Blackwood’s POV
The mont I stepped back into my office, I knew sothing was wrong. A familiar chill crawled down my spine as I spotted the imposing figure seated behind my desk like he owned the place.
Councilman Holloway.
I forced myself to walk around to my side of the desk, each step asured and careful. The man sitting in my chair radiated an authority that made my skin crawl, and not just because of his political position. No, it was sothing far more primal that set every nerve in my body on edge.
"What can I do for you today?" I managed, lowering myself into the chair across from him.
My hands felt clammy as I tried to figure out the right posture. Everything about this man demanded respect, and one wrong move could spell disaster. Leaning back would seem careless. Crossing my legs might appear disrespectful. I settled for placing my arms on the desk, fingers locked together in what I hoped looked professional rather than terrified.
"Your security team nearly denied entry today." Holloway’s voice carried a dangerous edge. "They flagged anomalies in my clearance. That level of incompetence makes extrely unhappy."
The temperature in the room seed to drop several degrees. "I sincerely apologize, sir. It must have been so kind of system error."
I wasn’t just apologizing for the security mishap. I was apologizing for existing in the sa space as this predator who could end my life with his bare hands.
"Ensure it never happens again." The threat in his tone was unmistakable.
"Absolutely. I’ll handle it personally."
My throat felt tight as I spoke. Being in the sa room with Holloway always reminded of exactly how precarious my position was. If he ever got exposed, I would go down with him. The entire Hunter operation would crumble, and worse yet, Alpha Damien and Luna Elena would discover truths about their missing daughter that could destroy everything.
"I want details about the recent mission. My sources tell there were no casualties among the villagers." His eyes bore into mine, searching for any sign of deception.
"That information is correct. The location was completely abandoned when we arrived. Soone had evacuated the entire pack beforehand." I kept my voice steady despite the anxiety clawing at my chest.
"Who was responsible for the warning?" The growl that escaped his throat made flinch involuntarily.
His voice had shifted into sothing more bestial, reminding exactly what kind of creature I was dealing with. The sound triggered every survival instinct I possessed.
"We’re investigating that right now. Satellite surveillance is active, and we have ground teams searching for leads." I swallowed hard, trying to maintain so semblance of composure.
Holloway leaned back, running his tongue across his teeth in a deliberate display that showcased his elongated canines. The gesture was calculated intimidation, designed to remind that those fangs could tear through my throat in seconds.
He had used the sa tactic when we first t, demonstrating his supernatural strength to my entire team. The mory still gave nightmares. My cooperation had been the only thing standing between my people and a massacre.
"May I ask sothing?" I ventured, imdiately regretting the question.
His eyebrow arched dangerously.
"Why target your own species? These are werewolf packs you’re ordering us to eliminate."
"Because they stand against my claim to the throne." He rose from his chair and moved to the window, his massive fra blocking out the light. "Every pack I send you after has declared opposition to my leadership. And the beauty of it is that no one suspects ."
"But what about the other council mbers? They’re also competing for leadership. How can you be certain they won’t turn on you?"
"They lack the intelligence to connect the dots." A cruel smile played across his lips. "I’ve been feeding them anonymous intelligence that these packs are planning attacks on council mbers. They believe we’re conducting preemptive strikes for protection. My mate delivers the tips while I’m visibly present in council etings. Perfect alibis."
The calculated nature of his deception made my blood run cold.
"And Dawn? How does she factor into your strategy?"
"She’s the key to controlling the most powerful pack that could challenge . Damien and Elena believe they’re untouchable, but their daughter gives leverage they can’t ignore." His reflection in the window looked predatory.
"Brilliant strategy. I want you to know that we’re putting every resource into identifying who’s been warning these packs and how they’re getting advance notice."
He turned from the window, fixing with a stare that seed to penetrate straight through to my soul. The silence stretched between us like a taut wire ready to snap. Finally, he moved toward the door with predatory grace.
"Make certain you succeed. Failure will result in your head decorating a pike." The door slamd behind him with enough force to rattle the walls.
My receptionist appeared imdiately, drawn by the noise, but I waved her away with shaking hands. I needed solitude to collect myself and process what had just occurred.
Minutes passed before I trusted my legs to carry out of the office. I needed to find Corbin imdiately. He had to get to the computer lab and uncover exactly how today’s mission had been compromised before Holloway decided I was expendable.
Because once that decision was made, I was already dead. No amount of pleading or bargaining would save from a werewolf’s wrath.
I found Corbin near the training grounds, deep in conversation with Dawn. As I watched them interact, sothing in his deanor caught my attention. His posture was relaxed, his smile genuine in a way I rarely saw anymore. They appeared to be enjoying each other’s company imnsely.
Then realization hit like a physical blow.
"Damn it. He’s falling for the target."
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