The breeze in the garden was soft, brushing against their skins like whispers from the trees.
Alpha Theo sat beside Kimberly, both of them quiet for a mont, enjoying the cool hush of evening.
That calm was broken when Elijah walked in with his usual serious stride.
"Alpha," Elijah said, bowing slightly, "Lucian and Steve are here."
Theo’s eyes lit up slightly. "Good. Bring them here to join us," he said, a pleased smile crossing his face.
Kimberly turned to him, her expression curious. "Were you expecting them before? And... why are they together?"
"Because we need n with power," Theo replied calmly.
"n who are not afraid to face anything and anyone for the greater good . Both Lucian and Steve are hungry. They have sothing to prove."
Kimberly, seated across from him, leaned forward. "So what are we talking about with them?"
"They’ll give us updates. Things I can’t see yet," Theo answered.
"But more than that, I need your help, Kimberly. Watch them. Listen beyond their words. I need your instincts. I need to know their truth."
Kimberly gave a simple nod. "You’ll have it."
Monts later, Elijah returned, this ti with Lucian and Steve walking behind him. They both looked sharp, their eyes alert.
They exchanged greetings respectfully and took their seats directly opposite Theo and Kimberly.
Theo didn’t waste ti. "Let’s go straight to business. We don’t have ti to waste."
Lucian and Steve both leaned forward slightly, listening intently.
"Steve," Theo began, "what have you found out about Mona lately?"
Steve’s eyes narrowed slightly as he answered. "She’s desperate. Hungry for support and any form of strength she can grab. It’s like her grip on the pack is slipping."
Kimberly’s voice cut in, curious and slightly challenging. "And what makes you think she’s losing control?"
"I’ve spoken to so of the pack elders," Steve replied.
"They’re not happy. They see her decisions as rash. Unstable. They don’t trust her leadership anymore."
Theo exchanged a glance with Kimberly. That was expected, but still unsettling to hear aloud.
He then turned to Lucian, his expression hardening. "Lucian, do you know why I asked you to be here?"
Lucian shook his head slightly. "No, Alpha. I was hoping you’d explain."
"I brought you here because if Mona truly is losing her grip," Theo said slowly, "then Derrick’s return is no longer just a rumor. It’s a matter of ti."
At the sound of Derrick’s na, Lucian stiffened. His throat moved as he swallowed hard.
"Derrick won’t return as the man we once knew," Theo continued.
"He’ll co back darker. Smarter. More ruthless. If he sees a threat, he won’t wait to strike."
Lucian opened his mouth to respond, but Theo lifted a hand.
"That’s why I need you to stay under the radar. Don’t challenge him. Don’t stand out. Not yet."
"But... won’t acting weak ruin everything I’ve worked for?" Lucian asked, clearly torn.
"No," Theo replied calmly. "Acting weak is exactly what will keep you alive. Derrick kills threats.
But if you appear harmless, he’ll ignore you and that’s when you’ll strike."
Lucian leaned back, letting that sink in.
"I understand," he said softly. "I’ll wait. I’ll play along. And when the ti is right, I’ll be ready."
Theo nodded, pleased.
He then turned his gaze to both n. "Now to the main question," he said, his voice turning cold and heavy.
"Are you both ready to work with ? To fight for a world where power is not used to enslave but to protect? There will be no turning back."
Lucian and Steve answered almost at the sa ti, without hesitation.
"I will rather die fighting for the greater cause than live like a coward watching everything crumble," Lucian said, his voice filled with fire.
"I’ve lived like a ghost for too long," Steve added. "You both brought back to life. I will not waste this chance. Whatever you ask, I’ll do it."
Theo nodded slowly, his face unreadable.
Kimberly finally spoke, her voice calm but sharp.
"Good. You’ll both have our support. But rember this, power is never to be misused. If either of you abuse it, we’ll take it back ourselves."
"Understood," Lucian and Steve said together.
As Theo opened his mouth to continue, Kimberly’s phone buzzed.
She looked at the screen and frowned. "Theo, it’s Zack."
"Take the call," Theo said. "Tell him I’ll speak to him later. This eting can’t be interrupted now."
Kimberly stood up quietly and walked toward the house to take the call.
As Theo turned back to speak, his own phone buzzed. He picked it up and read the ssage, his eyes narrowing.
"It’s from the supre chief priest," Theo said aloud.
"He says there’s a matter of great urgency. We need to alert the moon goddess and set a eting date."
He looked up slowly, eyes dark with curiosity.
*What could be so urgent that even the high priest is shaken?* Theo thought, rubbing his fingers across his jaw.
anwhile, Kimberly had stepped into the living room, answering Zack’s call.
"Zack," she said with a soft smile. "It’s been a while. How are you?"
"There’s no ti for pleasantries, Kimberly," Zack’s voice ca through, rushed and serious.
"The elders and the African sorcerers had a vision. Soone is getting close to you, soone dangerous.
You and Theo need to stay alert. If you let your guard down, it could be disastrous."
Kimberly froze. "What do you an? Who is it?"
"We don’t know yet. But the danger is real. Be careful." Zack’s voice softened for a mont. "Please, Kim. Stay safe."
"Thank you, Zack. I’ll tell Theo. We’ll be careful," she said, ending the call.
She stood still for a mont, her heart racing.
*Who could it be? she thought. Lucian? Steve? Or... the woman who claid to be my mother?*
Her brows furrowed, confusion clouding her thoughts. The quiet of the room seed louder now.
She looked up toward the garden, where Theo was still talking to the others.
*Soone is getting close. But who?*
And just like that, the silence turned heavy with danger, with doubt, and with the slow-burning scent of sothing coming.
Sothing close.
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