BloodMoon: Captivated by the Forbidden Lycan Alpha
Chapter 37: THE LIES WE TELL

Chapter 37: THE LIES WE TELL

{"Sanity is a cozy lie"}

The moon hung low in the velvet sky, its silvery light casting soft shadows along the cobblestone path as Qarida and I made our way back to the Paradise Coven city. The cool night air carried the faint scent of jasmine, mingling with the distant hum of nocturnal creatures. Qarida’s sharp voice cut through the tranquil silence.

"So, what lies are you going to tell?" she asked, her tone laced with a mix of curiosity and caution.

I chuckled softly, the sound barely louder than the whisper of the wind. "Lies, Qarida? Let us call it strategy. I am too smart for Lord Marcel, but I cannot afford to make him think I failed the mission entirely."

She arched a brow, her piercing gaze locking onto mine. "And this strategy involves pretending you met the so-called Lycan in the caves near the Bay Shifter lands?"

"Exactly," I replied, a hint of smugness creeping into my tone. "Tor and I agreed on it. Marcel does not know those caves like we do, and he certainly will not send anyone to verify my story. All he cares about is catching Tor and stealing his power. That is all the bait he needs."

Qarida narrowed her eyes, her pace slowing as we passed under the shadow of an ancient oak. "And you’re sure he won’t see through your lies?"

I nodded confidently. "Marcel trusts my words. He sees me as his eyes and ears. That is the thing about him; he is so focused on what he wants that he will ignore the cracks in the story if it gets him closer to his goal. His greed blinds him."

We walked in silence for a moment, the rhythmic crunch of gravel beneath our feet filling the void. I glanced at Qarida, her expression unreadable. She was not the type to mince words or hide her doubts.

"You think I’m wrong, don’t you?" I asked, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

She shook her head. "Not wrong, just daring. If he suspects even for a moment that you are playing him—"

"He won’t," I cut her off firmly, though a flicker of unease danced in my chest. "Marcel may be dangerous, but I know how to play this game. If anyone threatens Tor’s existence, I will deal with them. Marcel included."

Qarida studied me for a long moment before nodding slowly. "You better be right, Frery. For all our sakes as this will mean war"

The night was heavy with anticipation as I parted ways with Qarida and made my way home. I needed to clear my head and prepare for what was to come. After a long, hot shower and a change of clothes, I headed to the casino. It was not just any casino, It was his domain. I knew exactly where I would find Lord Marcel.

As I approached the door the guards stood at the door, and I could see how uncomfortable they were as I whizzed past them and then entered the main doors. The air inside was electric, thick with tension the moment I walked through the doors. The hum of conversation and the chime of slot machines barely masked the undercurrent of power that pulsed in the room. And there he was, Lord Marcel.

As always, he was surrounded by his loyal entourage: Cassius Marcel, ever the sharp-tongued watchdog; Harold Tio, a shadow with secrets in his eyes; Idris Marcel, the quiet enforcer; Desmond Marcel, stoic and unreadable; and Byron Marcel, a cunning presence with a sly grin that never quite reached his eyes.

Hisses rose around me as I approached, the onlookers muttering under their breaths. I walked with purpose, each step measured and deliberate, my presence commanding the space like a ripple through water. Lord Marcel’s eyes locked onto mine, narrowing as his power surged forward, brushing against me like a probing hand.

Kayne, the beast within me, growled in irritation. His presence roared through me, sealing our minds shut and shoving Lord Marcel’s power back with a force that left no room for subtlety. The Kayne Blood Stone I carried glimmered faintly, pulsing in tune with my resolve.

For the briefest moment, I caught a flicker of annoyance in Lord Marcel’s expression, but it vanished instantly, replaced by a practiced empty smile.

"Freyr," he spoke, his voice smooth and calculated, "I didn’t know you were back."

"Of course, Freyr is slippery," Cassius muttered under his breath, the corner of his lip curling in disdain.

I met his words with a calm, detached smile, letting them slide off me like water off the tone. His pettiness did not deserve my attention. My focus remained on Lord Marcel as I approached.

The men around him shifted uncomfortably, their postures stiffening as I neared. I did not stop. I stood my ground, waiting. Lord Marcel huffed, his composure cracking ever so slightly, and waved his hand dismissively. "Move aside," he ordered them, his tone clipped.

They obeyed, parting like curtains to let me through. I inclined my head, a small acknowledgment of his gesture, and stepped forward.

"I have news," I stated evenly, my voice steady, betraying nothing.

His piercing gaze bored into me, heavy and probing, but I refused to falter. I could feel Kayne bristling beneath the surface, ready to strike if needed. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Lord Marcel nodded once. Without a word, he turned on his heel and raised his hand, beckoning me to follow. He led me to a private room tucked away at the back of the casino. The heavy door swung shut behind us with a muted thud, sealing us in. I stood my ground, waiting for him to urge me on.

"Speak up!" Lord Marcel drawled, his voice sharp and laced with impatience. He perched himself on one of the leather chairs, leaning back with an exaggerated air of casual authority, one brow arched in expectation.

I nodded slightly, a gesture of respect but not submission, and moved to the far end of the room. The large windows framed the city lights, casting a faint glow over the darkened space. Leaning against the cool glass, I finally broke the silence.

"I met the Lycan shifter," I began, my tone even, controlled. "And I identified him as Alpha Tor Gale of the Bay Shifter Pack."

The words hit like a thunderclap. Marcel almost fell out of the chair, his composure cracking in an instant. Before I could blink, he was next to me, moving with that unnerving vampiric speed that always blurred reality.

"What do you mean?" he demanded, his tone sharp and biting, his presence looming as he stood inches from me.

I repeated the words calmly, watching his reaction. His curse rang out, echoing off the walls as he threw his fist into the air in frustration.

"How the hell could *he* be the Lycan that awakened?" he spat, pacing now, his movements a mixture of rage and calculation.

I shrugged, careful to mask any emotion that might betray me. "That’s what I’ve seen," I replied.

Marcel’s piercing gaze snapped back to me. "When? Where?" he barked.

"At the caves on the east side of Hanka Island," I explained, my tone steady despite the storm brewing in his expression. "I suspect it is a hidden path leading toward Bay Shifter territory. But I did not go any further—I did not want the border guards catching wind of my presence. I thought it best to wait until the snow picks up. That will give us the perfect cover to infiltrate and gather more information."

He stopped pacing, his jaw tightening as he considered my words. "Smart," he muttered begrudgingly, nodding slightly, but his frustration was still palpable.

His eyes bore into me again, sharper this time. "How did Alpha Tor look?"

I squinted slightly, feigning deep thought. "Formidable," I said slowly, letting the word hang in the air. "Strong. Even from a distance, you could sense it, he is no ordinary shifter. There’s power in him, and he does not try to hide it."

Marcel’s expression darkened, his fists clenching at his sides. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, plotting his next move. He was hungry for control, desperate to find a way to turn this revelation into an advantage.

"Interesting," he muttered, more to himself than to me. Then, louder, "We will wait for the snow. And when the time comes, you will lead the infiltration."

I inclined my head in agreement, my face an impassive mask even as my mind worked furiously. Marcel’s greed was predictable, his obsession with power a tool I could use. But the game had only just begun. For now, I would play my part and bide my time.

Lord Marcel tilted his head, his lips curling into a mockery of a concerned smile. "Do you need guards to collaborate with you? It is going to be dangerous, Freyr. No one will be there to protect you." His tone was smooth, but the feigned concern in his voice was as transparent as glass.

I met his gaze evenly, keeping my expression neutral, though inside Kayne growled with irritation at the insult buried beneath his words. "Not now," I replied firmly, my voice calm but resolute. "This mission needs subtlety. I need to press further on my own before getting the Paradise Coven involved."

Marcel’s smile faltered slightly, and for a fleeting moment, his eyes narrowed, calculating. He did not like being kept out of the loop, and I could sense his growing suspicion.

"Bold of you," he said slowly, his fingers tapping against the chair’s armrest as he scrutinized me. "You think you can manage this alone?"

"I do," I answered, pushing off the window and standing tall. "If I move with guards now, it will draw attention to us. The Bay Shifters already have their defenses up. I need time to work in the shadows, to uncover what lies beneath without alerting them to our plans."

He studied me for a moment, his silence heavy with tension. The room felt colder, his power pressing against me again, testing for cracks. Kayne stirred, a low rumble of defiance rising from the depths of my mind as we pushed back against Marcel’s subtle probing.

"Interesting," Marcel murmured finally, his tone laced with an edge of doubt. "But be careful, Freyr. Tor Gale is no ordinary Alpha. If you make one mistake, it could cost you everything."

I allowed myself a small, confident smile. "I never make mistakes," I said, my voice steady and unyielding.

Marcel chuckled dryly, his hand waving dismissively as he stepped back. "We’ll see," he said, turning toward the door. But as he paused with his hand on the handle, he glanced over his shoulder, his eyes sharp and predatory. "Do not let me down, Freyr. The Paradise Coven does not take kindly to failure."