CHAPTER 32
1092 Words
Chapter 32: The Breaking Point
Killian's POV
The summit has always been a precarious gathering place where pack leaders could put aside their rivalries long enough to talk about the bigger dangers facing our species. That was the idea, anyhow. It was like entering an arena today, when alliances would break down and tempers would flare.
The huge hall was humming with anxiety when I came early. Leaders mingled, their faces cautious as they exchanged fake grins and courteous nods. They had no faith in one another. They weren't to fault. In such times, trust was a precious commodity.
However, I wasn't thinking about them today. Darius had it on.
---
With keen eyes that seemed to inventory his flaws, he walked into the hall as if he owned it. He exuded a poisonous atmosphere of danger and haughtiness that was oppressive. Despite my wolf's uneasy stirring and snarling under my skin, I pushed myself to be composed.
"Killian," Darius remarked as he walked up, a sneer twisting his lips. "A pleasure every time."
"It's never a pleasure," I said calmly, maintaining an even tone.
He grinned even broadly, as if he enjoyed my animosity. "I was informed that your packhouse was on fire. What a shame. Maybe you ought to think about improved security.
I clinched my hands, almost too strong to resist the temptation to erase that smug look off his face. "And maybe you ought to think about reining in your outlaws."
His enjoyment showed in his eyes. "Accusations already? We have only just started.
---
Moments later, the Alphas of the assembled packs sat around the enormous wood table to begin the meeting. Unspoken tensions pervaded the air, with each leader keen to protect their sphere of influence and goals.
I started out by telling the other packs about the increasing rogue activity close to our boundaries and asking them to exchange information.
"All of us are targets," I said firmly. "Veyron's army does not take sides. They are identifying vulnerabilities.
While other people nodded in agreement, Darius crossed his arms and sat back in his chair. "Or maybe they're going after people who bring chaos into their territories."
My wolf pushed against my control as we locked eyes. "Darius, express yourself if you have anything to say."
The sound of his laughter was irritating. "Oh, I believe that everyone in this room is aware that trouble seems to follow you, Killian. It may be your leadership. Perhaps it's the people you surround yourself with.
---
No one was unaware of the inference. I felt the room's gaze turn to me, and my jaw tensed.
"What do you mean?" I snarled.
Darius gave a cynical shrug. I'm referring to Aria. Chaos ensues wherever she goes. Death, assaults, and fires. She could be a bigger liability than you think.
The tension was oppressive, and the room became quiet. My chair scraped noisily against the floor as I stood, my eyes distorted with anger.
I said, "She's a better warrior than you ever will be." "She has protected this pack, saved lives—"
And yet, Killian, your pack is burning," Darius said with a seamless interruption as he stood up to confront me. They're dying, your people. Are you sure she isn't the reason?
---
The Alphas were speaking to each other as the room erupted in murmuring. I could see Darius's poisonous remarks spreading.
I silenced the commotion by slamming my fist on the table. "Enough. Aria is not at issue here. This has to do with Veyron and his outlaws. If you're too cowardly to acknowledge that you're collaborating with him, then—
Before I could continue, Darius's fist struck my jaw, causing me to wobble. I staggered back, my wolf growling with rage, as the room exploded in turmoil.
---
I sprang at him, slamming my fist into his ribs before we collided with the table. The Alphas scurried to clear the path as chairs fell down.
Darius battled with precise moves and accuracy. However, I was no longer holding back. I pinned my wolf against the wall as he charged forward, giving me power.
"You believe you can intimidate my pack and escape unharmed?" I snarled, sounding more like a wolf than a human.
With blood dripping from the corner of his lips, Darius snarled. "Killian, your pack is already disintegrating. And I'll be there to grab what's left when it falls.
---
I hit him once again, my eyes blazing with rage. However, powerful hands dragged me back before I could deliver another hit.
"Stop, Killian!" I could feel Lucas's hold on my shoulders as his words broke through the fog.
The other Alphas watched in startled silence as I turned, my breathing labored. Some seemed surprised, while others were amused. Darius' smile reappeared as he wiped the blood from his lip.
He addressed the group, saying, "This is the leader you're all supposed to follow?" "An Alpha who lacks self-control?"
---
As I wrenched out of Lucas's hold, I retorted, "You're one to talk about control." "You are a traitor masquerading as a politician."
"Prove it," Darius replied in a mocking tone. Present your evidence to this council. You don't have any, I see.
The truth of the words made them hurt. Although we were aware that Darius was collaborating with Veyron, we lacked supporting evidence. Not quite yet.
He knew he was ahead for the time being.
---
With no decisions and no unity, the gathering ended in chaos. The Alphas scattered, their confidence in me clearly shattered.
Lucas came over, his face gloomy, as I stood outside the hall.
Silently, he whispered, "You allowed him to get to you."
Still fuming with rage, I turned to face him. He collaborates with Veyron. He is endangering all of us.
Lucas gave a nod. "I understand. However, it only makes you seem unstable to attack him in that way. We must be more intelligent if we want to defeat him.
---
With the burden of the day bearing down on me, I let out a sigh. He was correct. It had been a mistake to lose control in front of the other Alphas.
However, a messenger with a pallid face came up before I could reply.
"Alpha Killian," he stated in a shaky voice. An assault has taken place. The edge of Shadowridge—
My heart fell. Forest of Shadowridge. Aria had discovered the map.
"How about Aria?" I moved closer and commanded.
The messenger paused, looking quickly at Lucas.
"She's not there."
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