But I suspected that Josias’s reaction was for a different reason. It was his position that was at risk now, Silas was past his prime.
“Oh and I forgot the eight and the most important point-,” was there even anything else left to say? “You should thank Nikolai that he got there before Javier was actually whipped to death. At least he will be known as the father who died a martyr, trying to save the virtue of his own daughter. And not as the son of the father who killed his other son’s mate.” Max finished.
What? Was that even true? If so, how the hell does he even know that?
“What?” Josias hissed.
“So if you think you deserve retribution, think again. It is you who needs to compensate us. You had three reasons to demand retribution, we have seven.” Max continued, ignoring Josias.
If it were me, I would slit my father’s throat if he had killed Ava. No regrets. But I must be biased. Not everyone thinks of their father as their mortal enemy.
“Is that true?” Josias snarled at Silas.
“Jo-” Josias raised his hand, shutting his mother up.
I’m pretty sure Mom would have given me an earful if I dared to do that to her.
But then, like father, like son.
“Is that true?” Josias yelled at Silas.
“She was a werewolf!”
“Not this same shit again!” He hissed, his canines extending and the veins under his eyes popping. “You already lost one son over this and you still don’t realise it do you? How the fuck did you even know that she is my mate?”
“Watch your tone.” Silas hissed, his canines extended too.
“I am the King.” Josias snarled.
“The fact that you have to proclaim that doesn’t say much about you being a King.” Silas glared at his son.
“I’m tired of your shit. And yours too.” He glared at his mother. “You never say anything Mother! You didn’t even say a fucking word when Javier was leaving. What is wrong with you?” He screamed, his eyes flashing red.
Ava didn’t need this right now.
“I always had the suspicion but I never asked. Are you even each other’s beloved?” Josias asked, his tone low.
“Josias.” Laila had tears in her eyes. Josias looked at his mother, his eyes filled with haunting questions and her filled with devastation.
“It will be best if you take your problems home and talk about them privately.” I said, my voice hard. Ava was literally shaking in my arms.
I saw Laila look Ava, her eyes filled with longing and hurt. And then I saw Silas look at her, his eyes angry. I wondered how both of them spent centuries together when they weren’t each other’s mates. How is that possible? I can barely stand a woman that’s not Ava for a couple of minutes.
“He is right.” Josias said and stalked out of the room, fuming. Silas gave us a last glare before he too followed his son.
“I’m sorry.” Laila gave Ava a teary smile before she glanced at me and then left.
I looked at Max, impressed and truthfully a little fearful of his skills. He winked at me. “I’m sure you’re wondering how I knew that?”
I nodded.
“During my… bloodlust days, I made a lot of questionable friendships. One of my contract killer friends was paid a handsome amount to kill an average looking she-wolf- whose only identification he was originally given was if she would be attracted to a t-shirt that smelled like a powerful male vampire with affinity to water elements. We were curious upon the receiving this unusual case so we did some digging and found out the whole story.” And then snorted ironically, almost in self-loathing, “and earned some extra cash to keep quiet too.”
He looked in deep thought as he said that. His entire demeanour shifted when he talked about those days.
And I know he was balancing on the verge of sanity and bloodlust right now, having seen so much blood in Thrane–the human city, having killed so many people on his way back to the palace and then being induced in a sex marathon with his mate in heat. One wrong word could tip him off the edge-either way. It was better to let him do his thing when he was like this, in his after bloodshed stage.
And I know Mary wasn’t here to instigate his bloodlust anymore but I knew that it was addictive to vampires, especially after they’ve had a taste of how it feels. Very few can control themselves and gain their sanity back, the rest have to be put down.
And then a maniacal grin covered his face, “Talia just stirred awake, later fuckers. It’s fucking time.” And then he zipped out so fast that he disappeared in the next second.