Chapter 34 - Chapter 34 : The Shattered peace

 Days turned into weeks as Thalia's obsession with Brian and Mia deepened. She spent countless hours plotting her revenge, relying on Kane to gather information. Despite his loyalty, Chris was growing uneasy with Thalia's increasing desperation.One evening, Chris returned from another reconnaissance mission with news that left Thalia perplexed. "Thalia," he said, hesitating slightly, "the person in the picture you gave me... he's not Brian. He's known as Kane."Thalia's eyes narrowed. "Kane? Are you sure?""Yes," Chris confirmed. "I've asked around, and everyone refers to him as Kane."Thalia clenched her fists, her mind racing. "It's nothing," she said dismissively. "He must have changed his name to avoid detection. It doesn't matter. The plan remains the same."Chris nodded but couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. "What about Mia?" he asked cautiously. "I tried to get close to her, but the security around the Manian territory is incredibly tight. It's impossible to get in without being noticed."Thalia's frustration boiled over. "There has to be a way!" she snapped. "We can't let them get away with what they've done."Chris remained calm, trying to reason with her. "Thalia, I understand your anger, but this is dangerous. We need to be smart about this. Rushing in will only get us killed."Thalia took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "You're right, Chris. We need a new strategy. Keep gathering information. There has to be a weak point we can exploit."Chris agreed and left to continue his surveillance. Thalia, meanwhile, pondered the revelation about Brian If he had indeed changed his name, what else was he hiding? And why had he done it?But later she concluded maybe it was his werewolf name so she didn't take it personally Mia, now a mother, cherished every moment with her newborn daughter, Marietta. Her joy, however, was shadowed by the looming threat of rival packs seeking to dominate the Manian territory. Despite the peace agreements, the fragile truce was constantly at risk.One fateful night, the threat became a terrifying reality. The Manian pack was ambushed by a rival pack, known for their ruthlessness and relentless pursuit of power. The attack was swift and brutal, leaving many dead in its wake. Mia, along with her husband and Brian, managed to escape, clutching Marinetta to her chest as they fled.In the chaos, Brian made a desperate call to Reed for help. "Reed, we need you," Brian's voice trembled with urgency. "Our pack is under attack. We're trying to get away, but we need assistance."Reed's response was immediate. "Hang tight, Brian. I'm on my way."Thalia, however, overheard the conversation. A dark smile spread across her face as she realized this was the perfect opportunity to exact her revenge. She left for the scene, fueled by a desire for vengeance that had consumed her for years.---Mia, her husband, and Brian raced through the night, their car speeding along the winding roads. Fear and determination drove them, but Thalia was relentless. She managed to intercept them, her eyes burning with hatred.As Mia's car came into view, Thalia accelerated, slamming into their vehicle with brutal force. The impact sent Mia's car careening off the road, tumbling down a cliff. The vehicle burst into flames upon hitting the ground, trapping Mia and her husband inside.Brian, thrown from the car, lay unconscious nearby. The flames roared higher, threatening to consume everything.---Reed arrived moments later, his heart pounding as he took in the horrific scene. Flames and smoke filled the air, and the stench of burning metal and rubber was overwhelming. He spotted the overturned car and ran toward it, his mind racing with fear and desperation.Through the smoke and fire, Reed heard a faint cry. He found Marinetta, miraculously thrown clear of the wreckage, and scooped her up, shielding her from the heat. He looked around, searching for any sign of Mia or Brian, but the flames were too intense."Marinetta, hang on," he whispered, his voice breaking. He cradled the infant in his arms, knowing he had to get her to safety. As he turned to leave, a shadowy figure caught his eye, disappearing into the night. Thalia.Reed's heart sank with the realization. He couldn't pursue her now; Marinetta's life depended on him.---Back at the Laufey pack's territory, Reed tended to Marinetta, ensuring she was safe and cared for. He sent word to the Manian pack, but the news was devastating: nearly all were dead, and those who survived were scattered.Thalia returned to the pack, her face a mask of satisfaction. She had finally avenged the hurt and betrayal she felt, but the cost was enormous. The rival pack's attack had left her pack vulnerable, and now they faced an uncertain future.---Days later, Reed confronted Thalia, suspicion and anger in his eyes. "Thalia, were you at the scene of the accident?"Thalia feigned ignorance. "What are you talking about, Reed? I was here the whole time."Reed's eyes narrowed. "I saw someone there. Someone who looked like you. And Marinetta... she was the only one I could save."Thalia's heart pounded, but she maintained her composure. "Reed, you're under a lot of stress. You must be mistaken."Reed wanted to believe her, but doubt gnawed at him. He decided to keep a closer watch on Thalia, knowing that Marinetta's safety depended on it.---In the aftermath, Thalia's actions left a ripple of consequences. The fragile peace between the packs was shattered, and new tensions began to brew. Marietta, now an orphan, became a symbol of hope and resilience, and Reed vowed to protect her at all costs.Thalia, though triumphant in her revenge, felt the weight of her actions bearing down on her. The darkness she had unleashed was not so easily contained, and she realized that her quest for vengeance had only just begun.Chris was on his way home, the weight of his recent actions and secrets heavy on his mind. The night was calm, and the air was cool, offering a momentary solace from the turmoil within the pack. He walked through the dense woods, the moonlight casting eerie shadows on the path.Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness behind him. Before Chris could react, a strong arm wrapped around his neck, and a sharp prick of a needle pierced his skin. The burning sensation of wolfsbane coursed through his veins, and his body quickly succumbed to the poison. He struggled briefly, but the world around him faded into blackness, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.When Chris awoke, he found himself in a dark, damp cellar. The air was thick with the smell of mold and decay. His wrists were bound with silver chains, and the residue of wolfsbane left him weak and disoriented. He struggled to focus, his vision blurry and his head pounding.Footsteps echoed down the stone stairs, and a shadowy figure appeared at the entrance. As the figure stepped into the dim light, Chris's eyes widened in shock