Page 98 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

I exhale slowly, pressing my hands against the table as I lean over the map. My eyes scan the terrain, the flickering markers that represent enemy movements.

“How many?” I ask.

Vaughn doesn’t hesitate. “Thousands. Possibly more. We don’t yet know if their numbers will continue to grow or if this is the full extent of their force.”

I lift my gaze, meeting his eyes. “And our army?”

His lips twitch slightly, a ghost of a smirk. “More than capable of wiping them out, Your Majesty. If you give the order, we can crush them before they have a chance to act.”

A sharp, decisive nod is my only response.

“Your Majesty,” Vaughn continues, voice tightening. “There’s something else.”

I already know before he says it. Jack has informed me.

“Valerian,” I state.

Vaughn’s jaw tightens. “He’s been seen among them.”

A slow, simmering heat spreads through my chest. The room is thick with tension, the air itself brimming with anticipation. I take a step back from the table, my gaze sweeping across the gathered officials. They’re waiting for my command.

“We all know what’s at stake,” I say, my voice steady, firm. “A war will mean casualties. It will mean innocent lives lost. I won’t let that happen.” I pause, letting my words settle. “We end this before it begins. We crush them, and we bring Valerian and his treasonous allies to justice.”

A chorus of agreement murmurs through the room. But before I can say another word, the doors burst open.

A scout stumbles in, breathless, his chest heaving as he struggles to catch his breath. The entire room turns toward him. Every eye is locked on the soldier who looks like he’s just sprinted across half the kingdom.

I straighten. “Speak.”

He takes a second, inhaling sharply. “They’re gone,” he blurts out. “Valerian’s forces. They’ve dispersed.”

The room falls into absolute, stunned silence.

I narrow my eyes. “Dispersed?”

The scout nods frantically, still panting. “Their entire encampment has vanished. They abandoned their positions, scattered in different directions. No formation, no coordination… it’s as if they just left.”

A sharp unease courses through me.

Behind me, Vaughn is already barking orders, demanding immediate surveillance updates. The other generals are exchanging glances, some murmuring among themselves. Jack, standing beside me, frowns deeply, his arms crossing over his chest.

“Doesn’t make sense,” he mutters under his breath. “Why the hell would they run?”

I don’t answer. My mind is already racing. Valerian isn’t a fool. He’s a strategist, a man who plays the long game. He wouldn’t just flee without reason.

Within seconds, reports start coming in from the generals. Every single one confirms the same thing. The enemy forces are gone. I turn to Jack, our eyes meeting. He sees it too—the unspoken question hanging between us.

Something is wrong.

Without hesitation, I make my decision. “We’re going there,” I say firmly.

Jack nods. “I’m with you.”

I turn to the generals. “Gather a small unit. We’re heading to the outskirts now. I want to see this for myself.”

No one hesitates.

I don’t wait for further discussion. Without another word, I turn and stride out of the hall, Jack and a handful of my best men falling into step behind me.

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