Chapter 64 — Underneath the Surface
A familiar prickle of panic surged through their veins as they moved through the crowded path, every face they passed another obstacle that threatened to expose them. The pack was buzzing with preparations for the full-moon celebration tonight — servants hurrying past with garlands and crates of food, warriors exchanging hushed greetings — yet none of them suspected what truly brewed beneath the surface.
They kept their chin tucked low as they hurried along, hands tucked deep into the folds of their cloak to hide the trembling that had taken hold. Every polite nod returned was an effort; every careful smile was false. Too many things were going wrong too quickly, and if they weren’t careful, all their careful scheming would unravel in a single careless moment.
At last, they reached the edge of the southern trail, where the forest swallowed up the noise and scent of the main village. Thick branches wove overhead like a protective cage, and a deep sigh broke from their lips as they picked up their pace, boots silent against the forest floor.
The further they went, the easier it was to breathe, though their thoughts continued to race wildly with everything that had gone wrong.
That useless rogue leader.
He had promised results. Promised that Giselle would be gone before anyone even realized what was happening. Promised that tonight’s celebration would go off without a hitch.
And yet, nothing had gone according to plan.
Rowan was still searching. Giselle was still alive. The spell meant to strip the bond had failed—worse, they were closer than ever to exposing the traitor within the pack.
A surge of white-hot rage burst in their chest as they moved deeper into the trees. Finally sure they were alone, they gave in to the boiling fury they’d been holding back all morning.
A harsh, guttural scream shattered the quiet, their fists swinging into the nearest pine. Bark cracked and split under their hands, knuckles splitting with the force of each blow as they vented their frustration. Again. Again. Until they were breathless and their hands throbbed with pain. Birds took flight in a flurry of wings, startled into the open skies as the forest echoed their wrath.
“Useless,” they hissed into the shadows, chest heaving. “That miserable fool was supposed to make this simple.”
They had to warn the rogues — it was the only way to set things right. Giselle had to disappear before tonight.. But slipping away during the preparations would draw suspicion. Rowan was watchful as a hawk, and every elder and warrior was too tense for anything unusual to go unnoticed.
That thought had hardly settled before a sharp rustle of underbrush snapped them out of their dark thoughts.
With a breathless curse, they whispered a rapid shielding spell. Instantly, their scent and every trace of their presence dissolved into the damp forest air as they melted into the dense undergrowth.
Mere seconds later, two large wolves burst into the clearing.
The first wolf raised its nose, drawing long breaths as the second prowled the forest floor, ears pinned back and muscles taut.
Both shifted into human forms — broad-shouldered warriors, their expressions tense and wary as they scanned the dark trees.
“Did you hear that?” one murmured, his brow creased.
“Sounded like someone screaming,” the other agreed, slowly turning in a circle as his sharp eyes probed every shadow.
“There’s nothing,” the first grunted after a long silence, rubbing the back of his neck in puzzlement. “No scent. Nothing on the ground. Maybe some deer spooked the birds.”
“Maybe,” his partner replied, though suspicion still tinged his voice.
After another tense moment, the two exchanged wary glances before shifting back into their wolf forms. With one last sweep of the clearing, they took off at a loping run, melting into the forest once more as they returned to their posts.
The stranger remained still long after they had disappeared, every muscle tight with tension.
That was too close.
A shaky breath finally slipped past their lips as they emerged from their hiding place, hands trembling with the fading adrenaline.
If those warriors had gotten even one good look at them, questions would have followed — questions they could not risk. Not tonight.
A dark frown pulled at their mouth as they pulled their cloak tighter around themselves, they stared back toward the heart of the pack. The noise of the celebration preparations carried faintly through the trees, a reminder of the tight schedule they were working against.
They couldn’t afford mistakes like that—not when they were so close to taking everything they deserved.
And though Rowan was more determined than ever, they knew just how to tear him apart.
A dark smile crept across their face as a new plan began to take shape in their mind.
Rowan thought himself clever. The elders thought they had control. Even Charlie and Kalen thought they could keep Giselle safe.
None of them had seen what was truly coming.
And by the time they realized it, this pack would already be under their thumb — exactly where it belonged.
With one last cautious glance into the darkened forest, they began moving back toward the pack, every step measured, every shadow a shield. The distant hum of preparations guided them like a beacon as they slipped between trees and skirted the edge of the territory, careful to stay well away from any paths where patrols might be passing.
When the edge of the woods came into view, they paused in the shelter of a wide oak, scanning the grounds. Groups of packmates moved busily between buildings. Laughter echoed faintly from the pups playing in the clearing. A pair of guards chatted near the training ring, unaware of the silent figure watching them from the shadows.
Slipping from cover at just the right moment, they darted across the open space, hugging the walls of buildings and staying in the blind spots of those who might notice. Step by step, they worked their way to the quieter back corridors of the packhouse, heart hammering with anticipation—not fear.
Within moments, they reached their room, slipping inside and shutting the door with barely a sound.
A new plan had taken shape—one far cleaner—and this time, there would be no mistakes.
Soon enough, this pack would be theirs for the taking.
And no one, not even Rowan, would stop them.
Author Note: Any guesses on who it is???
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