Chapter 7 Dangerous Allies

• POV: Lorenzo
• The dim light of the fire cast flickering shadows across the walls of my chambers as I paced back and forth, my mind racing. Lyla's report of her encounter with the spy had sent a chill down my spine - Jason was planning something, something that threatened to unravel everything that we were trying to stop. He was sure trying to use one of my own against me.
• But why? Does he already know?
• I clenched my fists, the familiar ache in my head intensifying with each step. The curse was a constant, nagging presence, a thorn in my side that refused to be dislodged. And now, with Lyla's growing power, it seemed to be flaring up with renewed vigor, as if sensing a shift in the delicate balance of our world.
• A soft knock at the door drew my attention, and I opened it to find one of my trusted Betas, his expression gave me a feeling that all wasn’t well.
• "Lorenzo, we need to talk," he said, his voice low and urgent.
• I nodded, ushering him inside and gesturing for him to take a seat.
• "What is it, Damian?"
• Damian's gaze was conflicted, his fingers drumming nervously on the arm of the chair.
• "It's about Lyla," he began, his eyes meeting mine with a steady, unwavering gaze.
• "The other packs, they're... restless. Word of her presence has spread, and some are demanding answers."
• I felt a knot of dread form in the pit of my stomach. "What are they saying?"
• "They want to know why you're harboring Jason's 'dead' wife," Damian said bluntly.
• "There are whispers of betrayal, of you aligning yourself with our greatest enemy."
• I let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through my hair.
• "And what do you suggest we do, have words gone out to Jason? Does he know that she’s here??"
• “I’m not sure at the moment, but in no time he’d know. We can’t hide her forever.”
• Damian hesitated, his expression conflicted. "Lorenzo, you know I've always been loyal to you, but... perhaps it would be best to... reconsider our position on Lyla."
• My eyes narrowed, a cold fury rising within me. "Are you suggesting we hand her over to Jason?"
• "Not necessarily," Damian said quickly, raising his hands in a placating gesture.
• "But maybe we could... negotiate. Come to some kind of agreement with the other packs. We could use this as an opportunity to strengthen our position, to gain political leverage."
• I stared at him, disbelief and anger warring within me.
• "You would betray Lyla? After all she's been through, do you even know what lies ahead of her?" He was beginning to piss me off.
• It’s true that I understand where he was coming from, but he doesn’t know everything — he doesn’t know that I intend to use Lyla as a means of my revenge against Jason.
• Damian averted his gaze, his jaw tightening.
• "I'm just trying to look at this objectively, Lorenzo. The reality is, we're in a vulnerable position. Jason's suspicion is growing, and the other packs are restless. We need to think about the bigger picture, about securing our future."
• "At the cost of Lyla's life?" I hissed, my voice low and dangerous.
• "I won't allow it, Damian. She is under my protection, and I will not abandon her to Jason's clutches, no matter the political consequences."
• Damian opened his mouth, as if to argue further, but the words died on his lips as he caught the fury in my gaze. With a resigned sigh, he nodded, the fight leaving him.
• "Very well," he said, his tone tinged with regret. "But Lorenzo, I hope you know what you're doing. The other packs won't be so easily swayed, and Jason... he's not the kind of enemy we can afford to underestimate."
• I watched as Damian rose and made his way to the door, the weight of his words settling heavily on my shoulders. He was right, of course - Jason was a formidable foe, one who would stop at nothing to reclaim what he believed was his.
• And as for the other packs, they would not be easily placated, not when their own interests were at stake. Lyla staying with me will only confirm the rumors of that fake video, I knew that for a fact.
• And the fact that Damian didn’t mention it made me feel somehow, could it be that he believed the rumors?
• I sank into my chair, my head pounding. The curse was growing stronger, feeding off the turmoil and uncertainty that now gripped my pack. I could feel its tendrils wrapping around me, a relentless and suffocating force that threatened to consume me.
• A sudden commotion outside drew my attention, and I rose, steeling myself for the confrontation that I knew was to come. As I stepped out into the night, I was greeted by the sight of a stranger, his eyes glinting with a predatory gleam.
• "Lorenzo," he said, his voice dripping with an oily charm.
• "We need to talk."
• I was tense, my muscles coiled, ready to spring into action.
• "What do you want, Cyrus?"
• Cyrus, the alpha of a neighboring pack, smiled, his gaze sweeping over me with a calculated indifference.
• "Oh, I think you know what I want, Lorenzo. Or rather, who I want."
• I felt a surge of protectiveness, my mind racing to devise a strategy to keep Lyla safe.
• "Lyla is under my protection," I growled, my voice laced with a warning.
• Cyrus chuckled, his eyes narrowing. "Is she now? Tell me, Lorenzo, how long do you think you can keep her hidden from the rest of us? From Jason?"
• The mention of Jason's name sent a chill down my spine, and I felt the curse's grip tightening, its cruel whispers echoing in my mind. I struggled to maintain my composure, to project an air of confidence and control, but the pain was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
• "Cyrus, I suggest you leave, before things get... unpleasant," I said, my voice strained.
• Cyrus regarded me with a calculating gaze, his lips curling into a malicious smile.
• "Oh, I don't think so, Lorenzo. You see, I've been made an... interesting offer. One that I simply can't refuse."
• Before I could react, a piercing pain lanced through my skull, and I crumpled to the ground, my vision blurring. Through the haze, I caught a glimpse of Cyrus's retreating figure, his laughter echoing in the night.
• "Sweet dreams, Lorenzo," he called out, the words dripping with a sinister triumph as he walked away.
• "When you wake, you and your little protégé are going to have some very important visitors."
• And then, the world went dark.
• I awoke with a start, my heart pounding in my chest, thank goodness that it was a dream — a dream that’ll some day because a reality and I had to prevent it. But how?
• The room was dark, save for the faint glow of the dying embers in the fireplace. I rose shakily to my feet, my muscles protesting the sudden movement.
• As the haze of sleep lifted, the events of the dream came rushing back, and a sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. Cyrus and his pack were coming, and they weren't alone - someone must have made them an offer they couldn't refuse.
• I had to warn Lyla, and had to find a way to get her to safety before Cyrus and his lackeys arrived. But even as I moved towards the door, a sharp pain lanced through my head, and I stumbled, the world tilting around me.
• The curse, it was growing stronger, its grip tightening with each passing moment. I could feel it draining my strength, my resolve, leaving me vulnerable and exposed.
• “No,” I thought, gritting my teeth against the agony. I won't let it win. I have to protect Lyla, no matter the cost.
• Summoning the last of my strength, I forced myself forward, my steps unsteady but determined. I had to reach Lyla, and had to warn her of the impending danger.
• I got to her room and pushed the door open, a familiar figure appeared, her eyes widening in alarm at the sight of my disheveled state.
• "Lorenzo?" Lyla's voice was laced with concern, her hand reaching out to steady me.
• "What's wrong? What happened?"
• I opened my mouth to respond, to tell her about Cyrus’ sinister plans, but the words caught in my throat as a new revelation struck me, one that sent a chill down my spine.
• "Lyla," I breathed, the weight of my words heavy on my tongue.
• "We... we need to talk. Cyrus, he... he's arranged a meeting with the very witch who cursed me all those years ago."
• Lyla's eyes widened, and I saw the fear and confusion flickering in their depths.
• “Curse? Witch? What are you talking about, Lorenzo.” She asked, holding me tightly as I struggled to stand firm.
• "Whatever it is, we have no time to lose," she said, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "We have to stop him, Lorenzo. No matter the cost."
• As we turned and hurried towards the exit, a single, haunting thought echoed in my mind:
• This is only the beginning.
• Chapter 8: Shadows of Truth
• Lyla’s pov
• I staggered back when Lorenzo's body pressed into mine. His breathing raspy on my neck, his skin burning with an unearthly fever.
• He murmured,
• "They're coming," as his fingers dug desperately into my arms.
• "Cyrus... he summoned the witch…." He stuttered as he gasped for breath.
• My increased strength was the only thing keeping us from falling to the marble floor as I fought to hold us both standing.
• Suddenly, the elaborate walls of the pack house's vast hallway closed in around us, making it feel oppressive.
• "Lorenzo, who's coming? Who’s Cyrus? What curse are you talking about?" I had a lot of questions to ask him but he was too weak to respond to any of them.
• Only a trembling gasp came out of his mouth before his entire body fell limp. The threat that had taken a man as strong as Lorenzo to his knees made the wolf inside of me howl in despair.
• I lowered him gently to the ground with effort, my hands shaking as I felt for his pulse. Still powerful, yet unpredictable. I spun around when I heard a whisper of movement, my senses immediately flooded with information from my new powers.
• Three different smells pervaded the air, each one a costly perfume that concealed something darker and more terrible. They had observed us here. Awaiting.
• Those smells were familiar to me. The women who had shared Lorenzo's bed and authority prior to my arrival, they were his mistresses. Now, though, I could smell their animosity beneath their high-end perfumes thanks to my improved senses, I still had to pretend as though I knew nothing.
• "Help!" My voice reverberated through the corridors as I yelled.
• "Someone help!" Another feeling hit me as I waited for the pack guards to react; it was a vision so clear that it almost had me drop to my knees.
• Kiara stood in a dimly lit room, her usually perfect appearance disheveled, papers scattered across a desk before her.
• "The plan is already in motion," she spoke into a phone, her voice cold and unfamiliar. "Once we eliminate the girl, we can proceed with the next phase. The packs won't know what hit them until it's too late."
• The vision released me just as thundering footsteps approached. Two Beta guards rounded the corner, their eyes widening at the sight of their Alpha unconscious on the floor.
• "Get him to the infirmary," I ordered, fighting to keep my voice steady.
• "And double the security. No one enters or leaves the pack house without direct authorization."
• I detected another aroma as they hoisted Lorenzo; it was subtle yet noticeable. My father had been wearing the same cologne on the day of his murder. The pieces started to fall into place, and my blood grew cold.
• My father had not been attacked in a senseless act of violence, he was poisoned. The first move in whatever game was being played at the moment had been precise and well-calculated. With my thoughts racing, I pushed away from the wall.
• I could feel the mistresses congregating in the pack house, their malevolent purpose leaking through the walls like poison. However, Kiara’s treachery was more profound.
• From the information I gathered, she was Lorenzo’s favorite and most trusted mistress. For what length of time had she been planning this complex trick?
• There was a buzzing incoming call on my phone. with an incoming text. An unknown number, but the message made my heart stop:
• "We’re coming for you, we’re coming for the Crimson pack!"
• My wolf roused, fury and resolve pulsing through our combined being, and a growl rumbled in my chest. They believed they could intimidate me?
• They didn't know what I could do now. Not only did my new abilities improve my senses, but they also helped me see the darkness that lies beneath the façade of political alliances and flawless smiles.
• With all of my senses on high alert, I headed to my private study as I waited for Cyrus and his members and they never arrived.
• Soon the mistresses would move in. They didn't realize I could hear them plotting three floors below, their whispered words transferring plainly to my improved hearing.
• "She'll be vulnerable now, with Lorenzo incapacitated..."
• "Remember the strategy. Make it appear as though it was an accident.”
• Amateurs, they were busy plotting my downfall while their pack was under attack. I wish they knew that I had no interest in their supposed Alpha, even if he was offered to me on a platter of gold, I’d still reject him.
• They were unaware that I could smell the wolfsbane poison on their hands and that I could detect the mountain ash they had prepared.
• But until I realized the entire extent of this plot, I was unable to challenge them. I opened Lorenzo’s drawer in search of anything that he could have been hiding.
• His sudden weakness didn’t seem natural to me, it looked like it had something to do with what he mentioned earlier about a curse. I searched thoroughly but couldn’t find anything, it was almost like he intentionally cleared everything.
• As I stared at his diary, another vision slammed into me:
• A chamber that is dark. Several people were wearing robes with hoods.
• "You can't keep this hidden forever," my father said, remaining adamant to the end. “The truth will be revealed someday.”
• It was the conversation he had with Derek before his death.
• "Oh, Derek, I know you’re working with Jason to ruin my daughter and claim her pack but…” his voice continued playing in my head, then suddenly, everywhere became dark, then, blade's flare.
• Marble floor covered in blood.
• I regained consciousness, gasping and crying uncontrollably. I was seeing the history in the visions, not simply the present or the future. revealing to me the truth behind my fathers death.
• I was brought back to reality by a sound in the hallway. Footsteps coming: several sets, unsuccessful attempts at silence. The mistresses are attempting to make contact, it was time and I needed to act fast.
• I walked quietly to the side of the entrance .
• “Allow them to arrive.” I muttered within myself.
• They were unaware that they were stepping into my trap, but they believed they were hunting me. I would discover what they were aware of, dissect this plot one gory thread at a time, and exact revenge for my father's passing.
• Slowly, the doorknob turned. I felt power go through my fingers as I flexed them. It's time to show them what happens. Then slowly, the door opened, just as I had seen it in my vision.