The evening air was cool, the breeze rustling through the leaves as Roderik Langeveld's group arrived at the Wind Pack's territory. The vast expanse stretched before them, the towering trees casting long shadows as the day began to wane. The stillness of the land felt almost heavy, as if nature itself was watching their every step, its quiet gaze more intimidating than welcoming.
Akechi Ookaze, the Wind Pack's leader, waited at the entrance, his broad smile almost too eager. His posture was immaculate, yet there was a nervous energy in his movements, a subtle deference that spoke volumes about his awareness of Roderik's power.
"Lord Roderik! We are honored to have you here!" Akechi's voice rang out, dripping with exaggerated reverence. His eyes widened with what appeared to be respect—but it was a kind of respect Roderik had seen countless times before. Calculated. Forced. The Wind Pack Alpha was trying too hard, and Roderik noticed it immediately. He wasn't here for flattery.
"Alpha Ookaze, sorry for being late," Roderik said, his tone neutral but carrying a subtle undercurrent that made it clear his apology was empty.
Akechi chuckled, though it sounded strained. "We don't mind, Lord Roderik. We understand how busy you are," he responded quickly, his words coming too fast. His eyes flickered nervously as he led them through the grounds, his every gesture clearly calculated. He seemed to check Roderik's expression with every step, hoping for some sign of approval, some acknowledgment.
"You must be tired after such a long journey," Akechi continued, his voice practically sing-song, coaxing a positive response. "Please, allow me to show you to your quarters. If there's anything you need, anything at all, just say the word. We will make sure you're completely comfortable."
Roderik shook his head. His eyes remained impassive, his thoughts already on business.
"We'd like to get into business as we could not really stay long," Roderik said firmly, his voice carrying an unspoken command. The pleasantries had overstayed their welcome.
Akechi nodded, his smile faltering ever so slightly before he quickly recovered. He led them to the Alpha's office—an odd, foreign setup that was clearly intended to accommodate Western guests. The room was unlike the traditional Japanese setup. Instead of tatami mats, the floor was smooth wood, and in the center was a sofa set with a delicate glass table. Despite its comfort, the room still carried a formal air, with massive windows offering a sweeping view of the fading light outside.
As they sat, servants entered, gliding with graceful movements as they set down delicate trays filled with beautiful snacks and refreshments. The scent of rich pastries and tea filled the air, and Akechi gestured to the spread with a flourish.
"Alpha Langeveld, Ms. Astrid, gentlemen, please have some," Akechi said, his voice smooth but still carrying too much reverence.
Roderik's expression didn't change, but his sharp eyes noted how Akechi handled every detail with excessive care. It was clear he was working hard to please, trying to stay in Roderik's good graces. Roderik didn't mind. He understood the effort, though he wasn't interested in playing these games. Akechi knew well enough that Roderik could crush the Wind Pack with a mere word. But Roderik wasn't here for pleasantries. He had a purpose, and it had nothing to do with this.
As the group began to settle into the discussion about the cure, a sudden commotion broke the moment. Voices shouting, a sudden rise in chaos—something had gone wrong. Akechi froze, his forced smile faltering as his eyes snapped to the source of the disturbance.
"Please excuse me, Lord Roderik," Akechi said quickly, his tone now sharp with urgency. "There seems to be something going on outside. I'll handle this at once."
Before Akechi could leave, a servant entered the room, his face pale, his steps hurried. Akechi stepped forward immediately, his voice dropping to a near whisper, though the tension in the room made it unnecessary—everyone heard him loud and clear.
"What is it? Why is it so noisy?" Akechi asked, his concern palpable.
The servant's face was ashen. "It's bad, Alpha. Something's happened to the delegates at Kageoden."
Roderik's sharp gaze immediately sharpened. Delegates at Kageoden? His mind raced. If he remembered correctly from the report, those at Kageoden included Eldest Salutary, Rina Ookaze, Gamma Rei Ookaze, and three others.
Akechi turned back to Roderik, his face tight with concern. "Alpha Langeveld, I apologize, but I think we may need to postpone our talk," he said, his voice no longer dripping with flattery, but serious. He gestured to another servant. "Please, show Alpha Langeveld to the guest house."
But Roderik stopped him with a raised hand. "No need. We'll wait here," he said calmly but firmly. Akechi hesitated, but the urgency of the situation was clear. He bowed quickly, excusing himself, and hurried toward the source of the disturbance. The others watched his every move with growing curiosity and suspicion.
Roderik's eyes followed Akechi's retreating form before turning to the servant who had reported earlier. "What's really going on?" he asked, his voice low, demanding.
The servant flinched, startled, and barely met Roderik's gaze. Gathering his courage, he replied, "W-We have some members who got attacked by rogues."
Rogues? Roderik's mind processed the words slowly. Rogue wolves—loners without a pack, roaming territory in search of opportunity. It wasn't uncommon, but for them to have attacked Wind Pack members was a serious issue. First, this was Lycan King's territory. No rogues would dare act so lawlessly here. Second…
The sleek, expensive limo came to a stop at the entrance, its polished surface gleaming in the low light. Roderik's instincts flared. The limo was too pristine, too out of place for an attack by rogues. Something didn't sit right.
The doors opened, and Rina Ookaze emerged first. Her proud posture, usually unshakable, was now slumped with exhaustion. The formidable woman, always a force to be reckoned with, now appeared strangely defeated, as though some deep weight had crushed her spirit. Behind her, a young girl followed. But it was the next figure to emerge that caught Roderik's full attention.
Rei Ookaze. The once-steely Gamma, now stumbling from the limo, her eyes glazed and movements sluggish. She was being assisted by Rina, and her disorientation was immediate—something was terribly wrong. Rei looked mentally incapacitated, her strength completely drained, leaving her utterly vulnerable.
Roderik's instincts flared. His gaze hardened as he took in the scene, his mind racing. This wasn't just an ordinary rogue attack. This was something deeper, something that had taken even Rei—one of their strongest—down. The Wind Pack was not weak. Whatever had happened here was beyond the usual threats.
What's going on?