Vanished Sisters: The Lycan King's Slave Island Chapter 137

Sebastian's POV

"It's absolutely necessary," I said firmly, my voice carrying across the war room where my most trusted supporters had gathered. "Fear is spreading through our people like wildfire. Families are barricading themselves in their homes.We must act decisively, or we risk losing control entirely."

The assembled lords nodded grimly, their faces reflecting the same concern I'd been cultivating for weeks. This was the moment I'd been working toward—the culmination of careful manipulation and strategic fear-mongering.

Lord Matthias shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "My wife is terrified," he admitted, his voice heavy with worry. "She won't let our children leave the house. Every night she asks me when the Beast will be dealt with, when we'll be safe again, and I... I have no answer for her."

"Then let's give her an answer," I said, moving to the center of the room where a map of Howling Citadel lay spread across the table. "Let's give all our families the answer they deserve. We strike tomorrow night. We coordinate our attack, we use every weapon at our disposal, and we end this nightmare once and for all."

"What about Fergus and Gregor?" Lord Viktor asked, his tone cautious. "They opposed this plan when we discussed it before. They'll oppose it again, might even try to interfere."

"Which is exactly why they're not here," I said bluntly, meeting each lord's eyes in turn. "This council consists only of those with the courage to do what's necessary. Fergus and Gregor can cling to their misguided loyalty to a king who no longer exists, can hold onto their foolish hope that Mordred might somehow recover. We will act to protect our people, to secure our future."

"Here, here!" Lord Cornelius raised his fist, and others followed suit, their voices rising in agreement.

I let the moment build, let their enthusiasm and fear blend into commitment. "All in favor of moving forward with the plan?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. I'd spent weeks ensuring this outcome, carefully selecting who would be in this room, who would hear this proposal.

Every hand in the room rose without hesitation. No debate, no discussion, just unanimous agreement born of fear and self-preservation.

"Then it's decided," I said with satisfaction, allowing myself a small smile. "We reconvene this evening to finalize our strategy and coordinate our forces. Bring your best warriors, your strongest weapons, your most reliable men. Tomorrow night, we end the reign of the Beast. Tomorrow night, we reclaim our kingdom."

The meeting concluded quickly after that, the lords departing with grim determination on their faces. They were committed now, fully invested in the plan. There would be no turning back, no last-minute doubts or hesitation.

As the last of them filed out, I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction. Everything was proceeding perfectly. Tomorrow night, Mordred would be dead, and I would claim the throne that should have been mine from the beginning.

But there was still one loose end to address. One potential complication that needed to be eliminated before it could interfere with my carefully laid plans.

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I summoned the captain of my personal guard to my study. He arrived within minutes, a tall, scarred warrior named Jon who'd served me faithfully for years. He bowed deeply as he entered.

"My lord, you called for me?"

"Yes. Close the door." I waited until we were alone before continuing. "I have a task that requires discretion and efficiency. A matter that must be handled today, before nightfall."

Jon's expression remained neutral, professional. "What kind of task, my lord?"

"There's a human boy—Nathan, one of the King's attendants. He's become... problematic." I poured myself a drink, taking my time to choose my words carefully. "The Beast has developed an attachment to him. You heard what happened in the tavern this morning?"

"The execution of Lord Brennan, yes. The entire citadel is talking about it."

Understanding flickered in Jon's eyes. "You want him eliminated."

"I need him eliminated," I corrected. "Today. Before he can become a larger problem, before he can somehow interfere with tomorrow's plans."

"Today, my lord?" Jon looked thoughtful, his tactical mind already working through the logistics. "The citadel is on high alert after this morning's incident. Security has been increased, guards are watching everything more carefully. It won't be easy to make a move inside the fortress without being noticed."

"Which is precisely why we won't make our move inside the citadel," I said, moving to the window. The afternoon sun was beginning its descent toward the horizon. "I understand Lord Gregor has requisitioned male slaves for harvest work in the eastern fields. They're cutting grain, loading wagons—backbreaking work that will keep them occupied until dusk."

"And they'll have to walk back through the northern woods," Jon said slowly, understanding dawning on his face. "Away from the citadel, away from witnesses."

"Exactly." I turned back to face him. "An ambush in the forest. "

"How many men should I take?"

"Four should be sufficient for dealing with unarmed slaves. Take your best fighters, men you trust completely." I paused, considering. "Equip them with crossbows and wolfsbane-coated blades, just in case. I don't expect Lycan guards to be accompanying common slaves, but it's better to be prepared."

I met his eyes. "The boy must not survive the journey back from the fields. Is that clear?"

"Perfectly clear, my lord. The boy will not survive the night."

"See that he doesn't. Report to me once it's done. Be discreet."

After Jon left, I returned to the window.

By tonight, the boy would be dead. One less complication to worry about.

Tomorrow night, during the black moon, the Beast would follow. And then, finally, I would take my rightful place as King.

I raised my glass in a silent toast to myself, to my ambition, to the future I was creating through careful planning and ruthless execution.

"Long live the King," I murmured, my reflection staring back at me from the darkening window. "Long live King Sebastian."