Chapter 439: Chapter 439 Brainstorming

“And for the biochemical agent to contain a demonic component… with a demonic creature showing up all the way out here… was Leon part of this conspiracy? Or was he just used, turned into a tool to deliver this thing straight into our hands?”

“So that once we used it, once we realized we’d been dancing in someone else’s palm, the despair would hit even harder? Because knowing we brought this disaster into our own kingdom with our own hands… that would devastate anyone.”

Maxwell’s brows drew together so tightly it looked like he could crush a fly between them. The moment Zion mentioned Leon, a bitter taste spread across his tongue. He remembered that bastard, how he tried to force himself into Addison’s life, claiming to be her mate and defying the very order set by the Moon Goddess.

Maxwell hadn’t even settled the score with him yet, and now Leon was causing trouble again.

He didn’t know whether Leon was working with their enemies or if he’d simply been used as a pawn, but either possibility made Maxwell’s stomach twist. And the worst part? Addison had even invited Leon into her kingdom… like welcoming a threat straight into their own home.

Was this the enemy’s intention from the beginning?

Maxwell couldn’t help but think so.

“Do you think that arrogant tiger knew about this? That he played us?” Maxwell muttered, suddenly feeling the strength drain from his body. Exhaustion settled on him like a weight.

Zion shook his head. “That bastard? I doubt it. If he did, then he deserves an award because he acted damn well. He even managed to cling to our mate and get himself invited here. But honestly… if Leon were truly involved, then bringing him into our territory would’ve been the same as inviting a tiger into our house, literally.”

Zion exhaled sharply as he sorted through the possibilities. “Think about it. The Tigren Clan is arrogant and prideful, sure, but they’re brutes at heart. All brawn, little brain. Leon might be a bit more cunning than the others, but even his schemes are limited by his own arrogance.”

“If he ever thought he could take on the werewolf kingdom, he wouldn’t sneak around or conspire in the shadows. He’d go to war with us head-on. And if not for his obsession with forcing himself on Addison, he probably would’ve declared war just to take her.”

Zion shook his head again. “No… a plot like this? It’s beneath him.”

“So, even he’s been played like a pawn, delivering the biochemical agent to us as if he were helping us deal with a disaster, never realizing that he was only pouring oil on the fire! And we, foolishly, even gave him some of our cattle and food…” Maxwell roared, his voice rising several notches.

Those around them were startled and turned to look, prompting Zion to jump and clamp his hands over Maxwell’s mouth. If Maxwell’s outburst spread, it would surely incite panic, fear, and chaos, and they couldn’t afford that.

“Don’t get overly excited…” Zion whispered through gritted teeth, struggling to contain the fury bubbling inside him. Maxwell’s eyes were already glowing gold, his wolf Reagan on the verge of bursting free, ready to wreak havoc as it stewed in anger.

“Calm down,” Zion continued, forcing himself to rein in his own rage. “Instead of losing ourselves to anger, we need to focus on finding a solution, something that actually helps, rather than letting our emotions cloud our judgment.”

Even as he spoke, he fought to restrain Shura, blocking his wolf’s mental connection. Shura was clawing at his mental barrier, raking through his mind and causing Zion immense pain. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to endure it. They didn’t have time to waste; they had to figure out a way to get Addison to know of their findings before it was too late.

Hearing Zion’s words, Maxwell tensed, forcing himself to shove Reagan deep into the recesses of his mind, silencing the wolf’s destructive urge. He took a deep, steadying breath, trying to reclaim control over his racing thoughts. “Then… what do we do?” he asked, his voice steadying as he braced for the answer.

“I honestly have no fucking idea right now,” Zion admitted through clenched teeth, frustration twisting his features. He dragged his fingers through his hair for the nth time, resisting the urge to yank it out, then scrubbed his palm down his face as he forced himself to breathe, once, twice, again.

“We need to think. We have at most an hour before the other packs arrive, and then we’ll have to move again. Once we set off for the temporary settlement, it’ll be even more impossible to reach Addison before they release the biochemical agent.” His voice grew darker with every word. “And if we are being monitored, leading them toward that settlement would expose everyone. We’d get attacked from both sides.”

Zion exhaled sharply, laying out every grim possibility. “Our best chance is to comb the perimeter and confirm if someone is watching us, but even that’s difficult. They could be using masking spray to hide their scent, or worse, other methods. They have Dark Witches on their side, and those bastards are trickier than anything we’ve dealt with.”

He looked at Maxwell, eyes hard and desperate for a workable plan. “So, let’s put everything on the table. Two heads are better than one. We have to figure something out.”

And right now, only he and Maxwell could afford to know the truth. Not even Alpha Hue could be told. The Alpha and his Luna were the emotional anchors of their entire pack; if he learned about this disaster, he would undoubtedly waver, even for a moment. But that moment of fear would ripple instantly through the pack bond.

Once the Alpha felt unsettled, there’s a possibility that the entire pack would feel it with him: his worry, his uncertainty, his fear. And if that happened, the truth would spread like wildfire. There would be no containing it.

Chaos would follow, panic, unrest, and then the collapse of order. And in that chaos, he and Maxwell wouldn’t be able to move, plan, or act, even if they joined forces.

Keeping this contained wasn’t just a choice. It was the only way to prevent everything from falling apart.

“Alright, let’s start by thinking about our advantages,” Zion said, trying to lift the weight pressing on both him and Maxwell. Their mood was sinking fast, and if it continued, it would erode their mentality, and once their mentality cracked, defeat would follow.

Zion refused to let that happen. Even now, when they felt cornered and hope seemed lost, he knew they needed a glimmer of light, a foothold to hold onto. He had to maintain control, not just for the kingdom, but for Addison and himself as well.

“Do we even have one?” Maxwell shot back, his voice heavy with defeat, his head buzzing as his wolf clawed at the edges of his mental barrier, restless and angry.

“Shit, Maxwell, don’t start on me!” Zion snapped, his temper flaring. He felt the urge to strike, once, maybe twice, but he forced himself to hold back. He knew Maxwell was just as on edge as he was.

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