LM0073: Beneath the Surface

"Is that Rei Ookaze?" Astrid, ever quick to voice her thoughts, sneered from the side. "Pathetic. Can't even fend off a few dirty rogues? A pack this weak…"

Roderik's eyes narrowed, but he held up a hand to silence her, his gaze remaining fixed on the scene unfolding before him. He studied Rei Ookaze carefully, noting the complete absence of strength in her posture and the broken look in her eyes. It disturbed him more than he would have liked to admit. Rei, the fierce Gamma of the Wind Pack, a wolf who had always been a force to be reckoned with, now seemed to be nothing more than a soulless doll.

No matter what others might say, Rei had always held her own in battle. Even Astrid, who delighted in taunting and belittling her, would have difficulty defeating Rei in a fight. And yet, something—or someone—had reduced her to this state, leaving her hollowed out and vulnerable. The mystery of what could have done this gnawed at Roderik's mind.

Roderik moved swiftly from the office, stepping up beside Akechi. "What happened?" His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge of suspicion underneath.

Akechi quickly lowered his gaze, almost as if afraid of angering Roderik with his answer. "Lord Roderik, they... they were attacked by rogues, I believe." His words were slow and careful, his voice almost apologetic, as if he knew how flimsy the excuse sounded. The way he avoided eye contact only deepened Roderik's distrust. The explanation was weak, and Roderik saw through it immediately.

A rogue attack? That didn't make sense, not in this territory. The Wind Pack was far from weak, and if anything, this was the Lycan King's domain. No rogue would dare attack members of any significant pack here.

Roderik didn't press the issue further. There was no use asking the same question to people who were determined to lie. He could see the truth—Akechi's tremors, the way his voice cracked, spoke volumes. Something far greater had occurred, but the Wind Pack was not going to reveal it to anyone, especially not to him.

Akechi nodded at the servant to guide him toward a different building, his movements quick and uneasy as he barked instructions along the way. His body trembled slightly with every step. His anxiety was palpable, but whatever had transpired, it was clear the Wind Pack would never admit to it. They would hide it behind a lie, and Akechi was doing his best to play his part in that deception.

Once they were out of sight, Roderik sneered.

"Rogues?" His voice was thick with doubt. "Who gets attacked by rogues in a shiny limo like that?"

Roderik scanned the area again, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took a closer look at the limo parked just outside. The vehicle was sleek, too pristine for a rogue attack. No doubt about it—there was more to this than they were letting on.

He stepped closer, inspecting the limo from every angle. His gaze locked on the logo emblazoned on the dashboard, and his eyes instantly hardened when he saw it. The unmistakable insignia of the Shadowlane Logistics Company.

Roderik's expression darkened, a slow, disbelieving shake of his head. "No. This doesn't add up." His voice was low, almost a growl now, filled with suspicion. Seeing the logo only made their narrative about a rogue attack seem even more absurd. Whoever was behind this, they were trying to cover something up—and Roderik would find out what.

Astrid, ever the skeptic, couldn't resist. She sneered again, her eyes flicking toward the building where Rina and Rei had disappeared. "Why bother with them, brother," she muttered, "If they're injured, then it means they deserved it for being weaklings."

She spoke in Dutch, knowing that the servants would not understand. But her tone, coupled with the dismissive wave of her hand, made her insult clear to anyone who was paying attention. Some of the servants exchanged uncomfortable glances, their expressions darkening at Astrid's words. They may not understand Dutch, but they could certainly feel the sting of her contempt for their pack.

Roderik didn't acknowledge Astrid's words. He was far too focused on the situation at hand. His mind raced through the possibilities, piecing together the information. This rogue attack, if it was indeed a rogue attack, didn't make sense. Not with the evidence in front of him. His instincts screamed at him that there was something far more sinister at play, something connected to Kageōden—and possibly, something even more dangerous than he had imagined.

"I need to visit Kageōden," he declared firmly, his voice carrying an air of finality.

Astrid's eyes widened, and she stepped forward, her excitement clear in her voice. "I'm coming with you," she insisted, her usual arrogance returning now that there was action involved. She was never one to sit still when she could be in the middle of things.

Before Roderik could respond, his Delta, Bastiaan Veldhuis, stepped in, his tone respectful but firm. "Ms. Astrid, it's best to stay here," he said, placing a hand on her arm. "It could be dangerous to go with the Alpha."

Astrid scoffed, her face twisting with frustration. "What are you talking about? What's dangerous about Kageōden? I'm going."

Bastiaan remained calm, his hand still resting on her arm, his gaze unwavering. "You'll stay here. The Alpha is going alone."

Astrid bristled, her lips curling into a pout as frustration bubbled up. "But I want to see Hizuki! I need to see him!" She moved closer to Roderik, clearly preparing for a tantrum.

Roderik turned to face her, his expression suddenly hardening as he shifted his stance. The air around him seemed to thicken, heavy with the weight of his authority. His true alpha aura flared, a powerful, invisible force that made the very air feel oppressive. The power emanating from him was so intense that it caused the servants nearby to stop in their tracks.

Astrid, normally defiant, froze completely in place. Her breath halted as she felt the full weight of Roderik's presence. The pressure of his aura wrapped around her, suffocating and absolute. Spoiled as she was, she had never been truly punished before. She had always gotten her way, but that was before. Roderik had reached his breaking point, and he wasn't going to tolerate any more of her childish demands.

This situation was too delicate, and Hizuki's temper was not something to be toyed with, especially not with someone as noisy and clingy as Astrid. She would be a liability if she were to act up, and worse, she would be in danger if she displeased Hizuki. Roderik wasn't about to let his sister make an already volatile situation worse.

"Do not test me again, Astrid," Roderik's voice was low, carrying a dangerous edge. "I am your alpha, and you will obey."

Astrid staggered back, her face paling as the sheer weight of his presence crushed her resistance. Her earlier defiance evaporated instantly, leaving her breathless and terrified. "Y-yes, I understand," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear.

Roderik watched her with satisfaction, making sure she understood that there would be no further disobedience. His sister would not be allowed to jeopardize the situation—and if she had followed him, even he couldn't protect her from Hizuki if the Alpha decided she was more trouble than she was worth.

With one final glance at Astrid, Roderik turned away, his gaze shifting to the limo that was still parked in front of the building. He walked over and tapped on the window. It rolled down immediately, as though it had been expecting him.

"Alpha Langeveld," the chauffeur greeted before stepping out and moving around the car to open the door for him.

Roderik raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.

"I just received word from the Delta," the chauffeur said, "He told me to wait for you in case you decided to come to Kageōden for a visit."

Roderik's interest piqued. "Oh?" He stepped into the limo, settling into the plush seat. "So, Iori Kagerou guessed that I would come?"

The chauffeur nodded. "Yes, sir. It seems the Alpha told him you're here and might want to come."

"Alpha? Hizuki?"

The chauffeur hesitated before answering. "Delta Iori said you might have a lot of questions to ask, and you're welcome to ask them at Kageōden."

"I see. Then I'm looking forward to it," Roderik murmured, his mind already racing with possibilities. The truth was waiting for him at Kageōden, and he would find it—no matter what.