CHAPTER 49: CHAPTER 49

Nicholas POV.

I stood in my study, the room filled with the smell of old books and leather, my hands clenched, my heart pounding with a restless anger that never left me.

The scar across my jaw itched, a reminder of battles fought, of losses that still burned. My Beta, Nathan, stepped in, his boots loud on the wooden floor, his brown eyes steady.

"Alpha, your vehicle’s ready," he said, his voice calm but firm, his hand gesturing to the door.

I nodded, my jaw tight, my dark green cloak heavy on my shoulders, its hood low, hiding my face.

I didn’t want anyone seeing me, not today, not when my mind was a storm of rage and plans.

I followed Nathan out, my steps quick, the packhouse quiet, the morning sun barely breaking through the thick clouds.

The black car waited outside, its engine humming, the air cool, the forest around the Fang pack’s territory dense and silent.

I slid into the back, my cloak swishing, my hands resting on my knees, my sword hilt cold against my hip.

Nathan drove, his hands steady, his eyes on the road, knowing better than to ask questions.

The car sped through the woods, the trees a blur, the path narrow and rough, leading to a lonely spot deep in the forest.

My heart raced, my anger simmering, memories of the fire weeks ago, the guest house burning, the smoke choking, Kael’s pack blaming mine, stirring my rage.

I needed answers, needed to know who was behind it, who dared to challenge me. I had my suspicions but wasn’t sure.

The car stopped abruptly, tires crunching on gravel, the pold house ahead, its wooden walls weathered, its windows dark, hidden in the thick woods.

I stepped out, my boots sinking into the damp earth, my cloak billowing in the wind. "Stay here," I told Nathan, my voice low, sharp, my eyes hard.

He nodded, his face tense, leaning against the car, his hand on his dagger.

I walked alone, my steps heavy, the air thick with the smell of pine and decay, my heart pounding, my wolf, Rex, growling low, his instincts sharp.

The house was a place of secrets, a place I didn’t really liked, but I needed to see her, someone special, my aunt, Mara, the only one who knew the truth.

I pushed open the creaky door, the hinges groaning, the room dim, lit only by a small fire in the hearth.

Mara stood at a wooden table, her back to me, her gray hair loose, her hands stirring a pot of herbal tea, the steam rising, the smell sharp.

She didn’t turn, but her voice came, low and snarling. "Well, someone misses his aunty finally," she said, her tone mocking, her shoulders stiff.

My jaw clenched, my hands fisting. I hadn’t seen her in months, hadn’t really wanted to, her words always cutting, always dragging up pain I buried deep. But like I said, she was still special to me.

I scoffed, my voice rough, stepping closer, the floorboards creaking. "Why haven’t you come to the packhouse?" I asked, my eyes narrowing, my cloak heavy, my scar itching.

I trusted her, always had, her schemes as sharp as her tongue, her knowledge of the pack’s secrets too dangerous.

She turned, her dark eyes glinting, her smile sly. "I prefer when you come to me," she said, her voice smooth, her hands resting on the table, the tea steaming behind her.

"It’s quieter here. Fewer eyes." Her words were calm, but her eyes were sharp, searching, and my chest tightened, suspicion growing.

Rex growled, his wariness loud, urging me to stay sharp.

I sat, my cloak pooling, crossing my legs, my hands steady but my heart racing. "Did you start the fire?" I asked, my voice hard, my eyes burning into hers.

"The one at the Fang pack’s guest house? Weeks ago?" The memory of the flames, the silent accusations, Kael’s survival, fueled my anger, my need for answers.

I leaned forward, my sword hilt cold against my hip.

Mara’s smile faded, her eyes narrowing, her voice cold. "No," she said, her hands clenching the table.

"But I wish I had. Would’ve been better if Kael burned." Her words were venom, her hate for Kael clear, and my chest tightened, my anger stirring.

I didn’t like Kael, didn’t trust him, but her boldness, her glee, set me on edge.

"Then who did it?" I asked, my voice sharp, my hands fisting, my eyes locked on hers.

"Someone tried to kill Kael and that wasn’t me. Who?" My heart pounded, Rex growling, his instincts pushing me to dig deeper, to find the truth.

Mara shrugged, her smile returning, sly and cruel. "I don’t know," she said, her voice light, too light.

"By the way, what’s stopping you from killing Kael? You are wasting so much time." Her question was sharp, her eyes glinting, daring me.

"He’s the reason they’re dead. Why your..." She stopped, her words cut off as I stood, my chair scraping, my heart racing, rage and pain exploding.

"Enough!" I snapped, my voice loud, my fists clenching, my scar burning.

I didn’t want to hear it, I didn’t want her dragging up the past, the loss, the blood, my mother, my little baby sister, gone because of Kael’s pack, his father’s recklessness or rather, wickedness.

My chest heaved, my breath heavy, Rex roaring, his anger hot. Mara’s smirk grew, her eyes knowing, seeing my pain, my avoidance.

I turned, my cloak swishing, and stormed out, the door slamming, the air cool, the woods quiet.

Nathan waited by the car, his eyes wide, sensing my fury. I slid inside, my hands shaking, my jaw tight, my heart heavy with memories I couldn’t face.

"Drive," I said, my voice rough, my eyes on the trees as we sped back, the path bumpy, the forest a blur.

My mind spun, Mara’s words, her taunts, mixing with my plans, Kael’s death, revenge for my family, but not yet, not until I was ready.

My chest ached, my anger a fire that never died.

The car hummed, the packhouse nearing, its stone walls tall, the guards patrolling. Nathan’s phone rang, the sound sharp, breaking the silence.

He answered, his voice low, his face tensing. When he hung up, he turned to me, his eyes wide, his voice urgent.

"Alpha, they’ve got Elijah in the Shadow Claw pack," he said, his hands gripping the wheel. "They’re requesting to see us."

My fist clenched, my heart stopping, rage flooding me.

Elijah, my guard, my spy, sent to infiltrate Kael’s pack years ago, vanished after the fire, presumed dead. Now they had him?

My chest tightened, my scar burning, Rex growling, his fury sharp.

"That’s humiliation," Nathan said, his voice angry, his eyes meeting mine. "They’re demanding you go to them, Alpha. We should ignore it."

I shook my head, my voice hard, my eyes burning.

"Take me to the Shadow Claw pack immediately!" I said, my fist clenching tighter, my heart racing with anger and purpose.