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As Orion paced restlessly in his war chamber, the faint light of dawn hardly broke through the thick canopy. A single torch's wavering light created long, unsettling shadows against the stone walls, but it didn't help to lighten his mounting discomfort. The chart in front of him was a jumble of squiggly lines and symbols that marked regions, military movements, and supply routes, and his fingers beat erratically against it. However, none of them provided him with the solace he sorely desired. Thalia was the only thing on his mind.

"Where are they?" Orion's lips curled in frustration as he murmured to himself.

Marius, his right-hand guy, stood by the door, his face wary but unreadable. It's only a convoy, my lord. They are interchangeable.

"Don’t tell me what I already know, Marius!" Orion's black eyes flashed irritably as he snapped. "This convoy wasn't your typical one. Our lifeline was it. It's ash now. That traitor of Thalia's is more deadly than I ever thought, and her forces are becoming more daring."

Marius recoiled, but he covered it up quickly. This was different from the Alpha's darker moods that he had witnessed. One could sense the stress in Orion's movements. "My lord, we have spies in position. We'll locate them. We—

Orion cut in with a low, sour voice, "No." "I've finished waiting. We can't keep playing catch-up since the wolves are getting closer. I must get over them. Those in charge are what I want. I desire their death.

Marius could feel the weight of Orion's remarks settling in the air as the room fell into a thick quiet. Although the Alpha had always been vicious, this desperation was something new. As he glanced at Marius, his hold on the table's edge became more firm.

"They won't escape so easily the next time they attack." They'll give me everything. But this time, I'll make them pay for their impudence," Orion said, his lips twisting into a twisted smile.

Marius nodded, but his stomach still knotted with fear. "Yes, my lord."

Orion's eyes strayed to the far corner of the room, where the shifting shadows produced a distortion that was almost unreal. They've exercised extreme caution. He said out loud, more to himself than to Marius, "Too careful." "Every strike seems prearranged. coordinated. However, who is responsible for this? Who among my people—

"My lord, is there a chance that someone within your forces is betraying you?" Marius cut in, testing the waters carefully.

Orion's eyes narrowed as he turned abruptly to confront him. He growled, "I don't want to hear that." "That isn't feasible."

However, the timing of these raids is too exact, my lord. They are being fed information by someone.

A faint line formed on Orion's lips. Although he had always had faith in his inner circle, paranoia was starting to creep into his mind. He gave Marius a stern look.

"Find out who," Orion snarled, "and bring them to me."

Marius felt the lethal edge in his Alpha's voice and bowed low. "Immediately, my lord."

\---

Thalia glided through the underbrush with practiced ease, miles away in the dense, dark woods where Orion's warriors had previously ruled. Although she walked quietly, the ramifications of the accomplishment of her previous mission were always on her thoughts. Orion had suffered a terrible blow when the convoy was destroyed, but the true question was still how far she could push him until he lost it.

As Kiera came out of the trees, her voice broke the stillness, "The flame is set." Her normally calm manner was illuminated by a glimmer of enthusiasm in her dark eyes. "Aldric performed well."

Thalia took a quick look at the young scout who had proven to be more than simply a helpful hand. Although it had been a dangerous move—leaving them with less time to escape—the explosion had been just the kind of diversion they needed. It was a success anyway. Furthermore, it would exacerbate Orion's precarious circumstances.

With the sound of her boots crunching on the mud, Thalia whispered, "We need to keep up the pressure." "One of his main supply lines was struck by us. We must now hit more.

Kiera gave a nod. "And we must act quickly. The longer we delay, the greater the risk. Orion is becoming increasingly paranoid. When I sneaked past his camp, I noticed it in his eyes.

Thalia's face became stern. "He will use all of his resources to pursue us. He won't accept another blow like this while lying down because he now knows who is responsible."

Kiera adjusted her balance and gazed at the far horizon, where the sun hardly made contact with the treetops. "Although we have been operating in the background, the moment is approaching. We must choose when to come out of hiding and begin publicly confronting him.

Thalia tightened her jaw. "When the time is right, we strike. And I'll be aware when that occurs." Her eyes sharpened as she scanned the surrounding dark forest. "But first, we must make sure that he is losing control of his forces. We must cause him to question everyone. A strong tool is paranoia. Let's make use of it.

Ryker came stealthily up behind her, his face unreadable but determined. "We're prepared. His patrols are in our possession. They are weaker than they have been in weeks and dispersed. We could hit them right now and leave a note. The troops of Orion are perplexed. They have no idea who is attacking or how we stay one step ahead of them.

Thalia gave Ryker's words considerable thought. She was aware that their next action was vital. Orion's leadership might suffer irreversible harm if his army started to disintegrate. However, there was a chance that he may be provoked too quickly.

"We wait," Thalia stated resolutely. We push him over the edge. Then we attack.

\---

When he returned to the center of Orion's camp, his paranoia only intensified. He sat with his closest confidants, Marius, General Voss, and a few other commanders, in a dimly lighted room. Even the more experienced males couldn't get rid of the sense that their Alpha was breaking down because of the intense tension in the room.

Marius whispered under his breath, observing Orion's every action, "This is bad, Voss." "He's spiraling, and we're losing control."

An elderly man with a jagged scar across his cheek, General Voss, scowled. "You're correct. This was to be expected. The sabotage, the raids, the traitors among us. It's not arbitrary.

Marius moved uncomfortably. "You think it’s someone in our ranks?"

With a low, guttural voice, Voss answered, "I'd wager my last coin on it." It took time for Thalia's armies to get this well-organized. The long game is being played by whoever is behind it.

Marius took a swallow. "We must ascertain who."

Like a razor, Orion's speech sliced through the discussion. "Now find them."

The room grew quiet, and Marius nodded curtly, his thoughts already mulling over potential suspects.

With his hands balled into fists, Orion stood. "I want them to be broken if they are planning to harm me. Locate them and deliver them to me. I'll put an end to them.

The room felt cramped and suffocating because of the harshness in his voice. Marius remained silent. He was more aware.

However, as he turned to go, he couldn't get rid of the persistent feeling that the Alpha's trust might already be irreversibly damaged.

\---

Watching the sun's first rays spread across the horizon, Thalia stood on the ridge. Amidst the chaos, she experienced an odd sense of tranquility. Orion had suffered a severe injury, and his paranoia would only grow.

However, the fight was far from over.

The silence was broken by Ryker's voice behind her. "There will be action soon. little patrols. They're congregating in greater numbers.

Thalia's heartbeat accelerated. "Then it’s time."

A distant scream reverberated across the trees as she spoke, a sound that had the distinct tone of a challenge.

A beat skipped across her heart. Was there a message? Or had Orion's paranoia spread to his army as well?

They knew they weren't alone because of the cry and the slight thud of hooves on the earth. The smell of wolves, lots of wolves, filled the air.

Thalia looked over at Ryker. "Prepare for battle."

But just as they were getting ready, someone stepped out of the darkness. His eyes glistened with a knowing glimmer, his face concealed by the darkness, and he held a blade in his hand.

With a gentle yet icy tone, the figure said, "I have a message from Orion."

Thalia stiffened.

The person then held up his hands.

She didn't want to hear that message.

It was oppressively tense.