Chapter 14 14
Denary's POV
I wasn’t exactly surprised at Jasper’s words. Xander was, after all, the only person I suspected.
My father, Alpha Donovan, the Alpha King of MoonClaw Kingdom, raised his sons on the doctrine of worth over age. He gave me Bloodmoon Pack and handed Bloodhound Pack to Xander, declaring that whoever proved himself most capable would inherit his throne.
I took that challenge with both hands, built the Blood Rage Army, marched through unclaimed territories, conquered Packs, and placed Alphas loyal to me.
Every step was a stone laid on the path to the crown. And Xander? Instead of rising, he chose to drag me down with him. I scoffed and lifted my gaze to Jasper.
"Are you absolutely certain that Xander is behind this?”
Jasper nodded once. “I rechecked the evidence twice after the first confirmation and all trails still pointed to him.”
My fist clenched, then I pushed my chair back and stood. Jasper immediately asked. “My lord, where are you going?”
“To Bloodhound Pack.” I said, already walking. “To handle Xander.”
“Denary, calm down.”
I paused only long enough to say. “I am always calm.” Then I left the study, and descended the stairs.
At the entrance, I called the guard. “Tell the coachman to prepare the carriage, we ride for Bloodhound.”
“Yes, Alpha.” The guard said, rushing off to follow my orders while I stood with my hands clasped behind my back, pacing slowly across the stone porch as the stablehands readied the horses. When the carriage rolled forward, I entered without another word, and the journey began.
When we reached Bloodhound’s Packhouse, the gates opened the second my insignia came into view. Thr carriage rolled the courtyard, and I stepped out fully prepared to storm through the halls and drag Xander out by his throat if I had to.
What I did not expect was to find him seated in the living room, with our mother, Evelyn. I ignored her presence entirely and walked straight toward him.
“Denary?” She called sharply behind me, but I did not stop or acknowledge her presence. Instead, I reached Xander, grabbed him by the collar, and hauled him to his feet.
“Why did you send men to infiltrate my army?” I demanded. “Did you really wish to bring your own brother down?”
Xander blinked rapidly. “I, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t you dare deny it.”
“I’m confused!” He insisted, raising his hands.
My patience snapped, and my palm struck across his face, hard. Xander stumbled and crashed into the chair behind him.
Mother shot to her feet, furious, grabbing my arm.
“What is wrong with you?! You storm into your brother's home and attack him like a rabid animal? Have you lost your senses?”
“Ask your son.” I snapped, shaking her off. “Ask him how my plan to infiltrate Moonveil Pack fell apart because of what he did.”
“Do not throw your failures on Xander. You were defeated because of your own doing. Because you.” She leaned closer, voice dropping venomously. “Allowed yourself to be distracted by a woman.”
I stared at her. “What woman?”
“Oh, don’t be absurd. You think I haven’t heard about the girl you returned with instead of victory?”
“That woman had nothing to do with it.” I said through my teeth. “My defeat was Xander’s doing.”
“How dare you blame Xander?” Mother slapped my hand away. “You caused the defeat when you allowed yourself to get distracted by that harlot. Even when I had already chosen the right woman for you, a woman fit to stand beside an Alpha King, to advise you, strengthen you, and what do you choose? A slut that cost you a battle.”
“I already told you.” I growled. “I will not marry any woman simply because you picked her.”
“The least you can do.” She snapped back. “After shaming your father’s name, is marry her and salvage whatever you can of your reputation.”
“Oh spare me ” I said. “At least I have victories to my name, Xander has known only defeat.”
Xander glared at me so I stepped toward him again, lowering my voice. “Listen to me, Xander. If you ever do something like this again, I will not play fair, nor will I treat you as a brother. Instead, I will treat you worse than an enemy.”
Then I turned around and left. I took the carriage back to Bloodmoon Pack. When I arrived at the Packhouse, I saw Jasper pacing in front of the entrance.
“A letter arrived from the capital.” He rushed toward me the moment I stepped down. “The Alpha King demands your presence during a council meeting at dawn.”
A smile pulled at my lips causing Jasper to ask. “Why are you smiling?”
“Because ” I said, “I have the perfect idea plan.”
I told him the plan and his eyes widened, but he agreed. So, at first light we rode to the capital with a second carriage carrying a bound prisoner. The palace gates opened instantly and guards saluted as we passed. Then we halted before the main hall. Jasper and I stepped out first then the guard dragging the chained spy stepped out from the carriage behind us.
At the council chamber door, I stopped Jasper. “The both of you should wait here with the prisoner.”
“Yes, Alpha.” He nodded and I entered the hall to see Father seated at the head of the long table, Xander at his left, while the Elders filled the seats around him.
Smiling, I took my place at Father’s right side, opposite Xander.
“Denary.” Father’s voice ran out. “Explain to the council you carelessly let an assassin into your camp that caused you a battle. Even when you know that our family does not lose battles. If we must fight, we win, or we do not go to war at all.”
Before I opened my mouth, Xander leaned forward. “Father, Denary’s army has spies. We should arrest them all until the traitor is discovered.”
I felt my jaw tighten.
Blood Rage army was trained by my hand and them being accused of incompetence, seared my pride. But I kept my composure, because Xander had taken my bait perfectly; proving that he was indeed my enemy.
I smiled slowly knowing that he had taken the bait. “Spies, Xander?” I repeated calmly.
Father narrowed his eyes as I stood, walked to the door, and knocked three times then I returned to my seat. Seconds later, the door opened and Jasper entered, dragging the prisoner behind him.
Smiling, I leaned back and gestured for the prisoner to speak. “Repeat the details of how Xander hired you to infiltrate the Blood Rage Army and leak our army’s information to Killian.”
Suddenly, Xander’s face twisted with fear. “Father, he was bribed! I know nothing of it!”
Alpha Donovan’s patience thinned, and he warned Xander to remain silent then he ordered the prison to speak freely.
The prisoner swallowed hard, trembling. “I, I was hired by…” He froze, then hus eyes widened and body convulsed violently as foam spilled from his mouth and the chains rattled as he thrashed, choked, and clawed at his throat.
Elders shouted and Jasper grabbed him, trying to keep him upright. But with one last spasm, the man collapsed.
Jasper rushed to his side. “He was poisoned.” Jasper muttered quietly, confirming my suspicions.
Now it was only my word and Jasper’s against his, and the dead man before me hinted that someone far more dangerous was working with Xander from within my Pack.
Father slammed his hand on the table, dragging me back to the present. “Denary! Where is your evidence?! You bring a dying man to my council to disgrace this hall with theatrics? If don't present undeniable proof, by the next meeting, your entire army will pay for this failure.”
My jaw tightened and my eyes met Xander’s who looked genuinely afraid and that caught me off guard.