Seat of madness

Seat of madness

Saviour’s POV

My jaw clenches as every alpha in the region sits expectantly at the opposite ends of the throne.

Raven shifts beside me. Yes, unlike my father's throne, I built another seat for my Luna to always sit beside me. But the unease within the throne room is so intense that not a word is said.

Not until my mother is dragged inside.

The hall is lined up with guards but only one person has his sword drawn and that's Victor. He stands beside me with a gaze so stern you wouldn't believe he's the same person who curls up in Throne's arms most days.

My eyes harden when I see how tightly her wrists are bound. But then my claws dig into the arms of my chair when I see how her chin is raised high like she believes she owns this place.

Then those familiar deceitful eyes land on me and like a switch has been turned on, she smiles.

“You finally remember I exist,” she says smugly. “If not for this, you would never have sought for me?! My own son.”

I inhale, reminding myself not to give her the reaction I know she craves.

“Your brother sought my life and you didn't care to find me. To check if I was still breathing. You abandoned me after achieving what I trained you to become!” She yells, breathing hard.

I don't try to defend myself because she's just being stupid. Who here doesn't already know I'm not her son. Every alpha in this hall knows Aul is my brother. If they didn't, he'd never have become Alpha of Darkwaters.

“Cut the act!” I hiss, disgusted.

Her eyes expand in disbelief. “Cut the act? You selfish prick! After everything I sacrificed for you to sit on that throne. I raised you like you were my own son.” Tears run down her face.

“Sav,” Victor whispers, “He's here.” He says and I nod, knowing who I'm expecting.

“Bring him in.” I order and immediately the doors are pushed open.

Mother pauses her tears, her body stiffening when she sees the man being dragged in.

The alphas gasp, their shocked gazes trained on him.

“How dare you… how dare you humiliate me like this?!” Nexus barks, struggling until he's forced to his knees.

“SILENCE!” My voice thunders through the hall, shutting everyone up instantly. “You do not speak until I give you the opportunity.” I command.
Both criminals on the ground glare at me, their bodies stiff with tension.

“I'll give you one chance Nexus, considering you are the current leader of Knightgale Pack. Why did you kidnap my son?” I ask, my death glare fixed on him.

The alphas lean forward in their seats, their eyes trained on the bald man kneeling before me.

“I already told you, I didn't kidnap your son. And… hasn't he been found?” Nexus snarls.

“You wouldn't dare ask me that question. Your son is my grandson. Why would I hurt him?!” Mother cuts in. “You don't actually think I did it, do you?” She gasps.

I lean back in my seat, knowing neither of them will confess. Not yet.

“Bring them in.” I order.

The hunters are then dragged in alongside the young man who'd given us Solan's shoe.

I study Nexus’ expression, noting how his jaw clenches at the sight of the boy.

Mother swallows when she sees Raven's father and the other hunters.

“This has gone too far, Alpha King Saviour. Dragging me here? In front of everyone? You're only abusing your power!” He spits, his eyes shifting to Raven, filled with rage. "You are in on this too? Your grandfather would be disappointed. Shame on you.”

“If I were you,” I raise my voice, cutting him off. “I'd mind the next words that leave my lips. No one disrespects my mate.”

Raven doesn’t flinch, I'm not sure she even heard Nexus… her eyes focused on her father who looks much weaker than last time.

I gently take her hand, successfully getting her attention back.

“She's the one who sent us to get the boy.” One of the hunters grits out, glaring at my mother.

“I don’t know them!” She snaps. “He’s lying.”

“You promised us… you said you'd take care of us. You lied!” Another hunter barks.

Mother's eyes widen in fear but she blinks, trying really hard to hide it. “I never promised them anything. I never told them to kidnap him. I found out about Knightgale’s plan to kidnap the boy. I only begged for their help to save my grandson.”

“Don’t you dare call him that.” I growl at her, the urge to stand up burning through me.
Warmth covers my hand and my gaze drops to Raven's soft touch.
I hadn't realized when I released her hand.

I allow myself to take a deep breath.

Mother's tears flow again, but I see right through them.

Turning to the young messenger who'd brought the shoe, I command, “Tell the court everything you told me.”

“Nexus and t.. the elders,” the boy starts.

“What elders?” I question.
“Knightgale elders. T..they planned the kidnap of the heir.”

“That he's from Knightgale Pack proves nothing.” Nexus fumes. “Just because someone claims we…”

“I have your letter Nexus and the map of the Deathfang Pack we designed.” The messenger says, completely silencing Nexus.

“Continue,” I urge the young man, needing everyone to hear the truth.

“We weren’t supposed to hurt the pup, but… he was stronger than we thought. W..we only kidnapped him with the aim of striking a better d…deal with you.” he says.

Nexus struggles. “You traitor!” He yells. “You think this will make you look better than the rest of us? You think these selfish bastards will spare you?!”

The messenger stalls, blinking hard as though fighting tears. “I'm tired!” He roars at Nexus who flinches. “Because of you we've lost everything. You keep making the wrong decisions. Knightgale could do better without your kind.”

“Idiot! You'll never escape if I get my hands on you.” Nexus shouts.

“We would never hurt our heir.” The messenger continues, looking straight at me. “It was the hunters. They ambushed us on the way, trying to steal the boy. That's when things got ugly.”

My blood boils. My claws aching to rip not just Nexus apart, but all of them.

“I followed him. I swear I tried to get him to trust me, to hide so I could bring him back to you. But he was s..scared… he slipped… Fell down the cliff. I swear I didn’t mean for it to happen.” The man falls to his knees sobbing.

“It was the alpha King's cursed mother who sent us.” Raven's father barks.

“Shut up,” Mother cuts in, her voice laced with panic. “You don’t know what you’re saying. I only asked you to help me save the boy.”

“What madness.” Alpha Maxwell mutters, looking like the whole situation has given him a headache.
But we've only just begun.