*Zander*
As I was about to leave, Maddox came by my side.
“Alpha, we have a message,” Maddox informed me, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. I nodded, and he showed me a video message on his phone. The screen displayed the rogue king, a cowardly figure hidden behind a mask, his voice dripping with malice as he delivered his demands. He taunted me, informing me that he had my son and wanted to see me. I handed the phone back to Maddox and turned my gaze towards the vast expanse of the clear sky above. But ominous signs loomed on the horizon, as dark clouds began to gather, threatening to obscure the sun’s rays.
“Let’s prepare to fulfill the wishes of the rogue king and go to meet him,” I declared, my voice resonating with determination.
“What?” Avery gasped, her surprise evident in her voice. “Are you really going to meet him?” Her tone shifted suddenly, filled with worry. I offered her a calm smile.
“Yes,” I replied, meeting her gaze steadily. “He has my son, so I have no choice but to listen to him.” I nodded.
“Zander, I won’t let you go to see the rogue alone. I will come with you,” Avery insisted.
I paused, considering her offer, and glanced at Maddox. He nodded subtly, his eyes reflecting a steely resolve.
“Okay,” I replied to her, my tone firm and unwavering.
The Rogue King had demanded that I meet him alone, without my people or my beta. He knew very well that I would do anything for Austin, and he was right. As I reached the place he had mentioned, which was far away from my pack and nestled in an abundant valley across the hills, the air was thick with tension. Lone wolves prowled the perimeter, their eyes filled with malice.
The filthy rogues patrolled every boundary, their movements aggressive as they searched for any sign of threat. I stood among them, outwardly calm but seething with suppressed fury. They approached me, searching for weapons, but I had come here unarmed. I couldn’t help but feel amused when they didn’t bother to search Avery, allowing her to pass unharmed. I smiled inwardly, knowing their intentions. They led me towards a small, decrepit building where their cunning king awaited.
“Finally, Alpha King, we meet!” The rogue king greeted me with a wicked smile, though half of his face was obscured by a mask.
“Rogue King, you didn’t have to go to such lengths to meet me. You could have simply sent a message,” I said, my voice dripping with mockery. The Rogue King laughed bitterly in response.
“Alpha King, I know how much you’ve been itching for this meeting,” he gritted his teeth. “But this time is different. You’re without your guards, without your pack, and I must say, it’s quite a sight to behold.”
I couldn’t help but scoff at his words. “A true alpha is never helpless, whether he’s alone or without his army. It’s a misconception to think you can make me defenseless. I am still here because I choose to be,” I roared, my voice echoing with dominance and determination.
“Alpha King Zander Blake, I think you forgot that your son is still in my custody,” the rogue king threatened, anger blazing in his eyes.
“I haven’t forgotten anything, Rogue King. He is my son, and he carries my blood. Though he may appear as a child, you cannot hold him here against his will,” I taunted, a smirk playing at the corners of my lips. The rogue king looked visibly annoyed by my defiance.
“You don’t believe me,” I snorted, shaking my head at his ignorance. “Then see for yourself.” With those words, Austin appeared, his form covered in blood, his eyes burning with anger.
“Austin!” Avery cried out, rushing towards him in feigned concern. But Austin’s glare halted her in her tracks, and she took a step back, clearly intimidated by his fury.
“Austin, relax. Dad is here,” I said in my Alpha voice, commanding authority lacing my words. Almost instantly, Austin’s demeanor shifted, his anger subsiding as he calmed down in response to my presence.
“Dad!” Austin shouted, his voice filled with relief as he ran towards me.
“Yes, son. I’m here,” I replied, a surge of protectiveness coursing through me as I pulled him behind me, shielding him from any potential threat.
The Rogue King’s face turned white with shock and terror at the unexpected turn of events.
“There’s no need to pretend. Show yourself,” I ordered, my voice cold and commanding as I fixed my gaze on him.
He glared at me with surprise before hesitantly lifting his hand to touch his filthy mask. With a swift motion, the Rogue King removed his disguise, revealing his true identity.
“Alpha Elijah!” I smirked, a chuckle escaping me at the sight of him. I wasn’t surprised to see him; I had already anticipated his involvement when I learned about his true face.
Elijah appeared bewildered by my reaction, but Avery, who was Elijah’s daughter and his partner in crime, recognized the truth in my eyes. She understood that I had discovered her involvement when she saw the disdain and loathing reflected in my gaze.
“So, you knew all along,” she muttered, her voice barely audible as realization dawned upon her. “But how did you find out?”
“Yes, Avery. I knew your real intentions all along, yet I allowed you to continue your charade while I played along,” I informed her, my voice dripping with contempt. “I discovered the truth about you and your father when I learned about Austin.”
“So many questions arose that demanded answers. When I conducted an inquiry, every layer of secrecy unraveled itself, revealing a whisper of the past,” I continued, casting a steely gaze between Elijah and Avery. “I learned about Dr. Anderson’s murder and the fire in her chamber.”
“Furthermore, you even killed my father and orchestrated all of this because you were already aware of the prophecy and sought to seize control of my pack,” I spat out the words with a mixture of hatred and rage.