CHAPTER 13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

JONATHAN Point of View

The battlefield was filled with corpses, the once proud warriors of the neighboring acl now reduced to lifeless bodies scattered across the blood -soaked ground. Smoke from burning hurts and trees curled into the sky, mixing with a thick smell of iron and death. I staggered through the remains of the village, my lungs burning with every breath, every step sending sharp pain through my battered body. My once-shining armor was now a ruined mess, crushed and stained with blood - some of it was mine. My right hand hung uselessly by my side, the deep claw marks from a rogue's attack still bleeding profusely. The battle was supposed to be an easy victory but, it had been a massacre. I had answered the call for help from the neighboring pack without hesitation, not just because of kindness or some sort of duty, but because securing alliances meant securing more power - that was the only reason. I had built a reign on dominance, intimidation, fear, and strategic marriages - such as the one with that good for nothing girl, Tyla. If the neighboring pack owes me their survival, they would forever be indebted to me. But nothing had gone according to plan. The rogues were unlike anything I had encountered before, they didn't fight like mindless starving beasts, instead they were disciplined - coordinated - and more strategic. I had fought so many battles, but this? This wasn't a battle, it was an execution. They obviously had a leader. And I had a damn idea who it was. I clenched my fists, ignoring the severe pain in my ribs. That bastard had finally made his move. Damon. He was taking his revenge because I had stolen everything. I had stolen his mate, stolen his pack, everything, I had torn his world apart and now he wants to do the same to me. I rode out the next morning despite my injuries. My fingers curled into fists, ignoring the sharp agony that shot through my ribs. I wouldn't wait for him to strike again, I would crush him before he could rise any further. I wouldn't sit idly and watch that deceitful dog build an army against me. No. I would confront him now. By the time I arrived at the rogues borders, my wounds throbbed viciously, but my rage burned deeper than the pain. My horse neighed beneath means I pulled it's reins roughly, stopping just before the crude wooden barricades marking the rogues territory. These barricades served as a warning to any who dared cross. I swung off my horse, every muscle in my body kicking against my movement. My boots sank into the mud as I matched forward, my hands clenched tightly around the grip of my sword. Of course, I had no intention of fighting him here - not yet- but I would not appear as weak. Damon was already waiting for me. He stood at the entrance of the rogue camp, arms crossed over his broad chest, his expression unreadable. He looked so different and I hated it. He had always been strong, but now, he carried himself with so much authority that it sent a chill down my spine. His once - loyal pack had abandoned him, yet,there he stood - taller and more powerful than ever. Behind him were rogue wolves who stood at attention, their gazes burning with animalistic hunger, ready to devour their preys. This wasn't the same broken man I had casted out, this man who stood before me was different. Stronger. Confident. He was a king. I forced myself to smile, though my wounds screamed in protest. "You son of a bitch" - I yelled. He raised an eyebrow. "Jonathan, you're charming as always". I took a slow and steady step forward, my finger twitching near the grip of my sword. "Oh don't you dare play dumb - I know it was you - it was you who sent the rogues to attack the neighboring pack". He tilted his head slightly, his expression amused. "And exactly why would I do that?" My eyes darkened. "I don't know, retaliation, revenge. I stole your throne, stole your pack and even your mate. Now you're crawling out of the shadows to exact your revenge". I said. He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head, "oh my oh my, you give yourself too much credit Jonathan". I stiffened "Listen to me carefully" - he continued, his voice calm as a blade sliding into flesh. "I didn't send those rogues". "Liar" - I said, clenching my jaw. He sighed. "How long have you known me? and you still don't know what I'm capable of - if I had attacked that pack, there wouldn't be any survivors to tell the tale". He said, his gaze piercing through my body. My breath hitched just for a moment, his words sending a chill through my body. Damon was ruthless in battle. And he was right - if he had truly planned the attack, the pack would be long dead by now-including me. I frowned, doubt creeping into my mind. Could he be telling the truth? Was someone else responsible for the attack? If so, then who? A chill ran down my spine as the realization hit me, someone was manipulating me, someone wanted me to believe that Damon was responsible. And I had just walked right into their trap. I took a slow step back, covering my uneasiness with a smirk. "Fine"- I said. "Believe whatever you want but this isn't over". His face curled into a wicked grin. "No. It's not". I turned sharply and mounted my horse, ignoring the extreme pain in my body. As I rode away, my mind raced with different questions. If it's not Damon - then who? And more importantly, what was their next move? The realization sank deeper, twisting like a knife in my gut. And for the first time in years, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time. Fear. And it tastes bitter.. I wasn't the hunter I was the prey.