Antiope

I walk to the sauna by the lake and I see Astrid waiting outside. From inside the sauna, I hear the light laughter of women and the low growl of men.

"All of them?"

"Yes, as instructed. Except the ones guarding our Alpha, of course. Karina tried but they didn't even look at her. They were starved for some physical affection if you know what I mean. We got them eating right out of our palms," Astrid smiles. "But Luna..."

I know what she is going to ask. I know because I have the same doubts in the back of my head. But only the thought that these animals hold Magnus like a rabid dog, that they dared attack me in numbers like cowards, the fact that filthy usurper is here to use my pack for his schemes, is enough to make me boil inside and all doubts go up in flames. This need to be done.

"Do it after the first dive," I order.

Astrid nods and I retreat to the tree line. I asked the women of my pack to do this and I will be right there to see it through. I will not shy away.

I mindlink Egil to see where the head of our enemies is and he says he is eating like... well, like a wolf. Still some time. I need to be back soon or he will suspect that I am up to something more than just preparing tonight's grand finale. Which in a way, I am.

The door of the sauna room opens and the people inside spill out. The women of my pack first. They laugh loudly as they dive into the waters, stark naked and the guards follow them with the distinct growl of an animal ready to mate. I watch as they splash around in the water. The girls are taking one for the team and I see some are kissing and caressing those men that dared hold Magnus down. This is what true faith in the pack looks like.

Then, the girls get out of the water and they playfully drag the men back the sauna. With kisses and sweet talk, they push them inside. The men smile and knead their naked flesh, they kiss and prob and make lewd comments but finally, there are all inside, sure that this sauna will turn into a happy little orgy for them.

Once they are all inside, the girls quickly push the door closed and lock it before raising together the thick wood to barricade the door more.

I get out of my hiding place and I walk to the sauna. I hear the men yell threats from inside and bang on the door. Well, they can try. Sure, we didn't have enough time to build it perfectly but it will hold. It will hold for a while and a while is all we need.

"Good job," I nod to Astrid.

With a smile on my face, I walk to the door and grab the knob for the temperature. Of course, these things have security locks and measurements but this is not a usual sauna. This was custom made for one thing and one thing only.

I turn the knob all the way and step away. It takes a few minutes but the howls soon turn to agonizing screams. Boiled alive is a bad, bad way to go. Good.

We all just stand there unmoving, hearing the screams, listening to the scratching of nails on the door, the desperate banging on the walls. And then we stand there in the absolute silence of the night.

"Shit," Astrid, swears under her breath.

I scowl to her. How dare she?

"These are our enemies! They had taken our Alpha, they had drugged him and they plan on killing him like a dog. They want to take over our pack. Don't you dare feel sorry for them!"

"No, Luna. I just..."

"No, Astrid! We will destroy our enemies! Show them what we are made of."

"Yes, I get that, but..."

"Our Alpha! My mate. I will-"

"I forgot my favorite swimsuit in there."

I gape at her. And then I chuckle and shake my head.

"I will buy you a new one, Astrid. Hell, I will buy you a hundred more once this is over. Now, all of you, stay scarce till it's all over," I say to the girls.

"Yes, Luna."

"And don't open this. We will burn it to the ground after."

I turn and walk away. One more to go. One more.

When I get back to the pack house, the sun has almost set. In the main room, there is a silence though most of the pack members are still here. Oblivious to the dagger looks and the heavy atmosphere or perhaps thriving in the hatred he created, the usurper eats still. I am guessing his is stocking up on strength.

"Everything ready?" he asks me as I take my seat by his side.

"The Ring is ready," I smile.

He throws away the piece of meat he was eating and he stands up, cleaning his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Let's do this then! Where are my men?"

I smile. A smile I hope reveals nothing of the deep satisfaction I feel knowing exactly where his men are.

"They are having fun at the sauna. Fun I hope we will enjoy after you are done with Magnus."

He drags me up by my arm and pushes me to him. He leans in and sniffs my neck and my skin crawls.

"You reek of him," he hisses.

"I am sure you will change that soon," I keep my voice even.

"Once he is dead, I will fuck you still bathed in his blood and fill your womb with my semen."

"Before or after I chew off your balls?" Maximo threatens and I am just about ready to let her do exactly as she threatens.

"Tonight," he addresses everyone in the room, "you will witness the end of your Alpha's reign. But do not worry. A stronger, mightier Alpha will take his place and together we will claim the rightful power that was denied to me."

No one talks, no one moves not even a muscle. They all look stoic and passive but I know they are anything but. But they don't react. They know as well as I do, that the last three guards are down in the cells with Magnus and that our Alpha is still not safe.

"Let's go get that Alpha of yours," he turns to me and makes his way down the basement through the silent crowd that parts as he passes by.

I have no words to say beside "Fuck you, asshole" and that would be a bad strategy to do so I simply smile and cosy closer, purring satisfied. Envisioning how I am hoping this night will end gives me enough strength. It will all work out. It has to work out.