Destined {𝕄𝕀ℕ𝕊𝕌ℕ𝔾}

Chapter Seventy-Eight

Jisung sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose, a frown pulling at his lips. Their sources had been right about the Riverock attacking the rescue party; his blood boiled. They would pay for what they'd done, and he was not the only one who sought revenge. He could feel it thick in the air around them.

Hyunjin nodded gravely, fists clenched tightly, eyes somber as he sat in the chair across from the Alpha, Seungmin lingering in the corner of the room, keeping to the shadows. The others were scattered about the room, arms crossed, faces guarded.

"So what's your plan?" Hyunjin questioned softly, eyes meeting Jisung's. The truth was, he had no idea what to do. He'd have to pick a course of action and stick to it; all any of them could do was hope it was the right one. Typically, he'd have to consult with his war council, however...

He stood from his desk, abruptly, fists clenched tightly at his sides, eyes reflecting the rage that welled deep in his chest, the fury that was waiting to be unleashed. "I'm done waiting for the Allied pack. If the Riverock attack my people, they will suffer for it." None in the room protested.

Hyunjin, eyes blazing, nodded, jaw set, determined. He'd missed that look on his friend's face; despite the odds, that look gave him a glimmer of hope. His eyes swept the room. He still had friends, even when the rest of his world was crashing in a bright set of flames. "Hyunjin," he said evenly, voice eerily calm, "summon everyone in front of the packhouse. Five minutes."

His eyes met his Beta's, and something there caused him to nod immediately, hurrying out of the room, already forcing a link through. He exited his office with heavy steps, shoulders set in a serious brace.

"This means war."

~#~#~#~#~#~

It took two minutes and twenty-seven seconds for the entirety of the Sun pack to gather around the front of the packhouse, where Jisung now stood, back ramrod straight, hands tucked behind his back, expression severe.

None of them spoke, none of them sneered – he guessed that, now, he looked like a true Alpha in their eyes. He wasn't going to back down from this fight – not this time. If the Riverock wanted a fight, they would get one. The days to come would paint the forest red in their blood, he would make sure of it.

"The Riverock have betrayed me – their Alpha." His voice came through loud and clear, cutting through the crisp night air. "They have attacked our packmates, they have killed our packmates." Angry cries arose from the sea of wolves. "The war with the Vampires is only just beginning – the moment we attack any of their allies, we will have declared war." Cheers, now. "I know most of you regard me as a weak, incompetent child. Perhaps, a month ago, I was." Silence washed over the crowd, their eyes all raising towards him. "Perhaps, a month ago, I was scared of the responsibility my father passed down to me. I was scared to fail you."

He was, quite frankly, surprised his voice managed to remain so even, despite the emotions threatening to rip through him entirely.

"Today, I am a new man – I am no longer scared. Our blood has been shed – our people have been butchered. I will not wait for the Allied packs to arrive, I will not wait for them to back us, to support us. The Riverock has spilled our blood. It is our responsibility to take back what we have lost, what has been taken from us."

His eyes met every single one of theirs, the lines in his face hardening, his shoulders broadening, his presence extending over them. He recognized the glimmer in their eyes – respect. Perhaps, now, he'd earned the respect he deserved as their Alpha.

He realized with a start that he hadn't – he'd commanded it, as his father had. He'd forcefully pulled it out, onto himself. "The Riverock is said to arrive here in three days, according to the scouts we've set out. In two days, we leave, baring our teeth, to meet them halfway, and take the surprise to them."

Taking a deep breath, he fueled the following shout: "Now tell me, brothers of the Sun! Will you ride with me?" Howls erupted from the crowd, filling up the night air, reflecting off the moon and stretching beyond the horizon.

He hoped the Riverock heard them.

However, that plan was a blatant lie – as blatant a lie as the King's promise to free Felix. His eyes met Hyunsik's from the edge of the crowd, recalling their earlier conversation, silent words that held the weight of a thousand tons.

There's a traitor among us.

~#~#~#~#~#~

"Seungmin," Jisung said hurriedly, holding a sealed parcel in his arms, carefully tucked from the view of any curious passerby. The redhead looked different – worn, somehow, dark circles forming beneath his eyes. The wolf swallowed thickly. "I... I have a favour to ask of you," he said softly, and Seungmin's eyes raised to meet his, now, perplexed, before they wandered to the package in his arms.

"You can't tell anyone about this. This is... This is one of the King's treasures Hyunsik managed to steal." The wizard's eyes widened. "It's written in the ancient tongue of the wizards – Acarthian. We need someone to... decode it – we sent Grand Wizard Moonsoo to help convince the witches to join us in this fight. That leaves you," he said softly, gnawing on his bottom lip. "I know this is short notice, and it's very dangerous..."

"Why?" Seungmin cut him off. "Why is it dangerous?" he questioned lowly, eyes sparking.

Jisung heisted, before he conceded. "Hyunsik believes it holds the secret to killing the Vampire King, once and for all. But we don't have much time – he's after it, and he'll be looking for it. I'd say in two days' time." Seungmin's eyes snapped up to his.

"Two days?" he breathed, running a hand through his hair.

Jisung nodded, clutching it tighter to his chest. "Yes. You're... you're our only chance." He hated to admit it, he hated to put one of his friends in danger, but... a chance this big only came once in a lifetime. If they didn't seize it now, they'd lose the knowledge forever, and they would lose this war, allowing the Vampire King to ruin his people's lives for another millennium.

"Okay." The alpha's eyes snapped up at that, only to find the wizard's eyes glowing faintly purple. "I'll do it." Jisung blinked before he nodded, exhaling shakily, extending the book towards hi friend.

"Thank you." He paused. "And I'm sorry for putting you in danger like this." Seungmin gave him a small smile before he vanished into thin air. Words lingered in the air behind him.

"I'll find you when I'm done."

A/N: I am an unreliable writer as of late -- I acknowledge that. Big yikes, especially with only about.... ten (to twenty) chapters left... sigh... I CAN FINISH THIS!

Also this chapter was shit, I wrote this about a month ago but I couldn't bring myself to edit it. Idk where my writing skills went when I wrote this because bleh.

Lots of love,

~Emilie

P.S: Do you guys like the questions I usually place at the end of each chapter? Do you want me to bring them back?? Let me know