Asher lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling of his large room as he was deep in thought. His brooding demeanor clouded the handsome face he had, and as he pursed his lips in wonder, he began to recollect the reason for his sojourn to the human civilization.
“… I’m running out of time!” He said impatiently.
If he couldn’t find Roxanne within a few days, he had no choice but to heed the words of the council, as well as the previous Wolf King.
Asher’s mind drifted to the last convergence, and how he was given the ultimatum.
[The Alpha Convergence]
“How long will you deny liability, Lord Asher? We all are well aware of your status, which is why we are very particular on this subject. It wouldn’t speak well of the entire tribe if the Wolf King refuses to bond with one he has mated with” Alpha Benson pressed on.
It seemed the Alpha Council was adamant on pinning the incident of Camilla on Asher, even though he had professed his innocence.
“Tch. That’s bullshit! I already said I know nothing of the girl! What are saying? Are you insinuating that I’m lying? Me?!” Asher responded in agitation.
He was slowly losing his cool.
“N-Not at all, b-but-” One of the other Alphas quickly answered, trying to appease Asher.
“That’s enough!” A voice suddenly sounded in the darkness, around the dark and chilly atmosphere.
Everyone present was shocked by the person who interrupted the meeting. They all recognized his voice, and the aura he gave off was familiar. Asher frowned as soon as he heard the sound of the man’s voice, and the steady steps he took when he approached.
“You all have dragged this on for too long!”
The man stepped into the moonlight, revealing himself to everyone present.
He had long, flowing hair, with neatly shaved beard. His dark eyes complimented the color of his hair, and his bulky stature proved even better than Asher. Even though he appeared to be in his forties, his well-built body hardly reflected his age.
He had an intimidating glare as he approached the members of the council.
The Alphas who sat bowed their heads instantly as he approached them, but Asher kept staring at him defiantly.
“Why are you here? Klaus?” Asher asked using an intimidating tone
“Still cheeky, I see. Do you still not know how to address your elders?” The man said with an equally disrespectful tone.
The Alphas were silent, unable to comment as the two men kept glaring at each other.
“What reverence am I meant to give you? You lost your throne long ago, and you have no position as Alpha. You do not belong here. Leave!” Asher replied.
A devastating pressure filled the summit, and this made Alpha Benson, the boldest of the Alphas speak up without a choice.
“L-Lord Asher, Y-You can’t… Lord Klaus is-”
“Silence!” Asher said, instantly commanding the obedience of Benson.
Even as an Alpha, Benson was unable to break the binds of [Domination] placed upon him.
“Asher, that’s enough!” Klaus growled, now slightly annoyed by his behavior.
“Who are you to tell me, the Wolf King, what to do?” Asher answered, refusing to release Benson from the Art.
“I am the one who sat on that throne before you, and as the previous Wolf King, my authority as Royalty remains. Asher, you have gone too far! Release the elder at once!” Klaus declared.
Asher couldn’t deny the man’s words. He knew he was taking things a little out of control, but he couldn’t help it. The impatience he was feeling, now added with the presence of the most powerful werewolf in the region, second only to him, made Asher overreact.
“Tch” Asher clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.
Benson became instantly released from Asher’s control and he wheezed in relief.
“What do you want? Why are you here?” Asher asked Klaus, ignoring Benson’s exaggerated breaths.
“You should know! Asher, what the hell are you doing? Even though you rightfully claimed the throne of Wolf King, you’ve hardly earned it!” Klaus said.
Asher’s frown deepened. What bullshit was this man spouting?
“You allow your pack to be run in by Hunters, the first incident in decades, you have caused gross unrest and disrespect within the council, and even refuse to take responsibility for one you’ve mated with. Worst of all, you still have no Mate! These are all unworthy attributes which shouldn’t be found in the Grand Alpha.” Klaus spoke in contempt.
Asher gritted his teeth as he listened to Klaus’ ramblings.
Just because of the recent unfortunate events that had been piling up, Klaus neglected all the good Asher had done for their entire society. He felt like beating down Klaus just the way he had done all those years ago, however, that would not end well.
“I may no longer be the Wolf King, but as one who had occupied the throne, I have authority to call for a ‘Grand Agreement’ within the council.” Klaus continued.
“You… what are you trying to do?” Asher asked, growing impatient and nervous about the direction things were heading.
“I implore you, Alphas of the council, to cast your votes. The decision shall be concerning the current Grand Alpha, Asher. Within seven moons, he must decide between choices.” Klaus addressed everyone, his deep voice reaching the very core of the Alphas.
“One, he picks Camilla as his mate, taking responsibility for his actions with her. And second… should he decide to refuse the first, Asher must forfeit the position of Wolf King!”
Asher’s eyes bulged at the mention of this, growling deeply at the words Klaus spoke.
“Klaus, you dare to-!” He protested.
“I-I’m for it!”
Asher’s gaze darted to the voice which supported Klaus’ crazy submission.
The man raised his hand shaky hands and made a sly smile.
“Benson! You-” Asher barked, feeling a tinge of rage well up within him.
Of course, he would agree. He always had ambition for the throne, though he lacked the power to seize it. With Camilla, his daughter, as Asher’s bride, that would promote him to the level of Royalty.
But, Alpha Benson was not the only one who succumbed to the previous Wolf King’s condition.
One after the other, the Alphas raised their hands in agreement, and before long… They had all unanimously agreed upon the two choices against Asher.
“You can not refuse, Asher… Now then, you have a week. Choose wisely!” Klaus grinned.
Asher was trapped, he knew that much. The system was designed to prevent the arbitrary use of power vested in the Wolf King, and now every single member of the council had turned against him.
[The Present]
He had very little time before the time was up. However, there was one way to avoid those conditions.
“If I find my mate, and prove to the council… They will have no basis for their decision!”
That was why he needed to hurry.