DANE'S POV
Ivar stormed through the doors, his face set in grim determination. “We’ve found out who is behind the attack,” he announced. I spun around to face him, my anger barely contained.
My emotions surged as I glanced back at Astrid, who lay motionless and unconscious in the bed, her pale face a stark contrast to the crisp white sheets.
“Finally! Who did this?” I demanded, my voice rising in a thunderous shout. “Who poisoned my Luna?” My heart pounded with a mix of fear and fury as I awaited an answer.
“Is it Edmond?” I asked, my eyes blazing with suspicion.
“That despicable villain?” I glared at Ivar, hoping desperately for confirmation. But Ivar shook his head slowly, his expression serious and unyielding.
“Speak, Ivar! Don’t test my patience,” I demanded, my voice edged with frustration.
“Was it Edmond? That scheming old man—he can’t confront me directly, so he targets my mate? She was poisoned, Ivar, and I won’t let this go unanswered. So tell me, who had the audacity to harm my mate?”
I asked again, my tone growing sharper with each word. My frustration mounted, and I could feel my patience wearing thin.
“It wasn’t Beta Edmond,” Ivar replied, trying to calm the tension.
“I spoke with the maid who had attended to Astrid. She mentioned that Astrid had talked about an uncle. I looked into her relatives and discovered that only one of them had recently come to the pack.”
“And who is this uncle?” I asked urgently, sensing from Ivar’s hesitant expression that the news was likely troubling.
Ivar took a deep breath before answering. “There is a man named Mr. Han who matches the description Astrid gave of her uncle. However, it turns out that this so-called uncle is actually Camilla’s father.”
A scoff escaped my lips as I processed the information. I should have anticipated that Camilla would be involved in this deceit.
“Of course, it’s Camilla,” I said, my voice dripping with disdain.
“I should have known better. This whole mess started with her, and she wouldn’t just give up halfway. I knew she was up to no good, but she was relentless. Such nerve!”
I snapped, “Watch over Astrid. I’ll be back!” and turned toward the door. But Ivar quickly grabbed my arm, halting me.
“Where are you going?” he asked urgently, worry etched into his features.
“I said I’ll be back. Keep your eyes on Astrid—don’t leave this room under any circumstances.”
“That’s an order! I’m heading to see Camilla. She needs to be taught a lesson. She’s the one responsible for what happened to Astrid. I need to ensure she feels the same agony my mate is enduring right now,” I said firmly, but I could see Ivar’s face was marked by concern and disapproval.
“I’m not sure this is the best course of action,” Ivar said, his voice laced with apprehension.
“It’s late, and it’s not safe for you to go alone. We need to take time to gather the men and plan our approach. We should wait until first light tomorrow, not go off on our own now.” Ivar begged.
“I have to do this, Ivar,” I said firmly, my frustration evident.
“I’ve been dealing with her murderous schemes day after day. I can’t just stand by and do nothing. I’m sorry, but I need to leave now.” I reached for the door handle, ready to turn it.
Ivar, his face filled with desperation, dropped to his knees and clung tightly to my arm. “Please,” he begged, his voice trembling.
“I’m asking you as a friend, not just as your Beta. Please don’t go, Dane. It’s too dangerous for you to leave without protection. You’re right; Camilla is always up to no good, which means you shouldn’t go alone. What if she tries to kill you next? I can’t bear the thought of you going out there by yourself.”
Despite his pleading, I managed a faint smile and gently pulled my arm from his grip. “I can’t stay,” I said resolutely.
“You can apologise and beg all you want, but when it comes to me and my Luna, to Astrid, nothing is too dangerous. Look at her, Ivar! Look at what they’ve done to her! It’s all their fault, and I will make them pay. Keep your eyes on Astrid and don’t dare follow me.”
With that, I pushed open the door and stormed toward the garage.
I swiftly ignited the engine of my car and drove off, my destination set for the Greenstone Pack.
The engine roared as I sped away, determined to confront Camilla and make her face the consequences of her actions.
Camilla would pay dearly for what she had done. I was determined not to let this go unpunished.
How dare she act so viciously? Her actions were despicable; she had abandoned her usual methods and decided to take matters into her own hands, stooping so low as to try to eliminate her own cousin over and over again
And then there was Astrid. Why wouldn’t she learn? What more did she need to endure before she understood?
What naive hope did she cling to that Camilla would change? Why did she believe Camilla’s father would be any different? Why did she trust people so easily?
Astrid’s forgiving nature had left her vulnerable, and now she was paying the price; bruised, weakened, and lying unconscious in bed. Her kind heart had led her into this deadly situation.
I gritted my teeth, my will hardening as I drove toward my destination. I was determined to get revenge tonight.
There would be no mercy or forgiveness for Camilla. It was time to put a definitive end to her malicious schemes.
As soon as I arrived at the Greenstone Pack’s mansion, I leapt out of the car and marched toward the main entrance with purpose.
“You can’t come in here!” a guard shouted, stepping in my way. Without hesitation, I delivered a powerful punch to his jaw.
He collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain, his face contorted with agony. I could almost feel his suffering, having inflicted it myself.
Another guard lunged at me, but I met his attack with a series of forceful kicks to his side.
He crumpled beside his fellow guard, both of them now sprawled on the floor, groaning in pain.
I shot a cold, hard glare at the incapacitated men, ensuring they understood the severity of their situation.
With a final look through the gates toward the entrance, I prepared to press forward.
Camilla would face the consequences of her actions, and I was ready to make sure she paid for every ounce of suffering she had caused.
Halfdan seemed to have heard the commotion and hurried towards me with a look of irritation. “What on earth are you doing here in the middle of the night, assaulting my guards?” he demanded, drawing closer to me with a stern expression.
I shot him a scathing look. “They should have used their heads and let me in, but I’m not here for you, idiot! I’m here for that vile excuse for a human being you call a mate!” My voice was sharp, filled with contempt as I glared at him.
Halfdan’s face reddened with anger. “Don’t speak about Camilla that way. She is my Luna, and I won’t tolerate any disrespect towards her!” His tone was fierce, cutting through my words with indignation.
I scoffed at him. “You two are a perfect match; both completely insane. Did you just call her your mate? It’s funny, considering how you came begging to me this afternoon. But never mind that. Just bring out that snake, and I’ll take care of her myself!” I yelled, my frustration boiling over.
Halfdan’s anger flared as he responded, “You will treat her with respect! Whether she’s my mate or not, whether she’s my lover or not, she is the Luna of my pack. You will show her the respect she deserves!”
His demand was met with my derisive laughter, which echoed through the night. I found his attempt to assert authority both laughable and infuriating.
“Respect? Really?” I scoffed, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
“You mean the same respect she showed when she poisoned Astrid and sent rogues to rape and assault her? My Mate, Redmoon Luna for that matter!” For a brief moment, I saw the shock flash across Halfdan’s face. He had no idea.
“Astrid was poisoned?” he asked again, his voice tinged with disbelief as he struggled to process the statement.
“Get out of my way!” I snapped, pushing past him as I stormed into the mansion. Halfdan attempted to block my path, but I forcefully shoved him aside, sending him tumbling to the floor.
“You bastard!” Halfdan shouted in rage, scrambling to his feet and charging toward me. I raised my fist, ready to strike him down with a blow to the face.
But before I could land the punch, a sharp voice pierced the tension in the air. “Wait! Stop! Let my mate go!” Camilla’s voice rang out, high-pitched and frantic.
I halted mid-swing, turning to face her with a mocking smirk on my lips. “Finally… You dared to poison Astrid?” I asked, my voice dripping with disbelief.
“And then, as if that wasn’t enough, you had the audacity to toss her out like she was nothing? You tried to kill my mate again, and now you’re here pretending like nothing happened, ready to rest in your pack?”
Camilla’s eyes widened as she quickly tried to defend herself. “I didn’t poison her; I swear, I know nothing about that. She visited my father’s place, and she must have gotten too close to where the wolfsbane was planted. She said she was fine, that it was just a minor exposure. I had no idea it would make her this sick. I know nothing about any attack.”
“Liar! Wolfsbane can't be planted in a werewolf's home!” I roared, cutting her off as my fury surged. Without hesitation, I charged toward her, my anger threatening to consume me entirely.“Guards! Seize him!” Halfdan suddenly commanded, his voice laced with desperation. I quickly scanned the room, noting the guards advancing toward me, their expressions a mix of determination and fear.
“Really, Halfdan?” I scoffed, my voice dripping with disdain. “You think you can stop me with these men?” I knew all too well that I could take them down without breaking a sweat.
Halfdan’s lips curled into a wicked smile, and he took a step closer, his confidence growing. “No, not just them,” he replied, his voice smug.
“There are more.” As he spoke, more guards emerged from the shadows, their numbers swelling until they filled the room. The air grew thick with tension as I watched them surround me.
Halfdan’s eyes gleamed with a dangerous excitement. “I’ve been waiting for this day, Dane,” he sneered.
“The day I can finally get rid of you and take back what’s mine; my very own Astrid.”
His words echoed in the room, filled with days of pent-up resentment and jealousy. He thought he had the upper hand, thought he could finally bring me down.
But he didn’t understand who he was dealing with.
I clenched my fists, my muscles tensing as I prepared for the fight that was about to unfold.
If Halfdan wanted a war, I was more than ready to give him one.
“Come on…”