The chime of the bells sound in the background, sounding through the dead of night as I stand still in the moonlight. Below the balcony stands the palace gardens, a handful of elves following Keva down towards the bushes as they hold wicker baskets. Placing my hands against the railing, I watch as the elves almost seem to glide across the dirt paths, the moonlight causing their silver and golden hair to shine, and a whisper fill the wind. Some form of magic is once more taking place tonight, some sort of ritual as I watch the elves collect flowers from the bushes. Only the other day were these people traveling through a magical fabrication into an illusion where that same sorceress spoke with me.

"They are collecting ancient flowers to place at the graves of their ancestors," a familiar voice speaks up, yet I do not look back to him. I sense River as he stands behind me, his eyes upon me as I look below to the elves. "It is part of a week-long ceremony as a way to respect those who have passed and ask for their blessings in life. The flowers which they pick are believed to absorb moondust, falling from the sky and collected by the most delicate of flowers."

"Sounds like something witches would do," I comment, glancing over my shoulder to River as he happened to find me upon the balcony of one of the towers.

"Witches use these items to brew potions. Elves use them for a more spiritual purpose."

"They use the same source but take a different approach. What would a sorceress do?" I'm curious, for ever since I met that sorceress I have wondered what purpose she serves to River and these elves.

River comes to stand beside me, leaning against the marble railing as he stares up to the full moon. "They do what a witch would do, but have older spells and recipes."

"Why do you have a sorceress? The one in that illusion?" I ask, looking to River as I watch his facial expressions change to concern. "She invited me into that illusion, telling me about it. She did not mention what you do with it."

I watch as River becomes tense, worried as to why I would be invited into that portal. "What did she say to you?"

Remaining silent, River acknowledges that he must answer my question first. "During this elves ritual, they travel to the illusion to seek the knowledge of the sorceress, to have her reach out to the afterlife and allow a connection between the living and dead. She serves as a help in completing the ritual and also someone I can turn to for help...she helps to keep this palace hidden to the human eye or unwanted gaze. Over time, the magic which keeps this place hidden has corroded, so she helps keep it strong."

"Do you use her to cast spells? To aid in your conquests?" I know the last question was for my own worries, wondering if she would perhaps be used in battle against enemies...if I were to be an enemy.

"She does not go against the code of her brotherhood."

"I do not know the code," I point out.

"She helps only when the balance of all things is at risk."

I take River's answer to mean that I should not expect a sorceress to wage war upon my pack should River decide to attack Crimson Lock. "She told me I was very much like my mother," I answer, looking back out as I see Keva picking silver flowers near the walls of the garden. "To not let others make decisions for me." I try and tweak what the sorceress had told me to not give too much away or to concern River.

Still, I can sense the tensions between the two of us from the meeting earlier. Penelope and Yusuf had stormed out, followed by my own dismissal as we had left the council to their own conversation. "Alpha Edward never sent word to my pack."

"How can you be sure?"

"Bryson and Cedric asked around. I never heard word from anyone either," I restate, looking to River as I notice the distance between the two of us only closing in.

"Do you trust them?"

"Cedric has been by my side since I took my title. Bryson has done nothing to make my suspicious. Cedric has spoken up for me, he has-"

"He has tried to be by your side?"

"As a Gamma should..." I trial off, knowing that River may be suggesting something not professional. "There is nothing more than that."

I can sense just how close we have become now, how River's hand brushing up against my own, our arms barely touching as River leans his head closer towards mine. "What have Yusuf and Penelope told you? Are you going to leave?"

A cold breeze blows past, goosebumps running down my arms as I bite my tongue. "I once expressed my concerns to you, River, about how corrupt the crown was and that no one man should make all of the decisions for a kingdom." A nose brushes across my cheek, River's warmth spreading over to me as I look to the alpha through the corner of my eye. "No one will completely respect or offer loyalty to a man who declares himself a king and gives others no real power." I think back to Elder Oliver, to how to told me the concerns of a new werewolf kingdom run by a king.

"People want order once more."

"More forms of government offer order than a monarchy."

"Monarchy is what these people are used to. It is what will give them-"

"So many packs opposed that form of government," I interrupt, backing away from River as I can see hurt run through his eyes. "You have to understand..."

"You know I cannot offer protection if you leave my council. Edward would attack first if not Ryker or Vaughn."

"I know," I whisper, glancing towards the alpha as I watch him reach out his hand, placing it atop mine as he squeezes it. "Then I guess we know that this is once more a time where we stand at opposite ends."

River takes my hands, pulling me away from the balcony as his hands move up to cup my face, pressing his lips against mine as I am pulled into his arm embrace. Arms wrapping around my waist, I wrap my own around the back of his neck, tangling my fingers in his hair as we gravitate back into the palace's main living room.

Pulling a hand away, River flicks his wrist and I watch as the doors of the living room are pulled shut, my eyes widening as I watch the door to the balcony close, the fireplace become dim, and the doors lock. "Magic?" I question, pulling slightly out of his embrace.

"I was raised by elves. They taught me a little."

Nodding, I watch with keen eyes as River leads me further from the balcony, his hand on the small of my back, and his lips brushing the nape of my neck. Running my fingers through his hair, the moment the back of my legs touch a couch, we fall onto one another, the fireplace keeping us warm as I pull him in closer.

My back is flush against the couch, hands running down my chest and torso as my fingers work at the button's of River's shirt, my lips against his as I kick off my heels. Warm hands meet the flesh of my stomach and I arch my back up as his hands slip under my bra, my legs wrapping around his strong waist as I find myself ripping at his shirt once the buttons become too frustrating. River's hard chest is warm against my palms, my hands running around to his back as I feel the movement of his muscles. The buttons of my pants become undone and soon our clothes have fallen to the flood as the fire keeps us warm.

The night seems to carry on quickly, my heart beating fast as my back becomes covered in a light layer of glistening sweat, River's fingers brushing back the messy locks of my hair as we lay in silence with one another. My chest against his, my head rests in the crook of his neck, a warm throw blanket tossed across us as both of us look to the fireplace ahead.

As the warm glow of the sunrise floods into the living room, I begin to stir and look up to the windows. Brushing my hair back, I look down to see the calm and sleeping alpha below me, hair tossed about, a light dusting of freckles across his face as my fingers lightly brush across his cheek. Gathering my clothes from the night before, I begin to slide back on my pants and shirt, my heels collected in my hands as I look back once more to River.

In the silence of the morning, I place a soft kiss to his cheek, heading out as I know I cannot give him more answers as to why I must leave.

Sliding out of the room, I head off with my details of departure on my phone as I know Bryson will be packed and ready. Taking one last glance back to River, my heart swells, my mind overrun with questions as I shut the door and leave River alone, to wake up without a trace of me.

<><>

Perhaps I have been looking at everything from the wrong angle. Perhaps there is a threat which lies within my own pack. If Alpha Edward had called for aid and reached someone within this pack, who would benefit from keeping such a signal secret. William and Erik could be bitter from their removal as Beta and Gamma, but would they go that far? They talked treason against their own alpha before, they could have done this. If someone kept Edward's call a secret, then they would expect war to break out between our packs. Who would benefit from that? I know that by calling Alpha Edward a liar before others, it has distanced our packs and because of that, Crimson Lock now no longer fights for Alpha River to sit on the throne. Could someone have thought that in depth?

"I need your help," I beg, entering into the house as Elder Oliver leads me into the living room. "I am afraid there may be someone in this pack who is wanting to take me down or using me as a puppet."

Elder Oliver takes a seat across from me, pondering my plea for help as he thinks through what could be going on. "Your mother had traitors she dealt with as well, for she made an agreement with a noble who she had to kill in the end."

"You are the only person I trust within this pack, Oliver. You were the first one who opened their arms and welcomed me. You believed in me before I believed in myself."

"I'm honored," Oliver thanks, a smile crossing his face as he goes back to the matter at hand. "I am not sure who could be doing this, if there is a traitor."

"Did anyone oppose my coming to power?"

Oliver ponders my question, leaning back in his chair as he recalls the days I took up the role of alpha within Crimson Lock. "Steward Cade was a strong voice, opposing your inevitable rule. Overtime, the pack members who were hesitant to accept you thought twice."

Shaking my head, I know something cannot be right. "Not everyone within a single pack could fully support me. There will always be people who oppose my rule, it is a matter of if they act upon those strong feelings or not." I watch the elder as he straightens his posture and looks past me towards the entrance of the house. "You called me to Crimson Lock to help me take back what was mine, yet you kept it a secret for you did not trust everyone. Who do you still not trust?"

"William and Erik will always be two of stand out to me, Leala. They have opposed your decisions and could be trying to stir up trouble."

There will always be someone power hungry, wanting more than what they have been given, and I know that William and Erik are two of those people. They tried to control me like a puppet, but my strings snapped and I let them face their consequences.

"Do you support my decision to withdraw our treaty from Eternal Shadows and watch what happens next? For Penelope and Yusuf's packs to be our only allies in this mess?"

"I do."

<><>

With my hair pulled back in a tight bun, I adjust the sleeves of my black blouse, tugging on the end of the sleeves as I try and get my head on straight. The tall mirror placed before me does not hide the bags under my eyes or the hollowness within them. I have felt somewhat empty since I left Eternal Shadow territory, something tugging on the nerves in my stomach constantly ever since I parted ways with River's pack.

I do not love River, I know what I feel for him is some form of lust. Yet the way we talk, how he told me he felt a connection to me, as if fate was pulling us together, it makes me want to believe in some higher power involved in what we could be, but I know those are silly thoughts. He is one of the few alphas to have treated me with respect even considering our pasts. He was foolish to propose to me what seems like months ago, but if Keva is right, he will return for me. Keva told me she knows he will ask me once more to stand beside him for the rest of our lives, yet I cannot believe she would know something like that - some form of the future.

Sliding on my black heels, I straighten my posture and pucker my lips as I apply the dark red lipstick. As I pull back from the mirror, I nod my head in approval and head for the door, knowing that I cannot stop the movements of today. Each step I take down the stairs only makes me question what I am doing, but I remember what Oliver has said, Penelope, Yusuf, the sorceress, and Cedric. They have all encouraged me to night fight someone else's war which means nothing to me. River's form of government would not improve the lives of my pack members, it would only establish order where the king sets the rules.

Cedric stands at the bottom of the stairs, reaching out his hand as I gladly take his. Helping me down the last step, Cedric offers me a warm smile as he escorts me down the hall and into the dining room set up like a conference room.

At the opposite end of my table sits a man I never expected to be invited into my home, yet Alpha Ryker awaits me, eager to get business started. I can still remember what Ryker and Vaughn decided to call me, but I have faced more name calling from Emmitt and Edward in an hour than Ryker or Vaughn ever did.

Cedric takes a seat to my side as I sit at the head of the table, documents laid out before me as Bryson hands me a fountain pen. "I was wondering when you would make up your mind," Vaughn comments, glancing towards me as his beta snickers.

"Remain civil, Vaughn, for Alpha Maxwell could prove a powerful ally."

"Indeed I could," I agree with Ryker, looking across to the alpha has declared he deserves the crown. "But the loyalty of Crimson Lock comes with a price."

Ryker knows that with me come two powerful alphas as well and their men. He knows that River's pack outnumbers his and if he stands a good chance at winning this war, he will need to make a treaty with me. But we all know that allies change during times of war, that treaties are broken and created, and sometimes we must forget what has happened for a moment. I know Penelope will have strong feelings about this, but she holds her tongue for the sake of what our packs are wanting to achieve.

"I know that your pack suffered greatly under the rule of Kings, that they constantly raised taxes, increased the price for aid, and never truly let you get a say in policies. Kings declared war on other kingdoms and empires and demanded you send over half of your warriors or sometimes even enough to leave your pack with only children and women to guard the pack. Your father was outspoken about the mistreatment of packs under the rule of the crown. All of this...yet you wish to become king and do the same."

"I will not do the same. I have learned from others," Ryker argues, looking to me as if I am crazy.

"We have learned that these Kings never learned from others or their own mistakes. Even if you were to be a good king, what could ensure your children do not abuse their power."

"I know what you are talking of, Leala," Alpha Ryker dismisses, "I will not have any of it."

"You would still wear a crown. Still be a public figure. Still be so much of what you are wanting, but it would place restricting to hold you accountable and inline," I defend my proposition, glancing over to Cedric as he watches me with a mischievous gaze. Shifting in my seat, I clear my throat and look to Alpha Vaughn. "Then the wheel would keep turning, for another king would come along when his palace and crown are destroyed by someone like my mother. That person may be successful, or they may perish. Lives will be lost no matter what."

Vaughn snickers, crossing his arms as he looks me straight in the eye. "What do you get out of it? You want some powerful position? What?"

"My mother died fighting for a rightful form of government. My father saw how corrupt the crown was and wanted to fight against it too, but he died before he could make a true impact. I know what my parents did and that I should not glorify some moments, but I want to see the one thing they saw that could change and help so many others...I want to see it come true."

Taking in a deep breath, Ryker shakes his head, pinching the bridge of his nose as he leans forward. "Just to finish the legacy of someone else?"

"To finish what they started," I correct, watching the faces of Vaughn and Ryker change.

"We will meet back up in an hour." Rising to his feet, Ryker and Vaughn leave the room followed by their betas and gammas, heading into a private office room as I remain seated with everyone. Dismissing himself, Bryson leaves the room to take a break as well, followed by Elder Oliver as I soon find myself alone with Gamma Cedric.

A hand is placed upon my shoulder, offering it a tight squeeze as I look over to Cedric. "I am sure they will understand what we are asking. They need an ally." Nodding my head, I place my head in my hands as Cedric scoots over closer to me. "Do you think this is right?"

"I do."

"Why?" I ask, looking up to Cedric as I wonder why Cedric has almost agreed with everything. "Your father disapproved of almost everything I would do," I point out, "and yet you see completely different."

"I can disagree with him," Cedric comments, taking his hand from my shoulder as Cedric becomes tense. "I saw something different in you. My father is too used to the old ways, he did not care to acknowledge that times are changing." Looking behind Cedric, I glance to the backyard of my house, the leaves on the trees starting to grow back with bright green hues. The seasons have changed, the winter passing through as spring has arrived at Crimson Lock.

Oliver and Cedric have supported me since I can remember, the two of them standing up for me when no one else would. I should not take advantage of them.

"If Ryker and Vaughn will not join us, then there will be three armies fighting over one throne."

"You would be a Queen if we win," Cedric comments.

My mouth runs dry, my face dropping as I think of the fact Cedric has just pointed out. I never bothered to think of that, that by claiming my own side to the battle that I could be fighting for a crown on my own head. But that means fighting off two other armies. I do not want to meet River on the battlefield. I do not want our men to go up against one another...but this is the decision I have made. I know I do not want to wear a crown and become some public figure, but by declaring my own side to this war, I must accept the consequences which come with this.

"Do we have a strong enough army to fight off both armies?" I ask, looking back to Cedric.

"We would stretch ourselves thin."

The witches could offer aid, but I know I cannot just trust a witch coven. My mother trusted them, but I have been warned against them. I know I should not use them unless I am in dire need.

"As my head warrior, what do you think? If Ryker does not go through with a treaty, can we risk fighting on our own?"

Rising to his feet, Cedric walks to my side, placing his hand behind his back as I wait patiently for his response. "My father trained the warriors your warriors the best he could, but he did not bother to incorporate new tactics. He wanted to cap the amount of warriors we have, to make sure there would still be enough pack members back here in case of an attack. We would need to recruit and train at least a hundred more men and women to stand a good chance against Alpha River and his allies."

Sighing, I try and think about the numbers, the strength of our men, and if I would be willing to risk my pack for all of this. "I would support you no matter what path, if you were to fight with Ryker or without him," Cedric speaks, a hand on my shoulder as he squeezes it tightly. "But I know that Ryker is not often taken as an ally. Ryker and Vaughn have been allies in ever war and battle. They are a tight-knit group."

"You think I should fight alone? With only Penelope and Yusuf?"

Looking up, I look to the hungry eyes of Cedric as something within me causes me to shift in my seat. "I am not telling you what to do. I am merely giving you advice."

Cedric kneels down beside me, placing himself beside my left leg as he places a warm hand across my thigh, his fingers brushing against the fabric of my dress as those green eyes stay connected with my own. "Leaving Eternal Shadows was a wise choice, for you did not believe in Alpha River's kingdom. If you fight for what you want, you create the rules for the kingdom, you see that packs are better off, and you can push the limits of tradition. A Queen...the first Queen to take the crown fighting her way to it."

"And if Alpha Ryker decides he wants to team with me?"

"Break the treaty. Friends turn on friends, brother on brother-"

"I will not betray someone like that."

Cedric shakes his head, disagreeing with me. "You agreed to join a war, Leala, and war includes many things. War includes treaties, allies, enemies, betrayal, and bloodshed. We have all made our decisions."

The moment Elder Oliver steps foot into the room, Cedric rises to his feet and looks to the elder. "Alpha Maxwell, I would advise you to begin drafting up battle plans against all sides. I do not think Alpha Ryker will take to your proposal well."

"He has time to decide still."

"He is a man of greed. He will go after absolute control no matter what he promises to you today."

Elder Oliver is right, for I cannot just trust whatever is signed today will be exactly what I can expect from these men. Every Alpha I have met has greed, pride, lust, or wrath within them and Ryker is no different. I cannot expect Ryker to just throw away what he has thirsted after...I must expect him to turn on me in the end.

"I called him here today for this meeting, yet now I am afraid I will be turning him away no matter what his answer is..." I trail off, sensing the tension within my shoulders as I try and relax. I will not be someone to betray the other in the end. I will not accept a treaty with Ryker only to turn on him in the end. "Elder Oliver, please inform Alpha Ryker and Vaughn that our proposed talk of treaty has been called off. We will be fighting our own wars."

As Oliver leaves just as quickly as he arrived, I turn once more to Cedric. "Train as many men and women as you can. We will fight our own battles alongside Penelope and Yusuf's armies. Together we will be victorious or die righteously."

A sudden sharp scream pierces through the air, drawing me out of the conversation as Cedric rises to his feet, placing himself before me as we look to the shut dinning room doors.

"What was that?" I ask with a hushed voice, my heartbeat speeding as I feel my insides sink to the floor and my body tense.

Another piercing and hollowing scream fills the air, one filled with pain which causes the hairs on my neck to raise as I grab Cedric's arm and jump to my feet. "It could have come from the main entrance of the house."

"Who? Who would attack? Edward already?" My questions only fill me with dread as I look to the windows which cast a display of peacefulness outside, nothing to cause concern.

Cedric takes my arm, guiding me away from the doors of the dining room and closer to the small cabinet filled with extra plates and wine glasses. Shouting can be heard, screams sounding through the house as I hear instructions being shouted left and right. My wolf begins to surface as my grip around Cedric's arm becomes like iron, my knuckles turning white as I am sure my skin has as well. "What do we do? We cannot be sitting ducks."

"We may have to fight our way out of this house, Leala...if you want to open those doors. We can open the windows and escape through there."

The metallic scent of blood begins to fill the air as I look once more outside to the calm scenery of the forest. "It's too quite outside. If someone was here to kill me, they would surround this place."

Nodding his head, Cedric takes from his pocket a dagger with a golden blade. "If you need to fight in human force, don't just use your bare hands." Accepting the weapon, I hold the handle of the blade tightly in my hand as I place it into the pocket of my jacket, taking in a deep breath as footsteps begin to near the door. Just as I exhale, the door of the dining room swings open and breaks off the top hinges.

I flinch, holding in a cry as Cedric and I ready ourselves and I look to the elf standing in the doorway, those lavender eyes piercing right into my soul as I gasp. Before I know it, the elf is charging towards us, Cedric bending his knees and bracing for impact as he begins to shift into his wolf the moment the elf jumps into the air.

Screaming out, I move aside and watch the elf and Cedric's wolf begin to brawl, Cedric tossing the elf against the wooden dining table as the elf hissing out in pain and those eyes lock on me. I begin to rush over to the doors of the room, wanting to get out of here as my feet stumble over one another. The same elf who killed the Steward's daughter has come for me. Was he always trying to kill the daughter of the Maxwell, not thinking the Steward's daughter was just another Steward's daughter.

Cedric is tossed off of the elf, whimpering as I see blood painting the fur of his wolf, dripping down from his shoulder as I begin to run. I can sense the elf chasing after me, only to cry out as Cedric's jaws have caught him again.

The hallway before me lays motionless, the bodies of Alpha Ryker's Gamma and Beta tossed about as their blood pools around them. Navigating around the blood, I head for the front door, wondering if anyone else could be here.

"Leala!"

Looking to the living room, I stare ahead to find Oliver crying out for me as his body is tossed across the couch, hands clutching his stomach as blood seeps into his clothes. "Oliver!" I rush over to my most trusted advisor, tossing myself at his feet as I inspect the wound, flinching at the gruesome sight. "What happened? How many are there?"

"Alpha-Alpha..." Elder Oliver points across the room with a crimson-coated finger, pointing out the limp body of Beta Bryson, a man who barely had a story in my life.

"Who did this?" I beg Oliver, placing his hand back to his wound as I tell him to apply more pressure.

Rushing over to Beta Bryson, those glossy eyes stare up at me and through me to the ceiling, not reflecting anything as I see the nasty and deep cut around his throat as crimson blood has splattered and soaked into my couch. Falling to the feet of my Beta, tears begin to roll down my face, my hands grabbing onto the shirt of my beta as I cry out.

"Who the fuck did this?" I cry, looking over to Oliver once more as I watch him struggle to get up. "I want them dead. I want their children dead. I want their pack slaughtered."

My voice is filled with a rage and passion I have never spoken in before, the world around me almost shrinking as I reduce down all my thoughts down to what is occurring around me.

"You need to get out of here, before he comes back."

"Who, Oliver?" I ask, rising to my feet as I wipe the blood from my hands onto my dress.

"Alpha River."

"Bullshit," I laugh, hearing Cedric continue to fight the elf in the other room. "He would not do this. He wants to marry me still."

Oliver meets my eyes, shaking his head as he tries to reason with me. "Alpha River is who to blame."

A howl of pain fills the air and my body goes cold, my feet no longer working with my brain as I find myself rushing to the dining room. As I pass the staircase, I spot the body of Alpha Vaughn spread out upon two steps, head rolled backwards as his chest is ripped open. Stumbling over my own feet, I vomit onto the floor, my brain pounding in my head as I try and focus on what I must do. Nearing the dining room once more, I begin to pull out the dagger from my pocket.

Everything seems to happen slowly, as those lavender eyes appear in the doorway and focus on me as I raise the blade and ready myself for impact. "Who are you?"

The elf remains silent as he walks towards me, leaving me to wonder if Cedric is still breathing.

"Who are you?"

"Is it not obvious?" He asks, a grin appearing across his face as he steps in the blood I was just in a meeting with not even an hour ago. "I guess you are as dumb as your mother."

"Who hired you?" I demand, taking a step forward.

"Just as foolish as both of your parents, little Leala."

"Who hired you?"

"I thought you would have figured it all out by now," the elf jeers, jumping towards me as I bend my knees and move quickly out of the way of his blow. The elf towers above me, those eyes never leaving me figure as we begin to duel.

Holding two blades in his hands, he takes his swings at me as I do my best to remember what Cedric taught me. I dodge what I can, one knife scraping the flesh of my thigh as I cry out in pain. I try and land my dagger into his shoulder, only for the elf to spin away from me and toss his knife quickly towards me.

Crying out, the stinging of the blade causes me to almost drop my own weapon. I rush back at the elf, filled with an anger as I remember the lifeless eyes of all the men who trusted me to keep them safe in my own house. How did this intruder ever get past my guards? How could he take out this many men on his own?

The moment my blade gets close to the elf's chest, he grabs my hand and twists it around as I kick my foot out to his crotch and he stiffens. Grabbing advantage of the moment, I pull my hand from his hold and whack my head quickly against his to gain some distance. The moment the elf stumbles back, I notice the marks from Cedric's claws on the elf's left arm, causing a disadvantage for him. I begin to attack at the elf's left side, focusing on his weakness as I either land a blow with my fists or take one.

Suddenly, my feet come out from under me and I land on the wooden floor. The elf follows as he slips in the blood, loosing his footing as I move quickly. Straightening my arm, I hold the blade strong as I roll onto the elf and straddle him, those lavender eyes widening as I press the blade into his neck.

The elf begins to fidget beneath me, quivering as those lavender eyes move frantically as they try and concentrate on my eyes. I ask him once more my question, only to watch as the body of the elf takes its last movement and breath.

Releasing my blade from his neck, I toss the dagger across the flood and grab the shirt of the elf, screaming out in frustration as I look to those lifeless lavender eyes. My hands shake as I help gather myself to my feet, limping towards the dining room as I can barely feel my left leg. My hand presses against my shoulder as my hair becomes soaked in my own blood, my jaw clenched as I enter into the room to see Cedric laying on the floor.

Holding my breath, I walk over to my Gamma, preparing myself for the worst news.

Screaming out, I fall to my knees, grabbing onto the body of my Gamma as I can barely think straight. My lungs begin to fill with pain with every breath and I lay my head onto Cedric's chest.

"How did he kill everyone so easily without help?" I ask, my voice filled with a powerful tone I have never expressed before. "How?!"

Just as I am about to sob, fingers wrap lightly around my hand, a weak heartbeat sounding as I pull my head back sharply and see the green eyes of Cedric meet mine. "I-I need help."

I grab Cedric's face in my hands, placing a long kiss upon his forehead as I cradle him in my lap, as if a child. Tears fall from my face as I try and call out to Elder Oliver to call someone, only for Cedric to shake his head weakly.

"He...he was not working alone."

"Oliver said River had some play. I don't believe him," I whisper, trying to calm Cedric as I reach for my phone located on the table.

"An elf slipped through our boarders and into this house without any detection...he had help."

My jaw clenches as I look up to the doorway to spot Elder Oliver standing there with blood running down his legs to the floor. "What have you done to my pack?"

"Leala-"

"I will kill you, Oliver. I swear I will kill you no matter what your title."

"I swear, Leala, I was not acting against you-"

"Shut up you filthy traitor. You played me like a puppet," I spit, rising to my feet as I grab my phone. "You little pathetic man. So eager for power you used me. You should know how Maxwell's treat people like you."

"I was acting on orders, Leala...I never intended for this."

"River's orders?" As Oliver hesitates, I speak again. "If you lie once more to me, I will make sure your corpse is displayed for every living alpha to see."

"There was no Alpha behind this. River's righthand man was."

Asger.