Acwulf’s Second Visit
Meanwhile, at the White Pack territory…
The sound of thunder was angry as the heavy rain poured non-stop. At the same time, the wet leaves danced aggressively with the blow of the wind. But Acwulf barely noticed the storm beyond the walls of Conri’s house. The storm inside him was louder and more dangerous.
Acwulf pushed the door to the dining hall without even bothering that a guard was standing outside. He didn’t care. He knew the entire White Pack was afraid of the Black Pack members. He intimidated them by just merely looking.
Conri’s dining hall was not as big compared to Acwulf’s Alpha’s house. However, the design was more welcoming and full of vintage paintings. It was no secret that Conri’s father was a fan of art and vintage items. And Acwulf wondered if Conri was the same or a total opposite.This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
The stale scent of old whiskey and a newly cooked turkey filled his nostrils. It made Acwulf’s stomach growl a little. He just realized that he hadn’t had food since morning. His desperation to find the woman who held her future occupied his mind. But Acwulf smirked and decided he would shamelessly feast on Conri’s food for tonight.
Conri was already waiting for him in the dimly lit dining room. The Alpha of his pitiful pack stood, trying to look proud and confident. His disheveled hair, dark circles, and paled face made him look like a scared little boy who was about to call his mother for help. His hand shook a little as he raised a glass of cheap liquor to his lips, taking a deep swallow before facing Acwulf with his fake smile.
“Acwulf!” Conri greeted, trying to hide his fear. “I didn’t expect to see you returning this soon.”
Acwulf closed the door behind him quietly, his eyes never leaving Conri’s. He could feel the man’s fear in the air, sharp and pungent, mixing with the sour stench of alcohol. His smirk turned into a simple grin. He secretly enjoyed it when people were scared of him. It made him feel like God.
“Where is she?” Acwulf demanded, his voice low and rough as he sat on a chair across from Conri. He didn’t bother with introductions or paying respect. Time was ticking, and every second wasted on Conri’s cowardice was a second closer to his death. Then, he drank his glass of whiskey and began eating the food on his plate.
Conri swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to the floor. He slowly sat, while wiping the sweat forming on his forehead. His mind was deeply praying to the Moon Goddess that whatever word would come out of his mouth would save him from being killed by the man across him, who was ravaging his food like he had been starved.
“There’s been… a complication,” he muttered, avoiding Acwulf’s eyes.
Acwulf paused eating. His brows furrowed as he lifted his gaze toward Conri. If looks could kill, Conri would probably be dead by now.
“What complications?” Acwulf asked, trying to control his temper as he resumed eating.
“We had her but… but you know…” Conri stuttered.
Acwulf slammed the table suddenly and Conri was shaken in terror. But Conri immediately pulled himself together. He couldn’t show fear. He was an Alpha.
“Where is she?” Acwulf growled, his grip on the knife tightened. He wanted to hit Conri with a knife because of how incompetent he was. But he knew without Conri, he would not be able to find the girl.
Conri choked, his voice barely a whisper as he struggled to speak. “She’s… she’s with the Gray Pack.”
“You promised me the girl. Why is she in Reule’s possession now?” Acwulf yelled, about to lose his shit.
Conri coughed and drank another glass of whiskey, hoping it would make him brave and powerful.
“It wasn’t… intentional,” he gasped. “She ran away when I executed her family. No one knew where she went until now. But I swear, Acwulf, the information is good. Wren’s with them.”
Acwulf’s mind was racing, thinking of how he could remove her without fighting Reule. Wren, the woman who could save me, was with the Gray Pack. It complicated things. Reule’s pack was strong and well-protected. Taking her from them wouldn’t be easy. But Acwulf didn’t care. He needed her to survive. If he had to kill Reule just to have her, then he will.
“And it didn’t occur to you to tell me?” Acwulf asked, his voice cold. “Instead, I have to come all the way here just to get an update about her.”
Conri flinched, and his fear grew. He almost felt like his heart would stop.
“I was trying to handle it,” he said quickly. “I’ve been working on a plan, trying to get her back, but-”
“Enough!” Acwulf cut him off. “I’m tired of your excuses.”
Conri swallowed hard, his hands trembling as he reached for a small leather pouch on the table beside him. He held it out to Acwulf with a weak smile.
“Here,” he said, his voice shaking. “It’s not much, but it’s something. Payment for the trouble.”
Acwulf didn’t take the pouch immediately. He stared at Conri, his gaze cold and calculating. It took almost a minute before he reached out and took the pouch. It was heavy and when he examined it, it was filled with gold coins. He never expected that Conri would pay him with gold or even cash. It was somehow an insult but Acwulf realized that if he had to get this girl, having some money could help. He could bribe Reule or anyone who would help him. And so, he tucked it into his coat without a word.
“I’ll take care of it myself,” Acwulf said, his voice like steel. “But if you’re lying to me, Conri, if she isn’t with the Gray Pack…” He trailed off, letting the threat hang but the way his eyes pierced through Conri, Conri already knew what would happen.
Conri’s face paled further, and he nodded quickly. “I’m not lying,” he insisted. “I swear it.”
Acwulf stood when his plate was empty. And he made his way toward the door, focusing on how to get Wren. He knew who and where she was so it saved him the time and trouble of looking. All he had to do was take her.
The prophecy had foretold that no ordinary girl would save him, that she was the key to breaking the curse and preventing him from dying in the near future. And Acwulf could not help but smirk at the thought of devouring her on his bed when he turned Wren into one of his mistresses.
As he reached the door, he paused, glancing back at Conri, who still sat slumped on his chair, with a face full of regret and fear.
“If you’re wrong,” Acwulf paused then added, “I’ll kill you so slow that you would scream and beg for me to end you.”
Conri flinched but didn’t reply. Acwulf didn’t wait for a response. He stepped out, closing the door behind him with a loud bang.
Acwulf stood on the porch, staring out into the darkness. Thunder roared while the wind kept pouring. But his thoughts were occupied remembering when Yannis told him about the prophecy.
“The no-ordinary wolf holds your fate in her hands. She alone can save you from death, but beware-her heart is tied to another.”
Acwulf’s jaw clenched, the weight of those words was pressing down on him and had kept him awake almost every night. Wren was his key to survival, but her heart was tied to someone else. It was Reule, no doubt. The Alpha of the Gray Pack was a strong and skilled opponent, but Acwulf had never let something as simple as strength stand in his way. He was also a skilled, strong, and fast fighter. He would take her no matter what happened.
The prophecy would be fulfilled, and he would finally be free.
But deep down, beneath the cold determination, a flicker of doubt gnawed at the edges of Acwulf’s mind. He knew it would be brutal and he didn’t have enough men to support him. He must carefully plan how to do this without attacking the Gray Pack. He must lore her to go outside the Gray Pack’s territory by herself so he could take her.
But how? Acwulf didn’t know yet. He needed to sit down and think. But he swore to break the curse that haunted him for years. Now that he was close to his final plan, Acwulf vowed to survive and live.