Chapter 1762: The Other Cog As the Howlers were mobilizing their forces and moving toward the apocalyptic quarantine zone of Centrefield, there was another incredibly important cog in the grand machine that was also moving in his own distinct direction. That was Lupus. He had made the heavy decision to head back to his own territory, back to Ruin City. As he finally returned to the familiar borders, he drove his vehicle straight up the winding roads toward the towering hilltop where his grand castle had once stood proudly. That castle, his stronghold, his pride, and the very symbol of his pack’s dominance,had been mostly destroyed and reduced to jagged rubble during the catastrophic fight between himself and Unzoku. It was immediately after that brutal confrontation, after whatever dark, mind-warping manipulation Unzoku had violently forced upon him, that Lupus had gathered everyone in a maddened frenzy to go ahead and wage an unprovoked war against the Howlers. He parked his car at the foot of the mountain trail, leaving the engine idling for a long moment. Just thinking about the violation of his mind and the absolute destruction of his home made his massive hands flex involuntarily around the leather steering wheel, the material groaning under his crushing grip. Eventually, he cut the engine and stepped out of the vehicle. He scanned the perimeter, his sharp eyes and heightened senses verifying that there weren’t any normal people lingering around. It was still strictly designated as an off-limits area. It had been officially changed from the days when it was a bustling tourist attraction, cordoned off with heavy fencing and hazard signs following the ’unexplained’ collapse of the historical site, and things appeared to have stayed that way. When Lupus confirmed he was alone, he broke into a sprint. He bounded up the steep, rocky incline with the effortless grace and terrifying speed of an apex predator. Within moments, he was standing at the summit, surrounded by the charred, broken rubble, looking somberly at the devastated site around him. “Hmm... it’s exactly the same,” Lupus murmured to himself, the wind whipping at his coat. “Didn’t they say that some of the old group had safely returned here? I thought they might be rebuilding here at the summit, but maybe they are hiding in different parts of the city instead.” “I don’t believe it,” a deep, gravelly voice said from directly behind him. When Lupus quickly turned around, his tense muscles immediately relaxed. Standing there amidst the ruins was a familiar, trustworthy face. It was Galdark, his most loyal confidant and the pack’s dedicated bookkeeper. “I knew in my bones you weren’t dead, and they had eventually told me you were alive,” Galdark said, a rare, genuine smile breaking through his usually stern features. “But seeing you actually standing here in the flesh... I guess I missed you a lot more than I expected, old friend.” “It goes both ways, Galdark,” Lupus said, letting out a heavy breath he felt like he had been holding for weeks. “I suppose you have a massive amount of questions for me about what happened, and trust me, I have some urgent ones for you as well. For starters, where is everyone? Where is the pack?” “Right,” Galdark said, his smile fading into a serious, tactical expression. “You might not be so happy about the executive decision I decided to make in your absence.” Galdark motioned for Lupus to follow him. He navigated through the treacherous, uneven rubble until he reached a very specific, unassuming spot among the fallen stone pillars. He kicked his heavy boots against the ground a few times in a rhythmic pattern. A moment later, another hidden pack member pushed open a heavy, camouflaged trapdoor that led deep underground. Lupus immediately knew what was at the bottom of those dark stone steps, because he vividly remembered what these deep ruins were originally used for. Decades ago, these subterranean chambers were essentially dungeons. They were filled with reinforced cages, thick iron chains, and brutal methods designed specifically to stop the werewolves from getting out and slaughtering the populace when they had to forcibly hide themselves once a month during the full moon. It was a place of pain and lost control. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢 However, when Lupus headed down the stone staircase and stepped onto the main floor, his eyes widened in surprise. He saw that a massive amount of incredible changes had been made to the grim place. The entire subterranean cavern had been completely rebuilt and repurposed. From a prison of cages and chains, it had blossomed into a highly functional, livable underground bunker. The ceilings had been excavated and raised to a staggering six meters high to accommodate their transformed states comfortably. There were different, cleanly divided sections featuring expansive libraries for Galdark’s archives and comfortable, well-lit living quarters for the families. Immediately, when the scattered Werewolves saw Lupus stepping into the light and heard the whispers that their original leader was finally back, they stopped what they were doing. They stood tall and offered him a great, undeniable amount of respect. The profound respect they showed even seemed to transcend the primal, instinctual anger within them regarding the shifting pack dynamics. It was a beautiful, silent testament that went to show that these Werewolves were far more in control of their emotions and their humanity than they might have previously realized. They were not just mindless beasts governed by dominance; they were a true family. “There’s a very specific reason why I decided to do this and move everyone underground,” Galdark explained, walking beside Lupus. “I think, for now, the absolute best thing for us to do is to completely pretend that we have perished in the war. The Vampire families have eyes, ears, and spies everywhere on the surface. And they already know that the Howlers officially won the territorial war.” Galdark gestured to the hidden ceiling above them. “They know that you disappeared after the battle. So, strategically, the best thing to do is for them to confidently think that you are still dead. The Vampires will arrogantly work on the flawed information they have, while we will be down here safely building a secret weapon—a hidden, rested strike force that they have absolutely no idea about.” “It’s a tactical blind spot,” Lupus nodded, understanding the brilliance of the play. “Exactly,” Galdark confirmed. “Of course, all of this is strictly a precaution for now. We stay hidden until Unzoku is dealt with. After everything you did to build Ruin City, for us to normally not live a life like this in the dark... I wouldn’t want to go against your vision permanently. But we simply do not have the capacity or the numbers to go to war against an ancient being like Unzoku as well as the combined Vampire families at the exact same time.” Galdark looked at the members of the pack working around them. “When one major issue is dealt with, we will wait and see if the Vampires try to attack the Howlers to claim the monopoly. We will be ready in the shadows. And even if they don’t attack, that is when we will finally reveal ourselves to the world, and they will know without a doubt that our combined strength is equal to theirs.” Lupus nodded slowly, his respect for his bookkeeper deepening. He agreed entirely with Galdark’s decision. He understood the incredibly tough, humbling choice it must have been to force their proud pack into hiding. But since the other Werewolves were accepting of it for now, he would be as well. As long as there was a clear light at the end of the tunnel, and hope that this wasn’t their permanent situation, it was a necessary sacrifice. “I’m sure you have already heard from the Howlers’ communications as well,” Galdark added, his tone darkening. “About the vicious attacks from those strange, corrupted Werewolf-like beings across the country. What is highly interesting about that terrifying development is that there hasn’t been a single incident inside Ruin City. Not one.” Galdark crossed his arms. “My guess is that Unzoku is setting the board. He might try to suddenly unleash them here and pin the blame entirely on us if you were to publicly reemerge. That was another major reason for setting up this underground sanctuary. We need an alibi of non-existence.” While Lupus was looking around the impressive subterranean fortress, he thought the underground space Galdark had made was more than good enough to sustain them. But as his eyes scanned the layout, he realized there was one vital thing missing for his specific plans. “Do you think we could carve out a space to create a working forge down here?” Lupus asked, turning to Galdark. “It would obviously need a specialized place so the extreme heat and smoke could safely escape to the surface without giving away our position. But is it structurally possible?” “A forge?” Galdark asked, bewildered. “Yes, I can design and build that... but why? I think it’s best we stay quiet.” “I think it’s best I get to work rather quick,” Lupus stated, a spark of determination in his eyes. “I have a specific blueprint in my head. I have a plan to build three sets of the absolute best armor ever created in our history. I also need to forge a heavy, specialized shield for myself, and two perfectly balanced twin swords for the blonde one... for Kai.” “I can build the room,” Galdark said, raising an eyebrow in sheer confusion. “But did you just say that you would be the one creating these masterwork items?” “Right...” Lupus chuckled softly, clapping a heavy hand on his old friend’s shoulder. “I have some incredible things to tell you about what I’ve learned recently, Galdark. And you, as the pack’s dedicated bookkeeper and historian, should be deeply, deeply interested in it all.” **** **** For updates on MWS and future works, follow me on my social media below. 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