Chapter 15

• Nate's POV
• The fire crackled in the corner of the dimly lit room, casting long, flickering shadows on the stone walls. I paced back and forth, my boots echoing against the cold floor. My mind raced, swirling with thoughts of vengeance. I could still feel the sting of the wound Bustan had inflicted on me in our last encounter, but that pain was nothing compared to the seething rage that boiled within me.
• "Bustan thinks he can take everything from me," I muttered under my breath, clenching my fists so tightly that my knuckles turned white. "He thinks he can steal my power, my pack… He thinks because he's a Lycan he can oppress and defeat me.”
• The very thought of Olivia—my Olivia—being with Bustan sent a fresh wave of fury through me. Olivia had been mine to claim, and yet my own twin had taken her. Even if I had rejected her, she was my mate and I could choose to do anything I wanted with her.
• It was betrayal for my brother to claim her, I couldn’t and wouldn’t forgive. Every fiber of my being screamed for retribution. I would take back what was mine, even if it meant tearing my brother’s kingdom apart piece by piece.
• The door creaked open, and one of the Hunters, a scarred man named Malkin, stepped in. His black armor gleamed in the firelight, and his eyes were cold, sometimes they scare me too. The Hunters were fierce warriors, but they lacked the discipline and honor of true werewolves. Still, they served a purpose—for now.
• "My lord," Malkin said, bowing his head slightly, "our forces are nearly ready. The men grow impatient. They hunger for war."
• I stopped pacing and turned to face him. "Good. Let them hunger. Bustan won’t see us coming until it’s too late. We strike hard, and we take everything. I want him broken. I want his kingdom in ruins."
• Malkin’s lips curled into a thin smile. "And the girl? Olivia?"
• A dark gleam flickered in my eyes. "Olivia is mine. Bustan has no right to her. Once we crush him, she will be by my side, where she belongs, serving at my feet."
• Malkin nodded, though I noticed something unreadable in his expression. "As you wish, my lord."
• Before I could respond, a figure appeared in the doorway, cloaked in shadows. His face was obscured by a black mask, hiding his identity, but there was a familiarity in his movements that made me narrow my gaze. My informant—my spy within Bustan’s ranks—had arrived. He moved silently,
• The masked man stepped forward, holding a small scroll in his hand. Without a word, he handed it to me, his gloved fingers briefly brushing against mine. I unrolled the scroll, my eyes scanning the hastily scrawled information. As I read, my lips curled into a sinister smile.
• "So, Bustan is preparing for war," I said, my voice a low growl. "He’s gathering his forces, training new recruits. How predictable."
• The masked informant said nothing, but I could feel his eyes watching, observing. He wanted to remain anonymous and I didn't care so much about his identity at least not now but I knew he was a high ranking officer to Bustan from the detailed information he always delivered. I had never fully trusted this man—never trusted anyone—but the information he brought had always been accurate, and for now, that was all that mattered.
• "You’ve done well," I said, rolling the scroll back up and slipping it into my belt. "Bustan won’t know what hit him. We’ll crush his army before they’re ready. And when I’m done with him, I’ll take back what’s mine."
• Reaching into my cloak, I pulled out a small pouch filled with coins and tossed it to the masked man. He caught it easily, his movements fluid and practiced. With a small nod, he turned and disappeared into the shadows as silently as he had come, leaving the room without a trace.
• Malkin, who had been watching the exchange with a keen eye, stepped forward. "Who is that man?" he asked, suspicion lacing his voice. "He never speaks, and yet you trust him with such vital information."
• My eyes flickered to Malkin, my expression hardening. "That’s none of your concern, Malkin. All you need to know is that he’s useful. For now."
• Malkin’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t press the matter. I had made it clear that questioning my decisions would not end well for anyone, even a trusted Hunter.
• I walked back to the map on the table, the flickering firelight casting shadows across my face. Leaning over the parchment, I traced the lines of Bustan’s territory with my fingers. The map showed every key location in his kingdom—the forests, the rivers, the mountains. But it wasn’t just territory I was after. No, this was about much more than land or power.
• This was personal.
• "Bustan always thought he was better than me," I muttered, more to myself than to Malkin. "The golden boy, the righteous one. He always looked down on me, always assumed I’d fail."
• Malkin watched in silence, his face betraying nothing.
• "But I’ll show him," I continued, my voice growing darker. "I’ll show him who the true alpha is. When I take Olivia, when I destroy everything he holds dear, he’ll know. He’ll know he was never strong enough to beat me."
• Malkin stepped forward cautiously, his voice low. "We have the numbers, my lord. But Bustan’s forces are stronger than we anticipated. If we’re to strike, we’ll need to be strategic. We can’t afford any mistakes."
• My eyes flashed with anger. "You think I don’t know that? We’ll strike when I say we strike, and not a moment before. Let Bustan think he’s safe. Let him think he’s won Olivia’s heart. It’ll make his downfall all the sweeter."
• I slammed my fist down on the table, rattling the map and sending a goblet clattering to the floor. Malkin flinched, but remained silent, his hands clasped behind his back.
• Straightening, I felt the surge of emotions coursing through me. "Send word to our other allies. I want every able-bodied man and wolf ready for battle. And find out where Olivia is being kept. We’ll need to move swiftly once we breach Bustan’s defenses."
• Malkin bowed his head. "As you command, my lord."
• Turning back to the fire, I gripped the edge of the mantle, staring into the flames. My mind filled with images of Olivia—her fierce eyes, her defiance, her power. She was unlike any woman I had ever known, and I would have her, no matter the cost. Bustan didn’t deserve her. He never had.
• In the silence of the room, I made my vow.
• "I will take back what’s mine, Bustan," I whispered to the flames. "And when I do, there will be nothing left for you to rule."
• With that, I turned back to Malkin, my expression cold and calculating once more. "Prepare the men. We move at dawn."