Alpha Rhys’ POV

The news came as a shock to me. It struck me beyond what I expected, a big blow. I stood speechless, just at the edge of the cliff, and as usual, overlooking my territory. The wind, which was one of my reasons for coming here as it calms my nerves, was whipping at my face instead of the usual calmness that I experienced. I clenched my fist in anger, this was never supposed to be. Liora has finally become Jaxon's mate and Luna. I thought I was the one in charge. I knew it would someday, but I thought I would have been able to buy enough time to perfect my plans. The thought alone threatened to break me. My Liora, why her? How can she be bound to him forever, Jaxon of all Alphas? I have been waiting for her to notice me, I wanted it the gentle way, the easy way, but she didn't get that. She had always been my desire to have her by my side as my Luna, but now, my dreams are crashing down at my feet, but I will not give room to that. I, Alpha Rhys of the Night Howlers, never lose a fight, and won't start now. I would do everything possible to have Liora back. My patience didn't pay off as I wanted her to see reasons with me, but she never loved it the easy way. She can never be out of my reach, she's mine and mine forever. Or is she truly out of my reach? I let out a frustrating growl, as thoughts of the journey I embarked on to get her all came flooding back to my memory. I had pretended to have her best interest at heart, but what I was doing was to get her for myself, for my pack. She had rejected me the very time she joined her pack to find mine, claiming her loyalty was with them. I didn't bother or do anything that would make her think otherwise, I pretended to understand her, while I never did. I knew I would get her if I pressed the right buttons; I knew she would become mine if I took it one step at a time, but now, she had betrayed the gentleness in me. The council members, as always, had advised me to forget about her. Our initial plan was to kidnap her, but on second thought, I decided to woo her in the right ways, and I don't want to believe that I made the wrong decision. I would have stuck to our initial plan, but no, I went ahead to pretend to be nice. Buying sheriffs, and showering her with a lot of affection. The majority of the council members were never in support of me getting her by force. They kept suggesting that I get another mate, someone better, but there's never anyone close to Liora, and this Alpha, Alpha Rhys never loses. Liora was special; she was not like other wolves, not even those with an Alpha bloodline. I wanted all of her power. I desired her strength for myself and my pack, to have her as my Luna. She's meant for only one Alpha, and I would make sure that comes to pass, and it would be me. If she doesn't want to help it the easy way, I would have to force her. I smirked at the thoughts alone. I had made up my mind and nothing would stop me. I turned to take my leave; I left the cliff to return to the pack; what I would do was in my mind. I wouldn't be doing this alone; my pack would be in the plan, and even the council members must bend to my order. There might be; there might be bloodshed, but not yet. I have to make plans for it, to plan ahead of time for it. Jaxon would be taken unawares Just like the first attack, but this time, there would be no Liora to save their pack The path won't be easy, yes, it would be filled with undesirable twists and bends, but I am ready to take it on. I had gathered the council members for an urgent meeting. It was all about Liora, the way forward, and how to get her back to our pack because she belongs here. We trained her and molded her into whatever she is today, and now is the time to get her back. As I approached, I heard them murmuring. They might have hinted at why I called for the meeting. But immediately I got closer, the murmuring died. They knew better not to disturb the meeting with their chatters when all the brewing trouble was all over my face. They knew me too well. I don't lose, I despise losing, and won't accept one now. I would have let go, at least for Liora's sake, but that would mean losing to Jaxon. 'Alpha Rhys," one of my elders started, but cautiously, 'the news about..." 'Silence there," I barked, interrupting him before he could finish. 'I am not a dumb Alpha, I already know." The air surrounding us became tense and toxic. They exchanged a knowing look, warning each other not to speak again. They waited for me to give them the order, and they would follow. I carefully scanned their faces, and none of their facial expressions showed support for me. At first, right from when Liora was in our pack, they had supported my pursuit to make her my Luna. But right now, they might not be in support of any move that I am making except I force them. They wanted her because an alliance with her would strengthen the pack; it was one of the strongest packs ever because of her powers. 'She's married now, to no other but to Jaxon," I spat angrily, pacing around the gathering. 'But that bond must be broken. It means nothing. She's mine and mine alone forever." The council members went mute but still talked to each other with their eyes. No one dared challenge me. No one attempted to correct me. Of course, I don't play when it comes to what I want for myself. Liora has been my heart's desire; I have longed to have her for ages, and that is what I would do. My decisions are always final, no one questions me. They may tag me as ruthless, but that doesn't matter. Garvin stepped forward fearlessly. He had been the only one who challenged me, the boldest of them all, and that quality made me trust him. He speaks the truth, not minding what I would do to him. 'Alpha," he said calmly, 'the Silver Moon pack is no more as weak as you imagined them to be. They are no longer under the influence of Morgoth's magic. They are strong, and Jaxon's warriors are always prepared for anything at any time. If we make the wrong move now, there will be bloodshed." 'I don't plan to engage anyone in a physical fight, at least not yet. We won't be marching in and waging war," I growled as I tried intimidating him with my gaze. 'I want her alive, not a hair should be found missing on her skin. I want her taken carefully from his grasp but he would be oblivious of what was happening around him." Garvin's eyes widened; he couldn't cease to amaze me. He knew what I was capable of doing; why was he still surprised? 'You mean, something related to kidnapping her?" A smirk plastered at the corner of my lips. 'Exactly." The council members could not take it anymore. Their expression showed how uncomfortable they were with the plan, but none of them altered any word. They knew I wouldn't change from my plans easily. I would go to any length to actualize them. On making up my mind, I faced the council with a stern look, my voice commanding as usual. 'We won't give them any sign, we will strike when they least expect it. They would be consumed with their so-called union; their guard would also be down." 'Jaxon will come for her, and when he does, there will be bloodshed," Garvin warned. 'He won't let her out of his grip so easily, and lose her to you." I scoffed, as I knew Jaxon could not match my skill on the battlefield. 'Let him give it a try. He won't even have the opportunity to defend her as we would tighten the security around her chamber. And if he eventually gets the opportunity, it would be too late to do anything. Liora may not like the idea at first, but she will eventually warm up with me." The others nodded; they were not in support, but they still had to pretend to be in. They seemed to fear Jaxon more than they do to me which I don't appreciate. Jaxon may have Liora by his side, which was the more reason he was feared, but once I make her mine, Silver Moon Pack would return to their weak nature. As we were still discussing, a new plan flashed through my mind. It would aid in solidifying everything and make our mission successful. Suddenly, a figure emerged from nowhere; it was a lower-ranking scout. By the time he got to where we were, he was gasping for his breath. 'Alpha!" he panted, falling to his knees in reverence to me. 'I just discovered something." I gestured for him to go ahead, or leave us to concentrate. 'There was a closed-door meeting," the scout began, but he was still trying to catch his breath. 'It was held before the wedding, but it was only among Jaxon's council members, and the information I got stated that it lasted for hours. I overheard them... saying something very mean about you. They've been wary of you, of how ruthless you could be when you desire something, Alpha Rhys. They know your intentions; that's why no one, not even Liora, invited you to the wedding." I felt like tearing the message into pieces in my fury. How dare he bring such demeaning news to me? So the whole pack had been observing my movements while sending the gifts all along but kept mute. 'What exactly did you hear? Spill them all!" I commanded him coldly. The scout was already sweating, probably, he would be regretting why he came to me with the message in the first place. I furrowed my brow with a go-ahead order. 'They know all the plans; there is evidence leading to you faking your alliance. They've also heard of your plan to kidnap Liora, and they're already prepared." This is unbelievable! No one has ever been steps ahead of me. I had always been the smart one, always taking others by surprise, what's happening? 'They might be prepared, but let them watch," I growled. 'I won't change my plans, it will still hold. I am ready to have her, come at the price." The scout made no movement effort, he was waiting for the Elders to support him, but none of them did. 'But, Alpha… Why don't we reconsider the plan? Jaxon's pack is more than prepared for...." I cut him off immediately with a humorless laugh. 'Jaxon's pack, as you said, is prepared for a war, but they are not prepared for me. I am the real deal."