Utter silence met Alpha Bennett's declaration.

I didn't think some were even breathing.

No one refuted Alpha Bennett's proposal, which spoke more beyond words about their situation.

They had reached a dead end.

A standpoint, with no possible exit.

Their situation was worse than they portrayed.

If Alpha Bennett wanted to join, that meant-

"You would have to abdicate your title as Alpha." Jude stated, wording my thoughts.

It was like everyone dispelled a breath hearing the words from Jude's lips.

From my peripheral, I finally spotted Mila. Her golden hair was hidden, tucked away into her sweater. She found a spot at the end of the crowd, observing silently. Judging from her expression, she found the situation interesting. She met my gaze briefly, her expression unreadable before she returned her attention back to the two Alphas.

Although he looked like he was going to be terribly sick, Alpha Bennett nodded. "I know. I will, only if you agree."

"This seems too fishy." Kian whispered. "I don't trust him."

Neither of us did but we did trust Jude.

"This is uncharacteristic of you." Jude spoke plainly. His chains clinked as he shifted slightly.

Jace appeared as if he was going to say something, but Ace shook his head, holding a palm against his twin brother's chest. At least one of them was smart enough to not engage. I knew they were frothing at the mouth to spit something out, but it seemed like daddy dearest was not happy with their interruptions so far.

"What are your conditions?" Jude asked.

Kian and I kept our expressions carefully blank. We had no idea if Jude was genuinely entertaining the idea that he would permit Alpha Bennett's Pack to join the Shadow Hunters but their Pack members stood at their Alpha's side, reading the atmosphere with caution.

"I only have one condition. I want safety granted to all my Pack members." Alpha Bennett claimed, "That is the only condition."

"What makes you think I would even let you inside my Pack after the things you've done?" Jude asked, raising a brow.

Alpha Bennett swallowed hard. Maybe he was swallowing his pride because what he was offering wasn't something small. He was willing to give away his title and authority for the hope of safety for his Pack. It didn't seem like a very Alpha Bennett thing to do, hence, we had more than a good amount of doubt.

Sure, people changed but that didn't equate to immediate trust.

"I would be a fool not to have my own conditions. Although, mine is a longer list compared to yours." Jude responded.

"What are they?"

"Why do you want to join my Pack first?" Jude asked instead, "There must be a reason you're wanting to join my Pack and eschew your title as an Alpha. What is it that you want?"

Alpha Bennett hesitated, clenching his jaw tight. "It's complicated." He reluctantly admitted.

"Uncomplicate it. No bullshit." Jude dared him. "What is the reason you're trying to seek refuge in my Pack? I will know if you're lying to me, so be wise in your words Bennett."

I was amazed Alpha Bennett hadn't retaliated. Jude had simply stripped him of his Alpha title by only calling out his surname, which was vastly offensive in its own means. Yet, the opposing Alpha merely stood at his side of the cave, staring back with nothing but restrained contempt.

"We have nothing." He confessed. "Our Pack has been ravaged from those red-eyed changelings. Our allies have completely abandoned us. We've been chased and hunted down relentlessly by those poisonous wolves. We've lost one too many. We've run out of options. We can only seek help."

"What happened to your allies?"

"They heard about what we had done concerning the poisonous wolves...they've also heard about the things we'd done to your Pack and Allison-"

"Get that name out of your mouth." Jude cut him off, sneering. "Don't speak that name after what you did to her." Fury lit his words. Everyone sucked in a startled breath. His calm façade broke slightly, showing a glimpse of the reckless wolf he kept leashed beneath his skin.

Remorse carved into Alpha Bennett's features. It was difficult to unpack all the different emotions running across his face as he bowed his head, squeezing his eyes shut. The man looked completely devastated. His Pack members were aghast by the sudden vulnerability in the man they called Alpha. "I won't speak her name." He vowed quietly. "I won't say it again." He forced the words from his stiff jaw.

"Unless she says otherwise, you won't speak her name or even look in her direction if you ever cross paths. I'll deem it a personal offense, only punishable by banishing you from the Pack, if my mate somehow finds compassion on you and allows you to join."

"Understood."

I couldn't help but gape as Jude skinned Alpha Bennett from his dignity word by word. He wasn't going easy either. He was completely savage, using nothing but words to slash him down at his knees. I didn't know why I thought he would go easy on him. Alpha Bennett deserved worse.

It must be humiliating to render yourself submissive to an enemy Pack, but this seemed like their only hope. They were desperate. He had run out of options and concluded that Jude was the only saviour that could redeem him.

I just didn't think Jude was feeling any fondness watching the man avoid his gaze. He purposely let the silence hang between them like a threat.

"I have failed as their Alpha. I have nothing to give them but protection and safety at your hands." Alpha Bennett breathed. His voice was barely comprehensible. "I don't have anything to offer you to believe me."

"And if one of my conditions is that you leave your Pack members with me and you go?" Jude let the question hang.

Gasps chorused from the Pack. Judging by Alpha Bennett's expression, he hadn't expected that as a feasible option.

He swallowed hard, the lump in his throat twitching as his gaze fell helplessly at his feet. "I would accept."

"It would not be just you. Your sons would have to leave."

Genuine panic groped his face. "I would beg you to keep them with you. They can't be Rogues."

"You're assuming I care Bennett. You don't do the negotiating in this proposal. It's no less than what you all deserve." Jude watched the man with icy detachment.

"I'm begging, pleading, you don't turn them away. They'll pay their penance to you. I will force them to."

His confession didn't feel like a lie, but we all felt uncomfortable with his admission. He could be playing games with us for all we knew.

"If you need to force them to pay penance, then I don't want it. I want them, on their own will and conscience to be accountable for their own actions. However, I want you to show me proper begging. Get on your knees Bennett."

Alpha Bennett gaped at Jude.

Everyone had long lost their voice as the men conversed, but this moment seemed to pull every eye in. Alpha Bennett shook as if struggling to make sense of Jude's blatant order. His hands fell limp at his sides. "You want me on my knees?"

Jude raised a brow, making him come off more like an asshole. I was more than certain it was what the man was going for. "Why are you still asking questions Bennett? I gave you a direct order. Where did you deliver? You're still on your feet."

Alpha Bennett slowly fell to his knees. His Pack members jostled behind him in discomfort. His head hung low as his fists pressed against the cavern floors, holding his torso up from the ground.

Jude took his time to scan the Pack members. He was establishing his authority among them, showing them that their Alpha was willing to bend for him. Majority of them were in shock that their Alpha was kneeling, but they stared at Jude as if he was going to slit their throats. Jude didn't offer a single smile to soften their view of him. He stood tall and untouchable. "A lot of things will need to completed. A ceremony will need to occur to convert all your members into my Pack. They'll need to pledge their allegiance to my mate and I. If you enter the Pack, you and your sons will need to have duels as you all have betrayed my Pack in your own way. That is something that will not be undisciplined. Of course, apologies will need to be made to the parties owed and you personally will abdicate all authority to me- your future Alpha." Jude spoke, "There will undoubtedly be tension in the Pack because of your presence, therefore, I'll need to not only communicate with my mate but others in the Pack to seek your integration into the Shadow Hunters."

Alpha Bennett looked tortured as he took a shaky breath. His shoulders trembled as he nodded after Jude's words. "I'll do it all."

"This will only go forward once I communicate with my mate. If she declines, there is nothing I can do. She will have the final say." Jude stated, "If she rejects your proposal, we will find a safe place for your Pack members to go but as for you and your sons, I will withdraw any assistance considering the events that have led up to this."

"Understood."

"We'll send word on our decision once it is made." Jude informed him sternly. "Expect news in a few days."

Alpha Bennett nodded.

Jude took one long look of the fallen Alpha. There was no pity or empathy in his gaze. He only bore cold eyes. Jude left, leaving without so much as a curt goodbye. It was like he couldn't get out of there fast enough. His brisk steps cut into the silence, fading into the distance as he drew further away.

I watched as Jace, and Ace pulled their father up by his arms. The feat was difficult. Their faces were pinched as Alpha Bennett used their bodies to balance himself. He shoved them away once he found footing. His sons tripped, trying to catch their feet but other Pack members paused their plight to the cavern floors.

Since I had been distracted by them, I hadn't noticed Magnus drawing close.

"Kian." Magnus finally approached us.

"Dad." Kian whispered, his relief tangible. Tension melted from his body as his shoulders relaxed. Magnus gripped his son's arm, his eyes glassy as he scanned over his son with care. He brushed a steady finger across the golden E.S initials on his suit. His lips twitched, threatening into a smile as he studied the letters that signified his son's achievements.

"You look good son." The older man roughly said. "You look really good."

"I can't say the same for you." Kian responded; his voice thick with emotion. "You look like absolute shit. When did you last eat?"

Magnus sighed, "Kian." However, a small smile remained, teasing his lips.

"Here, I brought this with me." He handed the man a packet of crackers in a silver sleeve and an apple. "It was all I could fit into my pockets. Eat it, you look like you lost a couple of pounds. You got bags under your eyes too. You should probably see a healer or something, to give you some sleeping pills."

"Son." Magnus accepted the food with a slow, completely endeared grin, "Thank you."

"We have to go now. I'll see you soon." Kian briefly met Magnus's warm gaze before he slid away, muttering something incoherent beneath his breath "Hurry Pen, we need to be at Jude's side."

"Coming!" I yelled.

"Take care of that marshmallow. He's a lot like his mother although he may refuse it. Acts tough but squishy in the middle. A complete marshmallow." Magnus patted my shoulder, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

"Don't worry. Kian is one of mine to protect." I promised, moving towards the path we entered, "I'm sure we'll see each other soon Magnus."

"I don't doubt it." He flashed his white teeth smile.

I took one more glance of Mila over my shoulder. She looked pensive as she sank deeper into the shadows of the caves. I knew she was avoiding me. I may have scared her off with my invitation to join the Shadow Hunters.

"I'll be seeing you soon Mila." I vowed.

Her eyes found mine briefly across the space between us. They flashed as light played across those icy blue eyes.

I could only hope for now that she was contemplating Jude's claim.