Chapter 35 Backed Against A Wall
CHAPTER 35: Backed Against A Wall
Aric’s POV
“What did you just say?”
My claws were out before I realized it, sharp and gleaming and hovering inches from Vespera’s throat. One more breath, one twitch and I could end her right there. She didn’t flinch and she didn’t even blink.
She just smiled and it was a slow and wicked smile.. the kind of smile that told me she had already won something and was enjoying watching me catch up.
“You heard me,” she said softly. “You always think you’re the big dog, Aric. Untouchabl and chosen by the Moon. King forever.” Her eyes glittered. “You’d be surprised how easily even kings can fall.”
I growled low in my chest.
“Need I remind you that you’re playing with fire here, Vespera.”
She laughed maniacally and leaned closer like my claws were nothing more than decorations.
“Oh, this isn’t a game. This is tradition and tradition always wins.”
My jaw tightened.
“Now what the hell do you mean by what you said earlier?”
She straightened, smoothing her dress like she's been dying to discuss this particular subject with me.
“I’ve already spoken to the elders amd not all of them, of course. Just enough.” She tilted her head. “They’re watching you now with every step and rvery look and every breath you take near the human girl.”
The word human dripped from her mouth like poison.
“If they decide you’re weak,” she went on, “if they believe you’ve let emotion cloud your judgment, they’ll vote. And if all the elders vote for your removal…” She shrugged lightly. “You know the rest.”
I did. Every Lycan King knew it.
Impeachment wasn’t just losing a crown. It was exile! The Moon Goddess would turn her face from me and her blessing would leave my blood. My strength, my authority and my bond to the pack... all gone.
I would become like a human. Weak, mortal and disposable!
“And the pack?” I asked with my voice rough.
Vespera smiled wider.
“Oh, they won’t mourn you for long. Especially not after today.”
The image suddenly slammed into my mind with the man I had killed during the protest. The blood.. the screams and thhe fear in the crowd’s eyes!
“This has been your plan all along!” I hissed. “And I mistakenly fueled your fire when I killed that man during the riots..!”
“You lost control,” she said calmly. “They saw it. A King who lets rage rule him is a danger. The elders took notice and they voted in secret after that little display.”
My claws trembled bot from fear but from restraint.
“So this is your ultimatum,” I said. “Kill Seraphine and crawl back to you.”
“Yes.” She met my stare without fear. “Do away with the human girl publicly and permanently. Then announce me as your mate as was always intended. Do that and I make this all disappear.”
I stepped closer with my power rising and the room shaking faintly under my anger.
“I should rip your heart out.”
She leaned forward until my claws brushed her skin.
“Do it,” she whispered. “Go on. Touch me. And see how fast the pack moved against you.”
For a long moment, all I could hear was my own breathing. Then she laughed again, sharply and cruelly and stepped back.
“Do the right thing, Aric,” she said as she turned toward the door. “Before it’s fucking late.”
She left and the door closed behind her and the silence that followed felt heavier than before when I was alone.
I stood there for a long time with my claws slowly retracting and with my hands curling into fists at my sides. The walls felt closer and the air felt thin.
So this was it.
Even a Lycan King could be trapped, cornered and made helpless!
Seraphine had been right.
Vespera was a snake. And if she was bold enough to do all this, then the Grimhowls… the attacks… the timing… it all fit too well. But knowing the truth meant nothing without proof and right now, she had me exactly where she wanted me.
Fucking watched!
I felt it the rest of the day. Every turn I took through my own pack house and every corridor and every stair. Eyes followed me, whispers stopped when I passed and even my guards presence felt heavier behind me.
Finally, I snapped at them.
“Enough,” I growled. “I don’t need an audience. Just take the day off or something.”
They hesitated and then obeyed. But still, the feeling didn’t leave.
I couldn’t go near the infirmary, I couldn’t ask about Seraphine and I couldn’t even let my gaze linger in the direction of my quarters where I knew she would usually be allowed. The elders would see weakness in that.. they’d smell it!
Beta Caspian found me near the outer hall later, with his expression carefully neutral.
“We combed the forest,” he said. “No sign of Grimhowls.”
I nodded.
“Good.”
But inside, guilt twisted deep. I knew it had been Lycans. I had always known. I had used the Grimhowls as an excuse because it was safer and easier. Because caring for her openly would cost me everything and yet here I was, already broken.
I almost laughed at myself. The cold King who never cared.. the ruler who never hesitated was all undone by one stubborn human woman who refused to bow.
Dinner came and I took my place at the long table. Darius sat across from me, joking loudly and trying too hard to fill the space but it didn’t work.
The seat beside me was empty and I stared at it longer than I should have with memories creeping in uninvited. Her voice, her defiance and the way she looked at me like I was more than a monster, until I proved her wrong.
Darius was saying something about ale when the doors suddenly flew open and the room gasped as one.
I looked up and for the second time that day, I was shocked…