Aiden’s Pov
I stood in the training field enjoying the raw power rushing through my veins. It’s been a while since I felt such power. Today is a different day because I decided not to put Smoke to sleep with Wolfsbane as usual. I knew I needed his full strength today. I was already growing tired of the subtle shift in the pack, the changes in hierarchy, and most of all, Skylar’s unchallenged ruling.
Everyone knew Skylar was the one ruling the pack. I was just her puppet. She had me throw Shenaya’s father, the head Omega into the dungeon, Killed an omega for spilling her coffee, and disrespected my family- Lucy, She fired all of my trusted executives and replaced them with total strangers I assumed were from her pack. The list of her doings is just endless.
My pack that was the most feared and safest pack in Rome was crumbling right in front of my eyes and there was nothing I could do about it. Her tyranny is growing my warriors and other pack members resentful and I could see it in their eyes that they’d rather leave than bow to a Beta witch. I wasn’t happy about the sudden change in the pack but I couldn’t show my weakness as their leader.
It drove me mad that I was trapped in my own body, but not anymore. That is why today I needed to address them and remind them I am still their Alpha. I planned to talk to them all after the morning drill.
As the drills wrapped up, the warriors lined up, waiting for me to dismiss them but Powel, one of the warriors caught my eye. He was standing out of line with a hard and defiant expression. I knew what was happening but I had to confirm
“Is there a problem Powel?” I intentionally asked with h cold voice.
“Yes, there is a problem,” Powel’s voice was filled with confidence I had never heard in his voice before, and his eyes burned with rebellion.
“I am so sick of being ruled by a stupid Alpha and a Tyrant Luna.” Powel spat out, the gathered warriors gasped in disbelief and I was shocked at the blatant disrespect.
‘This is the one to challenge us?’ I asked Smoke, who was already fuming in anger.
The humiliation stung Smoke’s ego. No one had ever dared to speak to me like that, his words hung in the air like poison. Is this how low my status had come to? A whole me- Alpha Aiden Caesar, ridiculed in my territory, by my subject? Wow. I didn’t know Skylar’s poison ran this deep.
“Why do you all look terrified? There’s absolutely nothing to be scared of” Powel addressed other warriors as they all stood there in fear. “He is a powerless Alpha, that was why we are being led by his Beta witch mate. His wolf is no longer. When was the last time you felt the presence of his wolf” he shouted at the warriors.
His words sent a fury through me and before I could even react, Smoke took control with pure rage. I shifted into my massive white wolf form, a beast that could strike terror into the bravest hearts. The ground trembled as the warrior and Smoke landed with a snarl that echoed through the field.
I felt fulfilled and satisfied as I saw Powel’s confidence drained from his face. He also shifted into his wolf form but unfortunately for him, his wolf is smaller than Smoke. He bolted for the edge of the training ground and before he could make a jump out, Smoke leaped forward and caught him mid-stride. Smoke tore into him with unrelenting fury and blood sprayed across the field while Powel cried out in pain.
After several vicious attacks, Powel collapsed barely clinging to life. Smoke shifted into our human form but didn’t give me control. I dragged Powel’s broken human body to the forefront of the field for the rest of the warriors to see. My eyes glowing blue because Smoke was still angry and in control, I hoisted Powel’s limp body in front of the rest of the terrified warriors. I looked him in the eye.
“What did you say the other time?” I said with an extremely cold voice.
“I-I’m so- so- sorry Alpha,” Powel stammered, his voice trembling in fear.
“Your apology came too late, You should know better than to challenge me.” With that I reaped out his heart, I dropped the lifeless body to the ground and it made a sickening thud.
The silence on the field was so loud and the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
“Does anyone else want to challenge me as Alpha?” my voice roared and echoed through the field while I was still holding the bloody heart for them to see.
No one dared to say anything, instead, they immediately bowed their heads with fear etched on their face.
“That’s more like it,” I sneered. “If anyone has anything to say about how the pack is being ruled, or anyone is still interested in challenging or disrespecting me, remember what just happened to your friend Powel.” I tossed the heart to the ground and walked away.
I wanted to talk to them earlier but this was the perfect motivation for them. The message came clearly and direct that I am still their Alpha and anyone who dared to challenge or defy me would meet the same fate as Powel.
I went into my chambers to wash Powel’s blood off my body. As I stepped into the shower, I spotted a bottle of Shenaya’s shampoo on the shelf. I wondered why Skylar hadn’t thrown it out, considering she tossed all of Shenaya’s belongings away. My heart clenched at the thought of Shenaya. What is she doing right now? Her father was thrown into the dungeon, yet she didn’t show up. Has she decided never to see me again? How is my pup doing? Is she close to delivering?
All these thoughts ran through my mind until I lost track of time. The scent of Skylar brought me out of my trance. I turned off the shower and stepped out. As I did, I saw Skylar beaming with ultimate joy and happiness. What is wrong with her? I wondered.
“Smoke, my love?” Her wolf, Venom, tried to connect with Smoke through the mind link. Smoke, feeling unusually energetic today, immediately melted at Venom’s presence, and I noticed a smug smile creeping onto Skylar’s face.
“You’re going to be a father!” Skylar chirped, her voice filled with joy.
My blood ran cold. What the heck?