Between the Blade and Distrust

**Angel**

The air in the mansion was so thick it felt like you could cut it with a knife. Since the meeting with Kael and Amara, the atmosphere had become even more suffocating. I could feel the unease of the wolves with every step, an electric energy that ran through the corridors like a warning that something was about to happen. Everyone knew the situation was spiraling out of control, but no one knew how to act without triggering a disaster.

Dimitri and I had just returned from the night patrol, where we checked on the new security measures we had implemented to contain any unexpected moves from Kael and his men. We were doing everything we could to maintain order, but the feeling that we were always one step behind was eating away at me.

“They’re testing our limits,” I said as we entered the office. Dimitri was silent, tension etched into every line of his face. He closed the door behind us and collapsed into his chair, rubbing his temples as if trying to ward off the exhaustion and the weight of responsibility.

“Kael knows exactly what he’s doing,” he replied, his voice heavy with frustration. “He and Amara are playing a game we don’t fully understand yet. And what irritates me the most is that no matter how hard we try, it seems like we’re always reacting and never in control of the situation.”

I sat down across from him, trying to keep calm despite the growing anger. “They want to divide the pack, Dimitri. They want to create a breach, an opportunity to seize control. We need to act before that happens.”

Dimitri looked at me, his eyes darkening with a mix of fatigue and determination. “You’re right, but we can’t rush. One wrong move and everything falls apart. Kael is waiting for us to make an impulsive move.”

Before I could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway. Marta, breathless, burst into the office without knocking, her face pale and her eyes wide. “Dimitri, Angel… you need to see this now.”

We followed Marta quickly through the hallways to the living room, where a group of wolves was gathered around a map spread out on the table. As I approached, I realized it wasn’t just any map. These were our defense plans, marked with notes that shouldn’t be there. They were details only we knew, confidential information that had been manipulated and altered.

“This was found in one of Kael’s wolves’ quarters,” Marta explained, her voice trembling. “But what’s worse… Amara was there before. She left this on purpose for us to find. She’s challenging us.”

A wave of anger washed over me. Amara was provoking us, testing our limits, and now she was leaving evidence just to see how we would react. “She wants us to know we’re being watched,” I murmured, trying to steady the tremble in my voice.

Dimitri moved closer, analyzing the map with sharp eyes. “She’s playing with our paranoia. She wants us to distrust everyone, to make each of our wolves start questioning the loyalty of the others.”

“This can’t go on,” I said, my patience running thin. “We need to confront her before this situation gets even more out of control. She’s provoking us to a confrontation, and maybe it’s time to give her what she wants.”

Dimitri shook his head, considering for a moment. “We have to be smarter. If she wants a reaction, we can’t give it to her on her terms. We need to turn the tables.”

I looked back at the map, seeing every detail as a direct affront to our authority. Amara wasn’t just testing our patience; she was challenging us to do something that could turn the situation in her favor. “Here’s what we’ll do,” I said, an idea starting to form in my mind. “Let’s plant our own false information. Leave it exactly where she can find it. If Amara wants to play manipulation games, let’s show her we can play too.”

Dimitri looked at me, a slight smile of approval forming. “A bold move, Angel. But it might work. We’ll make them believe they’re in control while we prepare our own strike.”

As we walked back to the office, I felt a thread of hope grow. The situation was far from resolved, but we had a new direction. I knew the game was just beginning and that Amara and Kael still had many cards to play. But now, Dimitri and I were ready to respond in kind.

However, even with this new plan, one thing was clear: trust was becoming an expensive luxury. And while our actions could bring us closer to victory, they could also lead us straight into the heart of the conflict.