Alpha Rolan’s POV
Griffin rode beside me in silence, his usual confidence tempered with something more cautious today. I knew he wanted to speak but was holding himself back, as he often did.
His loyalty to me was unquestionable, but sometimes that loyalty made him overstep his boundaries. And I could see the way he was holding onto something now, something he thought I knew that he badly needed me to hear.
The trees grew thicker as we neared the site, the shadows long and twisted on the ground. I kept my gaze forward, letting the familiar rhythm of the ride settle my mind.
But it wasn’t enough. The tension around me was almost palpable, and I knew Griffin was waiting for the right moment to bring it up.
“Alpha,” Griffin finally spoke up, his voice low and serious.
I didn’t answer right away. I could feel his eyes on me, waiting for a signal that he could continue. I gave him a brief nod, and he took it as permission to speak his mind.
“There’s something going on in the council,” he continued, his voice steady but laced with concern. “I’ve been hearing whispers. Some of the councilmen… they’re not loyal to you anymore. There’s a plot. I’m close to finding out all the details, but…”
“Enough,” I interrupted, my voice sharp. I turned to look at him, meeting his gaze. His eyes widened slightly at my abruptness, but I didn’t care. “I’ll deal with it.”
He frowned, his brow furrowing. “Rolan, this isn’t something you can ignore. If they’re planning something…”
“I said, I’ll take care of it,” I repeated, more firmly this time. I didn’t need him worrying about this. I didn’t need him in the middle of it, poking around where he didn’t belong.
The truth was, I already knew about the plot, and I knew who was behind it. But I wasn’t ready to act, at least not yet. The timing was everything. And Griffin… Well, he didn’t need to be involved in that side of things.
Griffin stared at me, clearly shocked that I was brushing off something so serious. His loyalty was unwavering, but his sense of duty often made him forget his place. He thought he could protect me from everything, but some things weren’t his responsibility.
I hit the brakes, slowing down as we reached the clearing where the land dispute was set to be resolved. A few of the surveyors were already waiting, along with a handful of landowners who were eager to stake their claims. But Griffin wasn’t ready to let the conversation go.
“Alpha, I don’t think you understand the extent of this. These aren’t just small-time traitors whispering behind closed doors. They’re powerful. They have influence.”
“I said…. Enough!” My voice came out like ice. I could feel Griffin stiffen beside me, but I didn’t soften my tone. I didn’t need his help with this. I didn’t need him in the middle of something that would swallow him up.
Griffin took a breath, clearly gathering himself. His loyalty drove him to push harder than most, but he knew when to back down. Still, I could see the disappointment in his eyes, the frustration that I wasn’t taking his warnings seriously.
“Take a break, Griffin,” I said, as casually as I could manage. “You’ve been working non-stop for weeks. It’s time you took some time for yourself.”
The words felt strange even as I said them. Griffin was always by my side. He thrived in his work, and in his role at my side, and I knew how much he hated the idea of taking a step back, but I needed him out of the way. He was beginning to undermine me.
His face twisted in surprise. “A break? Alpha, I don’t…”
“Don’t argue with me,” I cut him off. “You’ve done more than enough. It’s time to rest.”
He looked at me as if I’d just suggested the impossible. His hands tightened on the reins, his posture rigid. “I don’t need a break. I need to keep doing my job. You need me.”
“I said take a break,” I repeated, this time with a hint of finality. “I don’t need you getting tangled up in something that’s already being handled.”
Griffin opened his mouth to protest again, but one glance from me silenced him. His lips pressed together in frustration, but he nodded stiffly, looking away.
“Understood,” he muttered, though I could hear the dissatisfaction in his tone.
I didn’t say anything more, turning my attention to the men gathered in the clearing.
The landowners were already talking amongst themselves, ready to present their claims, and the surveyors were holding their maps, waiting for me to arrive. I would deal with them now, and sort out this dispute as quickly as possible. But my mind was already elsewhere.
The plot Griffin had mentioned wasn’t news to me. I had known for some time that certain members of the council were moving against me, sowing seeds of discontent, trying to undermine my authority.
They thought they could unseat me, but they didn’t understand who they were dealing with. I wasn’t a man who let betrayal slide. When the time was right, I would deal with them, one by one. And when I did, they would learn what it truly meant to cross me.
But for now, I would play the part of the calm and rational leader. I would let them believe they had the upper hand. It wouldn’t last anyways.
I glanced over at Griffin, who had dismounted and was standing a short distance away, his face still etched with frustration.
He would have to trust me, as he always had. I knew he wanted to be involved, but this wasn’t something I would allow him to get mixed up in. Not this time.
As I approached the group, I felt the weight of Griffin’s gaze on my back. He wouldn’t say anything more, not today. But I knew this wasn’t over. He would keep digging, keep trying to uncover the truth, even if I had told him to stand down.
Some wars are fought in silence, with patience and precision. And when the time came, I would strike.
Alone.