Chapter 125
Outside the Werewolf Continent borders, Rett and Jener appeared out of nowhere. The air was dry and heavy, and the land around them was barren, covered in cracked sand that stretched as far as the eye could see. There was no sign of life, no sound but the faint whistle of the wind.
Rett glanced around, frowning. “Where the hell are we?” he muttered under his breath.
Jener steadied himself, still catching his breath from the jump. “This isn’t the place I aimed for,” he said, voice tight. He raised his hand and began tracing symbols in the air, trying to open another portal but the energy flickered and died.
Rett’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t tell me your magic’s failing now p>
Jener ignored him and tried again but they just ended up in the same spot. So Jener tried and tried again p>
“Dammit, Jener! What is this?! We’ve been going in circles for hours!” Rett shouted, his patience wearing thin as they landed in the same desolate spot again. Endless brown sand stretched out in every direction, lifeless and still.
“Something’s not right,” Jener muttered, scanning the barren horizon. His expression darkened, and he suddenly snarled, “Show yourself p>
“What are you talking about?!” Rett hissed, his own nerves fraying as he glanced around.
“Someone’s interfering with my portal,” Jener ground out, his jaw tightening.
Rett’s heartbeat quickened. Someone’s… messing with him? That was bad. Very bad. He’d made a move on his own, something his father must never find out about. He mobilized his own men in secret, believing his plan was foolproof. But everything was falling apart, all because Althea had chosen not to escape the Alpha King.
“Damn it!” he cursed, slamming a fist into his palm hard enough to draw blood.
“Show yourself, coward! Stop tampering with my portal!” Jener barked again, his voice echoing over the wasteland.
Rett spun around, scanning the empty dunes, but there was no one. Then, without warning, Jener staggered forward, coughing violently. Dark blood spilled from his lips as he collapsed to his knees.
“Jener! What’s happening?!” Rett rushed to him, panic flaring.
A calm, mocking voice floated from behind.
“He’s not dying—just drained. You should be grateful I stopped him before he burned himself out p>
Rett turned sharply. A man with silver hair stood there, wearing a spotless white cloak. He looked almost angelic under the pale light, a bright contrast to the lifeless wasteland. In one hand, he held an apple, which he casually bit into before meeting Rett’s eyes with a calm smile.
“Who the hell are you?!” Rett demanded, his pulse spiking. There was nothing threatening about the man’s tone or expression, but something about him made Rett’s instincts scream danger.
The silver-haired man tilted his head slightly, as if amused. “Me?” he said softly. “I’m Zander p>
He smiled wider, his voice turning darker. “But from now on, you’ll both call me Master p>
Rett’s face darkened. “And who the hell do you think you are?!” he spat.
Zander rolled his eyes, then tossed the half-eaten apple aside. “This isn’t sweet at all.” The fruit turned to ash the moment it left his hand.
Suddenly Jener cried out, clutching his throat. Rett spun around and saw Jener’s body convulsing on the ground, struggling to breathe. Dark pressure seemed to press down on him, every breath a fight.
“Call me ‘Master’ while I’m being merciful,” Zander said, his voice quiet and cold as he watched. “Refuse me, and you’ll have no use left in this world. I’ll dispose of what I don’t need p>
Jener choked out a single, terrified syllable. “Ma—Master p>
Jener gasped for air the moment the invisible force released him. He fell forward, coughing and trembling. Rett’s eyes widened, both furious and shaken.
“What did you do to him?!” Rett demanded.
Zander tilted his head, looking almost amused. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic. I just taught your little warlock some manners. Respect is such a rare thing these days p>
“You p>
“Ah, ah, ah,” Zander interrupted, raising a finger. “You wouldn’t want to lose your voice too, would you?” His tone was playful, but the glint in his eyes was sharp enough to pierce through Rett’s chest. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ.net
Rett’s jaw clenched, rage boiling inside him. “What do you want from us p>
Zander smiled, and for a moment, his expression almost looked kind. “From you? Nothing… yet.” He brushed invisible dust from his white cloak, the faint shimmer of energy trailing his fingertips. “But I can offer you something. Power. Knowledge. A way to get what you crave p>
Rett frowned. “And what makes you think you know what I want p>
Zander leaned closer, so close Rett could see his strange silver eyes flicker like moonlight reflecting on water. “Because you want what every desperate man wants—control. You can’t stand being second, can you? You hate the way she looks at him instead of you p>
Rett’s blood ran cold. “How do you p>
“I see many things,” Zander murmured. His tone was almost gentle, but his smirk carried an edge of cruelty. “I see your envy, your hunger… your desire to take back what was stolen. I admire that. It’s so… human p>
Rett took a step back, suddenly unsure if he was facing a savior or a demon. “Who are you really p>
Zander chuckled lowly, turning away as he looked up at the dark sky. “A friend,” he said softly. “Or your worst nightmare. That depends on how well you listen p>
“And why do you think I’ll do what you want?!” Rett hissed. There was no way he would let this young man overpower him.
“Ahh… I smell pride,” Zander murmured, a crooked smile forming on his lips.
“Do you know how many have died in this world because of their pride? I’m still waiting for you to call me Master, after all. Or His tone darkened as his eyes gleamed faintly. “Maybe you’ve grown tired and want to join your dear mother in the afterlife? Meena, wasn’t it? She was quite fond of you—her favorite son p>
Rett’s expression twisted in rage, but Zander only chuckled softly and turned away, his silver hair catching the dim light. “Now then,” he said with a smirk, eyes glowing beneath his lashes, “shall we begin p>