Chapter 2 Outside the Gates

*Varek*

"The forces have advanced to the border of Malantra, Your Highness," one of my advisors tells me. "They are holding strong there, ready for your signal to attack."

"Send word for them to fan out along the border," I tell him. "When they launch into Solara, I want to make sure our attack is as broad and destructive as possible. Do not hold back."

"Yes, sir," he says, and then he's off, shifting into his wolf and running however far he must to be within mind-link range of my leaders in Malantra.

"It was a good idea to bring our forces through neutral territory," my Beta, Ronan, says. "Alpha King Alden will be shocked when he knows we're progressing on two sides."

Leaning over the map, I move a few pieces that represent our forces into different positions. "I'm certain he's already aware of our advance through Malantra. They may claim to be neutral, but they will tip the Solarans off. Be sure of that."

"We could've gone further south," one of my generals, and also my cousin, Lucien says, pointing at the bottom of the map. "We know the Panderians would never tip off Alpha King Alden."

I shake my head. "No, that would've taken too long, and we will still have the upperhand even with Solara aware of our position. That's not the purpose. We want to terrify them enough that they are willing to negotiate."

"We need to destroy them completely," Lucian says. "Drive them into the dust."

"That's not our purpose, and you know it." I almost roll my eyes at him, but I don't. Lucian is too bloodthirsty for his own good. "Let's stick to our purpose."

"Your purpose is not necessarily what's best for the kingdom." Lucian meets my gaze, and he's lucky I don't slap him in the face for making such a remark, particularly in front of someone else.

"Keep your opinions to yourself, cousin," I warn him.

He flips his long blond hair over his shoulder and stares at me with daggers in his eyes. "Sorry, Alpha."

I ignore him and finish moving the pieces on the map to match the information I've been given. "Our advanced guard is nearly at the castle gates of Solara. Let's move forward and see if Alpha King Alden is ready to discuss peace negotiations."

Lucian scoffs, and I know that's because he thinks it's too early for us to be talking about ending the war. But he doesn't know precisely what I am after, and I'm not going to disclose all of that information to him when he doesn't need to know it. He is an exceptional warrior, but he doesn't always think before he speaks.

With my mind made up, I prepare to shift. One of my attendants gathers up my clothing and will carry it along with us so that I can shift back into my human form when we arrive. Then, I leave the tent and leap into the air. My brilliant black wolf form is enormous, the largest wolf I've ever seen. I am faster and stronger than anyone else. While Lucian's gray wolf is also enormous, and Ronan's brown wolf is almost as big as his, neither of them can even reach my shoulders.

I take off running toward the front of the line. As I go, I pass over desecrated land. In places, the ground is red with blood, with tufts of fur and shards of bone scattered around. I have no idea how many warriors we've lost, but I'm certain we still have far more than Solara does. Our higher population and large land space gives us the edge on growing our army–not to mention we are a richer kingdom and can manage to pay our soldiers better.

It only takes me about an hour to reach the front of the line. When my messengers said that we had reached the gates of the castle, he was not exaggerating. My warriors, still in their wolf forms for the most part, stand with their tongues hanging out, yipping and howling, shuffling from paw to paw, all of them eager to get through those gates and continue the battle.

I shift and get dressed before approaching my commander on the ground here, General Merek. "What's the status?" I ask him.

"We were waiting for you, sir. The number of warriors inside of the gate is likely similar to the number we have remaining on this front. Do you prefer to wait for our troops to come in from the northwest, or shall we attack now?"

It's a difficult decision. I am certain we can storm the castle and collect precisely what I'm looking for, as well as negotiate the land I'm hoping to gain from this war. But... I've never been one to shed blood when it's unnecessary.

"Contact Alpha King Alden and tell him I'm here and wish to negotiate with him," I tell General Merek. Make sure that he understands that this is the one and only time that I will ask to negotiate. Otherwise, I will attack, and I will do so ruthlessly, with no mercy. Understand?"

"Yes, sir," the general says. Then, he moves forward toward the gate. I'm sure he's already made contact with someone on the other side and knows precisely who he needs to ask for. My leaders are nothing if not efficient.

Ronan has shifted and dressed. I meet him a few hundred yards away from the gates. I'm glad Lucien is not around. He's likely out checking on our line, moving troops to fortify any potential problem areas. That is what he does best.

"Do you think he'll agree to meet with us?" Ronan asks, running a hand through his dark hair.

"I think he will if he knows what's good for him," I reply. "If he doesn't, well, it will be of no consequence to us. We're getting what we want, no matter what."

While I wait for Alpha King Alden to respond to my request to meet, I scan my soldiers. They are huge, ferocious, fierce, and ready to rip apart the Solaran army the moment they get the chance.

If Alpha King Alden has any brains in his head, he'll meet with me. Otherwise, he will regret it.

And so will his daughter.