Meanwhile, Samuel raced through the maze of unpaved roads and back alleys to the Alpha's Den—a hidden enclave disguised as a dilapidated warehouse near the university's main gate.
Alpha Chinedu was a terrifying sight: massive, silver-haired, with eyes the color of dark amber and a presence that crushed dissent. He sat at the head of a long, rough-hewn table, flanked by the Pack elders.
"You have been reckless, Samuel," the Alpha stated, his voice a low, gravelly rumble that barely disguised a growl. "Fortune has been seen interacting with the girl. He knows. He knows she is the Keeper."
"I have the situation contained, Father," Samuel argued, standing tall despite the Pack's hostile gazes. "I have established a protective perimeter, and Esther is fully informed of the pact. She chooses to fight with us."
"She chooses to fight because she loves the wolf," an Elder, Bamidele, scoffed. "And the wolf has jeopardized the stability of the entire Pack! You have put the resource at risk!"
"She is not a resource, Bamidele, she is a partner!" Samuel retorted, his hands clenching into fists. "Fortune's goal is to break the Stone's power, not just harm the Keeper. Esther's grandmother found a way to stabilize the pact a botanical solution."
Alpha Chinedu slammed his fist onto the table, making the rough wood shudder. "Silence! The time for botany and romance is over. We have survived for generations by maintaining the law of the pact: The wolf defends the Keeper, but the Keeper must be protected from the wolf's own desire. You have violated that last part, Samuel."
"What is your verdict, Father?" Samuel asked, bracing himself.
"You will leave the city at dawn," the Alpha declared, his eyes cold and unwavering. "You will not see Esther again. You will travel north to the Abuja Pack, learn discipline, and purge this dangerous emotional weakness. Tunde will take over as her primary guardian, maintaining strict observation until the threat is neutralized."
Samuel's blood ran cold. He couldn't be exiled now. Esther was the catalyst, the target. He had to be with her.
"Fortune is at Madam Chinwe's abandoned compound right now!" Samuel lied, hoping to shift the Pack's focus. "He's trying to disrupt her research into a permanent solution!"
"He is playing you, son," the Alpha dismissed, waving a heavy hand. "The Keeper is safe in the university hostel, under observation. You leave. Now. If you resist, the Pack will enforce the exile."
Samuel knew fighting his father was futile and would only accelerate his exile. He bowed his head. "As you command, Alpha. But if anything happens to Esther or the city you will regret sending me away."
He turned and bolted, his mind already racing. He had to get to Esther before dawn. He had to protect her from his Pack's bureaucracy and from Fortune's immediate threat. But where was she? He hadn't been able to scent her since he left the university.