CLAUDIA.
John gets behind me, yanking my hair back to make me look up at him. He’s smiling like he just landed a jackpot, even letting out a laugh as he brings out a roll of thick rope, dangling it over my face before binding my wrists with it.
“You little freak,” John hisses at me, pulling me back until I’m lying on the ground, my head narrowly missing a protruding rock. “What did you do to me, huh?”
I don’t know why he’s asking me questions while I’m gagged. It’s almost comedic, but the hilarity of the situation vanishes when the other men crowd around us, looking down at me like they’re excited to hurt me.
In fact, one of them tries to kick my stomach.
My instincts kick in. As soon as he raises his boot, I raise my knees over my stomach, curling up and retaliating with a kick of my own. My foot makes contact with his shin, and he yelps, skipping back away from me.
Before he can aim fo

CLAUDIA.
Winona, as it turns out, is very well connected to the Alpha of the nearby pack that basically oversees the Silver Hills village. She calls herself the ‘headhunter’, the one in charge of putting people in the palace of this Alpha Hyperion.
I actually never heard of him, but I know that his pack is notorious for having parties even in this political climate.
But who am I to complain? I’m getting another job.
Maybe this is the start of things looking up. Finally. I’ve been through so much and maybe this is the reward that I was waiting for.
Winona and I travel in her carriage in silence, up the hills of Aurora Nightwalker Pack. I’m getting more and more excited as we draw closer to the palace, thinking about my old work.
At last, we arrive, getting out of the carriage together.
The palace is pretty impressive, maybe even more impressive than my old home. Not because of the size be

ACHILLES.
“So you’re telling me that you both think someone is in there?” Kiernan asks as Carlos gets to the end of the story of our journey.
We both nod, but that doesn’t ease the frown from Kiernan’s face. If anything, he looks more confused. I’m pacing behind my office desk, back at the palace now. Kiernan and Carlos are sitting in front of me, waiting for me to make sense of it all, but I know I’m going to have to disappoint them. Even though hours have passed and it’s dark out now, I still don’t know what I saw exactly.
Could that have been the Rogue King? Was he and his people hiding in plain sight? Was that really their headquarters? Were they in their human forms, which would explain why they had no smell?
The questions keep milling about in my head.
I desperately need answers for all of them.
“Do we sneak in and investigate?” Carlos asks. “We could get a small army. I mean, what else are the villagers going to do?”
‘Probably call Tristan for help,’ I say with a shrug. ‘We can’t barge in with an army. They already detest us. And with our people spread so thin… I don’t think I can put more lives in danger. We need a different strategy. We need to be close without being seen.’
Kiernan tilts his head, suddenly shooting to his feet and wagging a finger at me. “I have an idea.”
‘What is it?’ I sign to him.
He looks at me for a couple more seconds like he’s afraid of what I’m going to say. “Well, the Alpha close to that village happens to be someone we know….”
He lets himself trail off, but I already know what he’s thinking. For a second, I feel like jumping in the air and celebrating, then I realize the full extent of what he’s saying and I find myself deflating like a popped balloon.
‘We do know him very well,’ I sign solemnly.
“Alpha Hyperion,” Carlos agrees, staring into the distance as though he’s reliving his trauma with Hyperion. And I’m pretty sure he actually is. “The self-proclaimed party god.”
The three of us exchange glances. I can tell none of us wants to get on with this, but we are also reeking of desperation.
In the end, I just take a deep breath. The long inhale of defeat. ‘So… the day after tomorrow at sundown, we visit his place.’
* * *
Alpha Hyperion is the oldest Alpha in our current league. He’s actually closer to my father’s age than he is to mine, and that is saying a lot, considering that werewolves age much slower.
But he doesn’t let his age catch up to him in a lot of ways. Yes, he does look like a raisin with hair now, but he still likes to keep himself youthful in terms of immaturity and love for partying. That’s why he calls himself the party god, because according to him, he throws the best gatherings out there. He still does that now, throwing all sorts of soirees and balls that no one really attends because of the war. That doesn’t mean he’s going to stop any sooner though.
And to prove my point, when we arrive at his palace in the Aurora Nightwalker Pack, there’s a party going on.
The music is loud, played by this electronic device at the corner of the ballroom, filled by about two dozen people. All of them look like they’re held at gunpoint as they dance around. This is also exactly the reason why we decided to spend all day yesterday preparing for this mentally. It's just a depressing sight to see.
Meanwhile, Alpha Hyperion is sitting on his throne, downing a huge mug of mead and watching the ladies in the crowd with an interested eye. He’s also the only Alpha who never got married. Go figure.
When he sees me, his whole demeanor changes. He perks up, almost toppling off his throne. He runs up to me and encloses me in the stinkiest, tightest bear hug before holding me at arm's length. I realize that the top of his head barely brushes my chin.
“Achilles, my boy!” he says jovially. The movement on his wrinkled face is enough to tell me that he’s ecstatic. “I’ve been inviting you to so many of my exploits and you choose this night to come? When I’m throwing… a semi-private party?”
I have a feeling it’s not semi-private. I believe his people had enough.
I know the feeling well.
I force a smile, signing to Kiernan beside me. Carlos is the one left at the palace for the night. ‘I apologize for that. You know what happened with the Rogue problem.’
Kiernan repeats this to him, but he shakes his head. “I know what he’s saying, my dear Kiernan. No need to translate. Why don’t you go have a drink?
We both look at each other, but Kiernan bows and obeys.
Once we’re alone, Hyperion puts an arm around me and starts to lead me to the sitting room on the other side of the ballroom. “The pesky Rogues, huh? I also heard that Tristan has been going around converting people. He’s quite an old turd. Is he the new Alpha King now?”
I want to say no, but I actually have no clue. ‘Not yet.’
Hyperion’s eyes light up. “I understand. Are you here for my help?”
I can’t help but heave a sigh of relief. He may have his faults, but he does understand some matters. He offers me a drink from the crystal bottle on the table and I take it, sitting opposite him on the plushy couch.
‘I’ve been wanting to discover the sources of these Rogues,’ I tell him, and he nods. I feel bad for not telling him the whole truth, but he doesn’t have to know. ‘It would be easier to… solve this Rogue problem for everyone, instead of just killing them on sight. We have to get to the source.’
“I agree,” he says, and I feel emboldened.
I drink more of the rum he offered, suddenly feeling warm all over. ‘Not far away from your palace is the old lumber factory. The locals say it became a hub for Rogues. It checks out with our maps. I need your help so I can get there without being attacked by the villagers.’
He nods, putting more in my glass. “Yes. I will help you. Do you need men? Resources?”
‘Both,’ I admit, downing the rest of what he poured into my glass. ‘I appreciate your interest.’
Hyperion chuckles. “Of course, my boy! After all, you’re the only one who understands my ways. You’re the only one who includes me in these messy politics. And I will also include you!”
I almost feel some joy from his agreement, but then my heart starts to beat fast. My skin is prickly and warm. Suddenly, the room is spinning and my eyelids feel heavy. I look at him and find him smiling at me. ‘What did you do to me?’
“I gave you some extra strong rum so you can have fun!” Hyperion says gleefully, rising from his seat. I try to reach out for him but he steps aside and suddenly yells, “Ladies! Please entertain the Alpha King!”

CLAUDIA.
John gets behind me, yanking my hair back to make me look up at him. He’s smiling like he just landed a jackpot, even letting out a laugh as he brings out a roll of thick rope, dangling it over my face before binding my wrists with it.
“You little freak,” John hisses at me, pulling me back until I’m lying on the ground, my head narrowly missing a protruding rock. “What did you do to me, huh?”
I don’t know why he’s asking me questions while I’m gagged. It’s almost comedic, but the hilarity of the situation vanishes when the other men crowd around us, looking down at me like they’re excited to hurt me.
In fact, one of them tries to kick my stomach.
My instincts kick in. As soon as he raises his boot, I raise my knees over my stomach, curling up and retaliating with a kick of my own. My foot makes contact with his shin, and he yelps, skipping back away from me.
Before he can aim for another kick, I sit up as quickly as I can, ramming John’s chin with the top of my head.
He

Chapter 20