CHAPTER 268: MUST STOP HIM...

[ New World – Blackmoon Pack – Alpha Malrick’s Chamber ]

The room was a mess.

Bags lay open. Clothes, scrolls, maps, and flasks clattered all around in hurried bundles. A leather satchel swung from the bedpost, half stuffed with herbs bound in strings...There were some paper notes sticking out.

Alpha Malrick’s hands moved hurriedly...each gesture trembled with urgency.

He shoved a folded cloak inside, then paused to clutch at a pendant resting on the dresser.

For a moment, his eyes closed, jaw tight, before he dropped it carefully into the pack.

The door creaked open.

Gamma Kael stepped inside, sharp eyed, his movements cautious. He froze mid stride as his gaze swept over the chamber.

The scattered items. The satchel. The Alpha himself...all dressed up.

Kael bowed his head low, respectfully. His voice came quietly, though strained.

"Alpha... forgive my asking... but are you... going somewhere?"

Malrick paused only a fraction before nodding, his face set like stone.

"Yes." He tightened the straps on his pack, never looking up. "I am leaving. For the Old World."

Kael’s brow twitched. His head jerked up. "The Old World?" His voice cracked despite himself. "Why...why so suddenly? Where?"

Malrick finally met his eyes. His words carried the weight of finality...absolutely no brokering allowed.

"To visit Kieran. I must hurry. Time is running out."

Kael’s breath hitched.

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. He stepped forward, his palms twitching open at his sides.

"Alpha Malrick..." his tone trembled, almost pleading, "...did you inform Alpha Kieran you would be visiting him?"

Malrick shook his head once. But firm.

"No."

Kael’s eyes widened, alarm flashing across his face. "No?"

Malrick tightened the clasp on his satchel, his lips curling in bitter regret.

"There was no time. I thought..." He exhaled heavily, shaking his head. "I thought I could prevent this war by keeping it from him. By carrying the burden myself. I believed I was protecting him." His voice dropped low. "But I was wrong. I failed. And now...I must warn him. In person."

Kael’s pulse thundered. He could feel it in his ears... the old Alpha breaking inside.

"Alpha, no." Kael took a bold step forward, his voice shaking yet steady. "I am so sorry to say this, but Alpha Kieran... he does not want to see you. He made it very clear. He has forbidden it."

Malrick turned fully towards him now...as the pack slung across his chest. His expression softened...not with pity, but with weary understanding.

"I know."

Kael blinked, confusion flooding his face. "You... know?"

"Yes." Malrick’s voice dropped to almost a whisper. "But there is no time to explain. I have to do it, Kael. This might be my last chance."

Kael’s breath caught, a cold dread pooling in his chest. Still, he stepped further, body blocking the narrow path to the door.

His arms spread, respectful but firm. His head bowed, yet his legs planted wide.

"Alpha..." his voice cracked. "...please. You must not leave before you have his permission. If you go... it might turn ugly. Please."

Silence pressed heavy.

Malrick studied him with eyes that did not waver. No anger. No irritation. Just a tired smile, threaded with sadness.

"You are loyal, Kael. Braver than most. But..."

Without warning, Malrick’s hand lifted, palm spreading wide.

FWOOSH!!!

A flat searing black flame erupted, not like wildfire but like molten chains. They shot forward, wrapping Kael’s wrists, binding his legs. His body locked, seared in ropes of steamy fire, his throat gagged by a band of light.

Kael’s eyes bulged.

He thrashed, his heels scraping hard against the stone floor. His muffled cries vibrated in his throat as he kicked and writhed.

Malrick stepped closer...his shadow fell long across Kael’s bound frame.

"I am so sorry, Kael." His voice was soft, almost fatherly. "I didn’t mean to hurt you. But it is necessary."

Kael bucked against the fiery binds, his eyes wide with desperation, silently pleading.

Malrick crouched, pressing his hand gently against Kael’s shoulder, steadying his struggle for just a moment. His gaze softened once more.

"You are a good wolf. One of the best. But this... this is something I must do alone.Farewell Gamma. "

He rose, stepping over Kael’s restrained body. The bound Gamma twisted helplessly, muffled groans rising in broken rhythm.

Malrick did not look back.

His figure vanished through the doorway, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the corridor like the toll of a slow, inevitable bell.

The chamber was still, but Kael was not.

The bonds seared against his skin, every movement sending sparks crawling up his nerves like molten insects. His jaw strained, muffled sounds rasping against the gag. His eyes bulged, veins standing sharp at his temples.

"Al...phaaaa...!"

He tried. Goddess, he tried. His mind slammed against the tether of the pack mind link...clawing at it, shoving his voice down that invisible tunnel. But the binding twisted it, strangled it, making his cry break apart into static fragments.

Still, he forced it...harder..."Help... Alpha Malrick...is leaving...for the...Old World...!

The chains burned hotter. His lungs rattled, his chest jerking as his body bucked against the floor.

Minutes dragged like centuries.

Finally...boot steps thundered in the corridor.

Two guards burst through the doors, halberds raised.

"Gamma?!" one barked, his face blanching at the sight.

Kael writhed, jerking his head violently towards the doorway where Malrick had vanished. His muffled growls turned guttural, urgent.

The guards sprinted forward. One dropped his weapon, claws flashing as he ripped at the bonds.

The other sprinkled a powder...a counter spell...sputtering until the binds hissed and dissolved into smoke.

Kael collapsed to his knees, coughing, his throat raw. His arms shook as he clawed the gag from his mouth, spit trailing his chin.

"Fuck..." He dragged air into his lungs, voice ragged. "He’s gone... Alpha Malrick... already gone.Damn!"

The guards steadied him, one clutching his elbow. "Gamma, what happened? Where did he...?"

Kael shoved their hands off, eyes blazing. He staggered up, his legs trembling, but his voice roared louder.

"Gather the scouts!" He jabbed a finger towards the doorway. "Now. We are heading towards the port."

The guards blinked, startled, but obeyed with curt nods, darting off at once.

Kael stood hunched, sweat dripping, chest heaving. He wiped the blood from his bitten lip, eyes narrowing into something sharper than fear...

"We must stop Alpha Malrick..." His words were ground out like stones against his teeth. "If he disturbs Alpha Kieran now... it will be disastrous. The Luna just died. The Old World pack is already in a terrible mess."

His voice dropped to a near growl, fists clenching so hard his knuckles split.

"This can not... get any worse."