Gambled to the Rival Alpha

Chapter11-The Alpha's War Room

The breakfast dishes had barely been cleared before Diego stood up.

"Come along." He gestured for me to follow him.

Within moments, we advanced down the long corridor leading to the east wing of the estate.

"If you're going to discuss northern trade tactics, I suggest you adjust your posture," Diego remarked over his shoulder, his long strides forcing me to keep a brisk pace. "My commanders are not accustomed to gentle guest relations."

"My posture is fine." I rolled my shoulders back and lifted my chin. "And after surviving Silas’s dumb excuses for eight months, it'll take more than a room full of rowdy wolves to intimidate me."

Diego paused outside a set of reinforced steel doors, turning to look down at me. A bemused smile flashed on his face for a brief moment.

"Veremos," he muttered.

"Meaning?" I arched an eyebrow.

"We shall see." He shrugged casually, getting a mental eyeroll from me. Of course, Nyx barked at me within to alert me that she was the recipient.

Diego pushed the doors open, revealing the Bloodmoon Pack War Room.

It was circular and housed a large glowing holographic map table in the center, projecting the topographical terrain of the entire region.

High-ranking military officers, border commanders, and tacticians stood gathered around the glowing display. Among them stood Miguel and the Gamma, Julio. The latter immediately looked up as we entered.

The room fell dead silent as every eye landed on me, taking in my presence.

"Alpha," Julio spoke up first as he stepped forward. "The border patrols are on high alert, but we didn't expect civilian guests in the strategic briefing."

"Ophelia is not a civilian guest today," Diego replied, walking toward the head of the map table. He gestured for me to stand at his right side. "You keep forgetting she was the Luna-to-be of Silver Crest. She knows their patrol routes, their supply lines, and their internal politics better than any scout we possess."

A low murmur rippled through the commanders.

"Can I say something, Alpha?" A tactical officer leaned over the table.

"Yes, Marcus." Diego nodded.

"With all due respect, her loyalty still lies with Silver Crest. How do we know she won't feed us false intelligence?"

Murmurs of hushed agreement rose into the air.

Before Diego could make a response, I stepped forward, resting my hands flat against the edge of the map table. The glowing blue light illuminated the northern border lines of my former home.

"My loyalty to Silver Crest died the moment their Alpha enforced a gambling debt that sold my soul to your pack." My voice rang clear and hard across the room. "If you want to secure the northern timber lands without dragging your men into a bloody, drawn-out border war, you listen to me."

Julio crossed his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes. "Speak then."

I tapped the holographic map, zooming in on a narrow canyon pass marked along the eastern border of the timber territory.

"Silver Crest keeps three full garrisons posted along the main highway here," I explained, pointing to the glowing red markers. "Silas always assumed any invasion would come through the main road."

I scowled deeply. "But what his father never told him-and what their quartermasters overlook-is the abandoned mining network running underneath the Ridge of Pines."

"An underground bypass?" Miguel leaned in, his eyes sharpening in interest.

"Yeah." I nodded and then glanced at Julio. "It’s wide enough to move light infantry and supply trucks. If Bloodmoon secures the tunnel entrances on this side of the border, you can station a defensive blockade right behind their timber outposts. Silver Crest won't be able to mobilize a counter-attack without exposing their own supply lines."

A heavy silence spread across the war room. The tactical officers stared at the map, rapidly recalculating their positions on tablets.

Julio looked from the map to me, his harsh, scarred face relaxing just a fraction. My eyebrows lifted as if to say, 'well?'

He let out a low huff, giving me a short, respectful nod. "The tunnel network... it’s a blind spot in their perimeter. She’s right."

'That wasn't so hard now, was it?' I thought with a grin.

I switched my gaze to Diego, noticing why he had been silent the whole time. His intense gaze was fixed fully on me, and his signature alluring grin spread across his face.

'Oh,' I whispered mentally, a rush of warmth flooding my cheeks.

He leaned in close, his shoulder brushing against mine, sending that familiar spark of heat straight down my spine.

"Resourceful, mi reina," he whispered, his deep voice meant for my ears alone. "You gave away their secret trade secret without a second thought."

"They traded me for a pile of poker chips," I whispered back, forcing away the twinge of pink dust on my cheeks and meeting his gaze without flinching. "Call it karma. I'm simply making sure you get your money's worth."

"Oh, I'm getting far more than my money's worth." His green eyes reflected an intense, thrilling spark that seemingly locked my muscles.

"Alright, it's time to get moving." He turned back to his commanders, clapping his hands together. "You heard her. Deploy the third unit to the Ridge of Pines by dusk. Secure the tunnels."

"Yes, Alpha!" the officers echoed in unison.

As the room burst into action, Diego turned back to me, extending his arm.

"Come, Ophelia. You’ve earned a tour of the perimeter... and perhaps a demonstration of what Bloodmoon wolves do when they aren't playing cards."