Since Ethan returned to the Frost Moon Pack, there was no joy in avenging significant grievances. He had shut up those who looked down on him indefinitely, disrupting Aldrich’s election and Maggie’s inauguration ceremony as an elder. This was all within his expectations, but now he felt nothing.
Grace’s suffering kept echoing in his mind since he had returned. Her uncontrollable wails, her face covered in tears – every ounce of her pain resonated vividly in his brain. With each intensifying cry, his heart felt as if it were about to be torn apart.
He had to lock Grace, devoid of any will to live, in the basement with iron chains, instructing servants to deliver meals and water on time. If she refused to eat, force-feeding was acceptable, as long as she didn’t choke to death. Only after doing all this did he realize he couldn’t completely set aside Grace’s emotions.
Grace’s mood could even affect his emotions.
This shouldn’t be the case. He wouldn’t slow down his quest for power for anyone. Only the supreme throne, the power to rule four continents, was worth the scheming of many years. He didn’t need love, nor did he want the moon goddess’s assigned partner; he only craved ambition.
Yes, ambition. He intended to inherit his mother’s will; that was his purpose.
He decided to meet Alexander, who he hadn’t visited once since returning.
Looking at his suddenly returning son, Alexander was somewhat surprised. “I thought with no news for so long, you might have died in some corner outside.”
The relationship between father and son was tense; even with the eldest son returning to the palace for so long, no one dared to inform Alexander that Ethan had come back.
“Father is, as always, fond of joking,” Ethan said, knowing that his father was never satisfied with him. Despite the mockery, he had to respectfully follow his lead. “But, Your Majesty, today I have some new information to share.”
“Oh?” Alexander, sitting on the throne, looked down at him with a hint of surprise, as if he were observing a lowly ant. “Go on.”
“The Elder Council is currently voting to select a new person to preside over major meetings.”
“A new selection?” Alexander frowned. “Don’t they have a Grand Elder?”
“I heard that two days before Maggie’s inauguration ceremony, the Grand Elder was found fatally injured at home, so the ceremony was temporarily canceled.”
Alexander nodded without asking how Ethan knew all this so clearly. “And what about Aldrich? Any movements on his end?”
“Now that the Elder Council is in chaos with no clear leader, most likely Aldrich is taking over most of the Elder Council’s affairs. It seems that the election will be delayed, and it won’t be easy to hold it again anytime soon. The Grand Elder’s situation will stir up considerable waves in the werewolf society. We can use this momentum to spread rumors that Maggie’s pregnancy with a werewolf child led to the ominous state of the werewolf society. It will also help redirect voters to support a new candidate.”
Alex nodded in satisfaction. His son, after all these years, finally resembled his mother a bit. “Well done,” he praised nonchalantly. “Join me for dinner today. It’s been a long time since we, father and son, had a meal together.”
Ethan was pleasantly surprised. “Of course, it’s been a while since we had a meal together.”
And so, the father and son walked toward the dining room together.
Actually, it’s been more than just a while since they sat down for a meal together. Over the years, Alex’s concern for him had been sparse at best. The two had exchanged fewer than twenty sentences, and usually, it was Alex unilaterally hurling insults at Ethan.
Rarely sitting together, Ethan absentmindedly cut through the meat on his plate. His father seemed to be in a good mood. Should I seize this opportunity to ask him that question? Ethan pondered.
“Why are you so distracted even while eating?” Alex looked at him. “Doesn’t taste good?”
“No, Your Majesty,” he quickly explained, “I’m just thinking about something.”
“Eat your meal without any distractions. Whatever you’re thinking can wait.” Alex’s tone held no reproach, sounding like any ordinary father giving occasional advice to his son.
He does seem to be in a good mood. Ethan decided to muster some courage. “Father, may I ask to see Mother?”
Alex’s movements halted. Ethan thought, This isn’t good; Mother is undoubtedly a touchy subject for him.
Alex’s expression immediately turned unpleasant. “Why bring her up suddenly? Look at yourself now. Are you even worthy of seeing her? You’re not even one-tenth of what she was back then! Do you know what her title was? The Iron Blood Queen. You’re nothing like her son! Weak, a worthless piece with no strength!”
After saying these words, he left the dining room in anger, leaving Ethan alone, chewing on his tasteless food.
He knew he shouldn’t have brought up his mother so lightly, but that day chatting with Grace seemed to have opened the floodgates of his yearning for his mother. He occasionally took out those photos, rubbing them repeatedly, imagining what his mother would look like now.
He couldn’t deceive himself anymore; he missed his mother. He longed for her embrace, her touch on his face, her trembling and moist voice saying, “You’ve grown up.” He yearned for a mother’s love, even if it arrived many years too late.
But Alex shattered his expectations once again. Filled with endless disappointment, he returned to his room, lying on the bed, reminiscing about his actions over the years.
Unapproachable by anyone, unliked by anyone, unknown by anyone who knew his secrets-what was he expecting from this dull and ever-collapsing life?
It was a question without an answer.
Ethan decided to go to the basement to check on Grace. Maybe seeing her would help him understand what he truly desired.
The basement was pitch-black, filled with the damp smell of mold. Prolonged stays would make every joint in the body ache, as if bitten by ants, causing unbearable pain.
“Grace?” he called out, receiving no response. “You’re not dead yet, my little wolf.”
Still, no response. However, he could hear faint and rhythmic breathing in the silent darkness. Following the source of the breath, he approached Grace.
“Have you not eaten anything?” He picked up the food box and the water vessel. “Even if you hate me, there’s no need to jeopardize your health. You’re not smart enough, Grace.”
This time, he finally got a response. The faint voice said, “Go away.”