Chapter 7 7

MAX’S POV

The popular myth that stepsiblings are automatically rivals doesn't apply to Valeria and me. We understand each other, enjoy each other’s company, and protect each other at all costs so you can imagine the level of anger and confusion I felt from the chaos that unfolded earlier.

Our pack and the Lycan’s had a neutral relationship for centuries even though deep down, we are all aware of the history in our past, the natural instinct of one to despise the other. Instead of being at peace, I preferred to refer to it as neutrality because for now, neither had the thing that is of interest to the other.

Until Valeria.

The nerve of that fucker to take her away from us. Half of my anger was directed at him, the other half was directed at myself, for watching him take her away without doing anything about it. I was guilt-ridden, and as I restlessly gallivanted dim hallway in Godric’s packhouse, my mind spinning with every possible way to get Valeria back.

Deep down, I knew no one had the responsibility of doing that but me. I knew she felt betrayed that I left her to get captured by a Lycan, taken to the Lycan’s land, and Goddess….I couldn't even bring myself to imagine what they were doing to her at the moment.

I need to find a way to get her out of there, fast.

I sauntered past the Alpha’s council room, with an intention of going straight back to the Omegas' quarters but hearing raised voices from inside made me come to a complete halt without thinking. It was the Alpha and the twins, I could tell by the voices.

Curiosity and unease got the better of me and I peeked through the slightly opened door. There they stood, facing each other in a heated discussion with a map of the Lycan’s territory spread around the table. I had an interest in landscapes, and I was familiar with every map.

I listened in on their conversation, silently waiting to hear the headline of it.

“No!” Knox, the brother of the twins yelled. “We cannot take him headfirst. I know how he operates. If we follow the proper way of war, we will lose against him before we even get to start. We need strategy, we need to come from behind.”

“You think so?” Godric’s arid voice asked. “He dares to steal from me. I will have his head on the spike before the moon wanes.”

Beside him, the younger and sharper-looking twin, Ryan, sneered. “Trust me you do not want his head as much as we do. But we need a plan. If you think we can take him straight forth and win, then you will have to rethink again.”

Godric’s expression didn’t waver. “Good, let’s come up with a plan then, because I cannot wait to make him realize what grave mistake he has made.”

“With this urgency, you will fail before starting. Calm your horses, I have a plan that might work.” Knox yawned lazily and stretched his hand across the map on the table, pointing at a particular spot on it.

“Here, I know a secret entrance that leads directly into his packhouse, we will take this route to gain entry into his palace then we will kidnap the girl to use as bait. Lure him where we will be of advantage and then end his life.”

Ryan scoffed at his brother, a smile of amusement playing on his lips. “You think killing Uncle will be that easy? And you speak of using the girl as bait. You don’t think he holds her with that much regard to risk his life for her, do you?”

“Whatever the case may be Ryan, for him to risk his life in a room full of people that stand against him, even go as far as threatening everyone just for one girl, then I can bet he will follow.”

“Besides….” Godric muttered. “The fella doesn't like to be challenged, gaining access into his packhouse and stealing a girl right under his nose is enough to rile him up, I am sure his ego wouldn’t let him sit on that without acting.”

“Something happened between them that I can’t quite put a finger on, he is never interested in women who aren't Lycans. I have never seen him act protective of any woman but Camilla.” Knox whispered, staring absentmindedly at the map in front of him.

“Who is Camilla?” Godric asked,

“The only female Lycan left on earth. She left him, no one knew why till this day.”

“I bet he is desperate for another plaything, that should be the only reason why he settled for someone like Valeria.” Ryan laughed carelessly.

“What?” I mumbled to myself.

Wasn’t he supposed to be her mate? Who the fuck goes about belittling their mate like that?

“Yes right!” His twin scoffed.

I looked at Godric’s face, he should be defending her in this situation, realizing who he wanted to marry his daughter off to. But he brushed off the conversation like you would any other thing of no importance. He slid his hand across the map and stopped at a particular place.

“Since we have a plan on the ground, we need to make our choices, who among you will go through with the plan?”

“Together.” they blurted chorally.

“And you think she is going to gladly come with you?”

“I am not sure about that,” Ryan muttered.

“Oh, we will force her if we have to. I don’t even want to use anything touched by Uncle anyway. She is as good as dead to me.” Knox spoke, his gaze lazily darting around the room.

“It’s a pity, she does have a lot of interesting potential I wanted to explore. My harem would have been blessed with a trophy.” Ryan cracked up.

“She will serve her purpose and be disposed of afterward.” Godric cut in, not seeming to be interested in their side talks.

His daughter.

Who goes about aiming to kill their own child?