THIRD PERSON POV:
The alphas of the four packs didn't need to be told twice to assemble at the Rune pack. None of them had ever met Enzo, as neither of them was born when he reigned, but everyone had heard the stories, and most of their grandparents had witnessed his reign of terror.
Herald tried hard not to panic because he knew that once they joined hands, they could deploy warriors and witches to tear down Enzo's territory-stopping the impending war before it even started. Little did he know that the worst was about to happen.
Fred was the first to arrive at the pack. He was the last person Herald wanted to see at the moment, but he had no choice.
"Fred," he gritted through his teeth as soon as he saw the alpha step out of his car.
Fred walked up to him with a smile on his face.
"Good to see you too, Herald, and I thank you for welcoming me into your home," Fred said, ignoring the clear hostility on Herald's face, pointing to the fact that Herald probably still wanted to end his life.
"What room should I take? I'll be out of your sight because it's obvious you don't wish to see me."
Herald didn't reply. He simply waved at a guard who rushed toward them. Then he ordered him to show Fred to a room. Fred flashed Herald a smile, then made his way into the house while Herald remained outside.
The fact Evelyn chose Fred never stopped haunting him, no matter how much he tried to move on. Fred had caused his broken marriage. Although Fred didn't owe him loyalty, as they weren't friends, Herald still couldn't let go. And now, his daughter had slipped out of his custody too.
For hours, Herald passed the time by downing several drinks as he waited for Alpha Beck and Alpha Trent to arrive. Beck, the alpha of the Dusk Pack, was rarely seen, and Herald doubted he would come. Still, he thought only a fool would skip this meeting.
When Herald had taken enough alcohol, he decided to rest. He tossed himself onto the couch in his sitting room, and just then, Alpha Fred emerged from the hallway.
"Isn't it strange that Alpha Trent hasn't arrived?" Fred asked, and Herald shrugged.
Herald had too many problems to wonder why two alphas would skip such an important meeting, one centered on saving his daughter's life.
"We'll wait a couple more hours. If they don't show, the meeting will proceed. I'll issue an order for them to contribute soldiers without questioning since they didn't attend my meeting," Herald said, trying to sound calm but boiling beneath the surface.
Fred also cared about Bella, so he was moved to speak to Herald.
"I know we can never be friends, Herald. There have been too many misunderstandings and clashes between us, but I care about Bella as much as you do. I'd do anything to get her back. She changed my life when she walked through my door last year. You should've seen how Ryder was until the mate match," he said.
Herald glared at him with utmost disgust.
The only reason Herald hadn't challenged Fred to a duel to claim his kingdom was that he didn't want to spark a war. Most importantly, he cared about Bella. She would never approve. Just as her mother had found Fred charming as a husband, Bella had found him charming as a father.
"Oh, please, can we skip this talk?" Herald sat up at once. "Nothing irritates me more than hearing you talk about caring for my daughter. If you cared so much, she wouldn't be gone. She was grieving, and you thought it wise to send her back to school. There are exceptions, Fred!"
His voice echoed through the walls. Fred hated being yelled at, but he saw the sense in what Herald said. Sending Bella back to Howlstone may not have been the best decision. He had been too caught up in nursing his broken heart to prioritize anyone else. He began to realize what Bella must have endured-the memorial stand alone would have been haunting.
"You're right, Herald," Fred admitted, shocking Herald. "Part of this is my fault. I shouldn't have sent her back to school so soon. She needed a grief counselor and much more, but I was too caught up in my world."
"Forgive me for being careless with her. I should have treated her with more care or let her go with you, but I thought I was honoring what Evelyn would have wanted."
Herald let out a sigh. It seemed an apology was all he needed to feel lighter toward Fred.
"Well, there's no use crying over spilled milk. What's done is done, and we need to focus on getting her back. That's what matters now."
Fred nodded. He was about to sit when a loud roar outside the house startled them both. They rushed out to see a fleet of cars parked in front of the house. Their jaws dropped; they hadn't expected Alpha Beck to arrive before Trent.
At first, they thought it couldn't be true, but Beck stepped out of his car in the flesh.
"You called, and I answered as fast as I could," Beck said, spreading his arms.
Beck and Herald were good friends, so seeing him brought a smile to Herald's face.
"Alpha Beck!" Herald said warmly, and they exchanged handshakes. Beck then turned to Fred and shook his hand, too.
Herald's men helped Beck take his luggage inside, and the three alphas remained outside for a while.
"I'm sorry to hear about your daughter, Herald, but we'll do everything in our power to get her back. Enzo is just coming alive after so many years-he can't be that strong."
Beck's words were comforting, but Herald knew he was sugarcoating things. No one would feel calm knowing a family member was trapped with Enzo, a monster who fed on royals.
"Let's go inside while we wait for Trent," Herald suggested, and the others agreed.
Beck was secretly pleased to have beaten Trent to the meeting. Known for his punctuality, Beck had prepared thoroughly to avoid being late.
The three alphas gathered in the living room, and Herald entertained them with drinks, trying to distract himself from his worries. However, after a while, he grew tired of waiting.
"We should start, since Trent isn't coming," Fred suggested, breaking the silence.
Herald nodded.
"Since we've started so casually, let's continue that way. I don't feel the need to be too formal," Herald said. Fred stood up.
"I'll take it from here." He cleared his throat. "As we know, Enzo Darkmoore is prowling the streets of MoonFire. According to my son and his friends, there's a secret house in the mountains of the Thorne pack, guarded by dark magic."
Herald, who hadn't heard this part before, stared in awe.
"This house is-"
Fred was interrupted as a guard entered the room.
"I'm sorry to interrupt," the guard said with a bow. "The Beta of the Thorne pack is here to see you, Alpha Herald."
The three alphas exchanged glances. Herald felt insulted that Trent would send his Beta to such an important
meeting.
"Send him in!" Herald ordered. Fred glanced at him, silently urging him to remain calm.
The Beta entered immediately.
"Why has your alpha defied my orders?" Herald demanded.
The Beta didn't hesitate. "Alpha Trent didn't defy your orders. He couldn't attend because he was killed this morning
in his home."
Before the alphas could react, the Beta presented a document. "This is a decree from the Thorne pack. As the Alpha of all alphas, we request you sign it, declaring Princess Bella wanted for the murder of Alpha King Trent."