Chapter 9 Betrayal in Blood

Third POV

Alpha Donovan faltered, his movements suddenly uncoordinated. "You... how do you know about—"

"I know far more than you can imagine," Alpha Victor growled, landing a vicious bite on Alpha Donovan's shoulder. "Stop struggling. You don't want everyone to learn your family's secret, do you?" His eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction.

"No..." Alpha Donovan's voice was barely audible. "You can't tell my pack members."

"Then you know what to do," Alpha Victor replied, releasing his grip.

Fear flickered in Alpha Donovan's eyes—not fear of battle, but of exposure. Something changed in his demeanor. He backed away, then howled a command to his warriors.

"Diamond formation! Advance!" Alpha Donovan barked, a command that made seasoned warriors exchange confused glances. Diamond formation was a defensive stance meant for retreat, not attack—certainly not against superior numbers in open terrain.

Nevertheless, they obeyed. Loyalty ran deep in Pine Hollow blood.

Shadow Creek wolves didn't hesitate to exploit the vulnerability. They crashed into the awkward formation, fangs tearing into exposed flanks. The forest floor grew slick with blood as the first wave of Pine Hollow defenders fell, their throats torn open, bellies ripped and steaming in the night air.

"Hold the line!" shouted a young warrior named Nathan, trying to salvage their position. His neck was promptly snapped by two Shadow Creek wolves who caught him from behind.

Rayden positioned himself against a thick oak, eliminating his vulnerable rear. Two Shadow Creek warriors charged him simultaneously. Rayden dropped to his side, rolling beneath the first attacker's leap, then surged upward, clamping his jaws around the second wolf's underbelly. The wolf's yelp turned to a gurgle as Rayden's teeth found the major artery in his groin.

Blood sprayed across Rayden's muzzle as he spun to face the first attacker, who now circled more cautiously.

"Fall back to the ridge!" Alpha Donovan called out, pointing toward a shallow depression that offered no tactical advantage—worse, it channeled the Pine Hollow forces into a natural killing pit.

A senior warrior named Marcus hesitated, clearly recognizing the danger. "Alpha, the ridge is exposed on three sides—"

"Follow your orders!" Alpha Donovan snarled, his eyes flashing with uncharacteristic rage.

The warriors complied, though confusion marred their movements. They fell back toward the depression, where Shadow Creek wolves encircled them with predatory efficiency.

Halfway across the battlefield, Rayden dispatched his opponent with a crushing bite to the neck, then raised his bloodied muzzle to observe the battle. His eyes narrowed as he watched Pine Hollow warriors being methodically corralled into the vulnerable position. Something was wrong. These weren't the tactics Donovan had spent years perfecting with them.

A young female warrior staggered past Rayden, her shoulder torn open to the bone, blood pulsing with each heartbeat. "Beta Rayden," she gasped, "what's happening? Why are we—"

Her question ended in a spray of blood as a Shadow Creek wolf leapt from the shadows, tearing out her throat. The attacker didn't have time to savor his kill before Rayden slammed into him, jaws locking around his spine with a sickening crack.

Across the battlefield, Pine Hollow warriors fought valiantly despite their deteriorating position. Their training was impeccable, their courage unquestionable—but their formation was in shambles. Wolves who had trained together for years found themselves isolated, surrounded, and slaughtered.

A pack of four Shadow Creek wolves cornered two Pine Hollow defenders against a rocky outcrop. The defenders, brothers who had survived the previous battle, stood shoulder to shoulder, snarling defiance. The first Shadow Creek wolf feinted forward, drawing their attention while two others circled wide. The brothers died back to back, fighting to their last breath.

Through the chaos, Rayden limped toward Alpha Donovan, who was conspicuously avoiding the heaviest fighting. Their eyes met across the bloodied clearing. Rayden's gaze held a question—a suspicion forming in the depths of his experienced eyes.

Alpha Donovan looked away first.

"Circle north!" Alpha Donovan suddenly ordered, pointing toward the densest concentration of enemy forces. The remaining Pine Hollow warriors hesitated, visibly torn between their survival instincts and loyalty to their Alpha.

Rayden's suspicion crystallized into certainty. He opened his mouth to countermand the order—

Then came the moment that would haunt Pine Hollow for generations. Alpha Donovan, faced with mounting losses, suddenly shifted back to human form. He stood, naked and trembling, in the midst of battle.

"Enough!" he shouted, his face contorted in what appeared to be anguish. "We surrender! Pine Hollow surrenders!"

The fighting stuttered to a halt as warriors on both sides processed the declaration. A stunned silence fell over the battlefield.

Rayden shifted to human form... He staggered slightly, shifting his entire weight onto his uninjured left leg. His body swayed, but his gaze remained steadfast.

"No!" Rayden's voice thundered through the clearing. "Pine Hollow does not surrender!"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the remaining warriors. A young fighter named Cole stepped forward, his muzzle torn and bloody.

"We fight to the death," Cole growled. "For our fallen. For Pine Hollow!"

Other voices joined in, a chorus of defiance rising from the battered remnants of the pack. "For Pine Hollow! For our honor!"

Alpha Donovan's face contorted with what seemed like pain. "Enough! I will not watch more of you die needlessly!" He swept his arm across the battlefield, indicating the bodies of their fallen. "Look around you! Is this what you want? More death? More orphans?"

But his words had the opposite effect. Instead of dampening their resolve, it ignited something primal in the warriors.

"Better to die with honor than live as slaves!" shouted a female warrior, her fangs bared.

Cole and three other young wolves suddenly broke ranks, charging toward the nearest Shadow Creek warriors with reckless abandon.

"NO!" Alpha Donovan roared, lunging forward with shocking speed. His arm caught Cole across the chest, sending the young wolf flying backward. The other three hesitated, stunned by their Alpha's intervention.

Alpha Victor stepped forward, hands raised in a gesture of peace that contrasted with the blood still dripping from his claws.

"Perhaps I can offer terms that might ease your... concerns," Victor said smoothly. "Shadow Creek has always valued strength and loyalty. Those who submit willingly will retain positions as soldiers in my army. Your officers may even keep their ranks."

Suspicious murmurs spread through the Pine Hollow survivors.

"Why should we believe you?" Rayden challenged.

Alpha Donovan turned to his warriors, his expression desperate. "Listen to me! This is our only chance. Victor is offering mercy—a chance to live and serve with dignity rather than die pointlessly."

"Since when does Pine Hollow bow to invaders?" Cole spat, still struggling to his feet.

"Since we lost!" Alpha Donovan shouted. "Think of your family, think of your children!"

Alpha Victor nodded solemnly. "As a gesture of good faith, we will use simple bindings rather than chains on those who surrender peacefully. You will be treated as warriors, not slaves."

Alpha Donovan's shoulders slumped in apparent relief. "I'll go first," he said, stepping forward. "Bring the ropes."

A Shadow Creek warrior approached with coils of rope interwoven with silver threads, the metal gleaming dully in the torchlight.

"This is how we save what remains of Pine Hollow," he said, his voice carrying across the clearing. "Live today to fight another day."

One by one, the Pine Hollow warriors looked to each other, then to Rayden. The old Beta's face was unreadable, but after a long moment, he extended his arm.

"For the survival of Pine Hollow," Rayden said grimly as a Shadow Creek warrior bound his wrists.

The remaining warriors followed suit, some with tears streaming down their faces, others with jaws clenched in silent fury. Young Cole was the last, spitting at the feet of the warrior who bound him.

When all the Pine Hollow wolves were secured, Alpha Victor walked slowly to where Alpha Donovan knelt. He circled him once, twice, like a predator savoring the moment.

"You've done well," Victor said, his voice carrying so all could hear. "Your warriors will indeed serve Shadow Creek."

Relief washed over Alpha Donovan's face—until Alpha Victor's hand shot out, claws extended, slashing across Donovan's throat in one fluid motion.

Alpha Donovan's eyes widened in shock as blood poured from the wound. He clutched at his neck, mouth opening and closing without sound.

"Die with your secret," Alpha Victor whispered as Alpha Donovan collapsed.