Chapter 41
POV: King Hades Pierce
“My King, I just want to inform you that the alpha and luna of the Lunar Pack are already awake.” Arlan courteously informed him.
He didn’t even say a word like he had just told him some nonsensical words.
Arlan let out an inaudible sigh.
“And the members of the Were Elders’ Council are already in the meeting room.” He seriously added making the corner of his lip rose a bit.
He proudly stood up and moved towards the golden door that had been automatically opened by the guards.
“Where is Raven?” He remembered to inquire.
Arlan’s eyes instantly moved from side to side he didn’t know how to answer his question.
King Hades wanted to roll his eyes at him. Surely, his second in command was trying to cover up his brother’s escapades again.
“Is he still looking for Shahara?” He coldly said making Arlan gulp hard and quickly nodded his head.
“Uh, a-apparently, y-y-yes, My King.” He nervously confirmed.
Well, he would certainly guess that this would happen. He had already told him to tell it to Shahara, but he was as stubborn as her.
King Hades mentally shook his head.
It wasn’t his fault not to care, anyway.
The double wooden doors instantly opened the moment the guards saw him walking towards it.
All of the Were Elders’ Council Members stood up to greet him.
He didn’t even bother to look at them for he might just lose his patience and kill them one by one… using his bare hands.
They couldn’t still believe what they had witnessed that day.
A total bloodbath of him and his brother.
But maybe it wasn’t enough to keep their tails, huh?
That kind of thing just made them a little bit of a shudder for they were here again. And he already had this tiny hint of what they could possibly want even though Arlan had oriented him about it, he just knew them well.
But of course, not every one of them was as vicious and cunning as the others.
He took his golden throne in the middle of the long table and boredly stared at them.
Arlan cleared his throat and started the meeting.
“Your Majesty, we wanted to suggest that we already need to fill another elder from the North since Elder Urticius is already casted out from his title.” Elder Mondar said as he acted so innocently while stating those words.
Arlan stared at him with his wide eyes as he intertwined his fingers together and placed his elbow into the wooden table while his pitch-black eyes viciously stared at them.
He mentally smirked as he felt every one of the members of the council was quite intimidated and nervous.
Well, everyone, but not to the elder of the Lunar Pack Elder Zeparu, who was just listening silently to their petty conversation.
“Is that all the concern that you wanted to raise? Or it is just an appetizer towards the main course.” His voice was deep and dangerous making Elder Mondar swallow hard and look away from him.
Elder Courdamus nervously let out a small chuckle.
“We apologized, Your Majesty. But we are just concerned about it. Besides, we also need an additional alliance to handle the other Northern Part, right? Or maybe, you would want Elder Mondar here to hold that entire place.” He gently said, but his voice was dripping with slight mockery.
“Oh, the like the newly hatched bird wanting to fly, huh? Aren’t it afraid to fall?” His sardonically replied.
No one dared to contradict him.
He was the King, after all.
“But of course, we still need one. I don’t want Elder Mondar to carry all the burden.” He sharply continued eyeing the Elder of the Night Walker Pack, who was about to say something but stayed silent because of his cruel look.
“And also… about the competition, Your Majesty.” Elder Nord suddenly interjected.
King Hades covered his mouth with his intertwined fingers to hide his ominous smirk. He couldn’t believe these were elders who were supposed to be the ones guiding their pack towards the path of peace and good will, but it was surely otherwise.
“Elder Zeparu? Would you want to say something?” He plainly inquired.
The were elder of the Lunar Pack let out a breathy sigh.
“Well, if you may, Your Majesty. But it’s as if the other members who are sitting here with us can agree with me. They would just push through with their own personal ambitions.” He seriously stated.
Elder Mondar cleared his throat.
“And what is that supposed to mean, Elder Zeparu?” He asked with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
“Oh, don’t be too obvious, Elder Mondar. It isn’t as if I am talking to you.” He sarcastically replied causing the Elder of the North to turn bright red because of humiliation.
Elder Courdamus loudly cleared his throat.
“State your words clearly, Elder Zeparu. Don’t be the cause of a misunderstanding here.” Elder Courdamus acted coolly although he, himself, was also gritting his teeth in irritation.
“Don’t worry, Elder Courdamus, it won’t be a misunderstanding. That isn’t part of my tricks to play. What I am just saying before Elder Mondar cut me off and commented on those things is that… whatever the King decides, I just want to ask for him to make sure the fairness of this competition. Because in the end, I believe that the deserved one will shine in the end.” He meaningfully told him while staring directly into his eyes.
“Very well, then. Let’s continue the competition tomorrow. Would it be, okay?” His voice was laced with finality.
Everyone agreed except for Elder Zeparu, who was just keeping his silence and let out an exhausted sigh.
The meeting was adjourned, and he instantly went out of that suffocating room.
“M-My King…” Arlan hesitantly called him, but he didn’t stop in his tracks or took a swift glance at him.
“Just stick your nose to yourself, Arlan.” He warningly told him before he went into his room.
Everything was just wearing him out.
And not seeing Tamara for a couple of days now was pure torture to him.
He was hoping that his instincts were right.
He knew that Tamara was still alive.
She must not die.
Not in his watch.
He’ll make sure of that.
And he promised that if she was alive, he would finally end this silent chaotic war for good.
***
POV: Kage Esmeray
At the same time, in the Lunar Pack infirmary…
“Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Dreyson frustratedly told him as he entered his office.
He let out a deep sigh.
“Sorry. Elder Zeparu asked me to get some medicinal plants.” He exhaustedly explained and looked away as he sat in the extra swivel chair in front of his friend’s table.
He massaged his throbbing temple. He was just so worn out.
Dreyson stared at him for a few minutes before he let out a deep sigh and leaned on his own chair.
They both have dark circles under their eyes because they were both deprived of sleep.
“How was the alpha and the luna?” He suddenly inquired.
Dreyson massaged his nape as he sadly stared out the window.
“They were both sedated because of their panic attacks. If I was too late for doing so, they might have been…” He didn’t know how to say it.
He slightly shook his head.
“They might have experienced worst.” Dreyson frustratedly added.
He knew that even though Dreyson couldn’t tell him about his feelings now towards the Vikesh Clan, he knew how much he adored them.
They were the ones who had helped him and his family out of danger. They were part of the first members of the pack. Surely, he was totally in agony for this tragic situation that the Vikesh Family was facing right now.
He clenched his jaw.
This was the low of the low, but he must know how the Dark Wood Pack works.
He was sure that it was them who did this. He couldn’t believe that he could come this far.
“Have you known that the tongues of the rogues who attacked the Vikesh were cut?” He stated, out of the blue.
He saw how Dreyson’s eyes widened in shock.
Now, he knew that he didn’t know anything yet.
“It is the reason why they have still no clue of who did all of this.” He seriously added.
“Benson said that it was the rogues who attacked them. They needed to go to the Red Sparrow Pack for the annual meeting of the entire Western Packs, but before they could even get out of our territory, they have been attacked.” Dreyson explained in his upset voice.
He placed his elbow into the armrest and held his throbbing temple.
“Whatever happened. It was just too obvious. It’s the Dark Wood Pack.” He seriously stated as he angrily gritted his teeth.
Dreyson stared at him seriously, then let out a breathy sigh.
“Until now, I still couldn’t decipher what was running into your mind and where your deep anger was coming from.” He curiously commented.
Well, it was because the Dark Wood Pack owed him much. It was too much that even it cost them their lives it wasn’t enough payment for what they did to him.
“Anyway, I couldn’t think of any who could have done this, too. But having the rogues on their side? It is a very bold move and an ominous thing to consider. They are truly getting out of hand and just too powerful. We must be extra careful.” His strained voice was revealing his pure worry and deep concern for what might happen.
“And I heard that the Were Elders’ Council were already pushing to continue the competition.” He seriously announced causing his doctor friend’s brows to furrow.
“What the? Is it true? Haven’t they seen that we are still on the verge of-” Dreyson angrily spat but couldn’t continue his words.
“I know. I know. But how would they play fair, right?” He reminded him, and he just shook his head in disappointment.
“Clearly, the enemies were taking a huge step now.” He said with irritation in his voice.
“They are too desperate. When would it be, then?” Dreyson asked with the same tone as his.
“Tomorrow.” He seriously replied causing his friend to curse out loud.
“Is this serious?” He unbelievingly inquired.
“Dead serious.” Kage simply told him and gave him a knowing look.
Dreyson let out a frustrated sigh.
A few more minutes of silence, then, he finally stood up and got his stethoscope.
“I need to get busy. I am really frustrated now. I need to go and check my patients.” He politely bid his goodbye before walking out of the room.
Well, it was just his escape from the painful reality and that uncalled news.
Kage let out a weary sigh.
Tomorrow.
He was hoping for a new beginning.
He pursed his lips together as he tried to contemplate something into his mind.