The tension in the war room was suffocating. Not from fear-but from power.
Sky stood at the head of the table, his presence casting a heavy shadow over the assembled Alphas, heirs, and strategists. This was not a negotiation. This was a declaration.
The room was filled with leaders from F4, Stormveil, and their key allies. These were not just any Alphas. These were the strongest of their generation.
And yet, not a single one dared to speak.
Not after witnessing what Sky truly was.
Nani sat to his right, arms crossed, face neutral-but Sky could sense it. His wolf still submitted to him, still feeling the weight of Sky's power from before.
Nani hadn't fought it. Not this time.
It was proof that even if Nani denied their bond-his instincts did not.
Sky exhaled. The time for emotion was over.
Now, they are prepared for war.
-----
Phase one: Extermination of Blackridge's Bases
"Blackridge is done." Sky's voice was low, final. "We're wiping them out-completely."
He turned to Fort and Theradoon, the two most ruthless warriors in the room.
"All their bases. Every single one."
Theradoon leaned forward, his sharp yellow eyes gleaming. "How many survivors?"
Sky's gaze was ice.
"None."
Silence.
Not because anyone was shocked. But because they understood.
This wasn't a fight. This was annihilation.
Fort nodded once, arms folded over his chest. "We'll need precise intel on their locations."
Sky looked at Bright. "That's where you come in."
Bright grinned lazily. "You want Blackridge's hideouts? I'll find them."
Sky didn't doubt him. Bright wasn't just a tracker-he was a hunter.
Once he found a scent, he never lost it.
---
Phase Two: The Hunt for Blackridge's Alpha
"We already know who's leading Blackridge," Sky continued. "He's the key to unraveling the rest of this operation."
Win finally spoke, voice calm but sharp. "Then we need to cut off the head before the body reacts."
Sky met his gaze. "Which is why you're going with Bright."
Bright turned, raising an eyebrow. "Win? You think he can keep up?"
Win's jaw tensed. "Try me."
Sky ignored their bickering. Win's presence was strategic.
Bright was fast, but reckless. Win was the only one who could keep him from going too far.
And if Bright got caught in a trap, Win would pull him out.
---
Phase Three: Destroying Blackridge's Backers
Sky's expression darkened as he turned to Boun, Alpha of Midnight Sapphire.
"Antigent is Blackridge's financial backer. They provide funding, supplies, and legal cover. Take them down."
Boun leaned back in his chair, smirking. "How far do you want this to go?"
Sky's voice was cold. "I don't care."
The room tensed.
This wasn't just about bankrupting Antigent.
Sky was giving Boun free rein-to erase them.
Boun exhaled slowly, his smirk widening. "Finally. Something fun."
---
Phase Four: Controlling the Aftermath
"We can't let F4's reputation crumble in the aftermath," Sky continued.
He turned to Saranyu and Kanin, the leaders best suited for diplomacy and business strategy.
"Stormveil will handle the war. You'll handle the public."
Saranyu nodded. "I assume we frame this as a corporate takedown?"
"Yes," Sky confirmed. "Blackridge's destruction will look like an internal collapse. Antigent's fall will look like a failed expansion."
Kanin sighed. "Cleaning up your mess. As usual."
Saranyu chuckled. "At least this time, the mess is interesting."
---
Phase Five: Unmasking the True Enemy
Sky's expression turned lethal as he shifted his focus to Tee.
"You're with me."
Tee met his gaze, already understanding.
"This isn't just about Blackridge," Sky murmured.
Tee exhaled. "No. It's bigger."
They both knew someone else was pulling the strings.
Blackridge was too well-funded. Too coordinated. Too bold.
Someone wanted F4 to fall. And now, with Stormveil involved, the enemy would strike even harder.
Sky's fingers curled into a fist.
They would find them.
And when they did-
There would be no mercy.
Sky didn't ask for agreement.
He didn't need it.
The room belonged to him now.
And the war had just begun.
-----
Sky's orders were set, the war machine already moving-but securing their own ground was just as crucial.
His gaze shifted to Thorne, his most trusted Stormveil Guardian.
"Double the defenses around the stronghold," Sky commanded. "Every entry point, every weak spot. No one gets in or out without your approval."
Thorne, a towering warrior with a presence like steel, nodded once. "Understood. Anyone who tries?"
Sky's expression darkened. "Kill them. No warnings."
A flicker of something ruthless passed through Thorne's golden eyes. He bowed slightly. "It will be done."
The message was clear:
With all the F4 leaders and heirs gathered here, Stormveil Stronghold had become the single most valuable target.
And Sky wasn't taking any risks.
Sky turned to Lyra, Stormveil's lead scout-one of the best trackers and intelligence operatives they had.
"The borders." His voice was sharp. "Watch them closely. Not just Stormveil's-F4's too."
Lyra frowned. "Something specific?"
"Hunters," Sky muttered. "They're sniffing around again."
That made the room go still.
Everyone knew what that meant.
Hunters were a constant enemy, always lurking, waiting for an opportunity. But this wasn't just normal activity. Something-or someone-was giving them information.
Lyra's jaw tightened. "If they're moving again, someone is feeding them our locations."
"Exactly," Sky said. "We have a traitor."
The tension spiked.
Nani's fingers curled against the table, Pond exhaled sharply, Win's eyes narrowed in thought, and Dew's fists clenched.
"Find out how they're getting their intel," Sky ordered. "Intercept them before they get too close. And Lyra-"
His gaze sharpened.
"Be careful. Whoever is behind this-they want war."
Lyra nodded, a flicker of determination in her amber eyes. "I'll find them."
Sky let his gaze sweep over the room one last time.
Stormveil's warriors were in place.
The war plans were set.
The leaders and heirs were under his protection.
The traitor hunt had begun.
There was nothing left to say.
The war had already begun.
And this time-there would be no mercy.
-----
The heavy doors of the war room slammed shut as the last of the elders left.
Silence settled in their absence.
Only the next generation remained.
Sky stood at the head of the table, expression unreadable. Bright, Phuwin, Tee, Dew, Pond, Win, and Nani formed a loose circle around him, each carrying their own weight in this war.
But the tension was far from gone.
They were all still processing what had just happened.
The raw power Sky unleashed. The fear, awe, and silent realization that their world had just changed.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then Dew, ever the one to break silence with cutting precision, let out a scoff.
"So. That happened."
Bright smirked. "You mean Sky bending every damn alpha in the room like twigs?"
Win sighed, rubbing his temples. "We knew he was strong."
"Not that strong," Pond muttered, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the lingering weight of Sky's aura. He turned toward Sky, expression sharp. "You've been holding back on us."
Sky remained impassive. "Would it have changed anything?"
Pond's fists clenched. "Maybe we wouldn't have underestimated what we're up against."
Sky's voice was calm. "You never underestimated them. You underestimated me."
A charged silence.
Because he wasn't wrong.
Dew exhaled, changing the subject. "So what's the next step?"
Tee crossed his arms. "I'll investigate the true mastermind-whoever's controlling Blackridge and the hunters. We have a lead. It's dangerous, but-"
"I'm coming with you," Dew interrupted.
Tee's brow twitched. "Dew, this isn't-"
"I wasn't asking."
A slow, tense moment stretched between them.
Tee exhaled through his nose, frustration flickering in his usually composed expression.
"This isn't a game."
Dew's gaze hardened. "And you think I don't know that?"
Tee's lips pressed into a thin line.
Sky, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Take him."
Tee turned sharply, but Sky's calm dominance left no room for argument.
"He won't be a liability," Sky continued. "And he won't stay behind, no matter what you say. If you don't take him, he'll follow on his own. So it's better if you keep an eye on him."
Tee sighed, defeated.
Dew smirked, satisfied. "See? Even the great Sky agrees with me."
Tee muttered something under his breath but didn't argue further.
"And What About Me?"
Pond leaned back, arms crossed, still fuming. "So what? I just sit here and wait?"
Sky turned to him, expression unwavering.
"No. You protect Nani and Phuwin."
Pond stilled.
"...That's it?" His voice held a bitter edge. "I'm supposed to babysit?"
Sky didn't waver. "You're supposed to be their shield."
Pond's jaw tightened.
But Sky wasn't done.
"If something happens here, if Blackridge retaliates, if another force comes after them-who do you think I trust to stop them?"
A heavy pause.
Sky's eyes met Pond's, steady and sure. "You."
Pond let out a slow breath.
It wasn't an insult. It was a responsibility.
And Pond never ran from responsibility.
"...Fine," he muttered. "But if you need backup, I better be the first one you call."
Sky nodded once.
----
Then came the real problem.
Nani.
He had been silent through the discussion so far, but Sky could feel his burning resentment.
And then, as expected-
"I'm going."
Sky didn't even blink. "No."
Nani's eyes flashed. "You think you can tell me what to do?"
"Yes."
The room stilled.
Sky held Nani's glare without backing down. "If you step foot anywhere near Blackridge territory, every alpha will sense you instantly."
Nani opened his mouth to argue, but Sky didn't let him.
"Before I even get the chance to fight, they'll know you're there. And then I have two wars to fight-one against them, and one to keep you safe."
Nani hated that it made sense.
His hands curled into fists.
"I can fight," he muttered, but it lacked its usual fire.
Sky softened, stepping closer. His voice dropped, just for Nani.
"I know," he said quietly. "But I need to focus, Nani. And I can't do that if you're in danger."
Nani clenched his jaw, heart pounding.
Then-
A warm hand cupped his cheek.
Sky's touch was gentle, firm.
"Let me do my job," Sky murmured. "I'll come back to you."
The anger didn't vanish-but it shifted.
His wolf recognized Sky's authority.
Nani swallowed, struggling against instincts he didn't want to accept.
"...Fine," he muttered.
Sky searched his face, then finally pulled back, satisfied.
And just like that, the next stage of the war was set.
----
Sky turned back toward the war table, fingers pressing into the surface. His mind was already moving ten steps ahead, calculating, strategizing.
Everyone knew what they had to do.
Bright and Win would hunt down Blackridge's leader.
Boun would dismantle Antigent.
Fort and Theradoon would wipe Blackridge's bases from existence.
Saranyu and Kanin would stabilize F4's crumbling reputation.
Tee and Dew would chase the real mastermind.
And Nani-
Nani was still staring at Sky.
Something unspoken passed between them.
Not a fight. Not defiance.
But something heavier.
A quiet understanding.
Sky finally exhaled. "Everyone, get some rest."
No one argued. One by one, they started filing out of the war room.
But as Nani turned to leave, Sky's voice stopped him.
"Nani."
He froze.
The room was almost empty now. Only Sky, Nani, and Bright remained.
Sky's voice was low, quiet.
"Stay."
Nani's chest tightened.
For a moment, he wanted to refuse.
But he didn't.
The door clicked shut behind Bright, leaving them alone.
And just like that-
The war could wait.
Because before they marched into battle, there was still something between them that needed to be settled.