CHAPTER FORTY-NINE.

(OWEN'S POV)

Later that evening, after composing myself from the bombshell revelations in James's message, I knew I needed to reach out to my father.

He was still within the pack's territory, likely being fed all sorts of lies and propaganda by Zoey and her allies. It was vital I warn him of the truth and plan our way to stop them.

I took a few minutes to ensure my call couldn't be traced, carefully concealing my number. The last thing I needed was for Zoey or one of her cronies to catch wind that I was still lurking about and looking to unravel their schemes.

When I was confident the line was secure, I punched in my father's number and waited with bated breath as it rang.

"Hello?" His gruff voice finally answered after the third ring, that familiar grizzled tone instantly transporting me back to happier times in our pack's halls.

"Good evening, father. It's me, Owen," I replied, keeping my own voice low and even. "If you're not alone, I suggest moving somewhere more secluded for privacy's sake."

There was a brief pause before he responded. "No, I'm home now. I just returned from the pack hall after the evening meal, so I'm alone. How are you, son? How have you been keeping since we last spoke? I pray all is well?"

A pang of longing lanced through me at his concerned inquiries. Despite the rift that had formed between us because of my exile, it was clear he still cared deeply for my well being.

"Yes, father, I'm doing as well as can be expected given the circumstances," I assured him, hoping to assuage his worries at least somewhat.

"But there are more pressing matters we need to discuss. I recently heard that Prince Arthur paid a visit to the pack territories?"

"Well, yes, that's correct," he confirmed slowly. "It seems he came to pay his respects and offer condolences after Meliora's...tragic loss."

I couldn't help but scoff at his words. "No, father, that's a bald-faced lie, and you know it. If he truly wished to offer condolences, he would have done so much sooner after her mur--after her death."

I caught myself, still unable to voice the word for what had been done to my beloved. "It's barely an hour's ride between his lands and ours. He delayed this long for an entirely more sinister reason."

"Then why? What reason?" My father's voice took on a harder edge, rightly suspicious now of Arthur's motives.

I drew in a steadying breath before continuing. This was sure to be a heavy blow.

"He came seeking Zoey's hand in marriage, father. That idiot couldn't even wait for Meliora's death to cool before moving to take her all time lover, her stepsister, as his wife."

The sharp intake of my father's breath crackled over the line. "Where did you hear all of this?" he demanded, his words clipped.

"From her own lips, through a recording one of my contacts was able to obtain," I informed him grimly.

"That's why I want you to be very careful from now on. Zoey is conspiring to seize the Alpha's position before her wedding to Arthur, so the two of them can merge both territories and rule them together as a pair."

My father was speechless for a long moment before sputtering out a shocked, "This is...extreme stuff, son. Are you sure?"

"Believe me, father, there is no extreme those two won't go to in order to see their vile plans succeed," I stated, anger creeping into my tone.

"My whole setup with Meliora was mere child's play even though it was all part of the bigger plan, which is to overthrow Meliora, get married to Arthur so they can rule together."

"I see, it all makes sense now," my father conceded heavily. "So what would you have me do? Try my best to prevent that evil girl from taking power as the new Alpha?"

"Exactly," I confirmed. "By any means necessary, you must work to stall and obstruct her ascension to the throne. Sow doubts among the elders, insist that a female shouldn't be allowed to rule, tell them we're still in mourning for our fallen Alpha and shouldn't rush crowning a new one - whatever you have to do, just make sure she's denied that position."

"Yes, and that way no one will suspect we're onto their schemes," he reasoned. "They'll think it's just the usual antiquated patriarchal objections."

"Precisely, father." A harsh smile tugged at the corner of my mouth, even though he couldn't see it.

"I want you to do whatever it takes to buy me more time to fully expose those hypocrites. I can't wait to crush them beneath my heel and avenge everything they've done to our family."

There was a weighted pause before my father spoke again, his voice heavy with shared pain. "And I can't wait to see them brought to justice for banishing you unjustly and...the fate they brought upon poor Meliora."

He exhaled a shuddering breath. "I still can't believe they framed you like that, son, for something so heinous you clearly didn't commit."

My jaw clenched at the rawness in his tone. As much as his words dredged up my own lingering guilt over that harrowing scandal, I knew we couldn't afford to get mired in self-pity and remorse, not with so much still at stake.

"There's no time for wallowing now, father," I stated firmly. "We have to stay strong and keep pushing forward before they drag us all down into their quagmire of depravity. Just promise me you'll watch your back closely. You're in far more danger surrounded by them within the pack's den than I am out here."

"You have my word, son," he vowed solemnly. "I'll be the very soul of discretion in obstructing that viper Zoey."

"Good man," I praised him, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. As long as I had my father as a steadfast ally on the inside, perhaps we stood a chance of bringing down Zoey and Arthur's nefarious plot.

"I long for the day when you can return and live among us again openly," he continued, his gravelly voice thick with emotion. "These days without you near bring me nothing but heartache, my boy. I miss you terribly."

My throat clenched at his naked vulnerability. As much as I had chafed under his stern patriarchal rule growing up, there was no denying the depth of his fatherly love for me now.

It was just one more innocent casualty of Zoey and Arthur's machinations that had robbed us both of that familial bond for a time.

"I share that hope as well, father," I managed, forcing the words out past the lump in my throat.

"But we'll only see that day if we both remain resolute and survive the trials ahead unscathed. Until we can speak again, keep your wits about you at all times."

"I will, son. Be safe out there, and may the spirit of the pack watch over you." Father waved over the phone.

"And you as well. Goodbye for now." I hid him farewell too, not knowing when next I'll hear his voice again.

With profound reluctance, I ended the call and set aside the burner phone. My heart felt slightly lighter having reinforced the alliance with my father, but a creeping sense of dread still gnawed at me.

As long as Zoey and Arthur were allowed to slither freely about the pack lands unchallenged, none of us were truly safe.

I knew what had to be done. Soon, perhaps sooner than I realized, I would need to draw them out into the open and deal them the ultimate reckoning they deserved.

No matter what lines had to be crossed, I would have justice for Meliora and retribution for my own banishment - this, I swore to the growing night outside my window.

My path was set. All that remained was setting the trap to bring those snakes to their knees once and for all.