The sun was low, painting the sky a weak orange. Jason and his men had camped in the surrounding hills near the Silver Claw Pack. He didn't want to attack first, knowing full well that Aria was there. Any wrong move he made could hurt her, because deep down he hadn't come for revenge. He had come for the Red Moon child: Aria.
Inside the tent hall of the Blood Moon Pack, the air felt heavy.
Every warrior, every commander, every guard sat quietly around the long table, waiting for their Alpha.
They did not wait long.
The tent doors opened, and Alpha Jason walked inside.
His steps were slow but strong, and the ground almost shook under him. Everyone bowed their heads because his aura was too thick, too powerful, and too angry.
No one had seen him this way in years.
Jason did not sit.
He stood at the head of the table, staring at all of them with cold eyes. His wolf growled inside him, wild and restless, pushing against his skin like fire.
Draven, his Beta, stepped forward.
"Alpha," he said quietly. "We are ready."
Jason looked at them all and said, "Not yet. Until my messengers return, then I get to decide if we attack now or not. After we take my prisoner out, then we attack, and we kill every single one of them," Jason said coldly.
He had always hated the Silver Claw Pack and had planned to avenge the death of his father for a long time, but something in him was always stopping him. He didn't know why. He had always focused on self-development and getting stronger for a time like this. Of course his pack was far more powerful than the Silver Claw Pack. He always had his men spy on them many times; they didn't have as many warriors or defences as his pack. But something always kept him from taking his revenge. Or was it because his mate was there?
Not a single warrior dared to breathe.
Jason's hands clenched beside him, his jaw tight.
"The traitor still lives amongst us," he continued. "Someone helped the Silver Claw Pack take her. And if you are the one, I swear on the name of the Blood Moon that I will find you, and I will end you."
Everyone stiffened.
Aria.
Jason did not say her name, but they all knew.
His wolf pushed harder, sending a shiver through the hall.
The room moved like a storm was passing through it. Some warriors bowed deeper. Others swallowed hard. Even the walls seemed to tremble.
Draven stepped forward.
"Alpha, what are your orders?"
Jason lifted his chin.
"We march at midnight. All warriors, all captains, all elites. No one stays behind."
The Gamma commander, Cain, spoke carefully.
"Alpha… attacking the Silver Claw Pack… is this wise? They are large. Their land is—"
Jason's wolf snarled loudly, a sound that made everyone jump.
Jason's eyes flashed gold.
"They took her," he said softly. "So tell me, Cain… is wisdom more important than my prisoner's life?"
"I'm sorry, Alpha, but you are risking all your men just for one worthless girl," Cain stammered. "She's not worth all this, Alpha."
"How dare you call her worthless!" Jason said with anger. "She's not worthless, and I'm not doing it for her. I'm doing it for our pack. Tonight we take revenge for the death of my father."
Cain instantly went to his knees.
"No, Alpha. Forgive me."
Jason turned away from him. He did not care for their doubt. All he could feel was his wolf's pain and the empty space where Aria should be.
He pointed at the map on the table.
"We strike from the north. We take the river hill first. No one protects Alpha Leon. Do not kill Aria. Anyone who harms her…" He looked around slowly. "I will kill myself."
Heads bowed again.
His words were not loud, but they were terrifying.
Draven stepped close.
"Alpha, should we prepare your armour?"
Jason shook his head.
"No armour. I am enough."
Someone gulped.
Another whispered, "Moon Goddess help them."
Before Jason could speak again, a soldier ran into the room. He bowed fast and deep.
"Alpha!" he shouted. "Our messengers are back and are at our gates!"
The room twisted with shock.
Jason turned, his eyes cold.
"Bring them in."
Two men were pushed inside. They looked weak, shaking under Jason's aura.
One tried to speak, but his voice cracked.
"Alpha Jason… Alpha Leon… says he wants to speak with you, Alpha, alone. He wishes for a… peaceful talk."
Peaceful.
Jason almost laughed. There was nothing peaceful in his heart. His wolf wanted blood, fire, and destruction.
But Jason was smart.
"Alone?" Draven asked, angry. "He wants our Alpha to walk into his land alone?"
The messenger nodded quickly.
"H-He says it will avoid war."
Jason stepped close, so close the man fell to his knees.
"And if I refuse?" Jason asked quietly.
The messenger's voice trembled.
"T-Then he will kill the girl before your men penetrate the gates."
Something in Jason snapped.
His wolf slammed forward, and power exploded out of him. Some warriors grabbed the table to stay standing. Others fell to their knees.
Jason pulled back slowly. Then he faced his council again.
"Leave us," he said.
The messengers were dragged out. The war leaders stayed.
Draven looked worried.
"Alpha… do not go alone. It is a trap."
The Gamma commander agreed.
"They will kill you."
The captains shouted too.
"We must storm the pack!"
"Let us take the girl back with force!"
"Do not trust that monster Leon!"
Jason lifted a hand, quieting them all.
"I will go," he said.
Everyone froze.
"No!"
"Alpha, this is madness!"
"Let us go first!"
"You cannot walk alone into their den!"
Jason looked at them, and for the first time… he looked tired. Not weak—just tired of pain, tired of searching for Aria with no sleep, tired of the bond screaming inside him.
"If I do not go," he said, "he may harm her."
The hall went silent again.
Jason turned to Draven.
"If I do not come out in three days…" He paused, letting the words sink deep. "Burn the entire Silver Claw Pack to the ground."
Warriors gasped.
Draven's eyes widened.
"Yes, Alpha. I will obey."
Jason nodded once.
"And tell my brother I would like to speak with him."
"Okay, Alpha," Draven said.
Then Ivar came and said, "Brother, I heard everything. You can't do this," Ivar said. "I've lost Mom and Dad. I can't lose you too."
"She's worth the risk, Ivar. Ever since the fire, my wolf has been restless, Ivar, but with her it's something else. If I don't make it alive, take over the pack and make sure you protect Aria," Jason said as he patted Ivar slowly on the back.
He walked toward the door but stopped and said, "Goodbye, brother."
He knew he was entering the lion's den, but he went anyway.