Hannah picked up the thread.“Like how conveniently Malcolm and Larissa worked together to expose Vincent’s ‘crimes.’Almost as if they’d planned it all along, to secure their own power.”
“Exactly,” Gregory said, feeling a rush of satisfaction.This was why he and Hannah made such a formidable team.“We plant the seeds of doubt, of suspicion.We find those who are already predisposed to believe the worst of the new leadership, and we cultivate their mistrust.”
Hannah nodded slowly.“We’ll need to be careful about who we approach first,” she said.“Start with those on the fringes, the ones least likely to run straight to Nick or the others with our proposals.”
“I overheard some of the younger wolves complaining about being left out of the decision-making process,” he offered.“They feel like their voices aren’t being heard in all this talk of new leadership and pack direction.”
“And I’ve noticed tension between some of the older pack members who were loyal to Vincent and those who’ve embraced the new regime,” Hannah added.“There’s resentment there, just waiting to be tapped into.All we have to do is expose what hypocrites they all are, how Nick was just waiting for a chance to get back at Vincent for kicking him out of the pack in the first place.”
They spent the next hour outlining their plan, identifying potential targets and discussing the best ways to approach them.As the light faded, casting long shadows across the desert, a sense of purpose filled Gregory in a way he hadn’t experienced since Vincent’s fall.
“We’ll need to move quickly,” Hannah said as they prepared to leave.“Before the new alpha is chosen.Once that happens, it’ll be much harder to sway people.”
Gregory nodded, his mind already racing ahead to the chaos they were about to unleash.“Agreed.We’ll split up, cover more ground that way.You take the eastern part of the territory, I’ll handle the west.”
As Hannah turned to go, Gregory caught her arm.“One more thing,” he said.“Nick.He’s the biggest threat to us.His influence over the pack is…considerable.”
Hannah’s expression hardened.“I’m aware,” she said coolly.“What do you suggest?”
“Remember those files we…liberated from Vincent’s office?I think it’s time we put them to further use.Put it out that Nick’s past isn’t as clean as he’d like the pack to believe.Show them he wanted revenge—he’s not nearly as high-minded as he wants everyone to believe.Another well-placed ‘revelation’ or two could do wonders for our cause.”
Hannah’s smile was sharp enough to cut.“I like the way you think,” she said.“Leave Nick to me.I know just how to plant those particular seeds of doubt.”
They parted ways, each heading to a different part of pack territory to begin their manipulation.Anticipation so strong it was almost dizzying welled up in Gregory.
This was it.The beginning of their rise back to power.The start of his vengeance against those who had dared to overthrow Vincent.
He thought of Malcolm and Larissa, so caught up in their little power struggle and budding romance.How delicious it would be to watch that fall apart, to see the doubt and suspicion creep across their faces as their packmates turned against them.
And Nick.
Gregory’s lip curled.Nick, with his lofty ideals and talk of a united pack.Gregory would take particular pleasure in watching Nick’s world crumble around him.
In his mind’s eye, he could already see it: the pack turning on itself, suspicion and mistrust spreading like wildfire.Nick, Malcolm, Larissa, their allies—all of them watching helplessly as their precious unity crumbled to ash.
Let them think they’d won for now.Let them bask in their false sense of security.
The real game was only just beginning.
CHAPTER 16
THE MIDDAY SUN BEATdown on the dusty streets as Larissa pulled her car into the parking lot of the Desert Sunrise Diner.The heat shimmered off the asphalt, creating a mirage that made the diner’s faded neon sign waver in the distance.
She squinted against the glare, her heightened shifter senses picking up the mingled scents of grilled meat, coffee, and the ever-present desert dust.
As she stepped out of her car, the hot air hit her like a physical force, instantly causing a fine sheen of sweat to form on her skin.
Larissa smoothed down her dark hair and headed toward the diner’s entrance.The bell above the door jingled cheerfully as she pushed it open, a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts swirling in her mind.
The cool air inside the diner was a welcome relief, and Larissa took a moment to let her eyes adjust to the dimmer interior.The place was busy, filled with the low hum of conversation and the clink of cutlery against plates.She scanned the room, her gaze settling on her friend in a corner booth.
Una Sanchez waved, her sweet smile a beacon in the crowded diner.Larissa made her way over, sliding into the cracked vinyl seat across from Sarah’s cousin.
“Hey, you made it,” Una said, pushing a menu toward Larissa.“I was starting to wonder if pack business had held you up.”
Larissa shook her head, forcing a smile.“No, just the usual traffic on Main Street.You’d think in a town this size, we wouldn’t have to deal with that.”
As she spoke, Larissa’s nostrils flared slightly.Beneath the overwhelming scent of fried food and coffee, she caught a whiff of something that made her wolf stir uneasily.She casually glanced around the diner, her eyes narrowing as they landed on a table near the back.
