CHAPTER 14: FRACTURES

Lewis POV

I smiled to myself as I left the Great Hall. The tension and turmoil in the air smelled wonderful, enticing, and energising. Celine thought she was clever, challenging me in front of the pack, but she had no idea what I was truly capable of. Her little outburst was just another piece of the puzzle falling into place.

My plan was unfolding perfectly. Magnus, once a strong and capable Alpha, was now torn and uncertain. His leadership wavered with every passing day, and the pack sensed it. They were divided, some siding with Magnus, others with me. And Celine's attempts to rally them against me? That would only drive them further apart.

"Just a few more moves," I muttered under my breath as my footsteps echoed quietly across the stone flooring of the pack house's dimly lit halls. The walls were lined with portraits of past Alphas, men who had led the Red Moon Pack to greatness. Soon, my portrait would hang among them, but not as a mere Alpha. No, I sought something far greater.

My ultimate goal went far beyond mere pack politics. I sought power, true power, the kind that would allow me to shape the world to my design. The Red Moon Pack was just a stepping stone, a means to an end. With their strength and numbers behind me, I could challenge the other packs, expand my territory, and eventually dominate the entire region. My ambitions stretched far and wide, and I would stop at nothing to achieve them.

As I made my way to my quarters, I passed by the pack members who were still awake, their faces showing signs of worry and confusion. They were caught in the crossfire of a power struggle they barely understood. I offered them reassuring smiles, masking my true intentions. They saw me as a charismatic leader, someone who could guide them through uncertain times. If only they knew the depths of my ambition.

"Fools," I whispered, watching them from the corner of my eye. "They have no idea what's coming."

I entered my room and closed the door behind me, the heavy wooden door creaking as it shut. The room was dark, but I liked it that way. It gave me time to think, to plan. Sitting at my desk, the room filled with wide shadows cast by the flickering light of a candle, I pulled out a map of the surrounding territories. My eyes scanned the various pack boundaries. With every line stood the possibility of victory, a piece of the puzzle that would help me reach my objective.

My thoughts turned to Celine, the naive, idealistic Luna. She was a threat, a potential obstacle to my plans. Her influence over Magnus was strong, and her ability to sway the pack members could not be underestimated. But I had a special fate in store for her, one that would ensure her silence and cooperation. She would learn the hard way that challenging me was a grave mistake.

"Enjoy your moment, Celine," I said softly, tracing a finger over her name on a list of pack members. "It won't last long."

I laughed to myself. The game was far from over, and I was just getting started. There were so many moves left to make, so many pieces to position. I enjoyed the thrill of outmanoeuvring my opponents.

As the night went on, I started outlining the next steps in my strategy. First, I needed to solidify my position within the pack. That meant gaining the trust and loyalty of the younger warriors. They were eager for change, hungry for power. I would offer them what they desired, in exchange for their unwavering support.

"Promise them power," I murmured, jotting down notes. "They'll follow me anywhere."

Next, I needed to weaken Magnus further. His indecision was already working in my favour, but I needed to push him to the brink. A few well-placed rumours, a couple of strategic setbacks, and he would crumble. The pack would lose faith in him, turning to me as their saviour.

"And Magnus," I chuckled, "you'll fall like the rest."

And then, there was Celine. She needed to be dealt with carefully. An outright attack would raise too many suspicions. No, I needed to be more subtle. I would isolate her, undermine her influence, make her feel powerless. Once she was alone and vulnerable, I would strike.

"Patience, Lewis," I reminded myself, staring at her name. "Patience."

I glanced at the clock on the wall. It was late, but I was too energised to sleep. I stood and walked to the window, looking out over the pack's territory. The moon hung high in the sky, throwing a silvery radiance across the area. It was a beautiful night, calm and serene—very different from the storm that was building inside the pack.

I couldn't help but feel satisfied standing there. Everything was going according to plan. Magnus was losing his grip, the pack was divided, and Celine was playing right into my hands. It was only a matter of time before the Red Moon Pack was mine.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see one of my most loyal followers, Jared, standing in the doorway. His eyes gleamed with the same hunger for power that I saw in myself.

"Everything is in place," he said, his voice low and conspiratorial. "The younger warriors are with us. They're ready to move when you give the word."

"Good," I replied, a smile curling at the corners of my lips. "Keep them motivated. We need to strike when the time is right."

Jared nodded and left, leaving me alone once more. I returned to my desk, my mind buzzing with plans and strategies. The pieces were all in place, and soon, I would make my move.

I spent the rest of the night finalising my plans, going over every detail to ensure nothing was left to chance. By the time the first light of dawn began to filter through the window, I was ready. I knew what needed to be done, and I was prepared to do whatever it took to achieve my goals.

As the pack began to stir, I joined them for breakfast, slipping seamlessly into my role as the charming and charismatic leader. I greeted them with smiles and words of encouragement, hiding my true intentions behind a mask of friendliness.

Magnus was there, looking more worn and haggard than ever. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of suspicion. But it was quickly replaced by resignation. He was losing the battle, and he knew it.

Celine was also present, her gaze sharp and wary. She watched me closely, but I gave nothing away. I engaged in light conversation, laughing and joking with the pack members, all the while keeping an eye on her. She was a formidable opponent, but I was confident in my ability to outmanoeuvre her.

After breakfast, I joined a group of younger warriors for a training session. They looked up to me, eager to prove themselves. I encouraged them, pushing them to their limits, all the while planting seeds of loyalty and ambition. They were the future of the pack, and I needed them on my side.

As the day went on, I continued to work behind the scenes, laying the groundwork for my takeover. I met with key members of the pack, building alliances and securing support. I spread rumours and sowed discord, ensuring that Magnus's leadership continued to falter.

By the time evening rolled around, the pack was buzzing with tension. The fractures were becoming more apparent, and loyalties were being tested. It was exactly what I had hoped for.

That night, I stood in front of the mirror, looking at my reflection. I saw a man on the brink of greatness, a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. I saw power, ambition, and determination. And I knew that nothing could stand in my way.

I went to bed with a sense of satisfaction, knowing that the pieces were falling into place. The Red Moon Pack was mine for the taking, and soon, I would make my move.