Tolu leaned forward. "So, what's up?"
Leke scratched the back of his neck nervously. "Em… em… it's nothing, I—"
"Just say it," Tolu cut him off, his tone sharper than usual.
Leke sighed in defeat. "Fine. Some girls were talking… and apparently, two of them made a bet on who could… you know… steal you first."
Tolu froze, his eyes widening. "What?" The thought of being reduced to a prize made his stomach churn.
But Ore's reaction was worse. Much worse.
Her face darkened instantly, shadows seeming to settle around her. She leaned back slowly, her eyes narrowing. "…Oh, really?"
Leke stiffened. That tone. That look. He suddenly wished he'd kept his mouth shut. "Ore, it's—it's probably just a dumb joke, I'm sure they didn't—"
"Their names." Her voice was calm, almost too calm.
Leke hesitated, beads of sweat forming at his temple. "Ore… come on, don't—"
"Their names."
The weight in her voice left no room for argument.
"…Oyin. And Wura," he finally muttered.
Ore didn't respond. She simply stood, smoothed her skirt, and turned away. A second later, the sound of her laughter drifted back to them—light, almost musical… but chilling in the context.
Leke swallowed hard, eyes darting to Tolu. "…She won't do anything crazy, right?"
Tolu exhaled, rubbing his forehead. "No… she wouldn't."
They locked eyes for a long moment, both men silently admitting the same thing.
They didn't believe it. Not one bit.
---
Alamu entered the study, bowing slightly. "The plans are ready, sir."
Ajamu stood by the tall window, hands clasped neatly behind his back, his gaze fixed on the forest beyond. "Good," he said, voice smooth, measured—like a man who never wasted words.
Alamu shifted uneasily. "If I may ask… why are we doing all this? Life was easier in the city. Why risk everything for a town like this?"
Ajamu's reflection in the glass shifted as his lips curved into the faintest smile. "You're looking at the present, Alamu. I'm looking at the future." He turned slightly, his eyes cold, calculating. "This place hides something… something tied to the ancients. If we claim it, our strength won't just rival Jide's—it will eclipse every pack in the land."
The word ancients made Alamu stiffen. It sounded impossible, like a legend twisted into ambition. Still, Ajamu's certainty left no room for doubt.
"Imagine it," Ajamu continued, tone calm, deliberate. "Power not borrowed. Power not shared. Power that belongs to us alone. The city gave us comfort. This…" his eyes narrowed, "…will give us dominion."
Alamu lowered his head, silenced. It sounded too good to be true, yet with Ajamu, every word carried the weight of inevitability.
---
Back at Jide's mansion
Jide sat with the council of elders in the great hall. The air was heavy, thick with the smell of old wood and burning incense.
Baba Adewale leaned forward, his voice calm but firm. "So, it's true then. One of theirs has fallen. Blood has been drawn, and that means the war has officially begun."
Babatunde Adebayo smirked, almost pleased. "Good. Let them know more blood will follow. First blood should remind them of what awaits."
Femi Olatunji shook his head, concern wrinkling his face. "But what of the newborns? Are they truly ready? This is no small duty."
Kunle Adegoke scoffed. "Ready or not, they have no choice. Invoke them, and they will obey. It is their duty, not a request."
Jide exhaled heavily, his voice edged with weariness. "I do not wish to invoke them. But Ajamu will always be our enemy. If the chance comes, I will end him… yet something tells me he will find a way to escape."
Akin Balogun spat the name like poison. "Ajamu is a traitor. His very existence is a stain. If all five families still stood united, none of this would be happening."
Ige Ogundipe, the oldest among them, tapped his cane lightly on the floor. "Out of five families, only we remain steadfast. Bode—though an ally—is too busy chasing wealth. Ajamu sold his soul. The Adebiyi fell when most of their bloodline was wiped out. And the Ajewale… ah, the Ajewale vanished overnight."
The room grew quiet. For a moment, even the fire seemed to listen.
Ige's eyes gleamed with memory."Some call their disappearance a blessing. But we all know the truth. The Ajewale were power itself. With them, we were shielded—protected. Their name alone made rival packs tremble and flee. They treated us as allies… not tools."
Silence stretched. Jide finally spoke, voice low but resolute. "The Ajewale may be gone. But we remain. And as long as I lead, no enemy will take what is ours."
They all fell silent for a long beat, the fire crackling between them like a held breath.
Baba Adewale broke the quiet. "We cannot wait. Call for an emergency meeting—Sunday, two days from now. At dusk. Bring the coven, all loyal captains, and the scouts. This will not be a council of words; it will be a council of preparation."
Babatunde nodded, fists clenched. "We'll draft the strikes. Patrol the eastern road. Double-watch the borders."
Femi added, voice tight, "Inform the families we can still trust. Warn them of reprisals. If we move fast, we can choose where they bleed."
Kunle tapped the table once. "Rituals. Wards. Invoke the newborns only when we need them on the field—no careless summoning."
Ige looked toward Jide, who had already turned back to the window, watching the dark forest as if memorizing it. "Sunday, dusk. The mansion. Bring secrecy. Bring steel."
Jide's reply was quiet and absolute. "Make the calls. No leaks. We strike from intent, not rumor."
They dispersed with the urgency of people who had already crossed a threshold; messengers would ride at dawn, wards would be readied, and the town would not sleep easy until the meeting concluded.
---
Tolu and Leke walked side by side, their laughter still hanging in the air from earlier banter. But after a while, Leke's tone shifted, his voice low and thoughtful.
Leke: "Tolu, what do you plan to do after we're done with school?"
Tolu glanced at him, raising a brow. "Why so serious all of a sudden?"
Leke: "Just answer."
Tolu shrugged. "I haven't really thought much about it. But I know one thing—I want to work, be rich, and take care of my mom."
Leke smirked. "Mummy's boy."
Tolu nudged him with his elbow. "Say what you want." Then after a pause, he added, "You planning to leave this town?"
Leke hesitated before speaking. "Let's just say… an opportunity came up. But if I take it, I'd have to leave."
Tolu grew quiet for a moment, processing his friend's words. "So… are you leaving?"
Leke looked ahead, his face unreadable. "I don't know yet."
Tolu sighed, then gave a small smile. "Whatever you decide, I support you."
---