Chapter 56: How to Fix a Scandal

Alfonso

The Council room inside the Lycan’s High Temple felt suffocating, despite the high ceilings and massive halls.

“What would their decision be?” Mischa asked as he peeked down, pulling his hood to hide his face further. “His Majesty is waiting for the news.”

I didn’t answer his manic rambling. After all, I was well aware that Father had been…watching me. More intently than I wanted to.

His eyes were all over Estern the last time I helped Hestia escape.  And even though I wanted to spend more time with her and play the little fantasies in my head, I had to act as if I was draining her powers, then leave her.

It was for her safety. Safety from my Father and his clutches.

The Red King was very much interested in owning a divine Lycan’s powers, after all.

Their blood always had what we Reds craved. The mate bonds. The divine powers granted by the Goddess herself.

It was different from the life we Reds had to face. The life-long emptiness. The dark magic even the gods dreaded.

If he ever got his hands on a powerful Lycan such as Hestia, only one could wonder what he would do.

I adjusted my necktie as I glanced down, watching those old men from the Lycan Council argue over and over.

Mischa’s anxious gaze fell on me. “Your Highness…”

“I'd rather her continue competing through the trials,” I replied, my thumb gently feeling the red moonstone embedded in my ring.

A ring that I intended to give her before Father made his presence known. It was for protection.

“But if she gets kicked out, then you'll have the chance to—”

I softly laughed at Mischa's reason. “You think Hestia would even think to marry me and become my principal wife if she ever learned the truth of my identity?”

“Who knows?” Mischa countered. “These Lycans don’t know how to take care of the power she possesses. They don’t even know that—”

“Mischa.” He shut his mouth. I looked down at the Council once more, as the High Priest and Augustus Hunt continued arguing with them. “Hestia’s better off to become the Queen. You and I both know that.”

Like me, Mischa had always been hiding his heritage. After all, despite our statuses as higher-ups in the Red ascension, we were still both half-bloods.

Mistakes. Freaks of nature.

That was what the assassination attempts were for. The constant surveillance from Father. The weight of the constant need to prove that I’m something when I’m not.

“How can you be so sure that our statuses would improve with her around?” Mischa commented. “Hestia would definitely focus on her kingdom, Your Highness.  And when she ever learned of who you truly are, she would definitely despise you to the core.”

Our argument was cut short as the Alpha Jack, one of Heron’s underlings, stepped in the middle of the hall, challenging the High Priest’s gaze.

“You’ve heard the count, Your Eminence. More than half of this Council wants that woman out of the competition. After all, haven’t we already decided that Medea Locke would be the next Queen? There’s no need to—”

Castiel slammed his fist on his throne. “There are no clear rules in the Lycan Codex that would support your case—”

Alpha Jack scoffed, stepping closer to the High Priest’s seat. “What, are you showing clear favorites now, my Eminence? That’s against the Codex.”

“Alfonso Vergara! What in the fuck are you doing?”  Mischa aggressively whispered as I climbed over the ledge and leapt down, landing directly between Castiel and Alpha Jack, the massive black cloak still hiding my face.

Alpha Jack took a step back, his body stiffened. I could smell the distinct scent of fear from his wolf.

My food.

“Who are you?” His voice barely hid it.  The dread. The mere fact of knowing that we weren’t even on the same level.

And it made me feel full.

The golden mask slowly dripped over my face as I stood up. Mischa had unwillingly dropped behind me, his black wings slowly flapping around. Over his face was a bird beak face mask, hiding half of his face.

The room was slowly filled with dark mist as I raised my hand.  Some of the Alphas’ Black Wolves tried to stop me. But Mischa and his loyalty protected me as the room plunged into my power.

Angry red vines of raw Red magic engulfed the room, as the Alphas tried to leave the room.  Castiel grabbed his scepter in an attempt to stop me, but he froze on his spot as soon as he heard my voice.

“You will put down that scepter, Your Eminence.  That is, if you want Hestia to keep her spot in the competition.”

I snapped my finger.  In an instant, every Alpha inside the room, as well as their Black Wolves, stood straight and faced me.

“Every one of you will cast a vote to keep Hestia Cassandra Locke in the competition. You did this of your own free will.  You’re not forced, and you’re definitely not under a spell.  You did this… because you want her to be your Queen.”

As if on cue, they began to march forward, forming a line. Even Castiel and Augustus followed suit. Mischa took the box from Castiel and burned its contents on the Temple pyre.  Then, one by one, every Alpha present in the room began casting their votes in favor of Hestia.

A unanimous vote. Strong enough not to be challenged. With the security cameras around, which were being altered by my magic as we spoke, how would they even argue that they were controlled?

A smile crept on my lips as the last Alpha cast his vote.  Out of the 23 members of the Council, there were only 17 of them, but it was enough.

More than enough.

As soon as they returned to their original positions, I snapped my fingers once more. “You will issue a verdict stating that the photos circulating were altered, and that Hestia Cassandra Locke was saving another Alpha from poisoning that night.  You will not speak of this meeting. You will not smear her name, and you will not challenge the authority that supported her. You did this out of your own free will. You’re not forced, and you’re definitely not under a spell.  Hestia Cassandra Locke is your rightful Queen.”

The mist cleared, and the Red magic vines creeping on the pillars of the room slowly disappeared.   As soon as they came back to their senses, all that was left was the decisive box in the middle of the room.

Mischa glared at me as soon as we returned to our hiding spot. “Are you nuts, Alfonso? Using your power to control that many Lycans… you’re asking for us to get caught by your Father!”

I didn’t answer. I know the consequences of my actions.

But if this was the only way to clear her name, I would accept whatever punishment my Father would deem fit.

All for her.

“Spread the word.  Hestia’s welcome to continue with the Queen trials,” I instructed Mischa as I disappeared into the wind.