Chapter 64

Lucas' POV

My patience snapped. Enough of this game. I wasn’t going to let him play puppeteer while my people stood paralyzed in fear.

I turned, my voice thundering through the clearing in a command that carried every ounce of authority I had as Alpha. “To arms! Protect your families! Take down the mercenaries now!”

For a moment, there was silence—a beat of hesitation as the pack processed my order. Then, like a dam breaking, the crowd erupted into action. My wolves sprang at the mercenaries, their loyalty ignited by the clarity of my call. Cries of defiance filled the night as my pack fought to protect their own.

A roar of approval erupted from some of the pack, but it was quickly drowned out by chaos as the first betrayal struck. Half of my warriors—the same ones I had trained and trusted—turned on their own.