COLLIN BLACK’S POV


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    “Sir, tonight’s attack was different. It looked like our n to inform them about Lord Cassian’s whereabouts was effective. We had lesser casualties, and none of them were fatal,” Renan said.


    Collin leaned back in his chair, studying Renan thoughtfully. He tapped a finger against the desk, letting the silence stretch for a few seconds before speaking again.


    “How is the cave?” Collin finally asked.


    Renan straightened slightly. “It should be secure, Alpha. Our men sessfully dispersed the poison throughout the area. It activates once night falls, exactly as nned. Even the strongest werewolf would sumb quickly if they inhaled enough of it.”


    Collin snorted, the corner of his mouth lifting in a subtle sneer. He hadn’t confirmed his suspicions yet, but he was almost certain Cassian had been behind the theft of the map from his study. The notion irritated him more than he liked to admit. Cassian had managed to slip through his defenses, something Collin didn’t intend to tolerate.


    Still, this was also an opportunity, one Collin wasn’t eager to waste. Cassian’s strength was undeniable, but even he had weaknesses. Collin wanted to see exactly how Cassian and his supposedly elite warriors would react when faced with a toxin powerful enough to incapacitate or kill even the strongest fighters. He wanted to know how Cassian would handle losing some of his best men–men he couldn’t easily rece.


    “And what about the Demon Fangs?” Collin asked, eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Renan’s reaction carefully. “Are you sure you provided them with Cassian’s route north?”


    Renan nodded confidently. “Yes, Alpha. I made certain their leader personally received the information. Cassian’s men might be powerful, but constant travel and frequent battles would drain even the strongest warriors. The Demon Fangs know this, and they’ll take advantage of it. They prefer hitting their targets when they’re at their weakest.”


    Collin smiled grimly. “Good. We need to keep Cassian upied. He’s too dangerous when he’s focused and rested. If he’s forced to fight constantly, his strength will eventually fail him.”


    “Precisely,” Renan agreed. “He might manage to survive tonight, but each encounter will weaken him further. It’s only a matter of time before he slips up.”


    Collin stood and walked toward the window, gazing out into the dim evening light. “Cassian is resourceful, but even he has limits. Let’s see how long hests when he has to protect his fragile new consort as well as his men.”


    Renan chuckled. “He won’tst long, Alpha. The Demon Fangs are relentless, andbined


    with our traps, Cassian won’t know what hit him.”


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    “He had better not,” Collin said coldly, turning to face Renan again. “I want detailed updates about his movements. Every misstep, every loss, every injury.”


    Renan inclined his head respectfully. “Consider it done.”


    As Renan left the room, Collin returned to his desk, fingers tightening briefly around the edge. Cassian had managed to evade serious harm so far, but Collin would not allow that to continue. He intended to break Cassian’s strength piece by piece until nothing remained.


    Then, and only then, would he truly feel secure.


    However, just before Renanpletely shut the door, an Omega came running towards him. Renan frowned. “What’s wrong?” he asked, wondering if it was the attack.


    The Omega, one of Collin’s trusted aides who worked directly within the cave, stumbled forward, gasping for breath. “Fire… There’s fire!” he managed to choke out between frantic


    breaths.


    Collin immediately shot up from his seat. His gaze sharpened, zeroing in on the Omega. “Repeat that,” he demanded sharply.


    The Omega straightened slightly, gulping for air. His face was pale, eyes wide with panic. “There’s a fire in the cave, Alpha. It’s spreading quickly.”


    Collin didn’t waste another second. He moved swiftly, his chair nearly toppling behind him as he rushed from the study. Renan matched his pace, the two men moving rapidly down the corridor toward the staircase leading to the first floor. Their footsteps echoed harshly against the marble floors, urgency driving each step.


    Upon reaching the expansive library, Collin didn’t hesitate. He strode to one of the towering shelves lined meticulously with countless volumes. His hand reached out immediately, gripping a seemingly random book bound in dark, worn leather, and yanked it forward sharply,


    Almost instantly, a low rumble sounded as the bookshelf shifted. Dust drifted into the air, and the heavy shelf rotated smoothly, revealing a hidden staircase spiraling downward. The entrance was narrow, barely wide enough for two people to move side by side, the stone steps descending steeply into darkness.


    Smoke immediately billowed from the opening, thick, acrid, and choking. It poured upward, obscuring visibility, making the stairs nearly invisible beneath a dense gray haze.


    Collin didn’t pause to question the Omega further or assess the danger. Without hesitation, he plunged forward, rushing down the stairs into the suffocating darkness. Renan moved just


    …


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    behind him, his expression grim, determined despite the choking smoke.


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    The Omega followed closely but soon began coughing violently, his eyes watering from the intensity of the smoke. His steps faltered as he struggled for breath.


    Renan nced back, irritation flickering briefly in his eyes before softening into reluctant understanding. “Stay here,” he instructed firmly. “Don’t follow us further.”


    The Omega nodded weakly, slumping against the stone wall as Renan disappeared deeper into the smoke–filled stairway after Collin.


    The descent grew more difficult with every step. The thickening smoke curled around Collin and Renan, stinging their eyes and burning their throats. The air grew hotter, the smell of charred wood and scorched stone intensifying. Still, Collin pressed onward, driven by a singr, urgent purpose.


    Renan understood exactly why the Alpha was pushing himself this far. Deep within the cave were critical documents–files, records, and detailed receipts–that represented years of meticulous nning and maniption. These were not ordinary papers, they were the leverage Collin needed, evidence that could ensure his dominance and safeguard their pack’s future. Losing them would mean losing everything.


    Finally reaching the bottom of the staircase, Collin’s eyes squinted against the overwhelming smoke, his vision limited to barely a foot ahead. mes flickered nearby, illuminating sections of the cave in harsh, flickering shadows. The scent of burning parchment and ink filled the air.


    “This way,” Collin growled, voice rough from the smoke.


    Renan nodded silently, following Collin’s shadowy figure deeper into the cavern. The heat intensified, mes licking up the walls and engulfing wooden crates stacked against the rough stone surfaces. Patches of fire hissed and cracked angrily as they consumed valuable evidence.


    Collin surged forward toward a cluster of shelves, desperately pulling at documents that had not yet been engulfed. He grabbed handfuls of papers, scanning quickly to ensure he had the correct ones, stuffing them hastily into his jacket.


    Renan worked rapidly at his side, snatching whatever remained intact. “We need to move, Alpha,” he urged, coughing sharply as the smoke thickened around them.


    Collin hesitated for just a moment longer, eyes narrowing in frustration at the mes swallowing the remaining papers. Then he finally turned, his face dark with fury. “Go,” he rasped, gesturing sharply toward the stairs.


    Together, they hurried back, dodging falling embers and smoldering debris. Someone would pay dearly for this. Cassian, or whoever else was behind it, had just escted the war beyond


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    what Collin had anticipated. And he was determined to retaliate swiftly and mercilessly!


    Collin and Renan staggered back up the stairs, choking on the thick smoke that clung <i>to </i>their throats and burned their eyes. By the time they reached the library, visibility had dropped drastically. Smoke poured out from the hidden staircase, swirling ominously around the towering shelves, rapidly filling the expansive room.


    The heavy scent of burning wood and parchment saturated the air. Books tumbled from shelves as weakened supports gave way,nding with dull thuds onto the smoldering carpet. Renan mmed a hand over his mouth, coughing violently as he moved to the exit. Collin followed close behind, clutching the salvaged documents tightly against his chest.


    “Go call William, we need to get rid of the fire before it spreads out of the cave!” Collin barked.


    As they burst from the library into the corridor, chaos greeted them. People ran frantically back and forth, omegas and guards alike shouting orders or cries for help. Smoke had begun to seep into the corridor, curling around the ceiling and sending panic rippling through the gathered crowd.


    “Alpha!” William’s voice cut through the confusion.


    Collin spun toward the voice, narrowing his eyes as William pushed through the mass of panicking bodies. William’s face was streaked with soot, his eyes wide and unsettled, an expression rarely seen on theposed Beta. His clothing was torn in ces, stained with smoke and sweat.


    “Report,” Collin snapped, already bracing for more bad news.


    William swallowed hard, his jaw tight as he struggled to contain his frustration. “The supply room–it’s on fire!”


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