– ALPHA-

The morning sun barely broke through the thick canopy of the packlands as Alpha Rowen paced his office, the polished wood floors creaking faintly under his heavy steps. His wolf was restless, surging with barely contained fury. The new Beta, Victor, stood near the door, his arms crossed and his expression carefully neutral. He had learned long ago to let the Alpha vent before speaking.

“They’re gone,” Rowen growled, slamming his fist against the edge of his desk. Papers scattered across the surface, some fluttering to the floor. “Freya, Tobias, Daemon… and now George! My own Beta, taken right from under my nose.”

Victor shifted slightly, his sharp gaze watching the Alpha closely. “We’ve sent out scouts, Rowen. They’ll find them.”

Rowen snorted, his lips curling into a sneer. “Scouts? What good are they if my own pack couldn’t stop this from happening in the first place? And six of our young warriors—gone! How does this happen, Victor?”

Victor hesitated before responding, his voice calm. “They’re loyal to Tobias, not you. They’ve seen how he leads, and they trust him. Perhaps more than they trust us.”

Rowen’s eyes flashed with rage, his wolf pressing against the surface. “Tobias is a thorn in my side,” he spat. “And now he’s taken my warriors and that cursed rogue woman. This will not stand.”

Victor took a step closer, lowering his voice. “The timeline needs to move forward, Rowen. We can’t wait for the council or the other packs to act. The meeting with the Alphas was productive—many are willing to stand with us, but they need a clear plan.”

Rowen stilled, his eyes narrowing. “The meeting.”

Victor nodded. “They believe in your vision. They see the council as weak, as a relic of a bygone era.”

Rowen’s expression hardened, his wolf settling slightly. “True. Then it’s time to strike. We’ll begin taking control of the neighbouring packs. Once they see our strength, others will fall in line.”

Victor’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. “And the council?”

Rowen’s gaze darkened. “The council will be dealt with in time. First, we solidify our power here. Once we’ve taken the local packs, we’ll challenge the council openly. They won’t stand a chance against our united force.”

Victor nodded, his tone thoughtful. “The Alpha King will have no choice but to acknowledge your rule.”

Rowen’s wolf growled softly, a sound of satisfaction. “The Alpha King will bow or fall. Either way, the future belongs to us.”

There was a knock at the door, and Rowen’s sharp voice cut through the air. “Enter.”

A scout stepped in, his face pale. “Alpha, the cottage Freya was staying in—it’s definitely empty. They’re gone. The trail leads deep into the woods. It looks like they’re heading west.”

Rowen’s fists clenched, his jaw tightening. “West,” he repeated, his mind racing. “Toward the palace.”

Victor’s brow furrowed. “They’re going to the council.”

Rowen slammed his fist against the desk again, the wood groaning under the force. “They think they can outsmart me,” he hissed. “They think the council will protect them. Fools.”

Victor stepped forward, his voice steady. “Then we strike first. Take the neighbouring packs now, consolidate power before they reach the palace. Once we’ve secured our territory, we’ll march on the council.”

Rowen’s eyes gleamed with dangerous determination. “Yes. Prepare the warriors. We move at first light.”

The scout hesitated, then spoke up again. “Alpha… what about the young warriors? The ones who followed Tobias?”

Rowen turned his piercing gaze on the scout, his voice cold. “Traitors,” he said simply. “If they cross our path, they’ll face the same fate as the rest of them. No mercy.”

Victor smirked faintly, his wolf stirring with anticipation. “The pack is yours to command, Alpha. The future is ours.”

As the scout left, Rowen glanced toward the map pinned to the wall, his eyes tracing the path toward the palace. The threads of his plan were coming together, but the presence of two white wolves was a complication he couldn’t ignore.

He turned to Victor. “The white wolves… if they’re allowed to grow into their full power, they’ll be unstoppable. We need them out of the picture—permanently.”

Victor nodded. “We’ll find them. And when we do, they’ll regret ever leaving this pack alive.”

Rowen’s lips curled into a cruel smile, his wolf rumbling with satisfaction. “Good. Let the hunt begin.”

-FREYA-

The early morning mist clung to the forest as the team moved swiftly through the trees, their paws crunching softly on the damp ground. The air was crisp, the faint scent of pine mingling with the earthy smell of dew-covered leaves. Freya and Daemon, their striking white coats almost luminous in the dim light, led the group, their pace steady but swift. Freya’s lavender wolf eyes glowed softly, a striking contrast to her usual hazel, a constant reminder of her uniqueness.

Through the mind link, Tobias’s voice came, firm yet tinged with worry. “Keep an eye on the flanks. We can’t risk anyone getting too close to the rogue camp.”

“I’m on it,” Mira replied, her sharp senses already scanning their surroundings. Her enhanced hearing picked up the faint rustle of a squirrel darting up a tree, and she dismissed it as no threat.

Behind them, Finn bounded alongside Liam, his energy as irrepressible as ever. “Do you think the King has apple pie?” he joked, his tone light despite the tension in the group.

“Focus, Finn,” Liam growled, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. “We’ve got more important things to worry about than dessert.”

Finn’s mental laugh echoed through the link. “Speak for yourself. I’ve been running for hours, and I’m starving.”

The group covered a significant distance, their wolves moving in perfect rhythm. As the sun rose higher, its rays piercing through the canopy, Freya slowed her pace, her soft voice reaching the others through the link. “We need to stop soon. There’s a stream ahead.”

They gathered at the stream, its clear water sparkling in the sunlight. Freya lowered her head to drink, her tongue lapping at the cool liquid, and the others followed suit. The silence was broken only by the gentle burble of the stream and the occasional rustle of leaves as the wind passed through the trees.

Sean and Alex, exchanged a glance before darting off into the underbrush. Through the link, Sean’s voice came, excited and determined. “We’re going to find food. Be back soon!”

Tobias growled softly in warning. “Be careful. Don’t stray too far.”

The two young wolves returned not long after, each carrying a rabbit in their jaws. They dropped their catches proudly at Freya’s paws, their tails wagging furiously. Freya’s hazel eyes softened, and she leaned down, licking each of their faces in gratitude. The young wolves froze in surprise before their tails wagged even harder.

Finn’s voice rang out in the link, teasing. “Looks like you’ve got a fan club, Freya.”

The group chuckled, the tension easing slightly. Liam, always the practical one, sniffed at the rabbits before glancing at the rest of the group. “This won’t be enough for everyone. We need more.”

Through the link, Tobias’s voice came, decisive. “Daemon, come with me. We’ll hunt. A deer should be enough for all of us.”

Freya watched them disappear into the trees, her wolf humming with contentment as she stayed by the stream with the others. The group remained alert but relaxed, their spirits lifted by the progress they were making.

Not long after, Tobias and Daemon returned, dragging a young deer between them. Tobias’s blue eyes gleamed with satisfaction, while Daemon’s lavender gaze reflected quiet approval. “Dinner is served,” Tobias quipped through the link, his wolf’s pride evident.

The team shared the meal, their wolves eating in companionable silence. Liam and Mira kept watch, their heightened senses ensuring the group remained undisturbed. Finn, ever the joker, nudged Zara with his paw. “See? Apple pie would’ve been easier.”

Zara snorted through the link, amused despite herself. “Not as filling, though.”

Freya lay back on her haunches, her lavender wolf eyes scanning the group with quiet pride. Her wolf felt the warmth of their unity, the threads of their loyalty woven tighter with each passing moment. She glanced at Daemon, his white coat gleaming as he watched over the group with a protective gaze.

Through the link, Liam’s voice came, calm and resolute. “We’re stronger together. No matter what’s coming, we’ll face it as one.”

Freya’s reply was soft but firm. “Together.”

-MAGNUS-

The rogue camp was alive with chaos, a palpable energy coursing through the air as Magnus’s fury at the inaction rippled through his pack. Isabelle strode into the camp, her cloak billowing behind her, a smug smile on her lips. She had information she was sure would please Magnus—Tobias, Freya, Daemon, and their group had disappeared. The white wolves were gone.

She found Magnus in the central tent, his tall, imposing frame shadowed by the dim lantern light. He stood with his back to her, his shoulders tense as he stared at a map spread across the table before him. His fists clenched tightly at his sides.

“Magnus,” Isabelle purred, stepping closer. “I have news.”

He didn’t turn, his voice low and dangerous. “This had better be good.”

“Oh, it is,” she said, her tone lilting with confidence. “Freya and her merry band of misfits have vanished. Both white wolves, gone. The pack is in chaos now. This is the perfect opportunity.”

Magnus turned then, his dark eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her falter for just a moment. “Gone?” he repeated, his voice cold. “Where?”

Isabelle blinked, surprised by his reaction. “Does it matter?” she said with a dismissive wave. “They’re out of the picture. They’ve run off like cowards. Now’s our chance to take Shadowclaw without interference.”

Magnus’s expression darkened, his wolf stirring visibly beneath the surface. He took a step closer, his presence suffocating. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just told me?” he growled.

Isabelle’s confidence wavered slightly, but she held her ground. “I’ve told you that your greatest obstacles are out of the way,” she snapped. “You should be thanking me.”

Magnus let out a bitter laugh, the sound devoid of humour. “Thanking you? For what? For letting them slip through our fingers? For allowing two white wolves to vanish into the wind?”

“They’re running,” Isabelle said, her tone sharper now. “They’re weak. They’re nothing to worry about.”

Magnus’s growl cut through her words, low and menacing. “You are a fool if you think that. Do you know what white wolves mean? Do you understand their power? Their potential?”

Isabelle’s smirk faltered. “They’re just wolves,” she said, but her voice lacked conviction.

“They are not just wolves!” Magnus roared, slamming his fist onto the table, the wood splintering beneath the force. “Do you think the prophecy is a bedtime story? Do you think their disappearance makes them less of a threat? It makes them more dangerous, you insipid girl!”

Isabelle took an involuntary step back, her heart pounding. “I—”

Magnus was on her in an instant, his hand gripping her throat as he lifted her effortlessly off the ground. “You’ve been a thorn in my side for long enough,” he hissed. “Your arrogance, your incompetence… I have no use for you anymore.”

Her hands clawed at his grip, panic setting in. “Magnus, wait!” she choked out. “I can still—”

“You can do nothing,” he said coldly, his eyes blazing with unbridled rage. “You think betrayal is your greatest weapon? You betrayed your own father, your own pack. What makes you think I ever trusted you?”

Isabelle’s vision blurred as his grip tightened. Her mind raced, desperation clawing at her as she tried to find the words to save herself. But Magnus’s anger was a storm, relentless and unforgiving.

“I have no patience for useless pawns,” he said, his voice deadly calm. “And you, Isabelle, are useless.”

With a final, crushing squeeze, he released her, letting her lifeless body crumple to the ground. He stared at her for a long moment, his breathing heavy as his wolf receded.

Turning away, Magnus barked an order to the nearest rogue. “Burn the body. And send out the scouts. I want every inch of the forest searched. Find those wolves.”

The rogue hesitated, glancing at Isabelle’s still form before nodding quickly. “Yes, Magnus.”

Magnus turned back to the table, his mind already racing with plans. Isabelle had been a liability—a distraction. Now, his focus could sharpen. The wolves would not escape him for long. He would find them. And when he did, they would know the full force of his wrath.

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