"Alpha, are we really doing this?"
Alpha Akechi Ookaze's sharp gaze flicked up from his brooding, irritation flashing across his features. He found his Beta, Yuito Ookaze, hovering over him like a nervous cat. Yuito had always lacked the strength his title suggested, and his jittery movements were starting to grate on Akechi's nerves more than usual.
"Stop hovering like a damn fly. And stop asking me the same damn question over and over," Akechi growled, his voice heavy with irritation.
Yuito flinched, a startled shriek escaping his lips as he quickly took several steps back, eyes wide with fear.
"I-I can't help it," Yuito stammered, still visibly trembling. "It's the Lycan King we're talking about. The Lycan King!" His hands twitched, betraying the fear that seemed to radiate from him. The Alpha's scowl deepened.
From the moment Akechi had devised his plan to secure his daughter Rei Ookaze as the new lycan queen, Yuito had been a constant source of anxiety. His doubt and fear only made Akechi more resolute in his decisions, but still, the Beta clung to his uncertainty.
"Tch. Lycan King or not, he's no different from us 'has-beens'," Akechi spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "He couldn't even hold a candle to Gen Kagerou, his father's strength. Hizuki Kagerou is nothing to be afraid of."
"But—" Yuito's protest was cut short as Akechi raised a hand, his dark eyes narrowing dangerously. Despite the warning, Yuito pressed on, his fear evident. "Alpha, we don't even know how strong the Shadow Wolf Pack Alpha is…"
"Exactly." Akechi's voice was dismissive, his confidence unwavering. "Nobody has ever seen him or his wolf. If it weren't for official records, and the fact that I saw the boy when he was younger, we wouldn't even know he existed." He paused, sensing Yuito's lingering doubt. The Alpha's gaze hardened. He unleashed his powerful aura, suffocating Yuito's breath, forcing him to stagger back. "Don't question me again. I am the Alpha of this pack, and my words are law. Even if you meant well, there's no evidence our plan will fail. And as for Kagerou's power? The child who was the catalyst of the Moon Goddess curse hardly has the strength the Shadow Wolf Pack claims. They're probably bluffing."
Yuito clutched at his throat, struggling to breathe, his face pale. Fear still held him tightly. "Alpha, the forests surrounding the Kageoden… how peaceful they are… it's proof enough we should be cautious of the alpha," Yuito whispered, barely managing to hold his ground.
Akechi paused, a rare moment of doubt crossing his mind. The serenity of the land around Kageoden did unsettle him, stirring something deep inside him as peace was only possible if something or someone was causing it, someone powerful enough to make all beasts stay away. But his greed and desperation for success overwhelmed any lingering reservations. His plan had been too carefully crafted, too important for his pack's survival.
If the plan failed? He would lose Rei, but at least the Shadow Wolf Pack wouldn't retaliate, not with the support of local and international alphas backing him. And if Rei managed to become Hizuki Kagerou's wife? That was a success he could bask in. But if not…
Akechi dismissed the thought with a sharp shake of his head. As the leader of a dying pack, sacrifices were inevitable. He would sacrifice his daughter, and perhaps even a few pack members stationed at Kageoden, for the greater good.
His mind turned to the next phase of his plan. Rina Ookaze, their eldest and most trusted member, had volunteered for a crucial role. She had already made it clear she was willing to be the "hostage" at Kageoden, her presence the perfect bargaining chip. With Rina there, the Shadow Wolf Pack would never dream of suspecting they were playing a deeper game. Hizuki Kagerou and his pack wouldn't risk attacking when the stakes involved their alpha's potential bride. Even if they didn't succeed in gaining Rei as Hizuki's mate, this plan would still benefit them.
Akechi turned away from Yuito, his thoughts set. No matter the cost, the pack's survival was paramount. Even if it meant going to great lengths, using deceit and manipulation, sacrifices would be made. The schemes were in motion, and he was ready to see them through—no matter the consequences.
"Have the guests settled down?" Akechi's voice was sharp, irritation flickering across his features. His Beta, Yuito, was truly a disappointment. How could he mention their "plans" without first confirming whether the Alphas, who had come to stay on their territory, had been safely escorted to their guest houses, far away from the pack house? The last thing he needed was for those bigger wolves to catch wind of the truth. It would mean certain disaster for him.
Akechi's thoughts lingered on a recent, unexpected discovery. Their eldest Salutary, Rina Ookaze, had stumbled upon a technique that, while not completely eradicating the curse's effects on powerful wolves with weak physical bodies, could at least control the pain. The curse had two variations: one affecting those born with diminished power, and another causing physical deterioration that made their bodies so human-like they could no longer hold the power inside them, breaking them from the inside out. It was excruciating.
The discovery had been pure accident—though it wasn't entirely surprising. It tied back to the Wind Pack's darkest secret, one connected to an ancient healer clan whose knowledge of healing was far more advanced than the Ookazes' meager understanding. Rina had led an expedition to the long-abandoned village of that forgotten tribe, hoping to find clues about their powers. To her surprise, they hadn't been disappointed. It was a gamble, but one that had paid off. That discovery had given Akechi the confidence to risk everything again, believing it could restore the glory he believed was rightfully his.
"Yes, Alpha," Yuito responded, his voice strained. "There's word from Alpha Roderik Langeveld, by the way. You were so preoccupied with the other guests that I didn't get a chance to report."
"Roderik Langeveld? From the Netherlands? What about him?" Akechi's face contorted into a displeased frown. He had personally invited the Alpha, using a more personal method than with the others, considering him a VIP, yet here he was, ignored.
"He apologized for his delay," Yuito continued, cautiously watching the Alpha's reaction. "He said he had too many tasks to attend to, but he will definitely arrive tomorrow."
"Hmph!" Akechi scoffed, though there was little he could do about it. If Hizuki Kagerou's power remained an enigma, Roderik Langeveld was another matter entirely. Known as the second-strongest Alpha in the world (assuming the Lycan King still held first place), Roderik had the ability to flatten their entire territory if he so wished. Even if Akechi was displeased, he had no choice but to host him.
"Of course, he would come now. He needs the cure," Akechi muttered, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Alpha, what are you thinking?" Yuito asked, a nervous edge to his voice. He knew that look all too well.
"Nothing," Akechi replied, his tone dripping with smug satisfaction. "Of course, he's welcome to come." The truth was, all the tribes around the world had patients who needed the cure that only Akechi's pack could provide. And Roderik, as the second-strongest Alpha—or perhaps even the strongest—was someone Akechi could easily use in exchange for his pack's healing abilities. "If Plan A fails, Plan B will do just fine."