Chapter 4 EPISODE 4

"How long do we have until the project is done?" Sir Redmond asked Jeff, his impatience barely concealed."Almost done. In a day or two, we will have finished, and it will be ready for testing," Jeff replied, his hands steady despite the pressure."Be quick about it. I need it the day after tomorrow. I have big plans for it."Direct confrontation had not been effective for Redmond, and it was time to fight smart. Ryan was beloved by his kind, and they were willing to fight to the death for him. Ryan himself would do anything to protect his people.

Redmond knew that his best chance was to exploit this devotion. Divide and conquer-his new strategy. What Redmond didn't know was that Ryan was on the other side, planning a counteroffensive.One week later, a man appeared at the fortress gates, waving a white flag and claiming to have a message for Ryan. Thinking it might be a trap, the guards quickly surrounded him, ready to attack. The commotion drew Ryan from his room, bursting through a second-floor window and landing gracefully on the ground below. He stopped the guards and sized up the man, sniffing for any scent of wolfsbane. The man was clean and, true to his word, produced an envelope sealed with candle wax. He tentatively offered the letter to Ryan, who broke the seal and read it silently. He then ordered the guards to escort the messenger out of the forest and ensure his safety."What did the letter say? You seem a bit off," Talia asked, her curiosity piqued."Sir Redmond wants us to sign a peace treaty. He invited me to Seriva for the meeting.""You know that may be a trap? An established hunter like that doesn't wake up one day and denounce hunting.""I understand. But I have to try. It may be worth it.""At least let me accompany you. It would be better if you had someone to watch your back.""No. I want you here. I can't lose you when you're the only one I've got left. Plus, I need you here in case something happens.""Alright, take Roman with you. I'll rest assured that he'll protect you.""Okay, although I can take care of myself."Three days later, Ryan and a delegation of three warriors, including Roman, arrived at the meeting ground. Sir Redmond was already there, standing with his arms crossed, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips. Roman and the delegates immediately began scouting for threats. Ryan scrutinized Redmond, sniffing for anything unusual. Satisfied that there was no immediate danger, he walked up to him, offering no greeting.Thoughts raced through Ryan's mind as he stared at Redmond. Suppose I kill him here and now? No, I'd breach the treaty conditions, and it might be seen as a declaration of war. He's probably thinking about killing me too. I'd be doing everyone a favor.Finally, Sir Redmond broke the silence. "I must admit, I'm surprised you decided to come. I never expected you to.""I'm surprised someone as cold-blooded as you can think of a peace treaty. What's your endgame?""So now I have to have an endgame to want peace for my people?""Do you know the amount of death and suffering you've caused my people? And you stand here to lecture me about peace. I should kill you here and now and end this bloody war!" Ryan fired back angrily."Oh, so now I'm the only one guilty of causing death? Do you know how many people we lose monthly to stray werewolves? They killed my entire family. I can kill all of your kind and not feel an ounce of guilt. Your threats mean nothing to me," Redmond shot back."I've lost half of my family to your hunters, and I haven't resorted to senseless killing.""They deserved it, and I'd gladly finish the remaining ones for you."That was it. Ryan launched himself at Redmond, knocking him backwards and raining punches on him. Surprisingly, Redmond didn't defend himself. In the ensuing scuffle, Redmond injected Ryan with a chemical.Instantly, pain rocked Ryan's body. It felt as if his blood had turned to acid. His body began shifting out of its own volition. Paws, head, and torso transformed painfully. He couldn't control it no matter how hard he tried. The wolf in him had taken over.Roman rushed in to find Ryan's ten-foot wolf standing over Redmond. The man was covered in drool and trying to unpin himself but failing. Quickly, Roman shifted into his five-foot warrior wolf. He was much smaller than the beast now standing over Redmond. In a fair match, he wouldn't stand a chance. In a flash, he hurled his small body against Ryan's massive form, momentarily distracting him. The man seized the opportunity and rolled away.Immediately, the beast turned on Roman, who dodged the claws and fangs with agility. Mind linking did not work. The other two delegates joined the fight, but one was torn apart, giving Roman and the remaining delegate time to escape. Sir Redmond had vanished.