Chapter 524: The Woman on the Hill
One Month Before
The order Craig had given still hung in the air as Tobias and the others resud walking.
The warriors moved on as if nothing had happened. As if a child had not just died in the dirt behind them.
Tobias kept pace with the group, his expression carefully blank. The streets slowly changed as they moved forward. The sll of rot faded little by little, replaced by cleaner air that carried the faint scent of pine and damp earth.
The ground beneath their boots began to slope upward.
A hill. Tobias wasn’t surprised. The west was known to be filled with hills, but this was the first one they were actually walking on since they ca. And that made him wonder if there were also smaller packs hidden in the midst of the hills.
The climb was gradual, the road curving slightly as it rose. The houses here were larger than the ones below, their wood better maintained, their windows intact rather than patched with cloth or scrap boards. Fewer people stood outside, and those who did kept their heads low, bowing as the warriors passed.
Stone replaced dirt beneath their feet. The path widened, and the buildings grew more elegant, their rooftops sloping neatly, their doors reinforced with polished iron handles. Even the air felt different here—quieter, colder sohow.
And then Tobias saw it.
At the very crest of the hill stood a building that dwarfed everything around it.
He was certain it was the Luna’s residence. If only Orion could see just how different his own ho was from this.
It was large enough to resemble a small fortress rather than a ho. Pale stone walls rose in smooth, elegant lines, the structure symtrical and proud. Balconies jutted outward along the upper floors, their railings carved into intricate patterns.
Climbing vines with pale silver leaves wound up the outer walls, clinging to the stone like delicate fingers.
Behind the residence, tall black pines stood like silent sentinels, their dark needles whispering softly in the wind.
The hill gave the structure a commanding view of everything below.
From here, soone could look down and see the entire pack spread across the valley beneath.
Tobias felt his jaw tighten slightly.
So this was where she lived.
High above the starving children.
High above the corpses lying in the streets.
"Stop."
Craig’s voice cut through Tobias’s thoughts.
The warriors halted imdiately.
They had reached the base of the final stone steps that led up to the residence.
Craig turned slightly, glancing over the group.
"You lot wait here," he said.
No one argued.
Craig climbed the steps alone, his heavy boots echoing against the stone as he approached the tall wooden doors of the residence.
Two guards standing outside straightened the mont they saw him. They bowed quickly before opening the doors.
Craig disappeared inside.
The doors shut behind him with a heavy thud.
Silence settled over the warriors.
Tobias shifted his weight slightly but said nothing. He kept his head lowered just enough to appear respectful, though his eyes quietly studied everything around him.
The guards.
The structure of the building.
The windows.
The positions of the surrounding soldiers.
Every detail was carefully noted and stored away.
He had no idea what Craig was doing inside, and he was curious.
Minutes passed.
The warriors behind him muttered quietly among themselves.
One leaned against a nearby post.
Another stretched his arms lazily.
None of them seed particularly concerned.
Then the doors opened again.
Craig stepped out, with soone else following behind him.
She looked like a figure stepping out of a painting. She was striking. Extrely beautiful.
There was no denying it.
Her hair was black, falling in smooth waves down her back. Her skin was pale and flawless, and her features were sharp enough to give her face an almost regal quality.
She wore a long red gown that clung elegantly to her figure. Beautiful jewels adorned her neck, wrists, and fingers, catching the light every ti she moved.
Yet the mont Tobias saw her—sothing inside him recoiled.
He couldn’t explain it, but he instantly disliked her, and even Ryker, his wolf, growled lowly.
Tobias took a deep breath, telling him to calm down, which Ryker did, but with effort.
Craig stepped aside slightly, allowing the woman to walk forward first.
The warriors straightened imdiately and bowed as she passed by them, but she waved her hand dismissively, letting them rise.
Craig gestured toward the cart behind the warriors.
"Over here, my lady."
The cart creaked as the n beside it shifted slightly. Inside it were the remains they had brought back.
She approached the cart slowly and looked down at the remains, her expression unreadable.
For a mont, she said nothing.
Then she gave a small nod.
"Well done."
Her voice was soft but carried easily across the courtyard.
She lifted one hand and lightly patted Craig’s cheek.
"You did a good job."
Craig’s chest swelled slightly at the praise.
Then she turned, facing the warriors fully.
Her gaze swept across them again, calm and calculating.
"I am pleased," she said. "The task I gave you has been completed."
She paused slightly.
"And more than that," she said as her lips curved faintly. "Because of your efforts, a threat within the black market has been eradicated. Once again, the world will be a safer place."
Several of the warriors nodded proudly.
Craig folded his arms behind his back.
"My lady," he said, "one of the warriors deserves special ntion."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Oh?"
Craig gestured toward Tobias.
"Him."
The warriors shifted slightly as Tobias felt their attention fall on him.
"William," Craig said.
Tobias imdiately stepped forward.
He kept his movents careful and controlled, lowering his head slightly as he approached.
Craig continued.
"He played a large role in helping us make sure Owl was eliminated."
Victoria’s gaze shifted to Tobias.
For the first ti since stepping outside, her attention focused fully on a single person.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she stared at him.
The silence stretched for several seconds. For one terrifying mont, Tobias thought that she had seen through his disguise.
But he remained calm. He lowered his head respectfully and bowed.
"I did not do much, my lady," he said.
Tobias did not need to be told twice that the woman before him was Victoria, the self-acclaid Luna who ruled over the Blood Moon Pack.
Victoria continued staring, and then she tilted her head slightly.
"Craig," she said softly.
"Yes, my lady?"
"Who is he?"
Craig shrugged.
"A new recruit."
Victoria’s eyes returned to Tobias.
"Is that so?"
Craig nodded.
"He’s unimportant. That’s why you’ve never heard of him."
Victoria considered this for a mont.
Then she gave a small nod.
"That would explain it."
Her gaze returned to Tobias once more, and she stepped closer.
Victoria leaned forward slightly.
"What would you like as a reward?" she asked softly. "For helping my warriors complete the task I gave you guys."
Tobias hesitated for a mont.
Then he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I would like money," he said.
Several warriors chuckled quietly behind him.
"And..."
Tobias shifted his weight.
"...um... a promotion."
The courtyard went silent.
Victoria stared at him. There was hardly any change in her expression, even as her eyes sharpened. She studied him slowly and carefully.
"You have the audacity," she said quietly, "to ask for a promotion?"
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