Varek stepped into the dungeon. The air reeked of iron and rotten blood.
Chains scraped as Kellan shifted against the wall. His shoulders stayed stiff, but his legs trembled under him.
Varek's steps slowed. His eyes locked on the man in recognition.
"…Kellan."
The name came out low.
Kellan lifted his head. A faint, broken smile formed through the blood.
A former Blood Moon warrior. Banished during his father's rule for trying to rape the Luna.
A guard stepped forward and bowed his head.
"He was the only one taken alive when the eastern border fell, Alpha."
Varek stepped closer. His hand clamped around Kellan's jaw and forced his head up.
"Tell me," he said, voice low. "How did you and your rogues get into my pack?"
Kellan spat blood near Varek's boots. "You think I would tell you?"
Varek's grip tightened on Kellan's jaw. He leaned closer.
"You knew our patrol routes," he said. "You're definitely getting information somewhere."
"Who is giving you the information?"
Silence stretched. The rogue refused to answer.
Varek lifted two fingers, signalling the guards behind.
Kellan's body jerked as they struck him. His scream tore through the cell.
Kellan let out a short laugh, but it broke halfway. "Maybe your pack is not as loyal as you think."
The air in the cell grew tight.
Varek's hand moved again, and the strike came harder.
"Say it clearly."
Kellan coughed, shoulders rising and falling in weak bursts.
"You have a leak," he said, his voice thin. "Someone inside your pack feeds us everything."
The guards shifted behind Varek.
Three weeks ago, the eastern patrol had changed routes after the landslide. Only a few had known. Still, the rogues waited.
Varek's fingers tightened.
"Who?"
Kellan held his gaze.
"Find them yourself."
Varek stared at him.
His grip tightened more.
"You came into my land," Varek said, his voice still calm but lower now. "You burned my fields. You killed my people."
Kellan's breath grew uneven.
"I will not beg," Kellan said, his mouth curved into a wide strained smile. "And if given another chance…" He brought his face closer to Varek's. "I'll do it again."
Varek's hand snapped tighter on Kellan's jaw. Fury flashed in his eyes.
A sharp crack cut through the cell.
Kellan's body jerked hard, then went limp. His head dropped, hanging still in the chains.
For a second, Varek did not move.
His chest rose once, slow and controlled.
"The infiltration…" one of the guards began. "It started not long after the girl arrived."
The second guard glanced at him, then quickly looked away.
Varek turned slowly.
His eyes locked onto the first guard. The matebond reacted, forcing a silent urge to defend Mira even when he thought the same.
"You speak without proof."
The guard swallowed. "I meant no disrespect, Alpha. It was only an observation."
"Then observe better."
The words came quiet, but they landed hard.
The guard lowered his head. "Yes, Alpha."
"Clean this up and make sure a word of what happened here doesn't get out," he ordered before leaving the room.