Marcus’s POV
The room was thick with tension as Marcus paced back and forth, his boots thudding heavily against the wooden floor. The failure of the attack was a blow to his ego, and he couldn’t shake the image of Ryan’s trembling voice over the phone, reporting their retreat.
“Useless fools!” Marcus growled, slamming his fist onto the table. His eyes burned with fury as he turned to Jacob, who stood silently by the window. “How did John find out? We planned this down to the last detail.”
Jacob sighed, his face etched with frustration. “There must be a leak. Someone tipped them off. Either that, or they figured out our strategy. John’s not an idiot, Marcus. We underestimated him.”
Marcus scoffed, pouring himself a glass of whiskey. “Underestimated or not, I don’t take defeat lightly. We need another plan-a stronger one. Something they won’t see coming.”
Before Jacob could respond, his phone buzzed on the table. The shrill ringtone sliced through the silence, and Jacob frowned deeply, already irritated. Picking it up, he glanced at the screen before answering.
“This better be important,” Jacob said sharply.
The voice on the other end barked something, and Marcus watched as Jacob’s expression darkened further. “Look,” Jacob began, trying to steady his tone, “I’m sorry the plan failed. But I’ll make it up to you. I’ll get Reyna out of there, and the marriage will happen. Just give me a little more time.”
Marcus raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. He hadn’t realized Jacob’s personal motivations were tangled so deeply in their operation.
The voice on the phone, however, was unforgiving. “Time? The time I gave you has already elapsed. If you can’t handle this, I’ll take matters into my own hands.”
Jacob’s face paled. “Wait! What do you mean by that? What are you planning to-”
The caller cut him off. “Shut up and stay out of my way. You’ve done enough damage. I’ll deal with this myself.”
The line went dead, leaving Jacob frozen in place, his hand gripping the phone tightly. Marcus crossed his arms, his sharp gaze fixed on him.
“Who was that?” Marcus demanded.
Jacob hesitated, then sighed heavily. “The big boss. He’s not happy, and now he’s planning to act on his own.”
Marcus narrowed his eyes. “Act on his own how? And what does this have to do with Reyna?”
Jacob hesitated again, as if weighing his words carefully. “The boss has his own reasons for wanting Reyna out of John and Jake’s pack. He sees her as an obstacle to… other plans.”
Marcus smirked, a sinister glint in his eyes. “So, Reyna’s more valuable than I thought. Interesting. We can use that.”
Jacob shook his head. “No, Marcus. If he acts, it’s out of our control. And trust me, you don’t want to cross him.”
Marcus’s grin widened. “Then we better stay one step ahead, Jacob. If the boss has plans, we need to know them before he makes his move. Let’s get to work.”
—
Diane’s POV
Diane strode into the dimly lit chamber where Lord Urich sat, sipping tea with an air of indifference. The old wolf was one of the most respected elders in the pack, and she knew he held sway over the council’s decisions. If she was going to solidify her position, she needed his support.
“My Lord,” Diane greeted, her voice silky smooth, “I trust you’re well this evening.”
Urich glanced up from his cup, his piercing eyes narrowing slightly. “Diane. What brings you here at this hour? Shouldn’t you be resting for tomorrow’s meeting with the council?”
Diane sat across from him, her expression composed but determined. “I’ve come to discuss John’s future-and the future of this pack. Specifically, the matter of him taking a Luna.”
Urich raised an eyebrow, setting his cup down. “The council has already begun discussing this. Why are you so eager to bring it up now?”
“Because time is of the essence,” Diane replied firmly. “John is distracted. His attention is divided between managing the pack and dealing with external threats. He needs a Luna by his side to strengthen his focus and leadership.”
Urich leaned back, studying her intently. “And let me guess-you have a suggestion for who that Luna should be?”
Diane gave him a sly smile. “Of course. Someone who understands the intricacies of the pack, who has the strength and intelligence to support John without undermining him.”
“And that someone is you,” Urich said, his tone flat but pointed.
Diane didn’t falter. “Who else? I’ve proven my loyalty time and again. No one else is better suited for the role.”
Urich’s expression remained unreadable. “You speak with conviction, but what of Reyna? She’s already in the running, and the pack seems to favor her.”
Diane’s smile faltered, her eyes narrowing. “Reyna is an outsider. She may have won over a few hearts, but she doesn’t truly belong here. Besides, she’s a distraction, not a solution.”
Urich tapped his fingers on the table. “And what do you propose we do about her?”
Diane leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Convince the council that she’s a threat to the pack’s stability. If we expose her weaknesses, they’ll see that she’s unfit to be Luna.”
Urich frowned. “That’s a dangerous game, Diane. If you’re caught, it could backfire.”
“I’m willing to take the risk,” Diane said firmly. “But Reyna isn’t the only obstacle. Stephanie has been stirring trouble as well.”
Urich waved a dismissive hand. “Stephanie? She’s no threat. She keeps to herself.”
Diane’s jaw tightened. “You don’t understand. Stephanie is smarter than she looks, and she’s loyal to Reyna. As long as she’s around, Reyna has an ally-and that makes her dangerous.”
Urich studied her for a long moment, then sighed. “Very well. I’ll see what I can do to influence the council. But remember, Diane-if this fails, you’re on your own.”
“It won’t fail,” Diane said confidently, rising to her feet. “Thank you, my Lord. I’ll make sure your faith in me is rewarded.”
As she left the chamber, a triumphant smile played on her lips. Reyna and Stephanie wouldn’t know what hit them.