Chapter 39: Mercy
Lucas wasn't finished. He was just warming up.
"You know," Lucas mused, pacing the room, "Ava has been lecturing me on this useless little thing called mercy." He rolled his eyes as if the mere word was physically painful. "It's a concept so foreign to me, it hurts when I think about letting my enemies go. But she thinks it'll do me good, make people respect me more than they fear me."
Leon's expression remained unreadable, but Lucas caught the way his fingers twitched against the desk.
Lucas smirked. "Do you know why?"
Leon shook his head. He had always known Ava wasn't cruel at least, not naturally. She had been shaped by suffering, but some part of her still clung to morality.
"Because she wants me to assume authority over your pack," Lucas continued, watching Leon's expression carefully. "And showing mercy is the first step in doing that." He leaned forward, bracing his hands on Leon's desk, eyes gleaming. "Now, tell me, Alpha Leon. The decision is entirely up to you." He smiled, slow and predatory. "Do I let Sharon live and let your people believe I'm not nearly as evil as they say? Or do I kill her and let them continue to think I'm the monster they already fear?"
Leon swallowed. He knew exactly what this was.
Political chess.
Lucas wasn't just looking for vengeance, he was looking for control.
Leon leaned back in his chair, keeping his expression neutral. "According to the contract you're about to sign, you cannot attack our pack for at least ten years."
Lucas let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing a hand down his face like Leon was an insufferable child. "Taking over doesn't mean I have to attack, Alpha Leon. There are many ways I can force you to bend the knee."