Night came.

    It descended like a thick velvet curtain, the oppressive weight of the dark clouds cleared away as if they conceded to the significance of the moment. Stars emerged—scattered gemstones in the heavens, casting their faint light across the world below.

    High above, the waxing crescent moon hung luminous—its silver glow carving through the shadows.

    On a spot at the heart of the Scarlet Banes Kingdom, the air was sharp and expectant.

    It hummed with tension that seemed to thrum in the very bones of the gathered crowd.

    For the kingdom, this was no ordinary night but the hour of reckoning.

    Prince Leif''s death split the kingdom into two sides, the tension was palpably rising to the boiling point—it was only a matter of time before a clash happened. However, tonight, there would be no more delays, no more battles of attrition.

    One ruler would ascend, and the kingdom would become one again.

    The Mesa of Alphas is the location chosen for this particular moment that would change history.

    It was a crimson piece of land that was used by the royals to settle disputes between each other, including the struggle for power. A vast land—its surface streaked with veins of blood-red minerals that pulsed faintly under the pale moonlight, pumping moonlight energy into the air.

    Such a sight made the place feel alive.

    Ancient histories that were carved into the soil could be felt directly through the skin.

    Stood at the center of the mesa was the Alpha Stone.

    A towering monolith etched with runes older than the new era itself, their meanings lost to all but the most ancient of Werewolves. Surrounding it, the ground bore scars of countless battles—deep and vivid claw marks gouged into the earth and shattered fragments of bone half-buried in the dirt.

    Naturally, in the past—countless internal battles happened here.

    Werewolves were famously known for their primal way of living and fighting was a sacred act for them.

    It was a part of life.

    The Mesa of Alphas is a dignified arena to settle qualms between notable Werewolves.

    However, at this moment, this place would be used as a diplomatic neutral ground.

    Prince Alaric and the other Alpha Primes underneath him rigorously prepared this place.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    A crowd could be seen gathering, at the base of the mesa—carriages, mounts—and other kinds of transportation that brought the supplies to decorate the mesa for this diplomacy. Thousands of Werewolves gathered—each has its own individual tasks.

    Most of them were a part of the Alpha Primes sworn to fight and stood by Prince Alaric.

    On the mesa itself, thousands of tables, pillow seats, and banners could be seen.

    Each set of a table, pillow seat, and banner represented one Alpha Prime.

    A lot of thought was put into this layout on the mesa.

    On each table, there was a number that represented the rank of the Alpha Primes starting from number one where Prince Alaric was sitting, all the way to number eight hundred and seventy, the pillow seats represent the worth of their ranks, the better the quality the higher their rank is—while the banner represented their packs who helped them maintain that rank and position.

    It was a way for Prince Alaric to honor them for their accomplishment.

    And on the other side, telling them what they are worth.

    Prince Alaric stared into the distance blanky cross-legged with a hand grabbing his knee in reverse, his expression was calm and composed—nobody could tell what he was thinking. However, that fac?ade of composure was slowly fading with each second passed.

    Your journey continues on empire

    More and more Alpha Primes arrived and sat on their seats but that didn''t seem to ease his unrest.

    As one of those who came from royal blood, he had sat on this mesa countless times.

    He watched royal after royal fighting against one another in a deathmatch.

    It was the bloodiest during a change of King like this.

    Inhaling deeply, he finally glanced back to the Beta beside him.

    "Bring some people with you," He commanded. "Visit those who are near joining us. Leave the rest"

    Once he gained that instruction, the Beta nodded and instantly moved.

    ''Since a war is inevitable, I need to amass as many Alpha Primes to our side,'' He thought and nodded.

    Meanwhile, patiently waiting on the side.

    "I think the others aren''t going to come" Gistella whispered, her eyes meticulously scanning the mesa. "This is how much he could gather. The other Alpha Primes must still refuse the idea of being a part of us, a war seems to be inevitable. Should we leave?"

    "No, we''ll wait," Evelyn shook her head, keeping her posture upright and dignified.

    Despite the obvious unrest settling on the mesa, she kept her calm visage.

    "Rex doesn''t want to destroy the Werewolves, he wanted them to be a part of us," Evelyn added, the determination in her voice could be heard clearly. "No matter what, I will stop a war from breaking out. We''ll wait and see how many more would come"

    "But if Rex knew about this..." Gistella muttered, hesitant. "He might scold us or worse"

    Just like Evelyn, she also knew that Rex wouldn''t want to burn down the entire Scarlet Banes Kingdom.

    Preferably, he wanted to avoid unnecessary bloodshed since his sight was on the Fourthborn and also Chaos, the dominant threat against the empire. Not to mention, Agatha was also taken in, and she is a young Werewolf that Rex took in.

    It would be a bad look for him if he was the one who burnt down her kingdom.

    However, Rex was also merciless.

    He had given Prince Alaric a generous chance and a deadline.

    Naturally, if he failed to meet what he was required to do, Rex wouldn''t hesitate to use force.

    Even then, Evelyn didn''t seem to waver.

    "Which is why anything that happens here would not reach Rex''s ears," Evelyn said determinedly. "We will make sure the Werewolves fall to our rule, no matter what. All we needed to do is convince Princess Selene and her people would have no choice but to follow her"

    "I hope you''re right about this," Gistella mumbled inaudibly. "I don''t want Rex to be angry at me"

    Upon hearing this, Evelyn gulped harshly, "I also don''t want that to happen too..."

    Moments later.

    Another hour passed and Prince Alaric was restless, the Beta he sent out hadn''t come back yet.

    He tried to contact the Beta through telepathy but he got no answer.

    "I guess it''s time..." Prince Alaric murmured before pivoting towards the Silverstar Pack.

    Just then, however, he paused and turned to the other side.

    A shout could be heard in the distance, and it called for Prince Alaric.

    Not only he but the other Alpha Primes and also the Silverstar Pack could hear this distant shout.

    Frowning, Prince Alaric stood up and leaped down from the mesa.

    He landed at where the shout originated from and saw a Werewolf there, a well-known Beta.

    This Beta hailed from the fourth strongest pack in the Scarlet Banes Kingdom, the Silver Predator Pack—just beneath the royal packs in power and prestige. Prince Alaric was confused since the Alpha Prime of this Beta was here, one of the neutral Alpha Primes that had answered Prince Alaric''s summons out of respect.

    It was weird for him to call Prince Alaric like this.

    "Your Highness, I''ve got a message from the other side," the Beta said, directing at a wooden box.

    Upon hearing this, Prince Alaric frowned and approached the wooden box, "What''s this, Yoruk?"

    The Beta, Yoruk shrugged his shoulders—he also didn''t know.

    Feeling uneasy, Prince Alaric reached for the lid and opened it with a gentle pull before he stepped backward, his eyes widening in shock, "So this is what it comes to, I never expect this from you..."