Inside the sacred hall…
After making the announcement, Gael staggered out of the hall with the help of one of his servants. Kelly did not even care about him anymore as he celebrated his success.
He did not even remember that his grandfather could not walk on his own. All that excited him was the fact that he had already become an alpha. He had the family rod in his hands.
Leonard left and followed after his father. He could not fathom his father’s thoughts.
“Father,” Leonard called out the moment he saw him. They had not gone too far because Gael was walking at the speed of a snail. The person that was helping Gael retreated after seeing Leonard. He knew Leonard was Gael’s illegitimate son but he was also one of the finest warriors of the pack who has been through thick and thin for the pack’s survival.
“Why are you here? Why aren’t you celebrating with your son?” Gael asked after seeing Leonard. His voice was laced with exhaustion and he looked like he was about to take his last breath.
His eyes had lost all the light and all that remained was numbness and an aged face indicating the passing of time. All his hair was white and his back was slightly bent.
“What is there to celebrate? You know that I have never acknowledged your decision of naming Kelly the alpha of this pack.” Leonard said coldly.
“What other choice did I have? Did you want me to keep a blind eye even after Ashton disrespected me?”
“You know that Ashton will never do that.” Leonard immediately defended Ashton. In his heart, no one would ever replace Ashton as the alpha.
“Aren’t you afraid that once Ashton comes back, he will hate you for what you have done? You have disappointed him again.” Leonard said.
“Did you come here to lecture me? Who told him not to listen to me when I warned him against helping that witch? His father went against me because of her and now his son has done the same, do you think that I feel happy about it?” Gael asked. He did not like being questioned and all he has ever cared about was for people to follow his orders.
“Brother did what he did back then to save Ashton’s life, besides, weren’t you the one who gave the order for that operation?” Leonard asked.
“I did what I did back then in order to save my grandson’s life, but that does not mean that I will invite the devil into my life!” Gael said.
“Why are you so prejudiced against the warlocks? What did they do to you?” Leonard asked.
“Nothing. The warlocks or the witches, or whatever they call themselves, we have never coexisted in peace.”
“Because you have never tried to understand anyone.”
“You can stop with your pep talk son. Everyone who was involved back then was a willing party. That little witch was to die the moment her purpose was fulfilled. But your brother insisted on keeping her, how did you expect me to react?”
“Because my brother was grateful and he valued family over anything else. He was not one to burn the bridge after crossing over.”
Gael looked at Leonard, at a loss for what to say. He knew that he had no heart and all he has ever cared about all the years was to see his pack prosper under a safe roof. “You know that she was born of magic and werewolves and witches, or whatever they call themselves, can never mix! They are too dangerous to our kind.” Gael said.
“Don’t you think that your imaginations ran a little too wild back then? Did it ever cross your mind that the woman you belittled and even ordered to be killed might have been Ashton’s mate?” Leonard asked.
“Never! The moon goddess would never allow that to happen.” Gael denied.
“Ha ha father, you have indeed gotten old. Some things are not up to us or the moon goddess to judge but to fate. You know how cold Ashton had been towards you since the death of his parents, but instead of helping him guard what is meant to be his, you easily gave it away. Do you think that my brother will have peace of mind after knowing that you could not even protect the only family that he had left behind?” Leonard spoke harshly.
“Are you going to support your son?” Gael asked. He was finding it hard to breathe and his heartbeat was off the beat. He was almost suffering from a heart attack.
“I will never support that stupid and spoilt brat. If Ashton doesn’t come back then I can as well find another pack or I can just become a lone wolf.” Leonard said with absolute sincerity. He will never betray Ashton in this lifetime or the next or the next because he knew that he was not just your everyday alpha like Kelly.
“I am glad that Ashton managed to find such a loyal subordinate, but unfortunately it might be a little too late for him. If he had listened to me, none of this would have happened.” Gael said.
“Sometimes people need to be a bit selfish. You also understand how an alpha without a mate can become dangerous. I have even wondered how Ashton had managed to control himself all these years. He is really a one in a million.”
“Uncle I don’t have to control myself anymore. The moon goddess had already given me what is mine, or should I say fate!” A voice came from behind the two.
Gael and Leonard turned around in unison and they were both shocked at the sight of Ashton.
Ashton was walking over with a woman and the two were holding hands.
The woman had fair skin, she was slender with a narrow waist and her legs were long. She looked beautiful as her long hair danced lazily in the wind.
Ashton was as dashing as always but his face was a little pale.
Gael’s mouth was wide open after seeing his grandson.
Leonard on the other hand had his eyes fixed on Maya as his eyes flashed with a mysterious light. No one could tell what he was thinking about or what was so interesting about Maya.
“Grandfather!” Ashton called out.
“Uncle Leonard!” He called out his uncle.
“Grandfather, uncle!” Maya also followed suit and called out politely.
“You!” Gael was tongue-tied and he did not know what to say.