**** Alpha Draven's rouge pack***

After the human ladies were whipped and taken out, A heavy iron door creaked open as a warrior stepped into the cold stone chamber.

The smell of blood lingered in the air.

Draven.

He sat with one leg over the other, his fingers tapping the armrest thoughtfully as he gazed into the roaring fire, mask covering his face.

"They're preparing for the tournament," said the warrior who had just entered. He dropped to one knee. "Pack after pack is gathering. They're calling it the Tournament of Unity."

Draven let out a low, mirthless laugh. "Unity. What a beautiful illusion."

Draven rose slowly, the firelight catching the edges of his armor, steel blackened with age, crafted with ancient runes. His presence was commanding, the kind that made warriors tremble and enemies falter.

"Let them believe they're safe," Draven murmured. "Let them believe their little games matter."

A female rogue, her eyes sharp and her presence silent until now, she emerged from the dark and spoke.

"And what of the humans they protect?" she asked. Her voice held curiosity and danger. "Some packs have started taking them in, mingling like they are humans too. Weak blood." She spat.

Draven turned to face her, tilting his head. "The humans are not weak. Not anymore. Some carry secrets they don't even know."

He moved closer to the fire, his voice a soft growl. "One in particular... the girl. The one tied to Kael. She's more important than they realize."

“She is no human!!!!” An old man said coming out of the dark.

He is said to be a seer and everything he says is always true.

“ She is more than we know, she is a wolf indeed but no ordinary wolf” the old seer said with a staff on his hands.

The female rogue's eyes narrowed. "Shall we take her?"

"No," Draven said. "Not yet. We need to be patient, let's observe her."

" And I just wonder why he didn't say anything about Sasha being a wolf" Draven said walking out of his throne.

" Are you sure he is to be trusted, why is he helping rouges " the female rouge asked with her brows raised.

“ He knows what he'll gain, Draven said walking towards a long table where a map of all known packs was spread across the surface. Colored pins marked territories, troop movements, and alliances.

At the center was the Arena, the neutral ground where the tournament would take place.

"We strike from within," Draven said. "This is our chance to enter without suspicion."

Another male stepped forward, tall and scarred, his eyes cold as ice. "You want us to participate? Join their games?"

Draven smirked beneath his mask. "Exactly. We'll send the best of our rogues, fighters and players with no markings, no scent trails. They'll pose as packless volunteers, mercenaries seeking purpose. The tournament rules allow it. The Elders are desperate to appear inclusive."

The room fell silent as realization spread like wildfire.

"We play by their rules," Draven continued, his tone darkening. "We gain their trust. And when the time comes... we strike."

The scarred man, known as Cain, folded his arms. "And if they discover our plan?"

"They won’t," Draven replied. "Not if you follow orders. Blend in. Learn their strengths. Learn their weaknesses."

The female rogue crossed her arms. "And the girl?"

Draven’s fingers drummed against the map.

"She’s our pressure point."

Draven pulled a dagger from his belt and drove it into the image of the Arena.

"She breaks, Kael breaks."

A hush fell over the chamber. No one dared to speak until Draven turned back to them.

"We begin tomorrow. Prepare them. Masks off. Smiles on. Let the tournament begin."

***************************************************

Hours later, in the underground barracks beneath Draven’s fortress, Cain stood before a line of trained rogues, men and women who had lived in exile, raised by violence and molded by blood.

"You’ve been chosen," he began, pacing slowly in front of them. "The Alpha has given his command. You will enter the tournament not as rogues, but as wandering wolves. Packless. Broken. Looking for redemption."

Some smirked, others said nothing. Every one of them had killed without remorse.

"You will wear civilian clothes," Cain continued. "You’ll suppress your scents. You’ll keep your blades hidden until necessary. If any of you jeopardize this mission, I will kill you myself."

He turned sharply. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir!" they chorused.

He walked down the line, inspecting each of them.

"Nolan, you’ll be the strategist. Remain quiet, observe their formations."

"Aye."

The female rouge known as Vera.

“Vera you’ll befriend the volunteers. We need intel."

"Understood."

"Jace…"

The youngest of the group looked up with an eager smirk.

"Don’t try anything stupid. Charm them if you must, but keep your claws sheathed."

Jace rolled his eyes but nodded. "Sure thing, boss."

Cain finally stopped and turned back to the door.

"Pack your gear. We leave at dawn."

That night, back in Draven’s war room, the masked Alpha stood once again before the map. His eyes traced the road to the Arena.

He reached for a sealed scroll, one that bore the wax insignia of an old enemy, and burned it in the fire.

"Let the games begin," he said quietly, a twisted smile hidden behind his mask.

The wind outside screamed louder, as if warning the world of what was to come.

******************************************

Sasha

*** Still in her room with kael***

“ yes I was once into hockey but not anymore” I said keeping my face away from him.

“ so what made you quit hockey "

“ I had an accident a few years ago, so I stopped hockey right after that, I decided to move on as a physiotherapist but it became too much for me back home, Everyone was under my neck trying to make me go back but..... I just don't want to."

" Not even if I ask you to" Kael said looking at me straight in the eyes.

" Don't use that face one my Kael , it's called black mailing" I said pouting.

“ ohh really " he said laughing out loud.

"I really don't care what your past was Sasha.. when ever you are free, you share them with me. But for now... " He said jacking me up.

“ We are heading to the kitchen " He said and started moving.

I simply laid my head on his chest as we moved. This seemed to be the safest place I could be at a time like this.