Chapter Five
Kae'sl pov
Rue's face twists in a mix of rage and hurt, her voice low and even.
"We need to come up with a plan,"
Rue says, pacing around the room, her voice laced with venom.
"How are we going to take down Jessica? I need to make sure she pays for what she's done. That traitor I still can't believe I trusted her."
She spins around, facing me, her eyes blazing with determination.
"I want her to suffer, to know the pain she's caused me. But we need to be smart, and strategic. We can't just barge in there without a plan."
Rue's hands clench into fists, her jaw set.
"I want to make her regret ever crossing me, ever using me. She thinks she's gotten away with it, but she's wrong. We'll show her what it means to betray me."
As she speaks, her words pour out like a torrent, fueled by anger and hurt. I watch her, nodding in agreement, knowing that together, we'll bring Jessica and the moonswine pack down.
Rue's determination was palpable, and I know we share a common goal, taking down Jessica and the moonswine pack.
"Let's get to work," I say, spreading out a detailed map of the surrounding territories on the table.
"We need to strategize, and anticipate Jessica's next move."
I say, Rue nods, her eyes scanning the map with a mix of focus and fatigue.
"She'll try to exploit your pack's weaknesses, and gain support from other packs," I say as I trace potential attack routes with my finger.
"We need to identify potential allies, packs willing to stand against her alongside our packs."
Rue nods as she watches me point to several locations on the map, she seems impressed by my knowledge of pack dynamics .
"Do you know any packs that might be willing to help us?"
Rue replies, her voice shaking slightly.
"I'm still reeling from the news. Can't think straight right now."
I give her an understanding nod.
"The Ravenstoke and Shadowglow packs might be willing to listen. They've had issues with Jessica's brother in the past."
She nods, committing the information to memory.
"I'll reach out to them, establish communication channels. We'll need to move quickly, before Jessica solidifies her alliances, but in the meantime, I think you should try and reach out to your father. Maybe send him a letter warning him about Jessica and your stepmom and sister's plan. We need to make sure he knows that your pack is in danger."
I glance up at Rue, noticing the exhaustion etched on her face. The faint shadows under her eyes and pale skin reveal the lingering toll of Jessica's and her step-sister's betrayal.
My expression softens.
"You okay? I know you've been through a lot."
Rue's eyes droop, her shoulders sagging slightly before she squares them again.
"I'm fine," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Maybe you should go see the doctor and then rest," I suggest, eyeing Rue's fatigue.
"I don't think you're fully healed yet." I say looking at her
"I'll continue planning with my team, Then tomorrow, we can meet and discuss what I've come up with. You can review the strategy and share your thoughts."
Rue looks up to meet my gaze, her eyes grateful.
"Thanks, Kael," she says and she walks out of the room.
I settle into my office chair, lifting the receiver from its cradle. My fingers dial the internal line, connecting me to our pack's communications hub.
"Get the elders and pack members to gather in the conference room. We need to debrief," I instruct.
"Right away, Kael," the voice on the other end responds.
I hang up, my eyes scanning the room as my mind begins to organize the events.
Minutes pass, and a knock comes from my door indicating that the elders have all gathered.
With a deep breath, I rise from my chair and head to join them. As I enter, the room falls silent, and everyone rises from their seats, their eyes fixed on me in a show of respect.
I stride across the room, my footsteps echoing off the walls. Reaching the head of the table, I take my seat, the leather creaking beneath me.
The elders follow my lead, settling into their chairs with a soft rustle of fabrics followed by the pack members present. The room remains silent, awaiting my direction.
My gaze sweeps the table, meeting the eyes of each elder.
"Good day, everyone," I say.
"Thank you for gathering on short notice."
"Good evening, Alpha," everyone responds.
"We're gathered tonight to address our conflict with the Moonswine pack and determine our next steps," I say, pausing to scan the room.
"As you're all aware, I've recently returned from attending to external matters, and while journeying back we rescued and brought back Rue, daughter of Alpha John of the Silverstone Pack. She was supposed to become the Luna of the pack but has been disowned."
An elder's voice cuts in, his tone sharp.
"Excuse me, Alpha, but what relevance does Rue's situation bear on our conflict with the Moonswine pack?"
My eyes narrow, a hint of irritation flickering in my gaze as I turn to the elder.
"Had you allowed me to finish,"
I say, my voice measured but firm,
"you would have understood the connection."
The elder's expression falters, his eyes dipping briefly in submission.
"I suggest you let me proceed without interruption,"
I continue, my tone unwavering.
"Ask your questions once I've finished. The relevance of Rue's situation will become clear."
The room falls silent, the air thick with anticipation as I pause, collecting my thoughts before continuing.
"Well, as it turns out she had been set up by her stepsister and her best friend who tricked her into coming to a building under the pretense that her best friend Jessica needed help but on getting there she was knocked unconscious and then filmed with different men to make her seem like a slut. The video was posted online and I'm sure some of you must have already seen it."
I pause, taking a sip from the glass of water in front of me before continuing.
"Because of this video, she has been deemed unfit to be the Luna and disowned. Now my plan on bringing her here was to help her claim her position as the Luna of her pack but in return, she helps us with her pack resources like their weapons and warriors to take down the moonswine pack."
I pause, letting the words I have just said sink in.
A pack member speaks up.
"Alpha, how can we trust Rue? We have never had any relations with her or her pack and how are we sure she will be able to take back her position?"
"Rue's current state may seem vulnerable, but I believe it's her greatest strength. A wounded and defamed Rue, fueled by anger and determination, will stop at nothing to reclaim her rightful position. Her resolve is forged in the fire of betrayal."
I pause and look around the room.
"Imagine it, a Luna, once underestimated and cast aside, now rising with a ferocity that will leave her enemies reeling. And with our support and guidance, Rue will harness her pain and convert it into momentum. She'll rally those loyal to her and turn the tables on her betrayers. Together, we'll ensure her pack's resources are leveraged to our advantage to take down the Moonswine pack."
One of the Elders, Samuel, nods thoughtfully, his expression transforming from skepticism to consideration.
"Alpha, I think you may be onto something. A wounded Rue, driven by determination and anger, could indeed reclaim her position with unexpected force."
He pauses, surveying the room.
"We've all seen cases of underestimated individuals rising to power. If Rue can channel her emotions effectively, she might just be the reason we are able to finally win this war with the moonswine pack."
His gaze returns to me.
"And if she does, our alliance would grant us the upper hand against the Moonswine pack. The Silverstone pack's resources, combined with our own strength, would be a formidable force."
Elder Samuel's endorsement carries weight, and the room's atmosphere shifts as others begin to consider the potential benefits.
"Of course, there are risks,"
he continues,
"but I believe the potential reward outweighs them. I support this plan, Alpha."
"That's good also on further investigation I was able to find out that the best friend who partnered with Rue's stepsister is not an actual member of their pack but the sister of the alpha of the Moonswine pack and they also seek to take over Rue's pack too."
"Have you spoken to her about these things, Alpha?" Elder Samuel asks.
"Yes, I have and she has agreed to work with us. All we have to do now is come up with a plan which is why I have gathered all of you here today so we can all decide on our next course of action together. But I understand that this is all a lot of information to take in at once so we won't be doing that today, but I hope you all understand what I have said."
"Yes, Alpha," they all respond.
"All right, everyone," I say, standing up.
"Let's take some time to think this through and come up with solid plans. We'll reconvene tomorrow, same time, same place."
I glance around the room, meeting the gaze of each pack member.
"Rue will join us tomorrow, and we'll discuss our next move together."
Elder Samuel nods.
"I'll review our pack's defenses and identify potential allies."
"Good," I respond.
"Everyone, think strategically. Consider our strengths, weaknesses, and what we can leverage against the Moonswine pack."
"Have a good day everyone," I say and walk out of the room.