CHAPTER 474: SECRET MEETINGS

The moon hung high and distant, veiled behind tattered clouds that glided like ghosts across the sky.

Anna pulled the dark cloak tighter around her shoulders as she followed Uther through the dense forest trail.

The path was old—unused and nearly forgotten—overgrown with thorns and heavy with damp leaves.

The silence was unnerving, broken only by the occasional snap of twigs underfoot.

She heard weird noises and the trees move around.

She felt a shiver of fear over her spine.

"Where exactly are we going?" she asked her uncle, voice low but sharp.

Uther glanced over his shoulder. "Somewhere private. No ears. No eyes. Just you, me, and the man who might help you destroy Jasmine."

"Why didn’t we just meet somewhere else better?" Anna hissed harshly as she looked around the forest. "Why go through any of this even?"

"Because it’s supposed to be discreet." Uther responded a hint of irritation in his voice.

"What does that have to do with us not riding a horse or better still shifting. And why am I wearing these ugly and dirty clothes." She asked as she perceived the filthy coat she had on.

She was revolted by the stench.

"We can’t ride horses because we need to mask who we are. We also can’t shift because we have to hide our scent. Looking this way can help prevent anyone from remembering us. And that’s the last thing we want." Uther said. "If that’s too much for you then I think Jasmine would enjoy your seat in the pack."

Anna clenched her teeth.

Just hearing her name again made her stomach knot with loathing.

She said nothing and went on with him.

They walked for several more minutes before reaching a small clearing.

At the edge stood a decrepit tavern—its wooden exterior weathered and sun-bleached, windows shattered, roof sagging.

A place that reeked of abandonment and secrecy.

"In there?" Anna asked, disgust curling in her voice.

Uther didn’t answer. He merely pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside.

Anna followed reluctantly.

The tavern was dim, lit only by a few flickering lanterns nailed haphazardly to the walls.

Dust hung in the air.

The people inside laughed and drank.

There were half naked women on the laps of men while they chattered.

The noise was something else.

"This way." Uther instructed towards a table and she followed right behind.

He led her to a man sitting at a table in the corner.

Uther ushered her a seat as he took his.

She sat down and only then did the man look up at her.

He was mean and looked hideous.

His face looked bruised, like he had gotten beaten recently.

She wondered what caused that.

"Leviathan." Uther greeted.

Leviathan smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Hello Uther, Hello Princess."

Anna recoiled.

"You’re the insider?" she looked between him and Uther, clearly unimpressed.

"Was," Leviathan corrected. "Alpha Hunter tossed me down the ranks. I’m an Omega now, thanks to your little princess in chains. But I’ve still got eyes. And ears."

Anna crossed her arms, nostrils flaring. "And why should I trust a beaten dog like you?"

Leviathan’s smile twisted. "Because no one hates Jasmine more than I do. She cost me everything. My status. My position. My pride. If there’s anyone who wants to watch her fall apart piece by piece, it’s me."

Anna said nothing for a long beat. Then she sat across from him.

"Talk."

Leviathan poured himself a drink, the liquid sloshing thickly.

"She’s kept in the east wing tower. Same room every night. Guarded, sure, but not tightly. Hunter has her watched, but it’s more... possessive than it is strategic. He’s obsessed with her. Hasn’t touched her yet—but you can see it in his eyes. He’s losing himself. That girl... she worms into people’s minds."

"Tell me about it," Anna muttered, her fists clenching under the table.

"She doesn’t know you’re plotting," he continued. "Doesn’t know anyone’s watching her. Doesn’t even know that her boyfriend ran of with his tail in between his legs and left her. But I’ve gotten close enough. I know her routine. I know who comes in and out. I can plant things. Start whispers. Maybe leak a letter. Something that looks like she’s been feeding Hunter information all along."

Anna’s eyes lit with slow, wicked delight. "That’s exactly what I want. Make it look like she was working with him from the start. Like she planned everything. Her disappearance. Xaden’s ambush. Everything."

"Frame her as a traitor," Leviathan said, nodding. "Make the Crescent Pack hate her."

"Make Xaden hate her," Anna corrected.

Leviathan raised a brow. "You think he still loves her?"

"My brother doesn’t love that whore," Anna said tightly, "If he believes she betrayed him? He’ll never forgive her. And once he turns his back, everyone else will too."

"And what do I get in return?" Leviathan asked, leaning forward now. "Because I’m risking a lot. If Hunter finds out, I’m dead. Or worse."

Anna reached into her cloak and pulled out a small pouch. It jingled faintly. She slid it across the table.

"Diamonds," she said. "Enough to buy loyalty. More will come if you succeed."

Leviathan eyed the pouch, then picked it up and weighed it in his hand. "Not bad."

"And," Anna added, "if everything goes well, I’ll make sure your status is restored. I still haven’t forgiven you for what you did to my brother. Once this business is done with, I’ll still regard you as my brother."

Leviathan’s smile returned. "Well, damn. Looks like I’m back in business."

They sat in silence for a few moments, the weight of their plan sinking in.

Outside, the wind howled faintly through the trees.

"What’s the first step?" Anna asked.

"I’ll start by planting something small. A coded message. Something only a spy would carry. Maybe even have it hidden in her belongings. That’ll start suspicion. Then we build from there."

"I want this airtight," Anna warned. "No mistakes. No mercy."

Leviathan nodded. "Understood."

Anna rose to her feet, brushing off her cloak. "Make it believable," she said coldly. "And make her burn."

As she turned to leave, Uther followed her. Leviathan remained behind, the pouch of silver still clutched in his hand and a devilish grin spreading across his face.

This was war now.

And Jasmine had no idea it had already begun.