Chapter 21
961words
"This is definitely a trap."
Elias slammed the anonymous intelligence file onto the table, his eyes sharp with suspicion.
"Sandra, this intel is too perfect. The organizational structure of the northern rebels, the terrain layout of Blackrock Abyss, even the exact location of that ancient altar is marked."
"He's right," my father, Caden, paced the room. "No one provides such complete enemy intelligence for free. It's bait. And you're the target."
I sat in my chair, my fingers gently tracing the last page of the file.
The shaky, handwritten warning: "Their target is you. Stay away."
"Maybe it is a trap," I said calmly. "But the person who sent this is not the one trying to harm me."
"What do you mean?" Elias frowned.
I closed my eyes, letting the power of my bloodline flow through me.
This ancient power not only gave me immense strength but also a kind of intuition.
My bloodline allows me to feel the intent behind the words. And this... this is soaked in desperation. In sacrifice.
"This intelligence..." I opened my eyes. "It's filled with the will to die."
"The will to die?" My father stopped pacing. "Are you saying—"
"Whoever sent this is walking to their own execution," my voice was a low whisper. "The only reason they provided such detailed information is because they want to use their own life as a warning to me."
Elias and my father exchanged a look.
"Sandra, who do you think sent it?"
I looked at the trembling handwriting on the page, the answer already clear in my heart.
Only one person would still try to protect me even in despair.
Only one person would knowingly walk into a death trap, and choose to face it alone.
"Byron," I said his name softly.
"What?" Elias's voice turned to ice. "You mean that bastard who hurt you?"
"It's him," I nodded with certainty. "Only he could get such detailed enemy intel. Only he would warn me not to go at the last minute."
"Even if he sent it, so what?" my father's voice was full of rage. "That doesn't change what he did to you!"
"I know," I stood and walked to the window. "But it also doesn't change the fact that he's using his life to give us this information right now."
I looked toward the distant Blackrock Abyss, a pitch-black void like the gaping maw of a monster.
"They've taken my mother as bait to lure me out," my voice grew calmer. "Byron walked into the trap so we wouldn't have to. He's sacrificing himself to give us a map of the battlefield and buy us time."
"Then let's wait!" Elias said angrily. "Let the northern rebels and Byron kill each other! We don't need to save anyone!"
"No," I turned, my eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "We don't wait."
"Sandra—"
"This is both a trap and an opportunity." I walked to the map, my finger tapping on Blackrock Abyss. "Byron wants to trade his life for my mother's and warn me away. So, we'll use his plan against them."
I looked at my father and Elias's confused expressions and continued.
"They think they've set the perfect trap, but they have no idea that we now have their entire layout."
"What are you planning to do?" my father asked.
"I'm going to make Blackrock Abyss their tomb."
My voice was as cold as ice, but my eyes burned with the fire of vengeance.
"They want my Ancestor's Bloodline? Fine. I'll let them see what the Ancestor's Bloodline can really do."
Elias looked at my determined expression and finally understood.
"You're going on the offensive?"
"Yes," I nodded. "But not by walking into a trap alone. We're going in with overwhelming force to wipe them off the map."
I walked to the communications console and began pulling up the military deployment maps for the Silver Moon and Ridge packs.
"These northern rebels have been hiding in the shadows for too long. It's time to drag them all out and wipe them out in one go."
My father came to my side, looking at the deployment map.
"This will be a tough fight," he said. "The terrain of Blackrock Abyss is against us, and the enemy has the advantage of the altar."
"Which is why we need absolute superiority in numbers," I looked at Elias. "How many elite warriors can you mobilize?"
"All of the Ridge Pack's elite warriors. About three hundred," he answered. "But Sandra, are you sure about this? Once we engage, it's a fight to the death."
"I'm sure," my voice held no hesitation. "These rebels are a threat to the stability of the entire werewolf world. They must be completely eliminated."
I turned to my father.
"How many can the Silver Moon pack spare?"
"Five hundred elites," my father answered without a second thought. "For you, and for the future of our kind, the Silver Moon pack gives its full support."
"Good," I looked at the map, a battle plan forming in my mind. "Eight hundred elites will be enough."
"What about Byron?" Elias asked. "If he's really there, during the battle he could very well be—"
"That was his choice," I cut him off, my voice cold. "He chose to face the enemy alone. He has to bear the consequences."
But in my heart, I knew that if possible, I wouldn't let Byron die there.
Not because I had forgiven him.
But because his death was mine to decide.
Not the northern rebels'.
I looked at the strategic points marked on the map, a complex emotion flashing in my eyes.
Then, I gave my command:
"Assemble the war council. Mobilize every warrior we have. This time, I lead the charge."
