The Cursed Alpha's Fifth Luna

"Where is my brother?" he demanded, his voice low, vibrating with a danger that made the guard flinch.

"He’s... he’s in the banquet hall, my lord!"

Ethan didn’t offer a reply. He brushed past the guard, pushing through the entrance of the pack house. His boots echoed off the walls of the hallway as he made a line for the hall.

As he closed the distance down the corridor, the rhythm of drums and harp vibrated through the doors ahead.

Without a second hesitation, Ethan planted his hands against the oak and slammed the doors open, sending them clattering against the wall with a bang.

The music cut out instantly, as all eyes turned to him.

Dancers draped in silk spun around in shock, their breath catching, eyes wide with terror at the intruder who had dared barge into the Alpha’s quarters. But the moment their eyes recognized the man in the doorway, every head bowed in panic.

"Lord Ethan..." a musician stammered, dropping his instrument to the rug.

At the end of the hall, elevated on a dais, Hades lounged on a throne. Two women in dresses sat on either side of him. He had one pulled against his chest, his fingers tangled in her hair, unfazed by the entrance. He didn’t even turn his head at the sound of the doors striking the wall.

He took his time, taking a sip from a goblet before setting it down on a table. Only when he was finished did Hades release the woman beside him, leaning back against the cushions as his eyes locked onto the man standing in the threshold.

A slow, sinister smile stretched across Hades’ mouth as he turned to the women and musicians and waved his hand. They didn’t need to be told twice. They immediately bowed and scrambled out of the room, the heavy doors thudding shut behind them.

Ethan held Hades’ gaze in a fixed, deadly stare as the hall emptied, leaving only the two brothers behind in the sudden quiet.

A low rumbling laugh vibrated in Hades’ throat as he settled back against the cushions. "I see you have finally come. I’ve been waiting for you." He paused, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Brother."

Ethan’s knuckles tightened so hard they cracked in the quiet room, his arms held rigid at his sides. "What have you done?" he asked, his voice low and dripping with venom. His blue eyes darkened.

Hades frowned, tilting his head to the side, "The question should be, what have you been doing?" he rose from the couch and began strolling toward Ethan, his boots echoing off the stone floor. "Did you forget why you were sent to the Vermont Pack? You were sent to bring me information on the Vothraki. And what did you do?"

Hades threw his head back, a loud, sarcastic laugh echoing off the high ceiling. "You fell in love with a redhead and became her bodyguard! How else was I supposed to bring you back to your senses?" He threw his hand into the air.

"Cancel the engagement," Ethan growled, his jaw locked tight, "and I will let this slide."

Silence filled the hall, broken only by the crackling of flames in the hearth. Slowly, the smile on Hades’ face vanished, replaced by a cold, dark glare.

"And if I don’t?" Hades tilted his head slowly, a brow arched. "What are you going to do, Ethan?’’

A long breath of suffocating silence passed between them.

’’You are forgetting so soon that the only reason why you are on this throne is because of me.’’ Ethan drawled, ’’Don’t you dare play your dirty games with my people, Hades.’’

A dark glint passed through Hades eyes as he stared at his brother. Then he chuckled.

’’Imagine this. Red head finds out the only reason you got close to her was because you needed to get information from her about the Vothraki, how do you think she would look at you? Her most trusted confidant had stabbed her in the back, I can’t begin to imagine the look on her face.’’

Ethan’s gaze fluttered at the words as a heavy beat passed between them. His hands tightened into fists by his side.

Then slowly, Hades stepped forward and placed both hands on Ethan’s shoulders with mock affection.

"Now, now, Ethan. We are brothers. We shouldn’t fight."

His hands fell from Ethan’s shoulders as his smile returned, sharp as a blade. "As for the redhead, I would gladly give her to you...once you do your part.’’

"I told you already, the Alpha doesn’t even know where the book is."

Hades shook his head, looking almost disappointed. "Tsk, you spent all your time following that girl around, you haven’t even noticed he’s been trying to regain his memories."

Ethan’s expression shifted at the revelation.

’’I can’t be in Hades giving you information on what is happening in Vermont pack, Ethan. You know how important this is, you cannot be distracted.’’

Ethan swallowed hard as he thought for a moment, then he looked up at his brother.

"Keep her out of this. Cancel the engagement, and I’ll bring you whatever information you need."

"No." Hades replied almost instantly.

Ethan frowned, ’’What?’’ he asked.

Hades smirked, turning on his heel, he strolled lazily back to the couch before sinking into the soft leather. "You see, brother..." He leaned back, locking his eyes onto Ethan. "The full moon can no longer be contained. And there will be another in just a week."

A slow, chilling smile touched Hades’ lips.

"We no longer have the luxury of time. If the Vothraki can locate the earthstone and Rodrigo finds it before us, we are done for. So now, the plan has changed.’’ he paused, letting his words sink.

’’I don’t want information anymore. I want the Vothraki."

Hades leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes gleaming with unyielding menace.

"If you want the wedding cancelled... bring me the book. Or I’ll be pinning your little redhead beneath me in a month’s time."