Chapter 373: Tension Rising
Astrid's POV
The Packhouse felt heavier than ever as the tension between us grew. Despite our united front, I could see the cracks forming.
Drystan and Nova were relentless in their pursuit of the truth about Liora, while Killian and I were walking on a tightrope, desperately trying to keep our secret buried.
The message from the rogues still lingered in my mind: "Loyalty is fragile. Truth breaks even the strongest bonds." They weren't just taunting us—they were succeeding.
Killian had thrown himself into the investigation, questioning warriors and reviewing records, but I could see the toll it was taking on him.
He was barely sleeping, barely eating, and the strain of carrying his mother's secret was written all over his face.
As for me, I had my own demons to wrestle with. Every time I looked at Nova, I felt a pang of guilt.
She trusted me, confided in me, and here I was, hiding the truth about her sister's death.noveldrama
My wolf growled uneasily, a constant reminder of the betrayal simmering beneath the surface.
We gathered in the war room again, the air thick with unspoken tension. Drystan spread out a map on the table, marking the recent rogue attacks with sharp, precise movements.
"They're closing in," he said, his voice cold. "These attacks aren't random. They're coordinated, targeting our weakest points."
Killian nodded, his golden eyes narrowing. "They're trying to force us into action. If we move without a plan, we'll fall into their trap."
"
Nova leaned forward, her expression determined. "Then we need to outsmart them. If we can anticipate their next move, we can turn the tables."
"We can't keep reacting," Drystan said sharply. "We need to take the fight to them."
"And risk walking into an ambush?" Killian shot back, his tone sharp. "That's exactly what they want."
The room fell silent, the tension between the two Alphas palpable. I glanced between them, my heart sinking. The rogues' plan to divide us was working.
"We need to focus on the bigger picture," I said, breaking the silence. "The Rogue King is the real threat. If we can take him out, the rest will fall apart."
Drystan nodded reluctantly, his gaze shifting to Killian. "Agreed. But we also can't ignore the informant. Whoever betrayed Liora is still out there, and they could be working with the rogues now."
Killian's jaw tightened, but he didn't respond. I could see the storm brewing within him, the battle between his loyalty to his mother and his duty to the Pack.
After the meeting, I found Killian standing on the balcony outside our room, his gaze fixed on the dark forest beyond.
The moonlight cast a faint glow over his features, highlighting the exhaustion etched into his face.
"You're wearing yourself out," I said softly, stepping up beside him.
He didn't look at me. "I'm trying to hold everything together, Astrid. But it's slipping through my fingers."
I placed a hand on his arm, grounding him. "We're in this together, Killian. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."
He turned to me then, his golden eyes filled with anguish. "If Drystan and Nova find out the truth... If they find out it was Rowena..."
"They won't," I said firmly, though the words felt hollow. "We'll find a way to protect her."
Killian shook his head, his voice breaking. "But at what cost, Astrid? How long can we keep lying to them?"
I didn't have an answer. The truth was a ticking time bomb, and I could feel it
inching closer to detonation with every passing moment.
Drystan's Discovery
Meanwhile, Drystan and Nova were
digging deeper into Liora's past. They'd found an old diary hidden among her belongings, the pages filled with cryptic entries that hinted at her suspicions about someone within Silvermoon.
།
"She knew Nova said, her voice trembling as she read aloud. "I don't trust them. There's something off about their promises. But I have to play along-for now.""
Drystan's expression darkened as he took the diary from her. "She was onto
them. Whoever it was, she suspected them."
"But why didn't she tell anyone?" Nova asked, her voice breaking. "Why didn't she come to me?"
"Maybe she didn't have time," Drystan replied, his voice rough. "Or maybe she thought she could handle it on her own."
Nova's hands clenched into fists. "We need to find out who she was talking about. If we can figure out who she didn't trust, we'll find the informant."
Astrid's POV
Just as the tension within our group reached its breaking point, another message arrived from the rogues.
This time, it was carved into the bark of a tree on the edge of Silvermoon's territory.
"The truth is closer than you think."
The words sent a chill down my spine. The rogues weren't just toying with us― they were closing in, and they wanted us to destroy ourselves from the inside.
Killian and I stood together as the message was reported, the weight of our secret pressing down on us like a vise.
"They're trying to break us," Killian murmured, his voice low. "And it's working."
I nodded, my throat tight. "But we can't let them win. Not now. Not ever."
As the night fell over Silvermoon, I knew one thing for certain: the truth was coming, and when it did, everything would change.
We need to act fast and decide what's best for the Pack and what's best for everyone else.
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