Chapter 86 Memories

Chapter 86 Memories
Rowan’s POV

Mentioning that name to me brings up memories, and an anger so foul I can hardly contain myself. My claws extend from my fingers, and I let out a roar.
“Lucien, Stephan was NEVER going to be Alpha in the first place.” I spit out Stephan’s name, and Lucien flinches. He still appears stubborn and I grin with obvious malice. “Hand over your token. You will not take a step out of this pack without my express permission. You will be deprived of this duty until you can prove yourself.”

My pronouncement makes Lucien open his mouth to protest, but Tarken steps closer to him, fierceness in his gaze. Looking from the head of the shadow guards to myself, Lucien’s gaze turns bitter.
“Fine,” He pulls out the token, a carved gold object from his inner jacket pocket, and tosses it towards me. It lands on the desk, before sliding to the ground, dejected.

“From now on, your duties are to organize the supplies for the pack. Ensure there is not one thing missing, and all safety measures are in place.” Then I level him with a ferocious glare. “Should I hear word of any insubordination from you, your time in this pack would be numbered. Tarken, provide him with a squad to handle these activities.”

“Yes Alpha,” Tarken says, but not before casting a knowing, victorious smirk in Beta Lucien’s direction.

Lucien does not say a word, only bowing his head.
His hands are clenched so tightly I can see the veins popping.

“Anything else, Alpha Rowan?” He asks after a moment passes.

“There is one more thing. Pertaining to your family’s investigation," I begin, and his body instantly jolts. His eyes are rimmed red and staring fixedly at me as I continue, “You will be required to be on standby for interrogation. Ah, and inform your family. None will be allowed to leave the pack from now on until the investigation is concluded. I harbor faith in your ability to cooperate, Lucien. But should you not…”
I let the statement hang in the air before I dismiss him with a wave of my hand.

He storms out of the study in impotent rage. Not only has he been unable to get what he set out to do, but he has also lost a privilege afforded only to a handful.
It must burn his pride.

“He’s really upset,” Tarken remarks, but it is spoken with so much glee that I long to roll my eyes. However, it will not be dignified, thus I exhale slowly, shaking my head.

“This is only the beginning. Have the squad you assign to him report directly on every one of his activities. Have you placed spies in his household yet?’ I inquire, moving to stand at the window.

“Not yet,” Tarken looks frustrated. “He has quite the network. Working with Elder Lance has afforded him the opportunity to evade my people more nimbly. But now they will make mistakes.

“Exactly. They will show weakness, unable to predict my next actions. Whenever you get a chance, then strike. I need information on all their dealings. Elder Kain is only the beginning.” I state.

The silence in the study that ensues is anything but relaxing. Tarken notices my dull mood and clears his throat.
“You should get some rest, Rowan.” he sounds aloof but the hints of concern in his tone are unmistakable. “You have barely rested, even back at the Ironfang Pack.”

“My duties deny me rest,” I respond succinctly. My gaze remains fixed on the wall across from me. It is empty, but it was not that way before.

Once, the portrait of my family stood there, back when my father was the Alpha and I was nothing but a pup. I was so foolish then, and I paid for that foolishness a hundred times over.

“You’re thinking of him, aren't you?” Tarken sighs and moves to sit on the couch. As my best friend, he knows more than I can ever tell anyone.
Back then, Stephan’s arrival in this pack brought a scandal, and the ruin of my family’s peace.

I recall the first time I met Stephan, my half-brother. I was 5, mindlessly playing along the garden with my mother’s face pale, her hands clutching mine tightly.
It turned out that on one mission, a woman had drugged my father and lain with him. My father, desperate to hide this occurrence, buried thoughts of this, not even telling my mother. That was, until a young boy appeared at the gates of the pack with a striking resemblance to me and my father. He was my age, and quite reserved.
My mother had nearly lost her mind at this. But she endeavored, as a Luna of the most powerful pack in the region, to show magnanimity and poise beyond every circumstance.

In the past, I was unaware of a lot. I was only happy to have a playmate. I believed Stephan was harmless, innocent.
I acted foolishly, letting Stephan lead me by the nose until my parents died.
That was when I discovered the truth, that Stephan harbored feelings of animosity towards me. That he had many times tried to kill me, drown me, poison me, abandon me in the forest at dark, even when we were both children.
Each time, my parents would act behind the scenes, suffering to teach me, to punish Stephan. Each time, I would prevent them, claiming Stephan was innocent, and didn't know anything. I would trust in my half-brother’s innocent visage, not knowing I harboured a serpent in my den.

Only when my father was attacked on his way back from a mission, and my mother lay dying from the very poison she had tried to protect me from, did I realize.
Lost in the memories, I pick up the red bead, rolling it between my fingers, before letting it fall into my palm. The tiny object sends a warmth through me, thrumming with energy,

“I wonder how she is,” I say aloud, full of turbulent emotions. Though my face remains stoic, my heart is in pain from memories and thoughts of the future.
…