Chapter 36: Betrayal from within

"You've underestimated us, Alpha," the distorted voice sneered. "The roots of our influence go far deeper than you realize." Kael's blade glinted in the faint light as he lunged forward. 'Whatever demon has taken hold of him, we'll cut it out!" But before Kael's weapon could make contact, the possessed Dagon raised a hand, and a pulse of energy slammed into Kael, throwing him backward. He collided with the wall, crumpling with a groan. 'Kael!" Lira rushed to his side, daggers drawn, her eyes blazing with fury. "Stay back, Lira," Ileus ordered, stepping forward. His voice was calm, but there was an edge in the lethal undertone that shivered across the room. The possessed Dagon merely cocked his head. Mock curiosity flashed in his twisted features. "Brave, aren't you? But bravery alone won't save your precious pack." Who are you?" Ileus demanded, his voice cold and commanding. "And why hide behind the body of one of my wolves? Face me yourself if you have the courage." The creature chuckled, a sound that made the air itself seem to shiver. "Oh, Alpha, you don't understand. This is only a taste of what is to come. Your pack is fractured, your allies scattered, and your enemies closing in. Ileus fisted his hands as claws itched to tear through the puppet in front of him. "You are a coward, hiding behind parlor tricks and stolen bodies. Tell me what you want!" "What I want", the voice hissed, leaning closer, "is chaos. And thanks to your traitor, chaos is already here." There was a unified gasp throughout the chamber. "Traitor?" Lira's voice came out like whetted steel. "What traitor? The possessed Dagon's grin widened, his red eyes darting between them. 'Ah, but where's the fun in giving away all the answers? Trust me, you'll find out soon enough." Before anyone could react, the crimson light flared violently, blinding everyone. When the light faded, Dagon collapsed to the floor, his body limp and lifeless. 'Is he…" Kael's voice was hoarse as he struggled to his feet. Lira knelt beside the body, her fingers pressed against Dagon's neck. After a moment, she shook her head. "He's gone." A heavy silence fell over the room, broken only by the sound of Ileus's deep, steady breathing. "This changes everything," Lira said, standing and sheathing her daggers. "Whoever this enemy is, they've infiltrated our ranks. We can't trust anyone until we find the traitor." We cannot afford to wait," Ileus growled in a low voice. "By now, the spy will already have begun taking it all apart. We must have answers now." Kael stepped forward with a limp, his features twisted by pain, but determined. "We'll interrogate every guard, every servant, every warrior. If there is a traitor, he'll make a mistake. Lira crossed her arms, her sharp eyes scanning the room. "We can't do this openly. If the traitor knows we're onto them, they'll go deeper underground. We need to be subtle." "Subtlety won't work," Ileus countered. "Not with an enemy like this. We'll gather the council tomorrow at dawn and reveal everything. Let the traitor hear us. Let them know we're hunting them." Kael frowned. "That's a gamble, Alpha. "It's a risk we must take," Ileus said resolutely. Then he turned to Lira. "Have guards you trust escort the members to the council. Detain anyone who tries to slip away before the meeting." "Understood," Lira said, her face firm. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The Next Morning The air was thick in the council chamber as the members gathered. Murmurs filled the air as warriors and advisors took their seats, their gazes flickering with suspicion. Everyone had heard whispers of the previous night's events, though no one dared speak of it openly. Alpha Ileus stood at the head of the table, his presence commanding silence as he surveyed the room. Kael stood to his left, his battle axe strapped to his back, while Lira flanked his right, her expression a mask of icy calm. "Thank you all for coming," Ileus began, his voice steady but heavy with authority. "Last night, an enemy revealed themselves within our ranks. They have already claimed one of our own and are working to dismantle us from within." The murmurs grew louder, but Ileus raised a hand, silencing them. "This enemy is cunning," he said. "They do not work alone. Somewhere in this room, there is a traitor—a wolf that has betrayed their pack." A ripple of shock went through the council. "That is impossible!" cried an elder. "No wolf would betray the pack!" "And yet it has happened," Ileus said sharply, his eyes scanning the room. "We have reason to believe this traitor has been feeding information to our enemies, sabotaging our efforts, and endangering us all." "Who do you suspect?" another council member asked, his voice trembling. Lira stepped forward, her gaze cutting through the room like a blade. "We're investigating everyone. No one is above suspicion." The tension was palpable, every wolf glancing nervously at their neighbors. "We won't allow paranoia to destroy us," Ileus said, his voice firm. "But we also won't let betrayal go unpunished. I will find the traitor, and when I do, they will answer for their crimes." The room fell into an uneasy silence. Suddenly, the doors to the chamber slammed open, and a scout burst in, panting and wide-eyed. "Alpha!" 'What is it?" Ileus demanded. 'The eastern border!" the scout exclaimed. 'There's been an attack. Fires are spreading through the outposts, and we've lost contact with the patrols!" A collective gasp echoed through the chamber. 'An attack now?" Kael growled, his fists clenching. 'It has to be connected to the traitor!" Lira turned to Ileus, her face grim. "They've timed this perfectly. If we leave to defend the border, we risk letting the traitor slip away." "We don't have a choice," Ileus said, already moving. "Kael, assemble a strike team. Lira, keep the investigation going here. If the traitor thinks we're distracted, they'll make their move." "Understood," Lira said, though her brow furrowed with worry. As the council broke up in disarray, Ileus stopped at the door, his eyes ablaze with resolve. "This ends today," he growled low. But as he stepped into the hall, a shiver ran down his spine. Somewhere deep in the shadows, a pair of red eyes watched him, and a sinister whisper echoed in the air. "Careful, Alpha. The closer you get, the more you'll lose."