Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 72: Cornered

Chapter 72: Cornered

Alpha Leon stood in the training pit, arms crossed over his chest as he stared at his Beta, Garrik. A smug smile played on his lips.

The entire pack had gathered, forming a tight circle around the pit, their eager murmurs filling the cold morning air. Some whispered in anticipation, others in doubt. Among the onlookers stood Alpha Dravon, his father-in-law, assessing the situation. Beside him stood Selene.

Leon almost laughed. She probably thought he was a fool.

Still, today they were all in for a shock.

His smile widened as he rolled his shoulders, appearing relaxed, even amused.

They thought they had him cornered.

And for a moment, he had thought so too.

He had spoken with Alpha Raventhorn earlier, and the conversation had confirmed his worst suspicions. The challenge from Garrik wasn’t about strength, honor, or even leadership. It was a setup, a strategic maneuver designed to box him into a corner with no way out except submission.

They didn’t want a war with Raventhorn.

They wanted him to accept the easier choice.

Because they knew that he would lose to Garrik.

That last bit stung.

Yes, he was the weakest Alpha in the region. He wasn’t even ashamed to admit it. The other Alphas had battle scars, tales of victory, and a reputation for ruthlessness. Leon had a forced political marriage and a Luna who wanted to see him fall.

Still, it wasn’t exactly nice to hear that everyone had taken bets on how fast he’d be put in the dirt.

Alpha Dravon’s voice rang out, deep and authoritative. "This fight will go on until one surrenders. The winner becomes the Alpha."

A chorus of excited howls erupted from one side of the pit.

Leon barely resisted the urge to groan.

The werewolves originally from Bloodhound Pack, the ones he had allowed to infiltrate under the guise of a marriage alliance, howled with enthusiasm, eager for his downfall. The members of his own Crimson Pack, however, remained silent, their expressions grim. The law was clear. A Beta had the right to challenge a sitting Alpha if they believed they were the stronger leader.

Leon took a deep breath, straightened his shoulders, and said, "There will be no fighting today, Alpha Dravon."

The excitement in the air faltered, replaced by a ripple of confusion.

Dravon’s smug smile wavered. "What?"

Leon turned to Garrik, keeping his voice even, his tone firm. "We are going to war. And Beta Garrik who is, after all, the General of the Gammas will lead us into battle against the Silver Pack."

Alpha Dravon’s expression froze mid-smirk, and his lips parted slightly, as if his brain had short-circuited.

Leon had to physically stop himself from laughing.

Oh, this is fun.

"You..." Dravon’s voice was quieter this time. "You would rather sentence your pack to the brutality of war than face Garrik?"

Leon shrugged, completely unfazed. "That was your original proposal, wasn’t it?"

Dravon’s scowl deepened, but he had nothing to say.

Because Leon had done something unexpected.

He had taken the impossible choice and made it even more impossible. Dravon and his scheming pack had counted on Leon being weak enough to surrender. They had never expected him to willingly choose war over humiliation.

"The battle begins at the boundary at first light," Leon continued, his voice carrying over the stunned crowd. "Thank you, Alpha Dravon, for informing the High Council. And whatever happens after the battle, if I am still alive..."

His gaze swept across the pit, locking onto Selene.

"...every single member of Bloodhound Pack including your daughter, is no longer welcome in the Crimson Pack."

The reaction was instantaneous.

The Crimson Pack members howled in agreement, their energy shifting from uncertain loyalty to full-on battle readiness. This was the first time their Alpha had truly drawn a line in the sand.

Selene fumed. Her face turned red with rage, her perfect composure cracking.

Leon allowed himself a tiny bit of satisfaction at that.

She took a step forward. "Then we better make sure you do not return alive," she hissed.

Leon smiled. Finally, he thought. Now we’re being honest with each other.

With a casual, almost lazy stretch, he turned his back on her, on Dravon, on the entire pack, and strode out of the training pit.

*****

Lucas stood at the boundary of Crimson Pack territory, his boots sinking slightly into the damp earth, the cold morning air thick with anticipation. His sharp eyes surveyed the distant figures approaching; the Silver Pack and the Bloodhound Pack, marching toward them in unison.

Dravon was really stupid.

Taking his pack was going to be quite fulfilling.

To his left, Kade stood like an immovable mountain, his massive arms crossed over his chest. Behind them, their warriors stood at attention, forming a disciplined, lethal line.

Lucas let out a breath. This was going to be easy.

A wave of warmth and intoxication crashed into him.

His queen had arrived.

The line of Gammas parted like the sea, and through them, Ava emerged. The wind caught in her dark hair, making it whip dramatically around her face as she strode toward him, her piercing gaze locked onto him

A woman who would go to war with him.

A woman who wanted to. The Moon Goddess had finally smiled on him.

She stopped beside him, standing to his right, where she belonged.

"What’s the plan, Alpha?" she asked.

Lucas didn’t hesitate.

"Make them kneel."

Ava smirked. "Easy."

Gods, he loved her.

Lucas turned his gaze back to the advancing enemy, barely registering the presence of Leon until the man was standing before him.

"Alpha Leon," Lucas drawled. "Didn’t think I’d see you again so soon."

Before Leon could respond, Dravon stepped forward, his posture exuding the unearned authority that irritated Lucas to no end.

"There is no need for bloodshed today, Alpha Raventhorn," Dravon announced. "All we want is for you to apologize for disrespecting an Alpha’s daughter and a Luna."

Lucas blinked. Once. Then twice.

Then he actually laughed.

A few of the Silver Pack warriors exchanged amused glances.

Dravon’s expression darkened. "What’s funny?"

Lucas wiped at the corner of his eye, sighing deeply. "Too bad," he said. "I was really looking forward to the bloodshed, Alpha Dravon. Did you forget? I thrive with it."

Dravon’s lip curled in distaste.

"Your bitch will have to kneel just as she made Luna Selene do."

Lucas inhaled sharply.

Beside him, Ava sensed his anger.

"Be still, Alpha," she whispered. "Be still."

Lucas’ eyes locked onto Dravon.

He was done with the preamble.

He wanted this battle to begin.

"Alpha Leon," he said, keeping his voice controlled despite the fire burning within him, "according to the law, you cannot force your soldiers to fight. They have to do so willingly."

Leon nodded and turned to his army.

"If you do not wish to battle Alpha Raventhorn," he announced, his voice carrying over the field, "step aside."

Lucas raised a brow. Well, this should be good.

And it was.

Because, one by one, werewolves began stepping aside.

Lucas’s smirk deepened. Oh, look at that.

Jake had done his job exceptionally well.

In the end, only three Crimson Pack wolves remained, still interested in fighting.

Leon scoffed. "Well, how about that?"

Lucas could tell he was irritated, but also not entirely surprised. Leon wasn’t a fool. He knew exactly what was happening. His pack had lost faith in him.

"Alpha Dravon," Lucas called, "you ready? Because I will kill you, and I will rule your pack."

Dravon didn’t flinch. Instead, a slow smirk crept onto his face.

"Nice try," he said. "I saw this coming."

Dravon whistled.

The sound ripped through the air, and a second later, a new presence emerged from the woods.

A lot of new presences.

Hundreds of werewolves from the Bloodhound Pack stepped out, their eyes glowing with battle lust, their numbers twice the size of the Silver Pack.

"Well," Lucas muttered. "That’s not good."

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