And then suddenly, the three dead witches’ eyes snapped open and they started standing up, as if they were in a trance. I heard a couple of gasps around the room, one of which was mine. This is why Nik was calling them zombie witches. Crap.
And then Adrik’s lips moved and the three witches bowed down deeply. And then he smirked. “We believe that they will do anything Adrik tells them to do-since he killed them with that enchanted dagger.” They were struggling earlier, trying to defy him but now they bowed deeply, willingly.
And then the video changed into a different one. It was dark and night vision was used to record it. The scene was of inside a cave. I could see endless rows and rows of people. Standing straight, silent and immobile. “These are a few of the zombie witches.” The angle of the video moved in circles on top of their heads. Nobody moved, they didn’t even tilt their heads. It was… unnatural.
And then the video changed again. This time, the camera was moving from between what looked like rocky hills. And then a filter appeared. Only the outline of the hills could be seen and then red spots were visible. “This is the infrared view of the insides of the hills. Each red spot is one witch.”
“Oh Goddess!” Luna Belle gasped. My jaw dropped. Everyone was in shock. I mean I knew all of this but actually seeing it… it terrified me.
That is why Nik had come in my office that day, needing me like he did. He was scared. He needed reassurance that I was here, next to him. And it would stay that way. Always. I needed that reassurance now. I needed to feel him. His hand suddenly encased mine, squeezing, ensuring me that he was here.
And then the video turned black before the slaves took the screen away.
Nik turned to look at Alpha Ralph who gulped.
“Ten years ago, there were a total of seventeen packs on our island. After five years, only nine remained. And now, there are only five, including Verdura Pack and Mystic Lupus. We are the only ones standing because of our geographical advantage of being away from the original boundaries of Mystic Lupus. But that’s not the case anymore. He owns half of the island. He doesn’t want just my pack our your pack or a couple of Kingdoms. He wants the world. And he will stop at nothing to achieve it.” Nikolai said, breaking the silence with his sharp as a whip words. “We need to unite to stop him before he can do further damage.”
“Alpha Adrik…” Alpha Ralph’s voice shook before he cleared his throat. “I have a deal with him. My pack is safe.”
“Really? What’s the deal?” Nikolai asked, his voice dry.
“When he had recently attacked and acquired South Claw Pack which used to be my neighbouring pack, I knew our time was close. So I approached him and we cracked a deal. I gave him the southern belt of my pack along with a little percentage of the taxes of my pack and he promised to leave me alone. He has even sent a group of his warriors to my pack for our protection. From… rogues. From you.” Alpha Ralph said.
“So you gave him the only escape route from your pack, all the docks of your pack from where he could do any business he likes and rendered yourself landlocked?” He turned to look at Alpha Zain , “he now has access to your pack too.” And then he turned back to look at Alpha Ralph. “The Rogue Pack didn’t even touch your borders, nor would we have ever gotten the permission to pass through either Montana Pack or Wintercrown Pack to reach your pack. And even if we did, we didn’t have nearly enough numbers to attack your pack and win.” Nikolai said and I slowly saw realisation hit Alpha Ralph. “And rest assured, Alpha Ralph, we have absolutely no interest in your lands. I have more than I need already.”
“Not only do you give him free money, but he also has his men in your pack to do all his spy work for him and report back each and every thing to him, all the while mingling happily with your pack members and pretending to be their friends.”
“A-Adrik isn’t going to harm us. We are safe.” He stupidly repeated. He was so arrogant and stuck in his ways, so sure of himself that he couldn’t see that he had messed up. And if he didn’t do anything right now, he was going to be in deep shit.
“Don’t be so stupid, Alpha Ralph.” Nikolai hissed, visibly offending the old Alpha. “He is going to attack you first. And then Wintercrown is going to be next.”
“How are you so sure he won’t attack you? Oh right, his son’s pack is his pack, right?” Alpha Ralph taunted.
“Oh he will attack me. But I’ll be last,” Nik’s voice turned lower yet turned hard, “and it is because I’m his son. Because he wants not only to kill me but to crush me with the mammoth sized army he will gain control over once he kills you all.”
“I’ve had small cases of loots and a few light border breaches. Is that his work?” Alpha Zain pressed.
“Most definitely.” Nik nodded. “He will keep doing it until it becomes the new normal. And people don’t pay attention to small crimes. Then he will start spending spies who will infiltrate houses or work places of high rankers and try to extract information about you and your pack.”
“I’ll handle it.” Alpha Zain nodded and Nik nodded back.
“We’ve had multiple cases of small crimes too.” Logan said, ignoring his father’s glare.
“That is nothing!” Alpha Ralph stood up in anger. “I have a deal with Alpha Adrik and I want absolutely no part in your schemes. Thank you for calling us but it is time we leave.” He grabbed his mate’s hand and then glared at his son who paid him no attention. A growl escaped his lips and then the older couple stalked out of the Council Room.
Nik sighed.
“We stand with you, Alpha Nikolai.” Alpha Zain stood up and so did his family. “We need to work together to face a mutual enemy and nobody knows him better than you.”