19
Director Smith’s subordinates started to bow their heads to me after our blood compact. I was no longer just some rogue. I was the heir to his empire. Wealth, influence, and respect were mine.
But this was only the beginning
There was still one piece missing–my pack.
It was time for payback
I learned through Smith’s sources that Marcus was holding a territorial meeting today. It was perfect timing. He’d gathered Alphas and leaders from nearby territories, no doubt to flaunt his stolen power. What better moment to put him in his place?
I arrived on a sleek black chopper in the middle of the open meeting field. The crowd turned to look, murmurs spreading like wildfire. Their faces showed everything–shock, confusion, and fear. I climbed off, losing my shades and fixing my cufflinks as my eyes scanned the crowd, locking onto Marcus at the front.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
I smirked, standing tall. “Taking back what’s mine.”
He scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he took in my expensive jacket, the chopper, and the confidence I wore like armor. “Where did you even get all this? You were banished as a rogue, and now you show up acting like some king?”
“Maybe I am a king,” I said coolly
“You’ve got some nerve showing your face here!”
“And yet here I am,” I shot back, taking a step closer. “You stole my pack, Marcus. You betrayed me. Did you really
think I’d let that slide?”
His nostrils flared. “I didn’t steal anything! I did what was right for Shadowfang. You were weak. I saved thick
from you!”
I barked out a bitter laugh. “Saved them? You mean lied to them. Manipulated them. And for what? Your own
greed?”
His fists clenched. “You’re delusional! Leave, before I make you regret coming here!”
I tilted my head, letting the challenge hang in the air. “Or what? You’ll fight me? Good. Let’s settle this the old way. A duel. You and me. Winner takes the pack.”
The crowd gasped, murmurs rising again as everyone looked to Marcus. His lips twisted into a sneer. “You’ve
The Scorrad Le
His eyes darkened, and his voice dropped to a deadly growl. “I didn’t steal anything. You, of all people, should know that this pack wasn’t even yours to begin with. You took it from Luna Mauve’s family. You’re not even Alpha–blooded!”
“Oh, cut the crap!” My voice thundered through the field, silencing the crowd. “We’re not here to debate history Let’s fight. I don’t have time for your excuses. I’m a busy man, and I have other errands to run.”
Marcus’s eyes blazed with fury. “Fine. Let’s end this!”
With that, he shifted into his wolf form. His massive black wolf growled, pacing in a wide circle around me. I stayed in my human form, standing still and unbothered.
Marcus’s voice echoed in my mind. “What’s wrong, Jester? Can’t shift anymore?”
I smiled faintly. “I don’t need to shift to beat you.”
His growl deepened, and then he lunged.
Marcus was fast, his claws slashing through the air. I dodged and countered, landing punches and kicks that sent him staggering. He clawed at my chest, knocking me down hard enough to crack a rib. Pain shot through me. but I pushed past it.
Marcus came at me again, teeth bared, aiming for my throat. I twisted at the last second, driving an elbow into his side. He yelped but retaliated, slamming me into the ground again. Blood dripped from cuts across my face, and my left arm hung uselessly at my side.
But I didn’t stop.
Finally, Marcus froze mid–attack. His body stiffened, his legs trembling. Then he collapsed to the ground, his wolf form convulsing. Foam bubbled at his mouth as his breathing turned shallow.
Through the mindlink, his voice was weak and filled with panic. “You you cheated!”
I crouched beside him, lowering my voice so only he could hear. “Cheating? Or just being smarter than you?”
His eyes widened in realization, but it was too late. With a final shudder, he went still.
Gasps echoed around me as the crowd stared in shock. No one had seen the small syringe of pure wolfsbane I’d used during the fight, pressing it into his chest while we grappled.
I stood, ignoring the pain in my body, and looked at the gathered wolves. “From this moment forward,
Shadowfang is mine. Anyone who thinks of defying me will meet the same fate as Marcus!”
I pointed to a warrior standing near the edge of the crowd. “You. Hang Marcus’s body at the gates. Let it serve as
a warning to everyone.”
The warrior hesitated, glancing nervously at Marcus’s lifeless form.
“Do it!” I commanded.
“Yes, Alpha.” He obeyed, dragging the body away.
I turned to the pack, letting my gaze sweep over their stunned faces. “Remember this moment. I am your Alpha now. And no one, not the Moon Goddess herself, can take this from me!”
