"Good morning. This is Micheal Ross, reporting live from the outskirts of Pine Ridge, where what authorities are calling a massive terrorist attack has completely flattened 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.’
"At this mont, 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 na of none other than Alaric Storm, cardinal alpha of the Northern Pack.
"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 ’extrely low.’ The blast radius did not extend beyond the estate, but its sheer power caused structural damage to neighboring outposts and even rattled buildings several miles away.
"This level of destruction has never been witnessed before in this region and authorities are currently combing through the debris, searching for clues, bodies and answers.
"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 imdiately to the local enforcers....."
Elijah turned off the television, and the screen went black 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 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, Alaric, 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 ntion of Violet. "However, from what I gathered, the boys claid 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 mont, not to ntion..." He exhaled. "Henry Nightshade is dead."
For the first ti, 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 calculation. The words ca 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 becos Alpha now, it’s going to create imbalance 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 tis. The sa 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 ti. According to report, your nephew, Micah teleported them all to safety at the last second. Their story checks out."
Elijah stared at him. "So Patrick tried to bomb the Cardinal Alphas and his own n?"
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...."
Elijah laughed. A long, hollow sound that sent chills down the spine of anyone within earshot. But just as quickly as it ca, 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 movents. "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 eting with President Roy?"
Elijah turned, eyes hard. "President Roy can go fuck himself in the ass." His voice lowered, shape as a blade. "He needs to understand that I’m not so toy he can play with. I’m taking control of the narrative now."
Christian swallowed hard.
Monts later, Elijah slid into the backseat of the sleek black 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 caras 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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