Chapter 172: Infighting
He dismounted with the ease of someone used to commanding attention, his boots hitting the ground with purpose. The dust swirled around his feet as he walked further into the town. People peeked from behind curtains, from alleyways, keeping their distance.
They had already offended one bigshot, they were not going to provoke another. All of their operations had ceased. As for the one who sold Riven and put a target on their back...
They killed him way before Ronan reached the town. How dare he? Because of him, their business had been exposed. They made good money selling people, it was a grey area, and they took advantage of the lack of clear jurisdiction, but he... He incurred the wrath of the Alpha.
When Ronan arrived, he first aimed for that bartender, but when he realised that he was missing, he decided to uproot all the illegal operations in that town.
Leon scoffed at the sight of the charred remains of what used to be the town’s most active tavern. "So this is what justice looks like under Ronan’s rule? No wonder the people look half-dead."
His tone was mocking, but there was something calculating in his eyes. Though the town was technically a grey zone, a border town—not ruled by Soren, Ronan, or even Leon himself—Leon had always claimed it as part of his influence. Seeing it now in ruins, claimed by Ronan’s sense of "justice," rubbed him the wrong way.
"Start asking questions," Leon commanded his men. "I want to know how exactly it went down."
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Ronan stood in the chamber that once served as the gathering place for the elders. Now it felt more like a tomb of old ambitions. Elder Thorne sat across from him, back straight but hands clenched tightly in his lap.
"You’ve got a lot of nerve coming here," Thorne spat, his eyes sharp despite the heavy bags under them.
"I thought you’d appreciate the courtesy," Ronan replied casually. "I could’ve sent someone else to deliver the message. But I figured, since you were always so outspoken, I’d give you a chance to speak one last time."