Chapter 233: BEFORE THE WAR

Author’s POV

The news of Vera’s escape spread through the estate faster than Callum could have liked.

Within minutes, guards were searching every part of the grounds while others were sent toward the outer roads and borders. Callum knew they couldn’t afford to spend the entire day chasing her. Vera had already made her choice, and if she reached Duskfen territory, finding her would become much harder. Worse, she knew enough about the pack’s defenses and their plans to become a serious threat if she managed to reach the enemy.

Callum returned to the main hall and immediately called Dane to his side. "Oversee the search for Vera and make sure she’s arrested if anyone finds her," Callum ordered. "I need to assemble the warriors."

Dane nodded. "I’ll handle it."

Callum turned toward the large group of warriors gathering outside the hall. Riven’s warriors had joined them as well, standing among Ashveil’s soldiers without hesitation. Their presence gave Callum some relief, but when he looked across the gathering, he still knew the numbers weren’t ideal.

Duskfen had more warriors.

They were known for being brutal fighters, stronger and more aggressive than many of the neighboring packs. If Callum wanted to conquer their territory, he would have needed considerably more soldiers and more time to prepare. Unfortunately, he wasn’t trying to conquer them.

He was trying to stop them before they reached Ashveil.

Callum stepped forward and the warriors gradually fell silent. "We’ve received enough information to know what Duskfen is planning," he began. "Vera has been working with them, and whatever agreement they made has given them confidence that they can attack us successfully. We cannot wait here and hope they change their minds."

A few warriors exchanged looks.

Callum continued, his voice firm. "I’m not going to lie to you. Duskfen has more people than we do. Their warriors are strong, and they have been preparing for this longer than we’ve had time to prepare for them. If we were planning to invade their territory and take it for ourselves, I would tell you that we aren’t ready."

He paused, looking across the entire group. "But that’s not what we’re doing. We’re going there because if we wait for them to come here, they’ll have the advantage. Their army will be fighting on ground they chose, and our homes and families will be behind us. I would rather meet them before they reach our borders."

The warriors remained silent, staring at him.

"We go tonight," Callum said. "We move together, and we protect each other. Nobody leaves their position without orders. Nobody takes unnecessary risks. We are going there to protect this pack, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do."

A warrior near the front raised his weapon. "We’ll go."

Another joined him. "Ashveil stands with you."

Soon, the rest of the warriors agreed, their voices rising as they accepted the order.

Even the warriors Riven had brought stood firmly among them.

Riven stepped forward. "My men came here because we promised to stand with Ashveil. We’re not changing that promise now."

Callum gave him a brief nod. "Then we’ll leave tonight."

The decision was made.

There was no more waiting.

Later, Callum returned to the preparation room where his armor had been laid out. He had barely started fastening one of the pieces when Dane entered. "I can’t believe you’re really doing this."

Callum glanced at him. "You heard the order."

"I did." Dane shut the door behind him and approached. "And I’m going with you."

Callum continued preparing his armor. "No."

Dane stopped. "No?"

"You’re staying here."

Dane stared at him for a moment before shaking his head. "I’m your Beta. My job is to protect you. If you’re going into a battle against Duskfen, I’m not standing here while you leave."

Callum finally looked at him. "I know what your job is."

Dane looked confused. "Then you know why I’m going."

Callum sighed and continued securing his armor. "Dane, I need you here."

Dane folded his arms. "Why?"

Callum lowered his voice. "Vera is still inside the pack somewhere. She knows we’re preparing for war. She knows about our defenses, our people and our plans. She also knows you."

Dane frowned.

"She won’t expect you to stay behind," Callum continued. "That’s exactly why I need you here. If Vera hears that we’re leaving tonight and learns you’re going with us, she won’t have a reason to believe there’s anything unusual about it. But if she finds out you’re staying behind, she may come looking for you."

Dane slowly understood. "You’re using me as bait."

"I’m giving Vera a reason to come back."

Dane considered it and Callum stepped closer. "If she thinks the entire pack is distracted by the war and you’re here without me, she may believe she has an opportunity. She knows you’re one of the people who can stop her. She may try to reach you or someone else she trusts."

"And if she doesn’t?" Dane raised a brow.

"Then we continue searching for her."

Dane looked at Callum’s armor before looking back at him.. "You really think you can handle the battle without me?"

Callum gave him a faint smile. "I’ve still got some fight left in me."

"That wasn’t what I asked."

"Pretty much an answer though." Callum shrugged.

Dane remained quiet for a while before finally exhaling. "Fine. I’ll stay."

Callum nodded. "Good."

"But if I hear that you’re in trouble, I’m coming."

Callum gave him a look. "Are you being serious right now?"

Dane held his ground. "Don’t look at me like that. I’m still your Beta."

A small smile appeared on Callum’s face before disappearing again. "Just make sure Vera is the one we catch tonight."

Dane nodded. "I will."

***********

The news reached the hospital soon afterward.

Keisha was sitting beside Nadia when the door opened and Rhett entered, looking grim.

Nadia immediately frowned. "What are you doing out of bed?"

Rhett ignored the question and looked toward Keisha. "They’re going to war tonight."

Keisha’s expression changed. "What?"

"Callum is taking the warriors to Duskfen before they can attack Ashveil." He explained.

Nadia stared at him. "Tonight?"

Rhett nodded and the three of them exchanged uneasy looks.

Keisha’s mind immediately went to Callum. After everything that had happened, the thought of him marching into enemy territory with fewer warriors than Duskfen had was enough to make her stomach tighten.

Rhett walked farther into the room. "I’ll be joining them."

Nadia’s eyes widened. "No."

Rhett looked at her. "Nadia—"

She immediately shook her head. "You can barely stay out of a hospital bed for a full day, and now you’re telling me you’re going to war?"

"I can fight." He reminded her.

Concern flashed across her face. "You were injured protecting me. You being able to walk around doesn’t mean you’re ready to fight an entire army!"

Rhett looked at her for several seconds before answering. "Callum saved my life."

Nadia’s anger faltered. "That’s not the point."

Rhett continued, his voice calm. "He gave me a place in this pack when I didn’t deserve one. He trusted me after everything I had done before. He protected me, protected my family and gave me another chance. If he’s going into a battle to protect this pack, I can’t sit here."

Nadia shook her head, looking a bit out of place. "You’re impossible."

Rhett looked at her with a tired smile. "Maybe. But I’m still going."

Keisha remained silent for a moment before finally speaking. "Are you sure you’re strong enough?"

Rhett nodded. "I’ll manage."

Nadia looked at Keisha as if expecting her to stop him. Instead, Keisha only sighed. "I don’t like it either."

"Thank you," Rhett said.

She almost smiled at his reaction. "That wasn’t permission."

Nadia crossed her arms, clearly unhappy. "If you make that shoulder worse, I’m going to be the one dragging you back here myself."

Rhett looked at her. "I’ll come back."

"You’d better."

He reached for the door, but Nadia’s voice stopped him. "Rhett."

He turned. "Yes?"

She stared at him for a few seconds before her expression softened. "Come back safely."

Rhett nodded. "I will."

He left the room, leaving Keisha and Nadia staring after him.

Neither of them said anything for a while because they knew that outside, the estate was already preparing for war.

And by nightfall, Callum and the warriors would be on their way to Duskfen.