<h4>Chapter 453: Alliances and Disunity</h4>


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    <strong>Chapter 453</strong>


    <strong>~Zara’s POV~</strong>


    The moment Snow mouthed ’<i>I love you’</i>, my chest filled with warmth that almost melted me on the spot. I smiled and blew him a kiss, holding his gaze.


    But before I could lose myself in the soft moment, the distinct sound of a car pulling into Kaid’spound broke the silence.


    Heads turned toward the windows and voices dropped. Everyone paused.


    Then I felt it—felt her.


    That familiar spark of connection—the warmth of an unbreakable bond forged through years of friendship and shared pain. My heart leapt, and I stood up even before the knock came.


    I was halfway to the door when it pushed open.


    And there she was.


    Tears streaked E’s cheeks. Her hair was slightly tousled, and her breath uneven, but her eyes—those fierce, loyal eyes—were locked onto mine.


    "El..." I began, my throat tightening, but I didn’t even get to finish her name.


    She lunged forward and wrapped her arms around me, burying her face into my shoulder as she clung to me like she never intended to let go.


    I held her back just as tight.


    Everything else faded. Just me and my best friend. We stayed that way for a long moment. Silent. Breathing. Holding on.


    Then I heard the footsteps behind her.


    Ares stepped in, his tall figure framed by the doorway. His presence wasmanding as always, sharp eyes scanning the room as he entered. He exchanged a nod with Zade, then moved toward Snow.


    "Good to see you alive, Alpha," Ares said, pping a hand over Snow’s shoulder.


    "Likewise," Snow replied, their expressions tense, but full of respect.


    Ares gave Kaid a formal nod and greeted Aira and Tempest as well.


    When he reached Richard, he paused, studying him for a second. Richard raised a brow as if expecting something sharp, but Ares surprised us all with a slow smile.


    "She’s a handful," he said, tilting his head toward E, "but she’s one of the sweetestdies out there."


    Richard smiled, and nodded. "Thank you for such kind words. And for helping my mate out."


    "For her?" Ares shrugged. "Anytime."


    Then he turned, eyes sweeping the room, and his expression hardened.


    "Since we’re all here," he said, stepping forward, "shouldn’t we address the big elephant in the room?"


    Zade folded his arms. "What elephant?"


    Ares didn’t hesitate. "When are we taking this war to Thorned Crescent and Shadow ve?"


    Tempest’s eyes lit up with a glint of dangerous delight as she moved beside him. "I don’t know about the rest of you," she said, "but I am all with Alpha Ares. It’s time to fight."


    I exchanged a nce with Snow. His eyes were serious. Beside him, Kaid and Siona shared a brief look.


    "For that," I said, pulling away from E gently, "we need an alliance. Not just between a few packs, but across the werewolf kingdom—and the Lycans, if possible. We need to quench this threat before it swallows innocent lives whole."


    Snow stepped forward, his voice calm and authoritative. "We have intel on Thorned Crescent. They’ve already amassed a quarter-region worth of rogue wolves under theirmand. Brutal. Relentless. If a single pack faces them alone, they’ll fall."


    Siona stepped in as well. "And if that wasn’t bad enough, the dark witches are siding with them. This war won’t be fair."


    Zade’s eyes shed. "Then the Golden w Pack will join this alliance."


    Ares moved beside him, stretching out his right hand. "I, Alpha of the Iron Fang Pack, pledge my allegiance to the Werewolf Alliance."


    Without a second thought, Snow closed the gap and ced his hand on Ares’s. "I, Alpha of the Ivory Crescent Pack, pledge my allegiance and that of my entire pack to this Alliance ."


    Zade, Snow, and Ares nodded together, then turned toward Kaid.


    "Your Majesty," Zade said respectfully. "Will you lend your aid in this war?"


    Kaid pushed off the wall he was leaning against, his hands casually tucked into his pockets.


    "At first, when I heard about this, I was skeptical," he admitted. "But they’ve targeted Zara. That makes this personal."


    "So... you’re joining?" Ares asked.


    "Not yet," Kaid replied honestly. "I must meet with my council. This isn’t just pack business—it’s my kingdom. I have more lives to consider than just warriors."


    Snow nodded. "We understand."


    "Nevertheless," Kaid added, "you have my support. I’ll offer whatever I can to protect Zara. To protect what matters. But if you want the Lycans fully on board, unite the werewolf kingdom and prove this war is worth fighting."


    I nodded, stepping forward. "I’ll do whatever it takes. For every life that could be lost if we don’t stand together."


    Tempest raised her chin proudly. "It is settled, then. An alliance has been formed."


    "And one that’ll end this chaos," Aira said. "No more small battles. No more hidden attacks."


    Just then, E ced her hand on mine and gave a determined smile. "We’ll stand with you."


    Snow stepped beside me, our fingers intertwining.


    Together, we stood in a room full of power, fury, and unity.


    This wasn’t just the beginning of a war.


    It was the birth of a revolution.


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    <strong>~Alpha Wayne’s POV~</strong>


    My boots echoed sharply against the stone floors of Shadow ve, the cold scent of burnt herbs and blood thick in the air as I strode deeper into the heart of Luna ton’sir.


    The witches were already scattering like rats, scurrying out of my way, their cloaks fluttering as they sensed my temper before I even opened my mouth.


    I didn’t care.


    My patience had worn thin.


    I threw open the ancient doors to her ritual chamber without knocking. The glow of magic lit the room, casting wild shadows on the walls, and at the center stood Luna ton, arms raised, dark threads of power curling around her fingers.


    Her chanting stilled when she saw me, and the circle of witches surrounding her broke formation.


    Her eyes narrowed instantly. "You dare barge into my home and interrupt a binding ritual, Alpha?"


    "I do," I snapped. "Because while you’re busy ying with sparks and chanting nonsense, Alpha Gold’s daughter still walks free. I asked for results, ton—not excuses."


    Her jaw clenched as she lowered her hands, her eyes still glowing faintly. "Vera was handling it."


    "And where is she now?" I shot back. "Probably dead, that’s where. Your daughter failed. My wolves have done their part, but your coven—your bloodline—has delivered nothing but disappointment."


    The temperature in the room dropped.


    "You overstep," she hissed, her power crackling like electricity in the air.


    I smirked. "Do I? Or are you finally realizing that your precious daughter wasn’t as strong as you painted her to be? If your magic line is that fragile, perhaps I should’ve partnered with a morepetent coven."


    That did it.


    Her eyes turned an unholy shade of purple and before I could blink, a ball of dark magic shot across the room and mmed straight into my chest.


    The chamber gasped—witches drawing back in rm.


    But I didn’t move.


    Didn’t even flinch.


    The magic sizzled on my shirt for a brief second before the pendant beneath it glowed a sharp silver, absorbing her magic like water into dry earth.


    Vania’s eyes widened. "What..."


    I brushed a bit of ash off my chest and grinned. "Did you really think you could hurt me and walk away from it, Vania? You think you’re the only one with dark connections?"


    Her lips curled. "You’ve been hiding this from me."


    "Of course I have," I sneered. "You think I’d bet my ambition—my entire rise—on a temperamental witch whose daughter couldn’t finish the simplest of tasks? No. I secured power my own way."


    Her expression twisted. "How?"


    "The dark mages," I said casually, letting my aura pulse outward. "And a dying witch who begged for her life. Funny thing about power—those who plead for mercy make excellent fuel."


    "You killed one of your own allies to gain that?" she seethed.


    I took a slow, calcted step forward. "Don’t act like a saint. We both know you’ve bled at least five innocents for your pathetic rituals. Spare me the hypocrisy."


    Luna’s eyes darkened further, her hands trembling with rage. "You dare call me ipetent? I’ve ruled this coven longer than you’ve ruled anything. You’re just a glorified dog with a kingdom built on borrowed strength."


    "Then let me remind you," I growled, dropping into a fight stance as shadows coiled around my fists. "Why I rule Thorned Crescent—and why the dark wolves bow to me."


    Energy burst between us, dark and violent, the air crackling with impending chaos. We both lunged forward, power meeting power, fury rising with every breath.


    Then a deafening growl ripped through the chamber, shaking the stone walls and silencing us both.


    We froze, turning as the double doors swung open with force.


    My son, Kent stepped in, his towering frame practically vibrating with rage, his eyes glowing. He scanned the room like a general surveying a battlefield and locked eyes with both of us.


    "Enough!" he barked, voice like thunder. "You two want to w each other’s throats out, go ahead—but not here. Not now. Act like the leaders you im to be and stop behaving like children who lost their damn toys!"


    The magic in the room faded.


    I clenched my jaw, breathing hard, but I held back for now.


    But this wasn’t over.


    And if Luna ton thought for one second that she’d challenge my ce at the top, she was in for a rude awakening.


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