Chapter 166 When Desire Ignited
Even the Alpha King kept a neutral expression, pretending not to notice the silent exchange. After finalizing a proposed solution for the South, the discussion moved on to the Western territories, then to the North.
But much of what they discussed remained theoretical, possible strategies, and hopeful ideas. Nothing could be confirmed until implementation, especially in the complex case of the Southern region.
As for the West, the locust infestation had become so severe that the swarms were devouring every bit of vegetation in sight. Two drastic solutions were proposed: initiate a large-scale wildfire or deploy a biochemical agent in the affected areas. However, both options carried significant risks.
If they chose fire, it could reduce not only the locusts but the entire forest and farmlands to ash, wiping out the crops and livelihoods they were trying to protect. It might eliminate the threat, yes, but the cost would be catastrophic.
On the other hand, if they opted for a biochemical approach, there were too many unknowns. They couldn’t guarantee it would be safe for the animals, and there was no assurance the treated crops would remain edible. For now, that idea remained on the back burner.
Similarly, the plague affecting the North was also postponed for further review. They needed to wait for a full report from the Royal Doctor before moving forward. Until then, the territory-wide conference would need to be extended. The delay in the doctor’s report suggested two troubling possibilities: either the plague was far worse than anyone feared, or the Royal Doctor had yet to discover anything useful at all.
As soon as the meeting ended, Addison slipped away, quickly and quietly, even leaving her father behind with the excuse that she had something urgent to attend to. In truth, she was running. Avoiding Zion, Maxwell, and Levi.
She didn’t trust herself to face them, not when her body was practically humming with desire, desperate and aching to be touched, claimed, mated. The intensity of it scared her.
What terrified her most was the feeling of losing control. That in their presence, she might forget everything, her pain, her anger, her grievances, and simply give in to the lust clawing at her from the inside out.