The Alpha's Contract Luna (Alexia) novel Chapter 41

~King James ~

"We are nearby," a man said to his king.

"Did you inspect the coast?" King James of Eswen asked.

"Yes, my king," his beta replied. "There are dead bodies on the beach, tents were burned, and they were all running around trying to save their companions."

King James laughed. He said, "Good. The plan is working. Let's stay back and let the two ships proceed first. Make sure they navigate the mines, just like the last."

"Yes, My King," said his beta.

James smiled triumphantly, knowing this time he would succeed. His informant and ally in Taplean was a very prominent person. No one would ever suspect. In the past, his ally had made mistakes, but that was a given. Not everyone could tell the minds of whoever was leading the front of the war, and Alpha Kieran was a very stubborn man to kill.

King James and his generals have thought of many creative ways to attack Taplean, but Alpha Kieran Stone was getting in his way. He was so patriotic that his warriors often found strength through his encouraging words. Alpha Kieran had set an example by fighting at the front of the war and causing good damage to his men! The fearless alpha even killed his last general!

The warriors of Taplean saw Alpha Kieran as a hero, and they looked up at him. He was the source of their motivation and strength.

King James had conspired with his ally to have Alpha Kieran dead. So far, they had failed miserably.

Now, with another attack set in motion and his ally confirming that they had formed an army of rogues, he hoped he would finally succeed.

From his ship, he watched two of Eswen's battleships making it into the bay. So far, none of the mines have exploded. Hitting the mines should have triggered the explosion, but it did not. He smirked, knowing that they had passed the mines again. His ally was reliable.

Aside from the two boats that had already maneuvered to the bay, he still had three ships full of soldiers for the battle, his boat included. Since the rogues should have already attacked King Balthasar's soldiers, their numbers should have already been reduced. King James concluded he had more than enough men to break through the coast and proceed to the capital, where his ally awaited, and where he would take the crown from King Balthasar.

King James and his beta watched as three of his ships moved closer. He was smiling from ear to ear, anticipating Alpha Kiran's death. When, suddenly, the mines exploded!

He growled, covering his ears from the pain of the detonation. When he recovered, he took his betas telescope and watched as two ships were wrecked in the middle of the water, some of his men jumping from the boat to save themselves.

King James growled. He was fuming inside. "What happened? How did this happen?!"

"I think our information was mistaken about the mines, My King," his beta revealed. "Maybe we should retreat. I feel as though a disaster is coming."

"No! We spent too much on this invasion! We still have three ships!" King James replied in anger.

He mindlinked with his surviving warriors on the same two ships, telling them to proceed with the plan. Their boats may be on fire, and some of his men may have been killed by the explosion, but it did not change the fact that King Balthasar's men were outnumbered. 'Keep moving the boats to the shore! Swim to the shore and attack! If you still have your rifle, bring them with you!'

To the other two boats who were floating with them behind the bay, he ordered, "Proceed to the bay! Help the others!"

With the mines already flared, he can be sure the rest of his ship can proceed to shore. He thougth, 'How many explosives could they have mined'

As far as his informant advised, only one set of mines existed.

An hour later, King James saw how some of his men made it to the shore. One of the boats on fire still landed closer to the coast and had unloaded a few of his soldiers. The fight commenced, and King James was smiling again.

He watched as two of his other boats continued to sail to shore, but just as he did, he also saw how the dead bodies of King Balthasar's men were getting up on their feet!

"What is going on?!" He screamed while looking through the telescope. "'Are they not dead?"

As more of his men landed on the shore, more of King Balthasar's warriors also rose from the sands. Some had also come out in hiding behind the tents and trees nearby.

"What happened to the rogues? They were supposed to kill some, if not most of the warriors on the coast!" King James screamed. "Were they playing dead all along?"

"It appears our information is once again incorrect, or... King James may have discovered the truth," his beta suggested.