Kael~
The war room smells of leather, pine, and old steel, its stone walls lined with maps and weapons, the air heavy with the weight of what's coming. I lean over the oak table, my fingers tracing a map of Zane's territories, each red pin a wound I intend to inflict. Elyse's wildflower scent lingers in my mind, anchoring Raze, but her sister's name—Lila—burns like a vow I can't break. I promised to find her, to rip her from Zane's claws, and the thought of that bastard's hands on either of them makes my blood boil. Rowan stands across from me, his sandy hair catching the torchlight, his brown eyes sharp despite the late hour. He's been my beta, my brother-in-arms, since we were pups, and he held Ironfang's defenses tight while I tore through Zane's club to save Elyse.
"Scouts got back," Rowan says, tapping a pin near the eastern border. "Zane's running three dens—clubs, warehouses, maybe cells. Heavy security, rogues everywhere. And Torren's scent was all over that main club, Kael. He's neck-deep in this."
My jaw clenches, Raze snarling in my skull, his gold bleeding into my eyes. Torren's scent on Elyse—tainted, filthy—still fuels my rage, a violation I'll carve into his flesh.
"Traitor," I growl, my fists tightening. "Council alpha or not, if he's with Zane, he's a dead man."
Rowan nods, grabbing two beers from a cooler under the table, the glass clinking as he hands me one. "We need proof, boss," he says, cracking his open, the hiss sharp in the quiet. "The council's already gunning for your throne. Hit Zane without evidence, and they'll call it rebellion." He takes a swig, his eyes never leaving the map.
I crack my beer, the cold bitterness grounding me, though my rage simmers beneath.
"Let them try," I say, my voice low, deadly, taking a long pull. The map blurs slightly, not from the drink but from the image of Elyse's pale face, her desperate plea for Lila. "What else from the scouts?"
Rowan points to a pin near the ridge, a warehouse marked in red. "This one's hot—trucks moving at night, guarded like a vault. Could be a holding spot for girls. Maybe Lila."
My heart lurches, Elyse's whispered She's all I have echoing in my mind. I drain half the beer, the bottle cold against my palm.
"We hit it," I say, slamming the bottle down, foam spilling. "Tonight. Small team, in and out. If Lila's there, we bring her home."
Rowan raises a brow, his limp barely noticeable as he leans back. "You're wound tighter than a bear trap, Kael. Sure you're not rushing? Also, that dent in your truck? You drive like you're chasing the moon itself."
I snort, the tension easing for a heartbeat, the beer loosening my shoulders. "Says the guy who raced a bear and lost his boots. Those were a crime against eyes, Rowan."
"They had soul," he says, grinning, but his eyes stay sharp. "I'll grab Jace and Soren. You leading?"
"Always," I say, finishing the beer, the empty bottle clinking as I set it down. "Get the gear ready. Midnight."
I head upstairs to check on Elyse, my boots echoing on the stone steps. Her room—the one I built for my mate—is quiet, the chandelier casting soft prisms across the oak floors. She's asleep, her face pale but peaceful, her dark hair fanned on the pillow. The sight of her, safe in my haven, steadies me, but her whispered plea for Lila haunts me. I clench my fists, vowing to bring her sister home.
Downstairs, Mom's in the kitchen, kneading dough, her gray hair tied back.
"Kael," she says, her blue eyes sharp. "She's strong, but she's scared. Don't push her."
"I know," I say, my voice softer. "I'm going after Zane tonight. One of his dens. Might be where her sister is."
Mom's hands pause, her gaze searching. "Be careful, son. Zane's not just a thug—he's cunning. And the council's watching."
Before I head out, I climb the stairs to Mara's room, needing her light to balance the storm in me. Her door's cracked, candlelight spilling out, and I knock softly. She's sprawled on her bed, a book in hand, her brown curls a mess.
"Kael!" she says, sitting up, her blue eyes bright. "You look like you're about to punch a mountain."
"Close," I say, stepping in, my voice softer. "Checking on you. We're hitting Zane's den tonight. Might find Elyse's sister."
Mara's face softens, her book forgotten. "Gods, Kael, you're really all in for her, aren't you? She's lucky to have you, even if you're a terrible chess player."
I chuckle, sitting on the bed's edge. "You're never letting that go, are you? I was ten."
"And I still won," she says, smirking, then her expression turns serious. "Be careful, big brother. Zane's bad news, and Elyse… she's carrying a lot. Don't break yourself saving her."
I nod, my chest tightening. "I won't. She's my mate, Mara. I can't lose her." I lean forward, kissing her forehead, the gesture grounding me. "Get some sleep."
"Good luck, Kael," she says, her voice warm. "Don't do anything too stupid."
"No promises," I say, smirking as I leave, her laughter following me down the hall.
Back downstairs, Mom's in the kitchen, packing a bag of burgers, their savory scent filling the air. She hands it to me, her gray hair tied back, her blue eyes sharp with love and worry.
"For you and the boys," she says, patting my arm. "Don't starve out there."
I grin, warmth flooding me despite the storm. "You're still treating us like cubs, Mom."
Rowan grabs a burger, already biting into it. "And we love it," he says, mouth full. "But seriously, Kael, she's gonna fatten us up till we can't fight. Look at this burger—it's a masterpiece."
Mom swats his arm, laughing. "Keep talking, Rowan, and I'll pack you carrots next time."
I laugh, the sound rare, and sling the bag over my shoulder. But Raze is clawing at me, the tension too much to hold.
"I need a run," I say, stepping outside. The night air is sharp, the moon a silver blade overhead. I shift, my bones cracking, fur rippling as I become my lycan form—towering, claws gleaming. The forest calls, and I sprint into it, my paws pounding the earth, the wind carrying the scent of pine and moss. I stop at a clearing, my claws raking deep gouges into an oak, marking my territory, my rage. I tilt my head back and howl, a raw, piercing cry to the moon, releasing the storm inside me. The pack's strength flows through me, and I run back, my heart steadier.
Rowan, Jace, and Soren are by the trucks, gear loaded: combat knives with serrated edges, encrypted comms, reinforced vests, grappling hooks for scaling walls, flashbangs for distractions, med kits for emergencies, and tracking devices clipped to belts. They're ready, their faces set, and I nod, climbing into the driver's seat.
"Let's move," I say, the engine roaring to life.
Mom waves from the door, her love a warmth I carry as we roll out, the castle fading into the night. Zane's den waits, and I'll burn it down to keep my promise to Elyse.
We reach the warehouse, a hulking shadow under the moon, guarded by rogues. Rowan signals, his eyes sharp, and we slip into the shadows, our gear silent. The air reeks of oil and fear, and my heart pounds—Lila could be here. We disable a guard, my knife at his throat before he can scream, and move deeper, the promise to Elyse driving every step. Zane's empire is crumbling tonight, and I'll be the one to swing the hammer.