It didn't take too long for them to climb the high part of a mountain on a cliffside. There were red and blue tribal marks painted across in a small circle which represented their designated sparring area.
Lucas settled on the right side, his back to the mountain.
Leland settled on the opposite, his back turned towards the cliff.
It was better for Leland to be on this side so he could keep his senses keen and sharp.
He asked his Beta, "Are you ready, Lucas?"
Lucas nodded and immediately dove towards Leland. The Beta's hands were already transformed into claws and swiped down at Leland. The Alpha dodged at the nick of time but felt the claws graze against his skin.
"Alpha, did you learn how to ask questions from staying quite long in Riga?" Lucas chuckled a little and stepped back. The Beta was light on his feet and took advantage of his nimbleness.
Leland shook his head and counterattacked wordlessly.
"Uff…" Lucas bent down and avoided the slash that crumbled down rocks behind his back. "It must have been too annoying always being surrounded by humans."
"Good spar!" Lucas winced.
"Again," Leland said.
"Yes, Alpha!" The Beta rose to his feet and grinned kindly. "I only let you win because I was distracted by what you said about humans being tolerable. I forget that you once lived with one."
"It all depends on the person. They can have a change of heart."
"Except for the royal family, they're all wicked down to the bone." Lucas frowned.
It was true that Leland was the Alpha and his pack detested humans, but like many others, it was more personal than simply wishing to end humanity or elevate the lycan society to the peak of existence.
"That I can attest to." Leland shook his head and felt the anger simmer within him.
He wished to avenge Jack and Anne, for the suffering that the royal family brought them and many others. In order to make up for the years of loneliness, hopelessness, and sorrow that Sophie experienced.
It was for the happiness that was stolen from both Sophie and Leland.
"The meeting with the other packs will take place soon during the next full moon, Alpha." Lucas reminded him. "What happened in Riga will be a difficult thing to explain to the other packs."
"There was a dissident among our members," Leland flatly said. "There are a lot of power struggles constantly. It cannot be helped that Elder Brin caused it. In my eyes, we have simply weeded out those who should have been cast out from the pack."
"Yes, Alpha. However, I worry about your chances with the title of Werewolf King since our power has diminished," Lucas voiced his concern.
"There is no need to trouble yourself. I still have every intention to take on the title for myself." Leland reassured him.
The reason why Leland wanted to grow in power was for Sophie's sake. He did not want any titles like the Werewolf King or anything else, but the reason why he wished to pursue it was also for her as well.
Blood River Pack's mutiny and division were because of the seeds of discontent that Brin and Isolde planted among the pack and they were unhappy about Sophie not being a full lycan like them.
Leland wished to ensure that when a full-blown war came between all of the human kingdoms and all of the lycan packs, Sophie would remain safe and well protected. The safest place in the food chain was being at the top. So, of course, he would ensure his family would be safe by working hard to secure the position.
He could use his influence as an Alpha on the Blood River Pack, but other packs would surely challenge him once they figured out the Luna was half-human. That was why he had every intention of becoming king.
He could work with little members as long as they were all loyal. He would train them to be stronger. He believed in quality over quantity. It was better to have a small army of powerful and loyal warriors than weak-minded people who were easy to sway by wicked people like Isolde and Brin.
In addition to that, Blood River Pack would also be open to accepting rogues or other smaller tribes who wished to join. They just had to follow the way Leland commanded his pack.
"Alpha, what about our pact of agreement with the Witches?" Lucas asked. "Since you've cast your mother out of the pack and she has escaped, who will be the one in charge of dealing with them?"
"We will break it off with them," Leland said. "I believe that Isolde may have worked with the Grand Witch to create a poison for Sophia. I cannot trust or work with them any longer."
He didn't have evidence, but it was better safe than sorry. He couldn't trust the witches because they were close to his mother.
"I do not wish to pry, but what if we could get a cure from them for the Luna? Are the entire Witches compromised, Alpha?" Lucas inquired. "I remember that your friendship with the Grand Witch's daughter is strong."
"I cannot trust them. The Grand Witch is my mother's friend. So, I will assume that they are all compromised even if some of them will accept payment…" Leland shook his head.
"You mean that only a few would be able to create a cure."
Leland's expression became grim. "It does not seem strange if it is Eloise herself who made the poison and if it is her..."
"But she must know that poisoning the Luna is like poisoning you as well, Alpha." Lucas' eyes widened. "It is no secret that strength and even weakness are shared among mates."
"Perhaps she was tricked by her mother and believed that the poison was meant for the king of Riga?" Leland acknowledged. "Regardless of the truth, we must break off the agreement."
"Understood."
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