Chapter 179: Declaration
Ronan sat at the long table in his study, focusing on the parchment in front of him. He leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking slightly under his weight, and read the report again with a deeper scowl than before.
The document was brief but concerning.
Leon had been working behind the scenes, turning a few men from the border town to his side. The report stated they had pledged their allegiance to the Lion King, lured by promises of wealth, power, and "protection"—a word Ronan found almost laughable when used in association with Leon. The border town in question was the same one that had been knee-deep in corruption.
It was also the town that had hurt his mate.
Ronan’s fingers drummed against the edge of the desk as his eyes narrowed.
That town had always been a grey area. It existed on the fringes of three territories, and it had long been understood that none of the ruling clans- Wolf, Lion, or Snow Leopard- would lay a direct claim to it. It was part of the fragile peace they had maintained for years. A silent agreement, unspoken but honoured.
Until now.
Leon had always been prideful, always toeing the line, always seeing rules as suggestions at best. But this? This was no border game. This was an attempt to plant a flag where one was never meant to be raised.
Most people expected Ronan to be in disarray after purging the elders. They assumed he would be scrambling, struggling to hold the pieces of his clan together. Leon had likely counted on that too—on the disorganisation, the doubt, the internal chaos. But the reality couldn’t be further from it.