The Archer: Lost Omegas Book 1

King

DEIMOS

"So you could not force her submission, Berserker?" King Brone asked angrily. "You promised you would get that woman under your control. Yet, you were not able to get any information on where she sent the healer! Now the Skulk is in a frenzy, honoring that fucking traitor with the Senkulpa!"

Deimos growled. If this man was not king to the Raposo, he would tear out his throat. The Berserker rose, ready for violence. "Cyrene sent the woman to one of your Leads, to spread the truth behind the Serpe attack. It is your Leads that are not in control, King Brone." Seeing the anger intensify on the Raposo King's face brought him a margin of satisfaction. "The woman is here, in your castle. We will find her."

"It is too late!" King Brone shouted, beginning to pace in the war room. "The entire fucking Skulk already knows! The Leads know! Your failure has jeopardized our entire plan!"

Deimos took a threatening step forward, but Laran interjected, "The woman would not betray her friend. She was punished harshly for her silence. Outside of maiming her, we would not have learned her secrets."

"Then you should have maimed that treacherous cunt!" King Brone snapped.

Deimos snarled in response, having to use every ounce of control he possessed to keep the Berserker from taking over his body, the war spirit was thrashing in his mind, fighting for supremacy.

Laran narrowed his eyes at the other king as he stood from his chair. He walked menacingly towards the man who had frozen in place, challenge evident on his face, but his voice was calm as he replied, "do you question my judgment, King Brone? Do you question my authority over the Pack?"

King Brone's mouth opened then shut, the man at a loss for words. After several tense moments finally responding, "No, King Laran. I did not mean to offend. You have complete rule over your Pack and its warriors."

Nodding acceptance at King Brone's apology, Laran returned to his chair. "At least one of your Leads betrayed you by hiding this woman. Then helped her spread her message throughout the Skulk. I have scented her. Assemble your Leads, I will be able to smell which one she had the most contact with. Then you can do with him as you please. But I will take the woman with me." Laran did not phrase this as a request, but a demand. Deimos knew that he was only focused on finding his elusive spirit mate and the Lead that Cyrene sent her to was the best way to find her. Despite Laran's tone, King Brone did not baulk or protest at the command.

Instead, a cruel smile formed on King Brone's lips. "I would consider this a great favor, King Laran. You are more than welcome to the healer. Then I will hang the bastard in front of the Skulk!" He strode to the entrance of the war room calling for a soldier, ordering him to send a message to the Leads to gather in the main hall in an hour.

Deimos met Laran's eyes. The Skulk was close to rebellion. Hanging one of the Leads would only incite further chaos. Throwing stones at the Lobo was only the beginning. Since arriving there had been rumors of revolt. Many of the Skulk soldiers did not approve of King Brone's methods, just as Cyrene had predicted. Many also had sisters in the villages, sisters that could be taken by the Lobo for payment. Fights had broken out amongst their own, anyone who spoke in support of the Lobo alliance became a target. The Leads were barely keeping control of the army.

Laran shook his head at Deimos' silent questioning. They had one mission in coming to Siwili: find Laran's spirit mate. What King Brone did with the traitor Lead after they questioned him was not their concern. This was not their land. As long as the Skulk did not attack the Pack, they would not intervene. A civil war in Raposo would not affect the Lobo. They would take the omegas that were promised and leave this land. The Pack had only delayed so Laran could retrieve his spirit mate. This 'alliance' was merely means to an end in Laran's eyes. But Deimos feared they would be sucked into the whirlwind regardless. After all, the dozens of omegas they had taken would be emotionally tied to this land- it's inhabitants, it's army, it's fate.