CHAPTER 25: HANDLED

"Your Highness, all the patrol guards have been taken care of."

Prince Kael gave a slow nod at the report, his attention dropping to the unconscious pup lying before him—the one he had captured the night before. What fools. The Moonville Pack’s little master was on their land, yet they had spent the entire night and the whole of the day scouring their borders, searching every path and shadow, wondering if he had already fallen into the hands of the rogues.

If only they knew.

It would almost be a kindness if the rogues had taken him—an end delivered quickly and without ceremony. But Kael, for all his faults and virtues, was not a man who dealt in kindness.

"And where is the Omega?"

"She is in Prince Zen’s lodgings," the guard replied. Kael smiled faintly, catching the undercurrent of disapproval in the old wolf’s tone.

"It seems you don’t approve."

"I dare not disapprove of anything the Princes do," the guard answered with measured respect, which only made Prince Kael’s smile widen.

"And what is he doing?"

The guard’s expression tightened. "What he always does. He’s hosting a party this evening and he invited every young, unmated male and female wolf he could find. I’ve no idea where he learned such wicked methods to extract information."

"Weren’t you the one who taught us to use any means necessary?"

The older wolf gave a short, sharp snort. "Don’t put that on me. I never taught... this."

Kael chuckled, ready to prod the old master with a few more barbed words, when a howl cut through the air. It was sharp, drawn out, and carried an edge of excitement that felt almost too eager. It echoed over the trees like a summons, sending a ripple through the forest. Kael’s smile sharpened. The signal had come. It was time to visit the Ruins.

Rising to his feet, he reached down, seized the unconscious Alec Soier by the scruff, and began to drag him across the ground. The pup’s limbs hung limp, his head lolling with each step, but Kael’s grip never loosened. The forest floor was unforgiving-roots, rocks, and rough earth tearing at flesh-but Kael didn’t slow, didn’t care. By the time they reached the Ruins, the man would be scraped raw.

The path to the Ruins was long but Kael dragged Alec without pause, the old guard following a few steps behind. They crossed the river quickly, having already made arrangements to form a temporary bridge.

Kael stilled once they were here. He’d barely made it to the Ruins last night and it was still the same.The air grew heavier as they moved on and he could feel the stillness settle around them like a stifling blanket.. There were no birds, no movement, nothing but the steady pull forward, as if they had been locked in a space, void of everything.

He’d barely taken few more steps when he felt another presence beside him and took a deep breath. Zen. "Holy hell. This feeling is worst than the time, master tied us with silver chains and threw us into the river..."

Kael smiled slowly. Leave it to Zen to still have the strength to talk under the circumstances. Without another word from his brother, they continued to stride towards the old broken building.

By the time the stones came into view, Alec had started to stir. He gave a low groan, his head shifting weakly against Kael’s grip. Kael kept walking as the pup muttered something that sounded like a promise.

The Ruins were not what most would expect.From a distance, it looked like a crumbling fortress half-swallowed by the earth, its outer walls broken and uneven, leaning at odd angles. Vines and roots had claimed most of the stone, winding over the jagged remains, but the shape of the place was still clear—an open courtyard in the middle, surrounded by hollowed-out chambers that clung to the outer ring like empty shells.

The only way down was a series of wide, uneven steps that spiraled along the inside wall, leading deeper and deeper into the sunken center. No one knew what lay in the middle of these.

Alec’s groans turned into short, uneven breaths. His eyes blinked open, unfocused at first, then darting to the stones.

"No..." His voice was hoarse.

Kael stepped closer to the circle. Alec’s breathing quickened.

"No, no, not here..." His voice broke, panic taking over.

Kael stopped just outside before stepping onto the steps.. "You know where you are."

Alec shook his head violently. "Get me out of here."

The old guard watched silently, his expression unreadable.

Kael tightened his hold and pulled him forward. Alec thrashed weakly, his hands scraping at the dirt, but Kael didn’t stop until they crossed the edge of the steps leading down. Alec screamed. It was loud and sharp, carrying across the clearing and bouncing back from the trees.

Kael waited until the sound died down. "You know what happens here," he said quietly.

Alec’s eyes were wide. "Don’t do this."

Kael ignored him and moved toward the center of the stones. But before he could move down the first step, a voice resonated, Blood...

The old guard stiffened. Zen only raised an eyebrow. Kael didn’t hesitate. He’s already guessed after all. He reached down, his grip iron around Alec’s arm. "No—no, wait—" Alec’s plea broke into a scream as Kael’s hand shifted, bones and tendons cracking into place until his fingers curved into sharp claws.

The first strike tore through skin and muscle like wet paper. Blood welled instantly, hot and dark, running down Alec’s arm. Kael dug in again, making sure the wound stayed open.

The smell filled the air. Alec writhed, twisting against the hold, his voice breaking on another scream.

Kael lifted the torn arm and let the blood drip onto the first step. The stone drank it in, the dark stains spreading in thin, deliberate lines, winding down toward the courtyard below.