Chapter 1377: Howlers Fall Apart (Part 2)

Kai continued to sob, and it didn’t look like he was going to stop anytime soon. But at the very least, he wasn’t trying to run anymore.

The group decided it was best to return to the manor and sort things out from there. On either side of Kai walked Austin and Innu, silently escorting him back.

Both of them were strong, and importantly, not Werewolves. It had been Gary’s decision to assign them this task.

Even if the others hadn’t fully realized it yet… something felt off. Meeting a Werewolf from another pack triggered something instinctual. Gary didn’t want anyone making a move they’d regret.

More than anything, Gary wanted Kai to feel safe, to feel at ease. But how could he, when he was being escorted like a criminal?

As they walked, Gary’s fists were clenched tight by his sides. His knuckles had turned white.

I shouldn’t have left everything to Kai, he thought bitterly. I should’ve stayed awake… I should’ve kept watch over everyone!

He knew exactly what Unzoku had done.

He wanted to cause the most pain with the least effort. Turning me didn’t work. He must have had limited energy, he couldn’t turn everyone. So what did he do? He made Kai an Alpha. He used him to fracture us.

Gary’s eyes burned.

But I promise you, Unzoku… things aren’t going to go your way.

Once they reached the manor, Gary gathered everyone in the living room. He ordered the rest of the group to return to their rooms and rest. Only the original core members of the Howlers stayed behind, the ones who had been with Gary from the beginning.

Marie, Olivia, Innu, Austin… and Midwak.

Though not a founding member, Midwak had been included for his knowledge, he had more insight into werewolf biology and lore than anyone else in the group.

Kai was seated on a sofa at the far end of the room, away from the others. Austin and Innu remained at his sides, more guardians now than escorts. Thanks to their heightened senses, even whispered words could be heard across the room.

Marie was the first to speak.

“We know what happened, Kai,” she said gently. “This isn’t your fault. Ice and Apollo told us everything. They’re alive, you’re alive… we have to focus on the bright side here.”

Her voice remained calm as she looked directly into Kai’s eyes.

Strangely, both Kai and Gary’s eyes were glowing red.

It wasn’t constant, and it wasn’t normal. Even Alphas didn’t usually radiate power unless they were actively using their abilities. Marie guessed it had something to do with the fact that the two Alphas were now in the same room, two forces that weren’t supposed to coexist.

“Gary… Marie… everyone,” Kai spoke at last, his voice low and wavering. “The Howlers were built in this very room. With all of your efforts. Your blood, your pain, everything we went through… I remember it all.”

He paused, swallowing hard.

“But now that I’m like this… I know it’s only a matter of time. I’ll be the anchor that drags us down. Not the kind that holds us steady, but the one that sinks the ship.”

“Shut up,” Gary snapped suddenly.

The words were sharp, too sharp.

No one knew if it was anger at Kai, or just the situation itself, but the tone made everyone tense.

“Just shut up with that thinking. For once, stop talking like you’re the only one who cares.”

Gary’s voice softened slightly, but it still held weight.

“Yeah. You’re right. A lot of blood and sweat went into building what we have. But you were part of that too, Kai. Don’t act like you weren’t. You gave just as much as anyone else, more, even.”

He took a step forward.

“If everything falls apart because of you… then so be it. That’s not a reflection of failure. That’s proof of how much youmatter. Don’t you get it?”

Gary’s jaw tightened.

“If you had asked me, if you’d told me to hand over the Howlers, to give you my position, I would’ve done it. No hesitation. That’s how much trust I had in you. That’s how much you mean to this group.”

Kai opened his mouth to respond, but stopped when he saw Gary raise a clenched fist. He wasn’t threatening him, just overwhelmed, shaking with emotion.

“Look at what’s happened,” Gary continued. “Everyone said it was impossible. Unzoku tried to change me, and it didn’t work. Then he changed you instead. You think we’re done for because of that?”

He scoffed.

“Two Alphas were always meant to fight. That’s the rule, right? My uncle. My father. That was supposed to be fate. Then came Lupus… and me. But even then, we found ways to stop it.”

His red eyes gleamed.

“This rule, this so-called law that says two Alphas must fight? It was made by Unzoku. And just like I broke free from him, I’ll break that damn rule too.”

Gary turned toward Midwak.

“This is the first time there’s ever been three Alphas, right?”

Midwak nodded. “As far as I know… but our recorded history only goes so far back.”

“Exactly,” Gary said. “These rules? They’re changing. They’re evolving. Because Unzoku doesn’t control us completely. We still get to choose who we are.”

He looked directly at Kai.

“Right now, you’re the weakest I’ve ever seen you. You let Unzoku win without even trying to fight back. But instead of panicking… why don’t we figure out how to use this? Why don’t we figure out how to win?”

Kai listened.

Truly listened.

And something inside him shifted.

Maybe this was what he needed to hear. Gary’s words weren’t just a pep talk, they were a reminder. A lifeline.

As the room sat in silence, Kai slowly raised his head.

“…If I’m an Alpha now,” he asked quietly, “and I’m part of another pack… does that mean I’ll still… turn on the full moon?”

***

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