Jae was the final member to arrive at the king's hall. The members of the council rose from their chairs and bowed in respect of the prince as the true blood walked past and joined the alpha and luna at the head of the table. Yejin stood behind the prince's right with his hands clasped together, his chest rising and falling as he fought to catch his breath. The prince and captain had run to the hall upon receiving the alpha's command. The true blood, however, appeared to be unfazed by the quick sprint; Jae calmly sat in his chair, his chest rising and falling only slightly as he maintained control over his breathing.

The king swiveled his head around the table and said, "Let us begin," when he saw there were no empty seats.

The sigma closed her eyes in response to the alpha's words and furrowed her brows in concentration. The hall fell silent as the woman enhanced the link between the council and the delegation teams. The sigma let out a slow breath as she completed the connection and opened her eyes a moment later to reveal silver orbs. The werewolves present closed their eyes as they felt the signal open up and adjusted to the sensation of a boosted link.

Alpha. The leader of Team 2 voiced her greeting through the enhanced link. The beta's voice was firm but respectful as she addressed her alpha.

Ramona. The king greeted the beta. What is Black Moon's response?

They have granted us access and are willing to give us an audience with the alpha.

The king nodded his head as he responded. Good, good. Contact me immediately when you gain an audience with Black Moon's alpha.

Ae, Alpha. Ramona grew silent after her response but remained present in the link to listen to how Team 1 was faring.

Callon, what is the update from White Fang? Fachan inquired of the leader of Team 1.

The delta's voice was grave as he answered. Sire, a delegation party from Black Moon has just arrived and is currently in a private discussion with the alpha.

Hushed whispers of surprise floated through the room at Callon's words. The officers and members of the council shifted in their chairs as they grew restless. "What is Black Moon doing at White Fang?" "How did they know we had sent a delegation team?" "What do they want with White Fang?" "Something is amiss."

The king released a low growl to silence the frazzled council. Black Moon's presence at White Fang does not change the purpose of the mission. Callon, inform me once you have received an audience with White Fang's alpha.

Ae, Sire.

We are finished here.

Jae eyed the alpha through slanted lids as the sigma cut the link. The prince was not pleased with Fachan's response to Black Moon's appearance at White Fang. Black Moon was up to something, and Jae was determined to figure out what Black Moon's intentions were. The true blood stood to his feet once the alpha had left the hall and motioned for Yejin to follow him. The prince's eyes were hard as he exited the hall and made his way to the dungeons. He would drag out Black Moon's intentions by any means necessary.

Yejin was silent as he followed his prince down the several flights of stairs and to the cage where the five were being kept. The prince trailed his eyes over the five before landing on the cowering leader. "Bring him," Jae commanded in a growl to the two guards who had escorted the prince and captain of the guard.

Whimpers of fear trailed from the frightened alpha's lips as he was grabbed and dragged from the cell.

"Where are you taking him?" The beta spoke up as she watched her teammate be brought up the stairs.

Jae stopped in his tracks and turned to face the beta. The true blood's voice was deep as he answered, "You'll find out soon enough," before turning and following the whimpering alpha up the stairs.

"P-p-please don't hurt m-me," the alpha whimpered as he was chained to a wooden chair positioned in the center of a room located just above the five's cage.

"You are likely the most pathetic alpha I have ever had the misfortune to meet," Jae said to the alpha as he rolled his sleeve. "Now, are we going to do this the easy way? Or the hard way?" The true blood asked as he bared his claws.

The alpha gulped as he saw the prince's dark eyes and bared claws. "What do you want to know?"

Jae smirked as he let out a scoff. "That was easy." The alpha's brows furrowed in confusion at the prince's remark. Jae retracted his claws and motioned for the guards to release the alpha. The restrained alpha's eyes widened as the guards unlocked the chains around his wrists, ankles, and neck.

"What a-are you doing?" The alpha inquired cautiously as he remained frozen in the chair.

"You can drop the act, now," Jae said as he stood in front of the alpha with his arms folded across his chest.

"I-I don't know w-what you're talking about," the alpha replied as he turned his gaze to the floor.

"There is no way an alpha like you would be chosen to lead a delegation team. You don't have to keep the act up. I already know you're faking," Jae answered nonchalantly.

A moment of silence passed as the alpha kept his head turned to the floor. The silence was only broken when a crazed laugh filtered out of the alpha's lips. The prisoner slowly raised his head to reveal an evil glint in his eyes accompanied by a smirk on his face. "When did you know?"

"Since the forest. Your subordinates followed your every order when we surrounded you even though you acted like a weakling. That would never happen if your cover was the real you. We are wolves. We only obey those who are stronger than us. Your beta caught your drift and acted like the strong one to cover for you. My guess is that you were preparing to break out when I went and dragged you out." Jae shrugged his shoulders as he added, "Sorry to bust the party, but there will be no escaping tonight."

The alpha let out a slight scoff as he nodded his head in approval. "You're just as good as they say, Prince. Now, tell me, why did you uncuff me?"

"Well, I would usually propose a deal. We would spar, and if I won, you tell me what I wanted to know. If I lost, you and your buddies would walk free. However, you do not seem like someone who would hold to his word, so the only thing I can propose to you now is: try to survive." Jae ended the sentence with a growl as he bared his claws and charged the alpha.

>>>>>>

"Bring the beta," Jae commanded as he stood to his feet. Yejin remained with the prince as the two guards bowed before exiting the interrogation room. A strained moan left the alpha who lied on the floor surrounded by a puddle of blood. Jae cocked his head to one side as he observed the alpha open his eyes and spit up a clot of the thick, dark liquid. The prince crouched down beside the alpha and checked his pulse. To Jae's relief, it was growing stronger. He had hoped he had not done too much and was thankful he did not accidentally kill the alpha during their fight.

A scream rang out as the door to the room opened, and the beta was pushed inside. Jae turned around to look at the beta before rising back to his full height. The beta's eyes were wide as she looked at the bloodied alpha on the floor.

"What did you do to him?!" The beta yelled at Jae. Her face was filled with rage as she glared at the prince, however, it soon turned to fear as the true blood approached her. The beta gulped as she was dwarfed by the prince, whose eyes were still golden. Jae was covered with claw marks, but they were quickly healing. The blood on his face, however, remained.

Jae looked down at the beta and recognized the look in her eye. "Will you tell me what I need to know?" The prince's voice was low as he inquired of the beta.

The female darted her eyes to the man on the ground before responding with, "Will you let him live?"

A growl rippled from the alpha's throat as he used his voice on the beta. "Hesha, don't." The words were faint, but the alpha's voice had a great effect on the beta. The female's eyes widened as she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. A blood vessel popped from the beta's forehead as her face turned red. The alpha was forcing her to remain silent by choking her with his dominance.

Yejin hated seeing the alpha torture the girl, so he slammed his foot into the man's abdomen to break his focus. Jae caught the beta as she stumbled once she was released from the alpha's dominance. Hesha choked as she gasped for air. Jae's hatred toward the alpha increased as he watched the beta's knees grow weak. The true blood was gentle with Hesha as he brought her to the floor. The beta clutched her throat as she gained control over her breathing.

Jae's eyes saddened when he saw the beta look at the alpha. They were not filled with fear or anger but rather confusion. Why do you have to love him? He is not deserving of you. Jae shook his head slightly as he thought to himself.

"Well, I thought I could use you to get him to speak, but it seems he does not care for you," Jae told the beta truthfully.

Hesha turned her gaze to the prince as tears filled her eyes. The beta looked back at the alpha one more time whose eyes were filled with hatred. "I-I-I'm sorry. I don't know anything."

"Then, what do you know?" Jae's voice was soft as he continued to support the beta. Her frame felt so small in his hands.

The beta shook her head as a growl resonated from the alpha on the ground. "I-I can't."

With a motion of Jae's head, the two guards lifted the alpha from the ground and dragged him from the room. Once the beta was alone with Jae and Yejin, the prince offered Hesha a proposal. "Do you want to go back home?"

Hesha nodded her head as she answered, "I do."

"Then tell me what you know."

The beta was silent for several moments as she contemplated. "Will you let my team live?"

"Including the alpha?" Jae inquired. The true blood waited patiently as the beta thought.

After a moment, Hesha nodded her head. "Yes, including him. Please."

"Very well," Jae said in agreement.

"Thank you." Hesha was silent for a second before beginning, "All I know is that we were sent on a delegation mission to White Fang. I do not know what we were supposed to delegate, however, I overheard Ganz talking with my pack's alpha the night we set off."

"Ganz is your team's leader?" Jae inquired to make sure he was getting the facts right.

"Yes," Hesha confirmed before continuing. "The alpha told Ganz to not declare our presence when we crossed your pack's territory and that we were supposed to make sure your alpha was not aware of us crossing your border." Jae's brows knit as he processed Hesha's words. "I did not hear the beginning of the conversation, so I do not know what Ganz was ordered to do on your land. This is all I know, I promise."

Jae nodded as he scanned the beta's condition. Her heart was not abnormally fast, nor was she sweating profusely. "I believe you," Jae said after determining Hesha was not lying.

Hesha released a small breath of relief. "Will you let us live?" The beta inquired cautiously as she looked back to the pool of blood where Ganz once lay.

"Don't worry. I will keep to my word. You will leave here alive, all of you," Jae answered truthfully. The prince's eyes softened as he looked at Hesha. He felt sympathy for the beta as he knew Ganz would most likely attempt to kill her once he figured out Hesha told Jae all she knew in exchange for her team members' lives. Ganz would label Hesha a traitor and would not hesitate in exterminating her. Jae would offer her protection and let her stay in Crimson Night, but Hesha seemed to love her home and the abusive alpha too much to leave either of them.