h4Chapter 484: Controlling The Narrative/h4

    strongi"Good morning. This is Micheal Ross, reporting live from the outskirts of Pine Ridge, where what authorities are calling a massive terrorist attack haspletely ttened what was once the exclusive Pine Ridge Lodge. The secluded and private luxury estate was reduced to rubble in what investigators are describing as an ’unprecedented level of destruction.’/i/strong

    strongi"At this moment, authorities have not released the identities of the survivors detained at the scene. However, confidential sources close to the investigation have revealed that the lodge had recently been booked under the name of none other than ric Storm, cardinal alpha of the Northern Pack./i/strong

    strongi"The exact motive and nature of the attack remain unclear. But given the devastating magnitude of the explosion, experts on site are estimating that the survival rate is ’extremely low.’ The st radius did not extend beyond the estate, but its sheer power caused structural damage to neighboring outposts and even rattled buildings several miles away./i/strong

    strongi"This level of destruction has never been witnessed before in this region and authorities are currentlybing through the debris, searching for clues, bodies and answers. /i/strong

    strongi"A curfew has now been officially enforced across the region. All civilians are to remain indoors between the hours of six PM and six AM until further notice. Military checkpoints have been established at all forest entries. If you witness suspicious behavior, or have any knowledge of those involved, you are urged to report immediately to the local enforcers....."/i/strong

    Elijah turned off the television, and the screen went ck with a soft click. He sat behind his desk, fingers steepled under his chin, rubbing his jaw in slow motions. Across from him, his beta Christian stood waiting for his instruction.

    The phone lines were ringing nonstop, frantic voices spilling out from the devices. But Elijah was oddly calm. The kind of calm that suggested he was just a breath from losing it.

    "Brief me on what’s going on," Elijah said suddenly, his voice taut with tension.

    Christian straightened. "There was an explosion at the Pine Ridge Lodge."

    "An explosion caused by what exactly?" Elijah demanded.

    Christian hesitated before answering carefully. "To be honest, my contacts haven’t located the detonator yet. But it’s Patrick we’re dealing with, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s developed another kind of weapon entirely especially since the targets were the Cardinal Alphas."

    Elijah exhaled slowly, a troubled breath escaping as he leaned back into his seat. If Patrick had pulled off a bombing of that scale, who’s to say he wouldn’t be next?

    "And the boys?" he asked.

    "Alive, at least. Asher, ric, Adele, and Micah are in custody. There’s no sign of Griffin, Roman, or Violet Purple..." Christian paused, noting the hint of intrigue in Elijah’s expression at the mention of Violet. "However, from what I gathered, the boys imed the others were fine and left ahead of them."

    "They left ahead? Why?"

    "That, they wouldn’t say. I’ve sent a team to track them down, but it won’t be easy. We’re stretched thin at the moment, not to mention..." He exhaled. "Henry Nightshade is dead."

    For the first time, Elijah’s eyes lit up with surprise but only for a second before he schooled his expression.

    Christian continued, "At first, we didn’t believe them. But the forensics team managed to identify what was left of his skeletal remains. DNA confirms it. Henry Nightshade is dead."

    "What a loss," Elijah muttered, but there was no grief at all, just cold calction. The words came out like good riddance. "So that makes Asher Nightshade the Alpha of the West if no one challenges him and wins."

    Leaning forward, Elijah folded his hands. "I never expected any of those boys to hold real power until graduation. If Asher bes Alpha now, it’s going to create imbnce among the rest. And that boy, he’s too clever to have that much power unchecked."

    His voice dropped, thoughtful but edged. "Henry was an ambitious piece of shit, but we got along most times. The same can’t be said for his son, Asher. I need control over those kids."

    A beat of silence passed before Elijah narrowed his eyes again. "How did Henry die in the explosion and the rest survived?"

    "Apparently, he held back the assassins to buy them time. ording to report, your nephew, Micah teleported them all to safety at thest second. Their story checks out."

    Elijah stared at him. "So Patrick tried to bomb the Cardinal Alphas and his own men?"

    Christian nodded, slowly.

    Elijah’s eyes narrowed further. "Don’t you think that story sounds a little too perfect?"

    "Well..." Christian scratched the back of his head, "I don’t know...."

    Elijahughed. A long, hollow sound that sent chills down the spine of anyone within earshot. But just as quickly as it came, his expression shifted.

    "Find the others," he said coldly. "Especially Violet Purple. I’d like to hear their version of the story."

    Then he stood, adjusting his cuffs and sleeves with controlled movements. "Where are the others being held?"

    "At the Lycanthrope Intelligence Agency," Christian replied. "They took over from the military."

    "Good," Elijah said, already walking. "Get the car ready. We’re heading there."

    "What?" Christian blinked. "What about your meeting with President Roy?"

    Elijah turned, eyes hard. "President Roy can go fuck himself in the ass." His voice lowered, shape as a de. "He needs to understand that I’m not some toy he can y with. I’m taking control of the narrative now."

    Christian swallowed hard.

    Momentster, Elijah slid into the backseat of the sleek ck car, and Christian taking the other side and the driver drove off.

    It was not long before they arrived at the Lycanthrope Intelligence Agency but what caught Elijah’s attention was the crowd of reporters at the entrance. They had all gathered in front of the reinforced gates with their cameras and microphones, looking for a pieces of information like vultures to a fresh corpse.

    Then Elijah said to Christian, "Make a way, I want to speak to them."

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