章節 60: Chapter 60

☆ ☆ Ulfric Draven ☆ ☆

I called for a meeting with the packs under my rule at noon today. I needed to update them and couldn't wait for Beta Darius and Morgana to return, given the circumstances. I was worried about their safety, and I thanked the moon goddess for protecting them and giving them the strength and wisdom to become victorious during their fight with those pale abominations.

Gamma Gavin was temporarily filling my brother's shoes, but I could tell he was overwhelmed by the additional duties, so I helped him where possible. Having Morgana join our pack would be advantageous simply because she was already accustomed to the role, and if needed, I could have her fill in. However, knowing my brother, he would probably offer her the role if I allowed it.

From my brief encounters with Beta Morgana, I could tell that she was a rare breed, truly destined to lead. Had circumstances been different, I could tell she would even be capable of rising to the role of Alpha if given the opportunity. For now, I was relieved that they were both alive and on their way back. We couldn't afford to lose such influential members during this critical time.

I posted myself at my desk and had Gamma Gavin join me. Alpha Gray was to gather all the leaders for the teleconference and call me once they were ready so that I could pass along our new information. I prepared the information I needed to divulge in my head once more while I waited for the phone to ring.

I had also prepared an email with the images of Kara that Beta Morgana had sent me; the packs needed to know what those fucking bloodsuckers had done to her. I only hesitated to send it because I wanted to hold the meeting first; that way less questions were coming my way arbitrarily.

The phone rang, and I answered it swiftly. Alpha Gray spoke first, "Everyone was gathered here so Ulfric Draven could update us on the findings from the reconnaissance mission that Beta Darius and Beta Morgana went on. Please hold all questions until after Ulfric Draven has finished speaking unless you are called upon."

He paused briefly, "Understood?" I heard many "Yes'." and waited for the line to become silent before speaking. "Thank you all for gathering here on such short notice. I began, "The vampires have indeed taken up residence on the grounds of The Biltmore Estate. This clan is the largest we've come across in modern history." I heard a few gasps, then silence.

I continued, "Most of the abominations are staying in the hotels on the grounds. Beta Darius informed me that the stench of death was so prominent that it emanated from the buildings entirely without them having to step one foot inside. Thus, our initial estimation of their numbers was vastly mistaken."

"Kara was being held on the third floor of the estate, which was only accessible by a winding staircase to the left of the main entrance. It's believed that Sylas, the vampire who has orchestrated everything, James, her anti-mate, and several young vampires are staying at the estate where she is being held captive."

Please check your emails, as I'm sending you some extremely disturbing images concerning her at this moment." I paused momentarily, allowing the leaders to access the images. I heard hushed whispers, more gasps, and one enraged slamming sound; I could only assume that was the reaction from her father, Alpha Kayn.

After a minute or so had passed, I said, "Beta Morgana said that her scent was diminished and was three or four days old while they were touring the estate. She later recognized her scent at a nearby hospital. After confirming it was her, I had them survey the hospital to see if it was possible to retrieve her upon her discharge before those bloodsuckers could get their hands on her again."

I added, "Unfortunately, that evening, they were discovered by Kara's anti-mate, and he called in reinforcements. Beta Darius and Beta Morgana are alive and are slowly making their way back to Alpha Gray's pack house, but had more than six of those soulless leeches been dispatched, they would likely have met their demise during their fight."

I continued, "With six confirmed dead, we are reevaluating their numbers to be somewhere around 860 clan members, the majority of which are older, and we know with those fucking pasty ticks, the older they are, the more powerful they become. We can expect heightened security given what occurred with the reconnaissance mission leading up to the full moon."

I sighed, "We also lost the opportunity to nab her, preventing this prophecy and war from happening. Ideally, we could have taken her during the day when no fanged parasites were present, and they would have been none the wiser. I gave them the command to stay and watch, which led to their discovery and attempted assassination, and I take full responsibility for this blunder."

I continued, "Furthermore, I'm concerned that Kara won't survive more time under their control. It's apparent that since she has never shifted, she doesn't heal as quickly as we do since she has formed no connection to her wolf. From the pictures, we can tell she has become a walking blood bag for them and that they are actively torturing her."

I added, "If this is how they are treating her before the prophecy is even completed, if she were to give them the heir they desire, she would be killed once she is no longer needed. Given this new information, I need to make myself clear about our plan when the war ensues. There will be no defying this order despite the harshness of its nature."

I continued, "If we were to go into this with brute force, we would likely be wiped out by their numbers alone, given that most are older and, simply put, more powerful. I dug up everything that I could on Sylas' first recorded attempt. He went alone, and though he was vastly outnumbered, he was able to defeat several high-ranking members of a pack and escape."

I added, "In that record, the survivors made claims that he was not only extremely agile, but he could shapeshift and flew away from the battle after spurting his blood from his fingertips, which swiftly decapitated several members before they even had the opportunity to shift.

I sighed, "We don't know what other powers he has obtained over the years, and we don't know anything about any of the vampires with whom he colludes. Thus, my new plan is to have the majority of our members provide enough of a distraction drawing the abominations out and away from Kara.

I paused, "This should allow myself, four other Alphas, and our Betas to sneak in; our first attempt will be to retrieve Kara, but if that is not an option, we will have no choice other than to kill her to prevent the prophecy from being fulfilled unfavorably toward us. If we successfully retrieve Kara and get her off the grounds, we will use our mind link to communicate when the others can retreat."

I added, "If we must kill her, then we will use our mind link once we are out of the estate, and we will join you on the battlefield to aid in our retreat. The Alphas and Betas that I have chosen to take on this task are Myself and Beta Darius, Alpha Gray, Beta Morgana, Alpha Black and his Beta from North Carolina, Alpha Braum and his Beta from Tennesse, and Alpha Galio and his Beta from Virginia."

I continued, "I chose the last three Alphas due to their knowledge of the surrounding terrain, and unfortunately, I don't think that Alpha Kayn would be logical during this battle, considering his outrage upon seeing the state his daughter was in, understandably so, of course." I heard another outburst, but it was quickly muffled, and then there was silence.

I overtook the silence, "If there are any questions, comments, or concerns, I will hear them now." Alpha Kayn was the first to speak with resentment in his voice: "I have followed every command that you have given without question, and I think it's absurd that you would deny me this opportunity to serve you; I even agreed that if killing her is the only option we had then we should take that route, throwing my own member who rejected the idea in shackles."

I responded, "I can understand your frustration despite your continued support and unyielding loyalty; however, you must understand that for any emotional attachment, I must ask that you recuse yourself from your involvement with this specific task. This is also why I omitted Alpha Garren on this task force, seeing as this would have been his future daughter-in-law and the future Luna of his pack."

I could sense his seething through the phone as we sat in a deadlock. The silence continued as no one dared to speak against me, and he would have to bend first or break. I continued to wait when I heard "Fine." through bared teeth. I responded, "Now that that's settled, I do have a separate task for you and Alpha Garren."

Alpha Garren's jolly voice broke through, "Of course, Ulfric Draven, anything." I continued, "You two and your Betas will be assigned to Jayce. Keep him safe for the future of your pack, as we are not sure what will happen during the battle; you will remain at Apha Black's pack house."

I added, "If we successfully retrieve Kara, we will contact you with a meeting point so they can fulfill their mating ritual and re-establish their bond. If we should fail and Kara meets her death, I will let you know as well. Since we aren't sure of the ramifications, I expect you to update me on his situation and any side effects he may experience."

Alpha Kayne spoke out again, "It's unbelievably asinine for you not to let Kara's true mate into battle; his determination alone could turn the tide." I retorted, "His presence would only be a detriment to my plan. We are all aware that he is drawn to rush to his mate, and thus far, it has been to his own destruction." A silence fell upon the line, so I said, "If there are no more remarks, the meeting will be adjourned."