops. What do we do?” Mira questioned.
Reed shook his head. “The obvious. Seek help. We can't afford for the pups to go hungry.”
They all turned to look at Lyra. She had said she wouldn’t be begging, and they understood her plight, but they also didn’t want to leave their Alpha behind despite her orders.
While they deliberated and came up with ideas to see what they could do for food, the phone in Lyra’s office rang.
Lyra’s eyes widened alongside everyone’s. The people who were usually called were the merchants.
Did that mean their problems were going to be over soon?
Immediately, Amaya picked up the call and placed it on speaker.
But instead of the merchant's voice, they heard a deep, clear voice, with the sound of someone in command—
It was one of the council of elders.
He had called on behalf of the Alpha King to request the help of Blood Fang warriors in exchange for shelter and food.
Lyra then whispered to Xavier, and Xavier’s voice rang out.
‘How do we get to the Shadow Claw pack with the Lycan army standing at the borders?’ Xavier asked.
The council automatically assumed he was talking to the Alpha and proceeded to offer an explanation.
‘So, you’re saying we could get supplies, food, and shelter only if we can make it to the gates? But we have children, and old people too. We might not be able to make it to your gates with the enemy right in front of us.’ Xavier countered and turned to look at the others, then at Lyra.
Then she mouthed, ‘Ask for a map.’
And Xavier did.
Then she spoke quietly so the person on the other end of the line wouldn’t hear her. “We’re here,” She pointed to a location on the map. “We’ll be taking the tunnels underground to come out here, at the sea, where there are boats ready to take all of us. We would steer towards here, in the North. Is there a way from this location?”
Xavier immediately relayed the geographical location to the party at the other end of the phone, and another voice took over the conversation.
It was Ryker.
“If you can get to shore, my men will be stationed to take you through a secret route into the pack. But you have to pack light.”
Xavier and Ryker spoke for a while before the call ended.
They all turned to Lyra.
Amaya smiled broadly, “Now you don’t have to beg.”
They reached out
“There’s one problem, though, it would take us a longer time on water to get to the North. And with our little resources—” She shook her head.