Chapter 196: Back in Vahl 2

Ira's POV

The grinding of carriage wheels against the dirt road announces our arrival long before we reach the gates.

By the time our convoy rolls to a stop, dozens of Vahl guards are already waiting.

They stand shoulder to shoulder before the entrance, their weapons at their sides and expressions carved from stone.

The moment the lead carriage halts, I push open the door and step down, opening my palm to welcome the wind that greets me instantly.

I feel it curl around my hand a few seconds before the white strands of my hair whip across my face as the breeze wraps itself around my body, circling me in slow but restless currents.

Several guards stiffen, but others immediately reach for their swords, especially when the alpha council and their guards step out from their carriages.

The metallic hiss of steel leaving sheaths cuts through the air.

I lift my gaze and meet the eyes of the nearest guard. His fingers tighten around the hilt of his weapon.

“You received the information of our arrival. Open the gates and grant us access.” Alpha Davan commands but like we envisioned, no one responds.

Without a word, I begin walking toward the gate.

"Stop right there!" The angriest of the guards commands in a very loud voice.

I don't stop.

Behind me, more carriage doors open as Ruel, Bukasvad and some others related to the alpha council emerge one after another.

The guards barely spare them a glance as their attention remains fixed entirely on me.

Not surprising. Still their glares don't make me feel any different about myself.

I move closer and a large guard steps directly into my path.

His sword rises until the tip points at my chest.

"You are not entering this pack." He declares, his sword shivering.

I study him for a moment, enjoying how the wind curls lazily around my fingers.

Then I lift my hand in a small movement, my lips tilting when the force hits him like an invisible horse kick.

He crashes into the hard ground, wincing from the pain.

“Protect the gates!” The same man shouts and more guards fly at me with swords.

Gasps erupt from the unfortunate ones in front as their bodies fly sideways through the air before slamming into the dirt several meters away.

Silence follows.

For a while nobody moves. Everyone in Vahl's army watches me with wide eyes.

"Get her!" a voice cuts through the stillness.

Guards charge from every direction. The first guard swings his blade but it never reaches me.

Instead a violent gust slams into his chest and sends him tumbling backward across the ground.

Another lunges and I direct the wind to coil around his ankle before I pull, ensuring he falls on his face.

I keep moving toward the gates.

The remaining guards scramble to reform their line. Their weapons tremble and their breathing comes in ragged, uneven gasps, yet not a single one backs down.

"You cannot pass," the lead guard says, the words straining in his throat.

I stop a few paces back, my gaze drifting up to the massive barrier ahead. It is a structure built to keep out wolves.

But it is clearly not built to withstand me.

The wind sharpens around us, kicking up dust. Several guards stiffen as the atmospheric pressure abruptly shifts.

"Move," I say, my voice entirely calm.

Nobody stirs.

Accepting their choice with a single nod, I thrust my hand forward.

A violent blast of compressed air slams into the gates making it explode inward.

Splintered timber and twisted iron tear through the air. The massive doors crash to the ground with a deafening boom that rolls across the entire settlement.

Then comes the silence.

Right on cue, a sharp wave of exhaustion sweeps through me. I force myself to stay upright, but that familiar, hollow weakness is already settling deep beneath my skin.

This is the curse of the Sempyrs. Power is easy to summon. It is the aftermath that exacts the price.

The greater the force, the greater the cost.

No matter how powerful we become, our bodies are not limitless.

I push the thought away and continue forward.

The council follows behind me.

The journey to the pack house is short. By the time we arrive, news of our entrance has already spread.

Guards stand throughout the grounds.

Servants watch nervously from windows.

Whispers follow us through every corridor.

And when the doors to the council chamber open, Alpha Andre is already waiting.

Fury burns in his eyes. His face is red with it, and his jaw clenches so hard the muscles twitch beneath his skin.

Still, not a single word leaves his mouth.

I give way for all five alphas to walk in first. A warm hand touches my waist and I inhale his scent, absorbing Ruel's silent comfort.

Representatives follow immediately and then I walk in with Bukasvad, Cael, Kami and multiple guards from the various packs and more from Vahl.

The large hall is nearly filled up.

“You are not welcome here.” Andre says, his glare hardening when he spots Ruel.

"You should be grateful we came here instead of dragging you to council headquarters." Alpha Romano responds, pulling out a chair, taking his seat just like the others.

Another alpha nods. "We came in peace out of respect."

“In peace? You brought a fucking sempyr to break down our gates!” Andre exclaims, his hands in fists.

“You were informed of our visit but you chose to treat us like rogues.” Alpha Romano says in annoyance.

Alpha Davan speaks next. "Sit down, Alpha Andre. There are some questions you must answer."

Andre laughs. His gaze sweeps over the room before settling on Ruel again. And after a few seconds, it lands on me.

Disgust fills his eyes.

"I never imagined the same boy I trained would one day bring strangers into my pack to question my authority."

Ruel's stoic expression does not change. "I curse the day I swore to serve you." He says.

Andre's eyes darken as Ruel adds, "You are nothing but a self-proclaimed Alpha King."

One of the alphas’ representatives immediately says, "It is treason to claim the title of Alpha King when no neighboring pack recognizes your reign."

Andre barks out a laugh. "So that is why you are all gathered like homeless pups here? To strip away a title?"

"That is the first thing we will establish," another alpha replies coldly. "When we are done placing you on the title you deserve, you will be judged accordingly."

"This is a crime," Andre snaps. "You invade my territory and march into my pack house…"

"I currently house four former Vahl pack members seeking refuge," One alpha conveniently cuts him off. "They tell very similar stories."

"I have refugees as well," another alpha adds. “Their complaints have called for harsh methods.”

Alpha Davan folds his arms. "As the governing body of werewolves in this region, we have a responsibility to stop this problem. If you cannot govern a pack properly, you should step down. The rogue population has increased dramatically because of your actions and inactions."

Andre jumps to his feet.

"You will not talk to me with disrespect in my OWN PACK!" He roars with wide furious eyes.

Alpha Davan rises immediately. "And you will know your place when seated with high-ranking alphas, Andre!"

Power slams through the hall, alpha Davan's pheromones hitting like a physical blow.

Guards instantly drop to their knees.

Two lesser alphas slightly bow in their seats from the pressure. Even Andre staggers backward.

I glance toward Ruel, catching the smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

"A hundred and six." He mutters, his expression calm as Davan sits.

Andre glares at him.

"A hundred and six letters petitioning your removal were received by the council in under two weeks, Alpha Andre."

"What fucking letters?!" Andre asks, confused.

But before coming here, we had ensured we would have enough to pass judgement on him.

"Letters from maids, slaves… who should no longer exist… students, parents, and most importantly, members of the Vahl Pack Force." His voice grows colder with every word.

"Every one of them says the same thing. That you care nothing for their lives. That you would rather watch half your military die than end an unjust war." The bitterness in Ruel's voice hangs heavily in the room.

Andre's eyes burn with rage. Then he points directly at him. "Since the council wants to address issues, how about you lot address the fact that this bastard attempted to kill me and fled from judgment, taking with him a filthy Sempyr,"

His finger points at me.

"The same people who started this war in Vahl Pack!”