Ethan looked at Elena, her suggestion sinking in. The idea of playing along with Lucas's twisted game was difficult to accept, but he knew that they needed more information if they were to have any chance of saving both Ilonka and Maya.

"You're suggesting we buy some time, gather information, and then strike back when we have a clearer picture," Ethan summarized, his mind racing with the possibilities.

Elena nodded, her gaze steady. "Yes, Ethan. If we can find out what Lucas is truly after, what his end goal is, we can plan our actions accordingly. We can't let him divide us or dictate our choices. We need to be one step ahead."

Ivan chimed in, his voice filled with cautious agreement. "It's a risky approach, but it might be our best chance. We'll need to be careful, keep a close eye on any communication with Lucas, and ensure we don't endanger Ilonka or Maya any further."

~~~~~~~~

Ethan took a deep breath, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The ultimatum from Lucas was infuriating, but Elena and Ivan were right. They needed a plan that would maximize their chances of saving both Ilonka and Maya. With determination, he began to type a response on the cellphone:

"Lucas, you've made your point. Let's talk, find a way to resolve this without more bloodshed. I'll give you what you want, but I need to know that Ilonka is safe. Meet me at the south border of my pack territory in two hours. We'll discuss the terms in person."

Ethan pressed send, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he was playing a dangerous game with a cunning adversary. But he was determined to outsmart Lucas and protect his loved ones.

Several tense minutes passed before the phone buzzed with an incoming message. Ethan quickly opened it, and Lucas's words appeared on the screen:

"Very well, Ethan. I appreciate your willingness to negotiate. You have my word that Ilonka remains unharmed for now. I'll meet you at the South border in two hours. But let me make one thing crystal clear: do not attempt to outsmart me, or Ilonka will suffer. I have eyes on both her and your precious mate, Maya. You're in no position to play games, my old friend. See you in two hours."

Ethan's jaw clenched as he absorbed Lucas's warning. It was a reminder of the high-stakes nature of this meeting and the need for extreme caution. He knew that any misstep could have devastating consequences, and that his determination to save both Ilonka and Maya had to be balanced with a keen awareness of the danger he was walking into.

He turned to Ivan and said, "We have two hours to prepare for this meeting. We need to ensure that we have a plan in place. Lucas may be cunning, but we won't let him win this game."

Ivan nodded. "We can't afford any mistakes, Alpha Ethan. Our first priority is to ensure that Ilonka is safe. We will take guards with us to the meeting location, but they will stay hidden, ready to act if things take a dangerous turn. We have to be prepared for the unexpected."

Elena stepped forward and said in a firm voice, "I'll stay here, coordinating with the pack. We'll have eyes and ears on the situation as well. We'll do everything we can to support you during this meeting."

************************************************

Ethan had arrived at the South border of his pack territory, the tension in the air almost palpable. He glanced at his watch, noting that it was already twenty minutes past the designated meeting time. Lucas was nowhere to be seen, and Ethan's impatience began to grow. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

He scanned the surrounding area, the woods and the open field, but there was no sign of Lucas or any of his pack members. The silence was eerie, and doubt began to creep into Ethan's mind. Had Lucas backed out of the meeting? Was this some sort of trap?

Ivan, who had accompanied Ethan to the location, kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, ready for any sign of danger. He too could sense that something was off.

Ivan said in a low voice, "We need to be cautious, Alpha Ethan. Maybe, this is a trap. If you sense any danger, don't hesitate to retreat. Your safety is our top priority."

Ethan nodded, his senses on high alert, as he continued to wait, hoping that Lucas would eventually show up as promised. But with every passing minute, his frustration and concern deepened.

Then, as the seconds ticked by, a rustling in the nearby woods caught Ethan's attention. He tensed, ready for any sign of Lucas. His keen senses picked up the faint scent of a wolf, and soon, Lucas emerged from the shadows of the forest, flanked by two of his pack members.

Lucas had a smug grin on his face as he approached, exuding an air of confidence. He looked at Ethan with a mocking glint in his eyes. "Ethan, my old friend, I see you've decided to honor our little rendezvous. Wise choice."

Ethan's jaw clenched, but he held his emotions in check. He couldn't afford to let Lucas provoke him. "Let's get to the point, Lucas. What are your demands, and what will it take to ensure Ilonka's safety?"

Lucas chuckled, enjoying the power he held in this situation. "Ah, always the straightforward one, Ethan. I like that about you. But before we discuss terms, let me show you proof that Ilonka is indeed unharmed."

One of Lucas's pack members stepped forward, holding a cellphone. He activated the video and showed Ethan a live feed of Ilonka, tied up but seemingly unharmed. Relief washed over Ethan, and he couldn't hide the flicker of gratitude in his eyes.

Lucas grinned, satisfied with Ethan's reaction. "Now, let's talk about the terms, my friend."

Ethan, maintaining a composed exterior, looked at Lucas and asked, "What do you want, Lucas? Let's cut to the chase. What are your terms, and what do I need to do to ensure Ilonka's safety?"