Chapter 14

• Bustan's POV
• I stood at the large oak table in the center of the room, studying the map spread out before me. Every inch of the parchment was marked with battle routes, possible ambush points, and the territories we needed to defend. Nate had already made his move, and the Hunters were only the beginning. If we didn’t strike back soon, the war would spread beyond our borders. We had to prepare, and fast. The Hunters were too strong and they had some kind of modern technology weapons they use.
• "Elias, have you heard anything from our scouts?" I asked, my voice cutting through the low murmur of the soldiers gathered around the table. My lieutenant stood straight, his dark eyes focused on the map, his brow furrowed in concentration.
• "Not yet, Your Majesty," Elias replied. "But they should return before nightfall. Our spies have been trailing Nate’s movements closely. We’ll know more about his next steps soon enough."
• I nodded, turning my attention back to the map. Nate had always been a step ahead, elusive and cunning, but this time, I would corner him. We couldn’t afford another mistake. My soldiers—no, my people—were depending on me. The weight of that responsibility pressed down on my chest, but I pushed it aside. There was no room for doubt.
• "Good," I said. "We need to prepare for multiple scenarios. If Nate moves east, we’ll have to cut him off before he reaches the Moonlit Woods. We can’t let him take control of that area. It’s too close to the heart of our kingdom."
• The soldiers around me murmured their agreement, all of them tense, their loyalty unwavering but their nerves frayed. I could see the uncertainty in their eyes, but they hid it well. They had to.
• "Which is why," I continued, "we’ll be recruiting more soldiers. I want all packs notified—alphas, omegas, anyone who is willing to fight and protect our lands. I’ll personally oversee their training." I glanced at Elias, who nodded sharply, already mentally making notes of what needed to be done.
• Elias had been with me through every battle, every war, and yet this time, even he seemed unsettled. I could feel the strain in the air, the weight of what was coming. Nate wasn’t just another rival alpha. He was my brother, and that made this war personal. Too personal.
• Before I could say anything more, the door to the room swung open. Bianca stepped inside, her gaze sharp as it swept over the gathered soldiers, assessing, calculating. There was a brief pause as all eyes turned toward her. Bianca was an alpha in her own right, and though we no longer shared the bond we once did, I still respected her strength and leadership. And right now, we need that strength more than ever.
• "Bustan," she said, stepping forward, "I have some ideas about the southern flank. Nate might be expecting a full-frontal assault, but if we outflank him, we could catch him off guard."
• The soldiers made room for her at the table, and she leaned in, pointing to a section of the map near the southern edge. "If we set up a decoy here," she continued, "Nate will assume it’s our main force. We’ll be able to draw his attention while the real attack comes from the east."
• Her plan was sound, and it was clear she had been thinking about this for a while. I appreciated her insight, but more than that, I could feel how distant our relationship had grown. She was here for the pack, for the fight, but there was no denying the history that lingered between us.
• I nodded, considering her proposal. "You’re right. Nate will expect us to come from the north. He knows the terrain better than anyone. A southern decoy might just be what we need to throw him off."
• "Then it’s settled," Bianca said, her voice steady, through her eyes flickered briefly to mine. "I’ll oversee the preparations for the southern flank. We’ll need our strongest fighters there to hold Nate’s attention long enough."
• "Elias," I ordered, "make sure Bianca has everything she needs. We need to move quickly. The Hunters won’t wait for us to get comfortable."
• Elias gave a sharp nod and left the room to carry out the orders. The soldiers followed, one by one, until the room was empty save for Bianca and me. The silence that filled the space was heavy, charged with unspoken words and unresolved emotions. I could feel her eyes on me, but I didn’t look up immediately. Instead, I traced my finger along the map, though my mind was no longer on the battle.
• When I finally spoke, my voice was low. "You’ve been distant, Bianca. Ever since the battle."
• She crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back against the wall. "I’ve been doing what I came here to do. Fight. Protect the pack."
• "That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it."
• Bianca’s gaze hardened, her jaw tightening slightly. "What do you want me to say, Bustan? That things are awkward between us? That I’m still trying to figure out how to navigate being in the same space as you without it affecting my judgment? Because that’s the truth. But I’m not going to let it interfere with the fight. I won’t let it get in the way of protecting this pack."
• Her words hit hard, but I had expected them. I leaned back, my arms crossed as I watched her. "You were supposedly dead? What happened?”
• “Yeah, it's a long story. I was captured and all so let's just leave that.”
• She looked away for a moment, “What's with you and Olivia? Is she the reason you're fighting?”
• The mention of Olivia made my chest tighten, and for a moment, I was silent. She was right, of course. None of this was just about the war with Nate. There was too much history, too much emotion wrapped up in everything. And now, with Olivia in the mix, it was even more complicated.
• "Olivia has nothing to do with this," I said, though I wasn't even sure if I believed my own words.
• Bianca gave a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You’re wrong. She has everything to do with this. She’s part of the reason why things are the way they are now. And don’t get me wrong, I like her. I think she’s good for you, Bustan. But that doesn’t change the fact that you could simply avoid this war with your brother if you hadn't taken his mate.”
• I couldn’t argue with that. She was right—Olivia had changed everything. And as much as I tried to keep my feelings separate from the war, it was impossible. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I don’t have the answers, Bianca. Not for this, not for us. But I know one thing—we have to win this war. Nate rejected her and now she is mine."
• Bianca nodded slowly, her expression softening. "You’re right. But after the war, we'll talk about your emotions.”