While Cayden was planning a million ways he was going to torture Hawk, he used his own pack members against him! He had a death wish. He did not know what was coming to him.
“What’s the plan?” Max’s voice boomed in the room, drawing me out of his thoughts, and he lifted his gaze.
“We are going to attack Hawk’s club and take away Jennifer. Then I’m skinning the bastard alive. And anyone who stands in my way will die.”
Cayden’s wolf lingered just below the surface, his fur brushing against his insides, desperate for release. He’d connected with her wolf—he felt it deep in his soul.
“But aren’t you being too impulsive? We cannot wage war against Hawk. What if Hawk harms Selena? Attacking Hawk’s club head-on is a direct challenge. The council will view us as the aggressors.”
Cayden turned to face Max, determination burning in his eyes. “I understand the risks, Max. But we cannot let Jennifer suffer any longer. She has been imprisoned beneath that club for far too many years. We cannot wait for the council to act. It’s time we took matters into our own hands.”
Max’s brows furrowed as he weighed Cayden’s words. He was fiercely loyal to his Alpha, but he also understood the delicate balance they had to maintain within the council. Their actions would be closely watched, and any misstep could lead to dire consequences.
“Alpha, I fear this will only escalate the tension between our factions,” Max argued. “Hawk is cunning, and he will use this as an opportunity to rally his supporters against us. We must tread carefully.”
Cayden’s lips were curved in a wry smile. “I have a plan, Max. Hawk has been keeping Jennifer’s captivity hidden from the rest of the world, including the council itself. Hawk will be hesitant to reveal his true intentions because he will downplay the attack and make it appear to be a minor incident. He needs Selena to testify against me, and he will not jeopardise her safety. This will provide us with more time and leverage.”
Max’s eyes widened in surprise. Cayden’s strategy was calculated and elegant. They could expose Hawk’s dark secret while keeping Selena safe by attacking his club. It was a risk, but it might be their only chance to expose Hawk’s true nature and save Jennifer and Selena.
“Very well, Alpha,” Max admitted, a glimmer of hope in his weathered expression. “But we must move quickly and precisely. We must gather our most trusted allies and meticulously plan our attack.”
Cayden nodded, his voice firm. “Assemble our forces and brief them on the plan, Max. We will strike at the heart of Hawk’s operation, but with delicacy and restraint. Our goal is not to destroy, but to uncover the truth and secure Jennifer’s freedom. I trust you will do this task well.”
“Wait, you want me to make the preparations?” Max said, “Aghast.
“Yes, I am giving you 4 hours.” Cayden gave a slight smile.
“And what are you going to do?” Max asked, feeling uneasy about the sudden responsibility thrust upon him. “I have to meet someone before we embark on the attack.”
“Seriously? You can’t leave me alone. Leave me alone!” Max grumbled.
“Don’t worry, you won’t be alone. There are plenty of other people around to keep you company,” Cayden reassured him. “And besides, you want my permission to turn Kylie on, right?” With that, Cayden turned and walked away, leaving Max to contemplate his new role as temporary leader.
*****************
Clad in his dark overcoat, Cayden stepped cautiously through the shadowy alleys of the town. The cobblestones beneath his boots echoed with an eerie silence as he made his way towards a shabby, rundown house that stood at the edge of the forgotten district. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, as if the very walls whispered ancient secrets and stories of dark magic.
His purpose in venturing into this perilous part of town was to meet the witch, a figure known for her evil and cunning ways. She had long been rumoured to possess a formidable power and knowledge of arcane arts that far surpassed those of any ordinary mortal. Many regarded her as a dangerous and untrustworthy being, but Cayden had learned that sometimes, in the realm of shadows and deceit, one must align with the very darkness they seek to conquer.
An unsettling aroma of herbs and incense filled the dimly lit room as Cayden pushed open the creaking door of the run-down house. Shelves lined the walls, laden with mysterious artefacts, dusty spell books, and potion vials. The witch, draped in a cloak of midnight black, emerged from the shadows with an enigmatic smile playing upon her lips.
“What brings the Alpha to my humble abode?” She purred, her voice dripping with a hint of amusement and treachery.
Cayden’s gaze met hers; his eyes were filled with determination. “It’s been a long time. Aren’t you going to invite me, Raven?”
The woman stood up and gestured towards a shabby couch. “Certainly. Sorry for my manners. I am getting old now. Please have a seat.”
Cayden took the seat and waited until Raven was seated.
“So, how is your mate doing?” She asked casually.
“How do you know who my mate is?” Cayden asked suspiciously.
She laughed.
“Well, only a mate would compel a wolf to pay me with his blood.”
Cayden nodded. “Fair enough. You must know how and where my mate is, right?”
“We don’t get involved in pack politics.” She said firmly.
“Coming from someone who has been selling dark magic, that’s coming rich.” Cayden sneered.
Raven didn’t react; she knew she had been busted, but she feigned ignorance. “I may have dabbled in the past, but that doesn’t mean I’m involved in pack politics either,” Raven replied calmly. “And as for your mate, I truly don’t know where she is. But I can help you find her.”
“No thanks, I can find my mate; I need to know something else. I hope you will cooperate.”
“And what if I don’t?” Raven asked, raising an eyebrow. “I have no obligation to answer your questions, especially if they involve packing matters.”
“The council doesn’t care. Dark magic is forbidden. And once the council knows about it, they will involve all the covens. Where would you go if your sisters turned against you?”
The witch’s eyes widened slightly, her smile faltering for a moment before she regained her composure. “You are threatening, Alpha Cayden. I am a humble practitioner of the mystical arts. I have no dealings with anyone.”
Cayden’s voice is low and compelling. “Do not underestimate me, witch. I know more than you think. I have my sources. I have seen the dark tendrils that connect you to Alpha Hawk.”
The witch’s expression hardened, a glimmer of suspicion flickering in her eyes. “And what is it you propose, Alpha Cayden? What could convince me to share my secrets with you?”
Cayden took a deep breath, his mind racing with the stakes of this dangerous game. He needed the witch’s knowledge, but he had to be careful in his approach. “I offer you a pact, witch. A promise that, if you reveal the truth about your dealings, I won’t reveal anything to the council and pay you more than Hawk.”
The witch’s eyes narrowed, studying Cayden intently. “More than Hawk?” she repeated, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and scepticism.
Cayden nodded solemnly.
A silence fell between them, the weight of their words hanging heavy in the air. The witch’s gaze flickered, her resolve wavering as she considered Cayden’s proposition.
Finally, the witch broke the silence, her voice laced with caution. “Very well, Alpha Cayden. I will tell you what you seek. But remember, your promise must hold true, or the consequences will be dire.”
Cayden inclined his head, a solemn promise reflecting in his eyes. “I swear upon my blood and the honour of my pack, witch. Whatever you desire, it shall be yours if you speak the truth.”
With that, the witch motioned for Cayden to take a seat. As they settled into a tense stillness, she wove a tale of clandestine meetings, secret pacts, and hidden alliances.
“Hawk asked me to keep his former mate alive. Even though she was on the brink of death. I could only keep her breathing. Bringing anyone back from the dead is impossible.”
Cayden nodded, gesturing for her to continue.
“Other than that, he usually asked for things like a virility potion or a strengthening potion. But a month ago, he asked me to help reach into someone’s mind.”
“Mind?” Cayden asked, puzzled.
“Yeah, it’s an illusion of magic. He wanted to penetrate his daughter’s mind and make her do whatever he wanted.”
Cayden’s eyes widened in astonishment. So that is why Selena looked disturbed; Hawk was tormenting her. He felt a surge of anger towards Hawk for using such a despicable method to control his own child. Cayden couldn’t imagine the emotional turmoil Selena must be going through.
“Thank you.” He said to Raven: “Tell me your price.”