Chapter 34: The Council of Alpha Ileus

'This is an insult to who I am". Alpha lleus barked in his mind as he stared into the window, waiting for all council members to be available. 'Whoever, he is will be very sorry," lleus said to himself with his hand turned to his back. The expression on his face was nothing short of dispair Contrasted against the serene morning light stood the grand council chamber within the palace of the Western Alpha: dark wood paneling armored with hunting trophies and forgotten weaponry from battles long lost-but also from wounds that would not heal in the air. The round silhouette of Alpha Ileus sat at the helm, exuding raw anger upon broad shoulders. They streamed in, each man bowing his head, respectively taking a seat, before him. There were old, worn warriors, strategists, and ambassadors of the west's strongest pack families. Muted voices hummed around the hall until the last was inside. Ileus lifted a hand, and murmurs quieted. His piercing blue gaze coursed around the room until he spoke, low, consistent, with a tinge of annoyance. "An ambush at our western border. Another brazen attack from Alpha Kieran," he began. "And now, news of a traitor within our own walls. This council was convened to ensure that such an insult does not go unanswered." The room exploded in a din of voices, some calling for revenge, others caution. Ileus let the noise build for a moment before slapping his hand onto the table, the sudden, sharp sound cutting through the chaos. "Enough!" he growled, his voice rumbling. "We will deal with this through strategy, not emotion. Kael has already intercepted a message from the spy. It contained details about our troop movements, vulnerabilities, and even targeted Lady Rieka. This is no ordinary act of betrayal." Fenrir, an older councilor with a deep scar running across his face, leaned forward. "If Kieran has a spy within our ranks, it's likely he's planning something larger. We cannot afford to be passive, Alpha." Ileus nodded. "I agree. But we must identify the traitor before making any moves. Striking blindly would only weaken us further." Lira, a sharp-faced emissary with a reputation for brains, spoke next. "A good thing we intercepted the message, but it also means the spy knows we're onto them. They'll be more cautious, harder to catch. We need a strategy that forces their hand." The council murmured in agreement. Ileus turned to Kael, who had taken a seat near the Alpha. "Kael, report on your progress." Kael rose, his face composed despite the storm building in the room. "We've tightened security around the palace, doubling the guards and restricting access to sensitive areas. My team is reviewing the staff and monitoring communications closely. However, the intercepted message suggests the spy is someone with significant access." "Someone we trust," Ileus said, his voice bitter. "That narrows the field, but it also makes this betrayal cut deeper." Lira tipped her head in thoughtfulness. "Spread disinformation, a premeditated slip. Feed partial information to all suspected people and see where it lands up with Kieran." Kael nodded in agreement. "A good strategy. It will be challenging, but for sure that way, he will be detected without further attrition in our ranks." Ileus leaned back, drumming his fingers on the table. "Do so. Discuss details with Lira. Meanwhile, what is Kieran up to? Fenrir spoke again, his gruff voice filling the chamber. "Reports indicate that Kieran is consolidating alliances. He's targeting smaller packs near the eastern border, promising them protection in exchange for loyalty. His forces are growing." "Typical," Ileus muttered. "A coward hiding behind numbers." "Numbers that could overwhelm us if we don't act swiftly," Fenrir countered. Lira's keen eyes sparkled. "If Kieran is focused on the east, we could use that to our advantage. Divert his attention with false intelligence about an attack on his flank. It would buy us time to strengthen our defenses and root out the traitor." Ileus considered this, his jaw tightening. "A good idea, but it won't solve the issue of our vulnerability. We need to strike fear into Kieran's forces, make them think twice before aligning with him." Kael, who had been quiet for a while, now spoke. "There is another matter, Alpha. The message did not only mention Lady Rieka as a threat, but also implied that her removal is central to Kieran's plans. Which means she holds a key role, one which we may not understand. Ileus's gaze darkened. "Rieka is under my protection. If Kieran thinks he can use her as a pawn, he'll regret it." The council exchanged uneasy glances. Lira, ever pragmatic, spoke carefully. "If Rieka is central to Kieran's plans, perhaps we should involve her in ours. Her position could be leveraged to draw out the spy or mislead Kieran." The room was silent for a moment as Ileus contemplated this. "No," he said at last, his tone unshakeable. "Rieka has already been through enough. I won't risk her safety any more than I must. We'll protect her, not use her as bait." Lira inclined her head, though her expression belied doubt. "Prepare for both offense and defense," Ileus said, continuing with his orders. "Strengthen our alliances, but keep our strategies close. Kael, prioritize finding the traitor. Fenrir, draft a contingency in case of an attack on the eastern packs. Lira, work with Kael on the misinformation strategy." The council members nodded, determination etched upon their faces. Ileus stood from his seat, his presence commanding. "This isn't just about Kieran," he said, the conviction in his voice ringing true. "It's about pack survival and the trust that we have in each other. We will find the traitor. We will outsmart Kieran. And we will emerge stronger." The council rose with him, their unity palpable despite the tension. As they filed out, Ileus remained behind, his thoughts heavy. He had always prided himself on his ability to protect his pack, but this betrayal struck at the very heart of his leadership. Kael lingered, sensing his Alpha's unease. "We'll get through this, Ileus," he said quietly. Ileus met his gaze, his resolve hardening. "We have to."