328- The Weight of Laws and Lies
POV Viktor Averwyn:
The work in the mines was in full swing, and I ordered the finished production to be shipped out that morning, very early, by the river. I was getting everything possible done ahead of time before learning the outcome of the meeting that was, at that moment, taking place in Noctheria. I didn't know how things would be afterward; perhaps we would isolate ourselves from everything for a while.
The loss would be certain. But I would think about that later. One thing at a time.
My greatest concern was maintaining the integrity of everyone in the village, their protection and survival, as I had always done. And that they had a good quality of life. It wasn't for nothing that I had prepared for eventualities or bad things.
That's what the dreams and memories were for. I became suspicious, waiting for an attack at any moment. No one would catch me off guard.
I was returning to the village after another explosion to find diamonds in the depths when my cell phone rang. It was Aldren, and I knew the meeting had ended. I didn't react as I answered.
“Can we meet?” he asked, straight to the point. “Now? Edric and I are near your property.”
I weighed the possibility of it being a trap.
“Alone?”
“Alone. We'll reach the lower gate in minutes.”
“Alright.”
I hung up. His serious tone was the harbinger of what I already expected: bad news.
I arrived at the center, summoned Cezar and Boris, ordered that security be prepared. Including for shooting and explosions on my command, if this was a way to lure me into some snare. I didn't expect that from the two alphas, but it was always better to be one step ahead.
I went down quickly and saw them both standing outside the gate, near the forest. The bodies had been removed from there, scattered far away so they wouldn't bring stench. But there were still blood stains on the ground and a metallic smell in the air.
Boris and Cezar stopped at the gate, with the other guards attentive. I walked outside, until I stood before Edric and Aldren. The three of us the same height, similar physical strength, heavy expressions.
“You came to convince me to hand over Seraphine and Adelina. Don't waste your time.”
“We came to talk.” The younger one ran his hand through his unruly hair, a gesture that showed irritation or nervousness. His eyes even lighter under the daylight. “Viktor, there's still time to avoid bigger trouble.”
I observed him, thoughtful. Again I had feelings of recognition that I couldn't prove. The little boy, the young man. I looked at Aldren. An age difference of only twelve years between them.
The snow-filled valley, the two always together. Five and seventeen years old? Me, older. The woman who treated us like sons, the strong man always nearby. Those feelings of belonging and family, of an affection experienced and lost. That squeezed me inside, caused an inexplicable rage.
“What was the decision?” I asked directly.
“That you hand over the human to Konrad. And sacrifice twenty wolves from your pack to compensate for his that you killed.” Aldren didn't move. “That would show goodwill on your part, and the other penalties would be extinguished.”
“What penalties?”
“For hiding strangers in your village without informing the Elders and for attacking another alpha.” Edric sighed. “You know what the law says. Lucian demanded perpetual imprisonment and that you also hand over your daughter to him, but the Elders denied it. They prefer to resolve one thing at a time, without further damage to the peace.”
“To the peace or to their dominion? It's easy to create a pretty speech to control everyone.”
“They raised us like sons.” Edric shifted his weight from one foot to the other, uncomfortable.
“That's what they say. I don't remember anything from my first eighty years of life. Or perhaps I have other memories.”
“Of what?”
I looked at Aldren, who had asked the question.
“I've already told you. Attacks, fire, destruction.” I noticed he became more tense. “If the Elders raised us from an early age, why don't they know where we came from, what happened for us to lose our memories? Aren't they powerful and mystical?”
“Perhaps it's not for us to know.”
“Or perhaps it's an illusion, Edric.”
“That doesn't matter now! We've never had reason to distrust them, they gave us territory and attention, including freedom. The rules and laws are part of good coexistence.”
“Good coexistence doesn't mean lowering your head and accepting everything they tell me, Aldren.”
“Are you defying the Elders? Denying their orders?” Edric ran his fingers through his hair again.
“I'm saying that I'm not going to sacrifice any of my wolves. Nor return the gypsy,” I continued impassive, although inside I was boiling, wanting to snarl and curse. “Konrad can cry and play meek, Lucian can rant his shit. And you decide which side you'll be on.”
“There is no side, Viktor. Damn it, these are laws! They apply to everyone! We're trying to do what's best! Give the girl back and...”
“When the Elders condemned Elowen to death for witchcraft, did you comply?”
Aldren got irritated, retorting:
“Do you want to compare my destined one with a human you picked up two days ago? Or is she your destined one and you haven't said so yet?”
“Of course not!”
“Then why this fight over her?”
“Konrad tried to kill the woman and now desperately wants her back. I know this has to do with me, I was drawn there. I'm going to find out what's happening, what secrets that son of a bitch hides. Meanwhile, she stays here.”
“You're stubborn!” Edric lost his patience. “You only do what you want!”
“I do what is right. It's not my fault if you don't see that.”
“You went centuries without showing up at council meetings, only went to the Lust festivals to fuck the she-wolves,” he continued. “Then you came back out of nowhere. You hid Lucian's destined one here without anyone knowing...”
“She's not his destined one, for fuck's sake! The guy ordered a baby to be killed!”
“And you killed your wife and your newborn daughter!” Aldren exploded.
“Did you see that happen? Did I confirm it?”
“Is it a lie?”
“Edric, I hate giving explanations. I only do it with those I think deserve it. So, believe me, I still have some consideration for you. Or I think you have good sense. The son wasn't mine.”
They fell quiet, attentive, heavy expressions.