Occhiolism (#2 in the Hajar Series) [ON HOLD]

seven

chapter seven - blood shall be spilled

song of the chapter: icarus interlude - zayn

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"I HAVE GATHERED you all today due to recent information that both my border patrols and warriors." Israfil sat up straighter, tapping the papers in his hands onto the wooden desk to file them properly and carefully assessed those around him. To his right sat his beta, James, and to his left, sat Alpha Alexander, who was scribbling on the back of his hand with a red pen instead of paying attention. It was times like these that had Israfil wondering how on earth a man as childish as Alexander managed to get a position as one the alpha of one of the biggest packs in America.

"Put down the fucking pen," Israfil bit out under his breath, to which Alexander scowled at him but obliged. Israfil sucked in a sharp breath and looked around again. This time, he had everyone's undivided attention, his seat at the head of the table helped.

"Patrol Chopra has informed me of the recent footprints found by the eastern and southern border." He voiced, tone firm. "Now, we've managed to pick up a scent-- just barely. There have been traces of this specific scent reported to the almost three miles away, and they're recent. Which means they're still here or they weren't here too long ago."

"Where are they coming from?" Alexander asked, shaking his head. "There's no way they're coming from my territory. We don't have people like that in my territory."

Israfil resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "From the middle rogue territory, obviously. The majority of rogues from there are fine, but obviously, a radical group has a big enough presence there to be causing this much trouble."

"If I may interject," The beta, James, looked for Israfil for permission to continue, and after a nod of assurance from Israfil, he kept talking. "With all due respect Alpha Israfil, why don't we send someone in undercover, do a little digging?"

Israfil shook his head. "It's too dangerous. I don't want the risk of anyone getting hurt, not unless we're completely sure it's safe. We don't have the resources at the moment to mask someone with a rogue scent, we don't have an oracle experienced in brewing."

"Alpha Younes might," Alexander said, "I can ask, see if there's something we can do."

Israfil leaned back slightly, "No, not unless I can confirm it's safe and-or someone volunteers to do so. I don't want to owe anyone favours. For now, it's too dangerous and I want to involve the smallest amount of people possible--"

His voice was interrupted by the sound of the door slamming against the wall behind it, one of his warriors scrambling to put a sentence together. "Alpha!" He finally let out, "There's been a situation with the Luna."