Chapter 244

Chapter 244
Augustin's POV

Power coursed through my veins as I stood at the center of the Elder Council chamber. The historic vote had granted me true sovereignty, freeing me from the constraints that had hampered my predecessors for generations. Around me, Alphas watched with a mixture of respect and wariness in their eyes, exactly what I needed.

"As your King," I announced, my voice resonating through the silent hall, "I shall now declare several appointments."

My gaze swept across the assembly before settling on Matthew, Kieran, and Ulysses. These three had stood with me when I needed allies most, despite our complicated history.

"Matthew Harrington, Kieran Halloway, and Ulysses Stewart, from this day forward, you are elevated to noble status within Clifflands. You will hold the same rights and privileges as the ancient families."

Whispers erupted throughout the chamber. Granting nobility to outside Alphas was unprecedented, but no one dared voice open opposition. The power I'd just been granted ensured that.

I turned to my brother, whose expression remained carefully neutral. "Evanth Levenston, as my elder brother, you are appointed Lord of the Montalvo family. Your task will be to restore this bloodline that our father nearly extinguished."

Evanth's eyes widened slightly, clearly, he hadn't expected this. The Montalvo family had once been among Clifflands' oldest and most revered bloodlines. Tasking Evanth with its restoration was both an honor and a tremendous responsibility.

Quentor rose from his seat, face contorted with rage. "This is an outrage against our traditions! Outside Alphas cannot—"

I raised my hand, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Your objection is noted, Quentor. However, today's vote has determined that I possess full decision-making authority."

His face turned ashen, but he wisely chose silence. He knew opposing me now would only worsen his position.

"Finally," I continued, "I declare Elton Riddick the Prime Alpha of Lakeside, restoring the seat left vacant by treason."

Elton stood and bowed, gratitude evident in his bearing. His loyalty deserved recognition.

"While today's vote has granted me comprehensive control," I said, scanning the room with a steady gaze, "I am not a dictator. I need trustworthy individuals to work alongside me, advisors who will offer honest counsel. Today's appointments are merely the beginning."

Berry looked exhausted but proud as we left the chamber. I squeezed her hand, feeling her warmth seep into my skin.

"Let's get you home," I murmured, kissing her forehead. "You and our child need rest."

Upon returning to Levenston Manor, my mother met us at the entrance, eyes bright with curiosity.

"How did it go?" she asked eagerly.

Before I could answer, Scarlett stepped forward. "I'll fill her in," she offered with a wink. "You two should rest. It's been a long day."

I nodded gratefully and escorted Berry to our quarters. She practically collapsed onto the bed, falling asleep almost instantly. I showered quickly, my mind already moving to the next critical task.

With my new authority secured, interrogating Charles Richards became my priority. As Isabelle's father and one of our highest-ranking prisoners, he likely knew the Sovereign's identity, information I desperately needed.

I decided against waking Berry. She needed rest, and something told me the coming interrogation might turn deeply unpleasant.

On my way to the prison, I encountered Matthew and Kieran in the corridor.

"We want to be part of Charles's interrogation," Matthew said, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion. "He destroyed my family, my pack. I deserve to know why."

I studied his face, understanding his need for answers. "Very well. You can join me."

Kieran nodded in thanks. "What about Vasquez?"

"Evanth and Ulysses will handle Kellan Vasquez," I replied. "Their primary objective is locating Francis."

"And Tackett? Ford?" Matthew asked.

"Adryx and Bryloch will deal with Tackett. Ford can wait."

When we reached the prison, the guards immediately snapped to attention.

"Your Majesty," they acknowledged with deep bows, their tone carrying reverence.

As we approached Charles's cell, I noticed Matthew's expression darkening. I understood his feelings. Charles and his daughter had nearly destroyed everything Matthew valued, his marriage to Juno, his pack's unity, his standing in Forestvale, all torn apart by their machinations.

Kieran suddenly paused. "I need to check something. Start without me—I'll return shortly."

Matthew and I continued forward. When we reached Charles's cell, I couldn't suppress a flicker of satisfaction at the sight before me.

Charles Richards, once a proud Alpha, now sat on a sparse cot wearing silver bracelets. Silver weakens our kind, preventing shifting and suppressing our werewolf abilities.

Surprisingly, despite his predicament, Charles wore a smile—confident, almost challenging.

"Alpha King Levenston," he said softly, mockery lacing his tone. "Or should I say, the true 'King' now, not just in title."

I ignored his provocation and got straight to the point: "Who is the Sovereign?"

Charles feigned confusion. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Impatience rose within me. "Don't waste my time, Charles. We both know you're a high-ranking member of the resistance."

He shrugged casually. "What proof do you have?"

"Your daughter Isabelle gave us a flash drive," I stated, watching his reaction closely. "It contains a list of all your accomplices."

I expected panic, but Charles erupted in laughter that echoed through the small cell.

"A flash drive?" He wiped tears from the corners of his eyes, still chuckling. "And you actually believe that list is genuine?"

My brow furrowed. "You're saying it's fake?"

Charles gave me a condescending look. "Do I look like an idiot who would keep a list of conspirators on a computer?"

I exchanged glances with Matthew. This wasn't the reaction we'd anticipated.

"I never store sensitive information on computers," Charles continued, his voice growing more confident. "I only play solitaire and chess on mine. My enemies list? That's all in here." He tapped his temple.

"Then what's on that USB drive?" Matthew demanded, tension evident in his voice.

Charles's eyes gleamed with malice. "Isabelle's fabrication. A carefully crafted lie mixed with just enough truth to make it believable." He turned to me, his smile widening. "You've been played, Alpha King."

Unease began to spread through my chest. "Why would Isabelle do that?"

"Because she's protecting the real Sovereign," Charles said, his tone suddenly serious. "She met him while studying on Taravis Island. They became... very close."

Matthew's breathing quickened. "You're lying."

"Am I?" Charles countered. "Then let me tell you something factual. Isabelle met you on her very first day in Forestvale, Matthew. That wasn't coincidence. She had a specific purpose."

I watched Matthew's face drain of color. "What purpose?"

Charles merely smiled. "Perhaps you should ask your former Luna, shouldn't you?"

A chill crawled up my spine. Was Isabelle's list fake? Did she have connections to the real Sovereign? Had this all been an elaborate trap?

I struggled to maintain my composure, but questions were already churning inside me.

If Charles spoke the truth, we'd been manipulated by Isabelle all along. The flash drive, the names, all potentially meant to mislead us, to protect the real enemy.

I needed to discuss this new development with Berry immediately. We needed to reassess Isabelle's role and uncover the truth. Who was the real "Sovereign"? What exactly was his connection to Isabelle?

These questions swirled in my mind while Charles continued smiling in that unsettling way, as if he knew we'd stumbled into a trap we didn't yet fully comprehend.

She came to Forestvale with a purpose, Fenris growled inside my mind. And that purpose wasn't Matthew.

I stared at Charles, suddenly feeling like we'd been playing a game whose rules we didn't understand. "Who is the Sovereign, Charles? Give me a name."

"You don't get it, do you?" Charles leaned forward, lowering his voice. "The list Isabelle gave you? It's not just wrong, it's a deliberate distraction. While you're busy chasing ghosts, the real players are making their moves."

"What moves?" I demanded.

Charles settled back, his silver bracelets clinking. "Isabelle has been feeding you exactly what you want to hear, building trust. Did you really think she'd betray her father so easily? That she'd just hand over valuable information without a deeper plan?"

Matthew slammed his fist against the cell bars. "Stop playing games!"

"Your mate is more clever than you ever gave her credit for," Charles told Matthew with clear enjoyment. "She played her part perfectly. The dutiful daughter, the heartbroken mate, the reluctant informant... all while serving her true master."

"Her true master," I repeated, the words tasting bitter. "The Sovereign."

Charles's smile never wavered. "They met at university on Taravis Island. Young love, you might call it. By the time she returned home, she was completely devoted to the cause."

"The cause of what?" Matthew growled.

"Reshaping our world," Charles replied simply. "The old families have ruled for too long, especially the Levenston line. The Sovereign believes it's time for new blood."

I maintained my composure, but inside, Fenris was snarling with rage. Everything we thought we knew was being called into question.

"You expect us to believe you?" I asked coldly. "This could all be lies to protect yourself."

Charles laughed again. "Why would I lie when the truth is so much more devastating? Check her university records. Look into who she associated with on Taravis. The answers are there if you're brave enough to find them."

I felt the weight of his words pressing down on me. If Isabelle had been working against us all along, what else had we missed? How deep did this conspiracy really go?

And most troubling of all, if she had manipulated Matthew so completely, what other relationships had been fabricated for the Sovereign's purposes?