CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY SIX - The Hidden Hand

With heavy hearts, they set a trap. The next night, when Marcus made his usual trip to the edge of the property, Erik and a small group of his most trusted pack members followed. What they witnessed confirmed their worst fears. Marcus stood at the boundary of the estate, his hands raised as he chanted in a language that made Erik's skin crawl. The wards flickered and wavered, creating a small opening. And through that opening stepped a shadowy figure, its form indistinct but radiating malevolence. Erik's roar of rage and betrayal shattered the night. Marcus whirled, his face a mask of shock and then resignation as he saw Erik bearing down on him. The shadowy figure disappeared in a wisp of dark smoke, leaving Marcus to face the consequences of his actions alone. The confrontation that followed was brutal and heartbreaking. Marcus, cornered and desperate, confessed to his betrayal. He had been approached by Malakar months ago, offered power and wealth beyond his wildest dreams in exc