Spy

Greg’s POV

Anna leaned back, looking up at the crumbling ceiling as she spoke. “Our magic was more…intuitive. Wolves like your brother rely on discipline and control, on channeling their power through sheer will. But for us, magic was as natural as breathing. It was in the air, in the earth, in every leaf and raindrop. We didn’t just use magic; we lived it. It was a part of our culture, our art, and even our combat. That’s why our territory was so alive, so vibrant. It was enchanted in a way that no one could truly replicate.”

She paused, her voice softening. “We had rituals that celebrated the changing of seasons, dances that called forth the rain, and songs that healed the wounded. Everything was connected, and nothing was wasted.”

I listened intently, fascinated by the vivid picture she painted. It sounded like a world completely unlike the harsh, rigid structure of the Wolf clan. “It sounds…beautiful,” I said, meaning every word. “Like something out of a legend.”

Anna’s smile was bittersweet. “It was. But beauty isn’t enough to survive a war. The third difference was our sense of loyalty. For foxes, loyalty isn’t just to a leader or a pack—it’s to the land, to the ancestors, and to each other. We fought for our home, not for power or glory. That’s why when your brother conquered us, it felt like losing a piece of our souls.”

I clenched my fists, feeling a pang of guilt. My brother’s ambition knew no bounds, and his conquest of the foxes had been just another stepping stone in his quest for dominance. “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “For everything my family has done.”

Anna shook her head. “It’s not your fault, Greg. You’re different from him. That’s why I’m here, with you. Because you still have a sense of honor, a heart that hasn’t been tainted by greed.”

Her words struck a chord in me, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for her presence. “And the fourth difference?” I asked, eager to hear more.

Anna’s eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and sadness. “The way we treated our young. In the fox clan, every child was considered a gift, not just a future warrior or a tool for the pack’s ambitions. We nurtured our children, taught them the old stories, the magic, and the art of survival, but we also let them be themselves. They could choose their paths, explore their talents, and were never forced into a mold. It made us stronger in the long run, even if it seemed chaotic to outsiders.”

I sighed, thinking of the rigid expectations placed on me from the moment I was born. I had been molded into a weapon, a prince with a destiny already carved in stone. But Anna’s words reminded me that there was another way, a life that was richer and freer than the one I knew.

“I wish I could have seen it,” I said softly. “Before it was gone.”

Anna nodded, a flicker of pain crossing her face. “Me too. But we carry those memories with us, don’t we? They’re what keep us going, even when the world feels like it’s falling apart.”

I reached out, taking her hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her touch. “We’ll make it through this, Anna. Together.”

She squeezed my hand, her eyes meeting mine with a fierce resolve. But then a different expression hit her.

“What is it?” I asked as she looked around.

“If they are here, they should be in your pack. I don’t think they targeted only you. They must have targeted your pack.”

Suddenly all the anger I felt for my brother disappeared. They needed help as well.

“We need to get back,” I said as she nodded.

We rushed out as she walked to her car while I told her to get into mine.

My car was faster but hers was bulky. It was a Range Rover suv.

Given to her by my brother as a presidential car I suppose.

“Fine,” she succumbed as we got into the car.

I heard an engine rev in the distance with a power bike moving through another road but I didn’t make much sense of it. It was a public road anyway.

***

King Cole’s POV

I returned from the pack gate, the heavy scent of blood and ash still fresh in the air.

My heart pounded with anger and determination. I had just dealt with one threat, but it seemed that the rogues were far from finished.

As I approached the palace, my generals rushed to meet me, their faces tense and grave.

“Your Majesty,” one of them began, his voice laced with urgency. “We have intelligence that more than three rogue clans are planning a coordinated attack on the pack. They’re seeking revenge for what happened at the gate.”

I clenched my fists, my thoughts racing. The rogues were retaliating harder and faster than I had anticipated. This wasn’t just a skirmish; it was an all-out assault. “What are their numbers?” I asked, scanning the maps and war plans they had laid out on the table. I could see the worry in their eyes, the lines of battle drawn across the vast territory surrounding our lands.

“They’re amassing forces on multiple fronts,” the general said, pointing to the areas marked in red. “Our scouts report hundreds of them, possibly more. They’re well-armed and hell-bent on breaching our defenses.”

I nodded, my mind already shifting into battle mode. “We need to keep this war outside the pack’s walls,” I said, my voice cold and commanding. “If they manage to break through and enter, they’ll wreak havoc on everything we’ve built. We can’t let that happen.”

The generals murmured in agreement, and we began discussing strategies to fortify our borders. I ordered additional patrols, reinforced our weak points, and set traps along the main access routes to slow down their advance.

I wanted my forces positioned at key choke points to funnel the rogues into controlled kill zones where we could pick them off before they got too close.

Just as we were finalizing the plans, one of my advisors approached me with a hushed whisper. “Your Majesty, the spy has requested a private audience.”

I raised an eyebrow but nodded. I had been waiting to hear from her; Anna’s role had been crucial, and I needed to know what she had discovered. I left the war council room and moved to a secluded corridor where the spy was waiting, her eyes darting around nervously but she was not Anna. She was my other spy.

“What do you have for me?” I asked, my patience thin as I leaned against the stone wall, arms crossed.

She hesitated for a moment, clearly aware that what she was about to say would not sit well with me. “Your Majesty… I’ve confirmed that your brother, Prince Greg, has been secretly involved with Anna—the spy you assigned to gather information on him.”