The driver slammed on the brakes at the Alpha's order, the tyres screeching as the car stopped by the roadside.

"What the hell, Killian? We're going to be late," Kael snapped.

The Alpha shot him a cold look. "You can go on without me I'll catch up when I can."

"Seriously, brother, what's going on?" Dante sighed heavily.

"I don't have time to explain," the Alpha replied, stepping out of the SUV with his phone pressed to his ear, urgency in his voice.

Kael's annoyance turned to disbelief. "You're really not coming? We can't show up to the council meeting looking like we can't get our acts together. You know that people talk."

"Come on, Kael, let's not kid ourselves. You've always wanted to be Alpha. Go save the day, brother," he said flatly as he walked towards another SUV parked behind.

Kael shot him a glare as he moved away. "That arrogant jerk."

The Alpha climbed into the car, and the driver quickly backed out. They watched as the vehicle vanished into the dense fog of the night.

Mallory leaned in closer, her perfectly manicured fingers drawing absent circles on Kael's sleeve, giving the impression that she was trying to comfort him, even though her words dripped with malice. "Sweetheart, chill out. You're going to get wrinkles on that forehead of yours if you worry too much." She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling in the soft glow of the car's interior. "You know, sometimes thrones do need replacements."

Dante rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Malory, you're sounding like a very boring bedtime story."

For a moment, silence hung in the air, with only the faint hum of the engine breaking it.

Kael rubbed his hand over his face in frustration. "Move," he commanded the driver. "The council isn't going to wait around forever." The driver looked back hesitantly, seeking Dante's approval with his gaze.

Dante, lazily leaning against the window, didn't look bothered. "We wait," he said softly.

Kael looked all confused, his eyebrows knitting together. "What did you say?"

"I said we wait," Dante repeated, his words slower this time. "If the Alpha isn't coming, then I'm not going either."

Kael scoffed, his voice turning sharp. "You must be out of your mind, Dante. It's one thing for the council to doubt his leadership-now he wants us to look like there is division amongst us"

Dante interrupted with a sly grin, "But there is division amongst us brother. We just know how to hide it in public."

Malory chuckled softly, crossing her legs. "You'd make a terrible Alpha, Dante."

"I know," he replied flatly. "That's why I sleep better than either of you."

Kael snapped back "Dante, do you really think this is funny? What is wrong with the two of you?"

Dante leaned in closer, his eyes now sharp and focused. "Killian has never been careless. Whatever made him stop on his way to the council meeting must be important. If the Alpha is out there dealing with whatever it is, we should just wait for him instead of showing up to the council meeting looking like a bunch of stray cats. That's what they call uhmmm... I don't know... loyalty? Sound familiar?"

Kael snorted. "Loyalty or foolishness?"

"Sometimes they go hand in hand," Dante said with a knowing smile. "You and Malory can go ahead."

Kael leaned back, shooting a glare at the mist-filled landscape. "Fine, we'll wait," he muttered.

Malory gave him an incredulous look.

*****

The rain poured down heavily, Onika and some of Alpha's men were scouring the woods with torchlights, desperately searching for Annie. Mud splattered up their legs as they pushed through the thick forest. Onika's hair was soaked, sticking to her face, and her black combat outfit clung to her skin.

"Keep moving," she commanded. "I want every trail, every scent, and every single leaf in this forest checked!"

One of the bodyguards cuts in "Ma'am, she couldn't have gone far, but the rain is washing away her tracks... it's impossible to..."

Onika turned around to face him, her fierce glare locking onto his eyes. "Do you think I'm interested in your excuses? She stepped closer, rain dripping from her lashes. "You couldn't even keep track of a vulnerable pregnant girl. How could she possibly slip away right under your nose?"

The bodyguard stammered, "Ma'am...I truly apologise," his voice barely steady as he panicked. "It doesn't even make any sense; we were watching her closely. One moment, she was right there in her room and the next, she just vanished into thin air."

Onika looked furious, "You had one job! Just one damn job, and you utterly failed at it. Do you really expect me to relay this ridiculous excuse you're feeding me to the Alpha? Really? Just get out of my sight!" she spat, waving her hand dismissively.

Behind her, one of the bodyguards, clearly overwhelmed, stumbled onto a root, grasping onto his torchlight as if it could save him from Onika's furious gaze. "Ma'am, I believe she might be heading north," he managed to say, his voice shaky, unsure if it would even help their plight.

"Good!" Onika snapped back, her authority unwavering. "Now, I want you all to spread out. Three of you take the eastern ridge; the other three, circle back to the villa. The rest of you are coming with me as we go north!" Her commanding tone left no room for disobedience.

As thunder rumbled overhead, a bolt of lightning lit up the darkened sky, briefly lighting up Onika's face, revealing how overwhelmed she was "Tonight is the full moon," she said, her voice low yet intense. "You all better pray that other wolves don't find her before we do. The Alpha would bury us if that happened..." She wiped the rain from her face, "He'll... he'll never forgive me," she murmured to herself, the thought of letting the Alpha down, made her stomach twist. 

The rain kept pouring down. The forest was full of sticks that scratched Annie's legs, her hair, and her dress was soaked. She pushed through wet leaves and tall trees, her eyes searching for a way out of the bush.

"Alpha my foot! What kind of stupid name is that huh?" She hissed and advanced further into the woods.

But then, softly and slowly came the baby's voice "Mommy it's not safe out here, you have to go back now."

Annie wasn't startled at hearing the baby's voice again this time "Ohhh not again!" She pressed her hand on her abdomen, "I am not listening to an embryo"

"Mommy, where would you go?" the tiny voice persisted, almost pleading in its tone. 

"Home!" she snapped back, her voice irritated. "Away from this nightmare. I know you're not real! Alpha? Villa? None of this is true, okay? I'm heading back to the real world where things make sense."

"Mommy, something bad is going to happen. We are not safe here," the baby warned, 

"Oh yeah? How would you-a tiny winy barely-formed embryo-know that it's not safe huh? You're just..."

Before she could finish, a massive tree branch crashed down in front of her, she jumped back and her foot hit a rock, her ankle twisted. She stumbled and crashed down hard onto the wet ground and she screamed. 

She tried to stand up but she couldn't, then she saw the blood gushing out from the side of her ribs, she had torn her ribs from the fall. She whimpered in pain and tears. 

"No, no, no..." down on the soaked ground, she struggled to get back on her feet, her fingers digging into the mud below her. She tried to look at her wound to see how injured she was.

"Mommy you need to get up and run now! There's no time!" 

"Give me a break, you little..." 

That's when she heard it-a low growl that made her freeze in place. Slowly lifting her head, she saw it-just a stone's throw away, a massive wolf with wet fur, glowing eyes, and long sharp teeth, clearly hungry.

In a flash, Annie found her footing and took off, running faster than she ever had. The wolf chased her immediately. She didn't dare look back, even though the growl behind her sounded like thunder. 

Branches whipped against her face, and mud clung to her legs. The more she ran, the more she tore her injured ribs. 

She could feel it - the creature chasing her. Heavy, fast, hungry, and relentless. The ground trembled with each step.

Her heart pounding, her vision blurred,

Then - a root.

She didn't see it.

She stumbled and hit the ground painfully, landing on her stomach. A sharp wave of pain coursed through her body. She gripped her belly with one hand, gasping desperately, blood mingling with rain on her face. Fear flooded her mind-was her baby okay?

"My... baby..."

Her voice shook as she attempted to crawl, but each movement sent searing pain through her ribs and every breath was like torture.

Behind her, the growl grew louder. The bad wolf had found her, lying helplessly on the ground, unable to run anymore. It prowled around her knowing she couldn't run anymore, the wolf stepped into her front view, looking massive and terrible, It lowered its head, teeth glinting like blades.

Annie whimpered, dragging herself backwards. 

"Please..." 

She begged, pressing her hand against her belly as if to protect the baby from the wolf.

 "Baby... I'm so sorry..." She closed her eyes, surrendering to the reality that escape was impossible.

The wolf lunged at her throat.

Only a moment before the wolf feasted on Annie, a second wolf - larger, and faster, crashed into the bad wolf with a bone-shaking snarl. They tumbled into the mud, snapping and tearing,

The fight was short and brutal.

The second wolf - fierce and panting hard, stood over the bad wolf lying still in the mud, eyes glowing, It turned its head toward Annie.

Annie opened her eyes for a brief, hazy second before she blacked out, she saw the wolf change into someone familiar - Onika. She thought she looked like the woman she saw Alpha having sex with in his study.

"...You.."

She fainted.

****

Rain poured down the car window hard, Alpha sitting in the back, worried but trying not to show it, he fixed his eyes on the wet blur of trees rushing past as they drove.

His phone vibrated, just once. He grabbed it instantly.

"Onika," he answered.

Her voice came through, trembling but making an effort to sound firm.

"Alpha, we've found her. Annie's safe... but she's badly hurt."

There was a moment of silence before Alpha responded, his voice low but edged with steel.

"What happened?

Onika paused, choosing her words carefully. "She's alive, Alpha."

"You lost her while she was under your care, Onika," he said coldly. "How on earth did she manage to leave the villa?"

A rumble of thunder came from a distance.

His voice dropped, controlled yet very angry. "How could you let this happen?"

"I'm sorry, Alpha."

"Do not take her to the hospital. Get doctor Owen right away. I don't want anyone outside the villa or from the council to find out about this. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Alpha."

He hung up, exhaling sharply. "Turn the car around," he instructed the driver.

The driver made a U-turn immediately.

A few moments later, headlights pierced through the downpour, illuminating his brothers waiting in the SUV parked at the roadside, with the rest of the convoy still holding.

As the Alpha stepped out brooding, Kael leaned out the window, looking at him for explanations.

"We've been waiting long enough, brother."

Alpha offered a thin smile that clearly indicated he was not impressed.

" Kael. Don't flatter yourself. Dante probably made you wait"

Kael clenched his jaw, while Dante shot him a self-satisfied grin.

"Let's get moving," the Alpha commanded, and the driver sprang into action without needing any other person's approval.

Kael muttered something inaudible to himself.

The convoy continued. In the back seat, the Alpha lost himself in thought, his gaze drifting out of the window. The thought of Annie filled his mind. He had never had to worry about anyone like this before, but now he couldn't help it.

"What was the emergency all about Killian, don't you think you owe us some explanation?" Kael demanded.

Apha didn't look at him, he just said quietly. "It was taken care of."

"Yeah, I bet it was. But is that all the explanation we get? You can't keep doing this Killian."

Alpha finally turned, eyes sharp "Something went wrong at the villa. That's all you need to know."

"The villa? What could...?"

"Enough Kael, you'll be informed when it concerns you. "

"You know what? I don't care about one of your little secret projects, I just need you to be the leader that this pack needs and stop chasing shadows..."

Dante cuts in "Can we just have a quiet ride to our destination?"

Malory tapped Kael on his arm "Let it go, darling, I guess you'll know when the Alpha wants you to know" she said softly.

Alpha ignored them all, eyes fixed on the dark forest. His mind was not with them at all, it was with her-the mother of his child, hurt and bleeding.

****

The council meeting was already in session, they were used to waiting for the Zerok brothers. The hall was full - pack leaders, witches, vampires, and one human delegate Mr Cyril from the Mayor's Office looking wildly out of place.

Lady Eden, the witch who had seen a vision about Annie's baby being a means to their end. "This child's birth will unravel every boundary that holds our world together. Blood against blood...

The door creaked open.

The Zerok brothers entered, Alpha Killian first, Kael followed closely, his face a mask of irritation with Malory gliding by his side. Dante came in last, casual as usual, one hand in his pocket and a smirk on his face.

Every eye turned their way, some looked terrified, some a little too fascinated as they whispered.

"They are finally here"

"Always late"

"That's the Alpha who wiped out the entire mighty arrow pack at the age of 16"

"He's so handsome"

"I hate his guts"

"They are the richest werewolf family"

Elder Isaiah cuts through the murmurs - tall, grim, and never liked the Zerok brothers especially Alpha Killian, he hated his aura. Needless to say, he is such a hater.

" Ahh, the great Zerok brothers finally decided to grace us with their presence. Shall we bow or applaud? He sneered

Alpha Killian unmoved, "You'll forgive the delay elder Isaiah, council, we had... pressing matters"

Elder Isaiah was irritated, but forced a thin smile "Of course you always do, something is always up with the Zerok family. Perhaps you might be the ones harbouring the vessel."

Alpha didn't reply immediately because he knew exactly what Elder Isaiah meant by his last statement - it's about Annie, he saw that coming. He gently went to his usual seat and crossed his legs "What vessel are you talking about Elder Isaiah?"

"Lady Eden was just telling us about her vision earlier today. A woman carrying a child would be the end of all the supernatural beings, she also said..."

Lady Eden cuts in "I can speak for myself, Isaiah". She never liked any kind of patronage from the other kinds, he always tried to flatter her but she didn't budge. "A woman - not any kind that we know, is the vessel carrying the child that will destroy the balance of the world. It's very appalling to see in my visions that a wolf is shielding her and defying everything this council stands for."

Alpha's face gave nothing away, but inside he knew that they were getting too close. "Elder Isaiah, so you very well believe that my family knows the whereabouts of this so-called vessel?"

"Elder Isaiah swallowed hard, he didn't back down." Well I am not accusing you of such but since your family has a knack for chaos, I reckon we will start the search in your villa and perhaps to prove your innocence."

Kael's voice cut in "You overstepped Elder Isaiah, you don't walk into our circle and accuse my brother of treason, not unless you are tired of breathing" surprised that Kael would say that. No matter what went on behind closed doors - the unspoken rivalry and the quiet resentment, Kael would burn the world down before letting anyone humiliate their family name.

"Speaking of breathing, someone might lose their breath in their Sleep tonight and the world will blame the Zerok brothers" Dante added in a sarcastic tone.

The elder's face flushed with red, the veins in his temple throbbing "watch your tongue boy"

"Funny, that's what people say before losing theirs" Dante rolled his eyes while he played with his ring.

Alpha, unmoved, raises a hand that commands silence. Both his brothers stop instantly. The hall feels the shift - the kind that comes when predators decide whether to kill or simply wait. Even though he had no wolf, he remained powerful.

"We're not here for banter. Lady Eden, please proceed."

"Well, we must find this vessel and end her and the werewolf protecting her before she gives birth. Otherwise, we all perish. My vision was very clear."

Alpha's jaw flexed, "So you are saying this baby is death to all our Kind?"

"Yes, the power in that womb will destroy everything we've built."

Alpha's cruel eyes tilted towards Elder Isaiah, poking through his forehead. "Then let's find the vessel and end her"

The hall murmured in agreement

"There's no way he could be hiding the vessel"

"He'll never forgive a threat like this, he's intact the only person that can end that cursed baby"

Elder Isaiah smirked, satisfied.

But beneath the table, Alpha's fingers curled into his palm - so tight his knuckles went white. His jaw clenched once, and guilt swept across his face barely noticeable unless you knew him well.

Dante saw it.

A gesture he always did right from when they were kids. He saw the worry in Alpha's eyes before he turned them cold again.

The Alpha continued "We don't hesitate, if she exists, she dies."

Damn right! Kael added, so instead of sitting here accusing us. You'd better get to work. By all means, find the vessel carrying that baby.

Malory by his side, nodded in agreement.

Alpha stood up "When you find her, bring her to me, if this baby is a threat to our stability, I'll personally carve the baby out of her womb. I will snuff life out of it, I will desecrate its body and bury it alive.

The hall suddenly feels hot, and everyone in the room feels the tension.

"This meeting is over" he added.

The words came out steady but Dante caught the lie buried inside them.

His brother's voice might fool the council, but not him because when he said "she dies,"

His hand had trembled like a man already mourning someone he valued.

Dante, who had been spinning his ring absentmindedly, suddenly stopped. For the first time, Dante's lazy smirk faded and realisation swept in

"Oh damn...he knows the vessel."