THE RISE OF AN OMEGA

Asher’s POV

I remained in my chamber, the soft candlelight created dancing shadows on the stony walls. The night was peaceful, yet my thoughts were anything but peaceful.

The conflict was rising, and I had to make sure we were ready. Kira was erratic. She had battled Mira, and she had seen me train before too. She was aware of our methods, and Ryker would exploit that for his benefit.

If I guided my fighters into combat using those tactics, we’d be marching directly into a massacre.

A tap on the door interrupted my contemplation. I didn’t have to inquire about who it was. Aria entered the room with her arms folded, wearing a confident smirk.

"You’re overthinking," she remarked. "That’s unusual for you."

I breathed out quickly. "If we proceed this way, we will fail."

She rested against the table, running a finger along the map laid out in front of me. "Next, alter the game."

I observed her for a moment before returning my gaze to the battle plans. "We need a strategy for deception." They are aware of the number of our warriors, but they remain unaware of the complete power of my golden-eyed wolves.

Aria’s grin widened. "Then let’s take advantage of that."

She extended her arm, tapping a spot on the map. "What if we let them think we’re less strong than we truly are?" Conceal the wolves with golden eyes until the opportune time arrives.

It was a great plan, yet I needed more. I needed a means to manage the battlefield directly.

I drew a line on the map, squinting. "We guide them into the valley." It’s tight and restricted. "If they believe they are in control, they will lead us straight into a trap."

Aria leaned her head to one side. "What actions do we take when they are present?"

I gazed at her, a chilling smile emerging. "We release chaos."

She laughed softly. "Now that’s closer to the Asher I recognize."

I rolled the map up. The strategy was taking shape. We would allow Ryker to believe he held the upper hand. We would allow Kira to think she had options.

And at the right moment, I would make it clear to them both why they should not underestimate me.

I sensed the discomfort in the atmosphere. It was subtle—looks shared when they believed I wasn’t watching, murmured discussions that ceased the instant I entered a space.

My soldiers had always supported me unconditionally, but now, uncertainty spread among them like an illness.

I understood the rationale. They didn’t doubt my leadership; it was the wolves with golden eyes.

They were afraid of what they did not comprehend. They viewed these creations as unnatural, a violation of the equilibrium they had always understood. Idiots.

Did they fail to understand that power was the sole thing of importance? Did they fail to recognize that these wolves represented the future?

I positioned myself at the boundary of the training area, observing my fighters practice. Their actions were exact, yet I sensed their thoughts weren’t completely focused.

Their uncertainty was a sign of frailty. And frailty found no room in my group.

A voice interrupted my thoughts. "They’re scared."

I didn’t have to look back to realize it was Aria. She always had a knack for noticing things I liked to overlook.

I let out a scoff. "Allow them to be."

She moved next to me with her arms folded. "Fear leads to uprising, Asher." You are aware of that.

I tightened my jaw. "They wouldn’t have the courage."

Aria emitted a soft laugh. "You’re underestimating them." They stick with you out of respect for your strength, but if that respect changes into fear, it won’t keep them united.

I faced her, my eyes growing darker. "What do you propose?" That I pamper them? "Calm them as you would frightened kids?"

She leaned her head, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Not at all." However, you must remind them of the reasons they choose to follow you. At this moment, they are questioning. Once doubt takes shape, you’ll have more than just Ryker to be concerned about.

I let out a sharp breath, redirecting my attention to the combatants. They remained faithful. I had guided them through numerous fights. They wouldn’t betray me.

Would they do that?

No. My strength was sufficient to maintain their discipline.

And if anyone dared to leave it... I would remind them why I hold the position of their Alpha.

The night was still—too still.

I positioned myself by the window of my room, observing the moonlight create elongated shadows throughout the courtyard. There was something unusual, but I couldn’t identify it.

Next, someone knocked at my door. Aria walked in without seeking approval, her face giving nothing away.

"We have one," she said plainly.

I didn’t have to inquire about her meaning.

A few moments later, I found myself in the poorly lit dungeons, gazing at the traitor. He knelt on the ground, hands tied behind him, his face marked with blood from the ’interrogation’ conducted by Aria’s spies. Despite the agony, he raised his chin, defiance shining in his gaze.

I knelt in front of him. "Can you tell me, where were you headed?"

I breathed out gradually. "You had something with you, didn’t you?" "Something intended for Ryker."

The betrayer grinned. "You’re scared."

I seized his throat, tightening my grip just enough to make him gasp for air. "Scared?" I let out a hiss. "Do you believe I’m afraid of them?"

His grin remained. "Not those." Her.

Kira.

Anger simmered inside me, yet I would not let it surface. Instead, I gestured in Aria’s direction. "Get him to speak."

She did not hesitate. A knife shimmered in the dim light as she pressed it to his skin. "Let’s begin with something easy," she reflected. "How much are they aware of?"

He tightened his jaw, unwilling to talk. Aria didn’t like that. The next few minutes echoed with the noise of flesh colliding with steel, accompanied by sharp groans of pain.

At last, he breathed out, "They don’t know it all... yet."

My gaze grew dim.

Just before I could ask for more, the warrior abruptly charged, expending his remaining strength to escape. It occurred so quickly—one of the guards hesitated, and in that fleeting moment, the traitor plunged a knife into the man’s neck.

Chaos broke out.

When I finally got to him, he was at the exit, wounded but still alive. He glanced back one final time, meeting my gaze. "You’re not the only one with wolves in the dark."

After that, he disappeared.

I tightened my hands into fists. This was not merely a single act of betrayal. If there were more people, I would discover them.

The evening before battle always çarries a distinct heaviness. Expectation. Fear. Craving for blood. My fighters sensed it, their anxiety heavy in the atmosphere like a silent vow of aggression. Yet beneath their keen knives and steady grips, I could still feel the uncertainty persisting in their thoughts. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

That would not be acceptable.

I stood in front of them, my wolves with golden eyes behind me, their eerie light cutting through the darkness. "Tomorrow, we put an end to this," I declared, my voice resonating among the assembled warriors. "Wait no longer." No more doubts. Ryker believes he has time—believes he can get ready. "However, we will not grant him that privilege."

A soft murmur of agreement spread among the ranks, yet I noticed a few exchanged looks and some shoulders tightening at the reference to my golden-eyed wolves. The treachery still hurt.

Someone in this gathering had plotted against me, and even though we apprehended one, I was aware there were others.

I had no trust in them. Not completely.

Only Aria remained by my side, her gaze examining the crowd as keenly as mine. She grasped the concept. "We need to take the initiative," she stated, moving ahead. "By sunrise, we advance, claiming what rightfully belongs to us."

A chorus of approval surged from the fighters, yet I sensed that a few of them cheered from duty rather than belief. It was of no significance. I didn’t require their belief—I required their compliance.

Once I had sent them away, I returned to my room, with Aria closely trailing me.

"They will battle," she remarked, observing me as I moved back and forth. "Yet fear continues to persist."

I breathed out quickly. "They will be more afraid of me than of the unknown."

She grinned. "That’s the Asher I’m familiar with."

However, while she was talking, I sensed it approaching—the paranoia, the unsettling awareness that not all those joining me tomorrow would be doing so voluntarily. There were still betrayers in our midst.

Alright. Allow them to arrive.

At daybreak, we wouldn’t simply advance for triumph. We would advance to eliminate the weak, to defeat the unsure, to demonstrate conclusively that I am the one and only true Alpha.

The next day, I would demonstrate to them why they ought to have never questioned me.