Inside the sacred hall, almost all the important members of the pack had already gathered. Everyone was anticipating what the pack patriarch was going to announce although others already had an inkling of what was going on.
It has been long since they were summoned to the sacred hall. Because that only happened when there was extremely something important to announce.
Kevin was really excited on the inside while, Leonard, Kelly’s father had a gloomy expression. He did not understand what came over his old man. He had talked to him several times and told him not to hand the pack over to Kelly but it seems like the old man was adamant about doing so.
Now that they have reached this stage, he felt like there was nothing he can do. He was in fact planning to leave the pack first thing tomorrow morning. He did not know if he will be able to stand his son’s gloating look if he stayed. He felt like he might end up killing him “accidentally.”
Kelly stood beside his grandfather with anticipation. His expression glowing showing just how excited he was. He almost could not hide the smile on his face as his lips moved up subtly.
Just looking at all the people standing in the sacred hall made him thrilled when he thought of how they were about to acknowledge him as their only alpha. Just the thought of them submitting under him made his blood boil with thrill.
When Gael saw that everyone had gathered, he straightened his back into an upright posture and looked at all of them with an intimidating gaze. No one could look him in the eye. Even the elders of the pack had to lower their heads at his sharp gaze.
“I have called all of you today because I have important news to announce,” Gael stated with a cold and monotonous voice. He did not seem to be excited about whatever news he was about to announce. In fact, his tense mood made everyone to be extra vigilant.
“As you all know, this pack has not had an alpha for the last four months or so. When your alpha, that is my grandson Ashton left, I thought that he will be back in a few days. Although I tried to stop him, he could not listen to me. I was extremely disappointed in him that I have been sick since his departure.”
“Although he has done a great contribution to the pack since he took over as the alpha ten years ago, what he did by disregarding his elders was beyond being pardoned.”
“I did not raise him to turn up to be such an irresponsible leader. But he has shown his incompetence by abandoning his course because of his selfishness.”
“As a leader, no matter the circumstances, one should put his pack and family first. As leaders, we should be selfish not because of our own personal benefits, but because of the goodness of the pack and the people that look upon us. If you are a leader and you put yourself first instead of the people you are leading, I can assure you that you won’t have it easy when everyone starts to go against you.”
“Thus, with full authority, I want to announce that from now on, Ashton is no longer the alpha of the ash band pack. From today onwards, Kelly Leonard Junior will be your alpha. I hand him all the power and authority to lead the pack.”
“I urge all of you to show maximum respect to him as your new alpha. Although he is not of pure blood, he is still my grandson and my blood run through his veins, I believe that he has all it takes to lead the pack to its new heights.” Gael finished his words with much difficulty.
No one could know the pain he was going through. Ashton was the only grandson that he was the proudest of, how could he feel good knowing that he was giving away his most beloved grandson’s life?
He did not know how Ashton would react upon his return. He did not know if he will be disappointed in him or not. Although he felt pain in his heart, he also felt that he was not to blame. He had given Ashton his chance but he had thrown it away for the sake of a good-for-nothing woman. He could not die and leave the pack without a leader. Although he was a grandfather who loved his grandson more than anything else, he was also a leader and he hated most when people did things against his will.
When Gael finished his statement, the hall fell into an uproar. Although eighty percent of the people in the hall already had an inkling of what was about to unfold, they were still shocked when they heard Gael personally announce Kelly as the new alpha.
Those who were still loyal to Ashton did not feel good about it. They felt that the decision was quite rushed because they knew very well that Ashton was not some irresponsible leader and he had not abandoned his pack intentionally. He had in fact done ample preparation that even if he stayed away for one, the pack would still run smoothly without his presence.
They had a mixed reaction when they saw that the others who had already sworn their loyalty to Ashton also celebrating happily. Although Kelly had managed to bend others against their will, others willingly followed him. They felt like he was much warmer and friendly than Ashton, already forgetting how they had fought side by side with Ashton over the years.
The likes of Kevin and his gang were the most excited as they cheered on. It was finally over. They had been living in trepidation for the last four months, not knowing when their fate will be doomed, but now that the moon goddess had answered their prayers, they could not help but feel elated.
“All hail to the new alpha,” Kevin shouted at the top of his lungs.
“All hail to the new alpha.” Kelly’s followers shouted.
Kelly too could not contain his excitement. He even forgot that he wanted Ashton to witness his most glorious day as he was made the alpha. He immediately shifted into his wolf, with his eyes glowing blue, and he immediately howled to the sky. The others also followed suit and the room was suddenly filled with wolf howls.
…
Ashton woke up with a start. His body was covered with sweat and even his clothes were soaked. It was an indication that he had recovered from his wolfbane poison.
He looked around him with caution and when he saw the unfamiliar room, he was shocked. The room was at least six hundred square meters and he was lying on a huge bed that was placed in the middle of the room.
He immediately sat up from the king-sized bed and looked all over the room like he was trying to find something. When he did not see what he was looking for, he immediately frowned. Fear and uneasiness could be seen all over his face as he tried to comprehend what was going on. His heart skipped a bit and a cold feeling swept through his body.
Just as he was about to move from the bed, he heard voices shouting. It seemed like they were coming from downstairs.
“All hail the new alpha.” One man shouted.
“All hail the new alpha.” Others followed suit.
And immediately after that, he heard the howling of wolves. They seemed to be at least fifty in number.
Their voices were deep and thunderous that the roof of the house shook.
“What the hell is going on?” Ashton asked himself.
Maya who had gone to get a warm towel from the bathroom entered.
When she saw Ashton was already awake and sitting on the bed, she smiled happily but her expression fell immediately afterward.
She had heard the celebrations downstairs; Kelly must have already been made the alpha.
Ashton heard footsteps and looked over. When he saw Maya walking in unharmed, his tensed heart immediately settled down and he immediately blocked the noise that was coming from the outside.
“You are awake? That is great.” Maya commented.
“What happened to me?” Ashton asked.