Chapter 196 The Mastermind
Chapter 196 The Mastermind
I was still in the middle of digesting that shocking reveal, when my phone chimed in my back pocket. I would've ignored it if it were any other time, but there was a particular message I had been anticipating since the beginning of this meeting.
After noticing that Cassian’s phone had buzzed too, it was confirmed. I pulled out my phone and tapped on the notification that was on the screen. A brief message popped up, sent by Zara:
“It's him. He can wield dark magic.”
Despite the message that confirmed my suspicions regarding the man that was my father, my expression remained completely neutral. I glanced at Cassian, and after confirming he received the same confirmation, I slipped my phone back into my pocket.
Nyx’s question pulled me back to the situation at hand.
“Well, if the former Alpha isn't our father, who is then?”
“A man who died on the frontlines after that warmonger dragged him off to battle.” Aurora answered with a menacing scowl that was directed at my father. She seemed to harbor a degree of resentment towards him too.
The woman then chuckled softly.
“Well,” She raised both arms in surrender. “Now that the whole facade has been torn down, there's nothing left for me to do. I know my limits. I know that I am not strong enough to defeat anyone here. But if I could, I would've. I would've killed whoever dares to stand in my way, until I rescue my son and he ascends to his status as the true Alpha.”
“True Alpha?” Rose scoffed, then said in a mocking tone, “How would he be the true Alpha when he wasn't even birthed by the former Luna or former Alpha? Aren't you being too delusional here?”
Rose's words seemed to have gotten on Aurora’s nerves. The smile on the woman's face faded as she said, “You know, I actually did like you. I wanted you for my son, because I truly believed that you would make a wonderful Luna. But now I see that you are nothing but a whore.”
“Throwing insults now, are we?” Rose wasn't reserved in the slightest bit. “That's big talk coming from someone who was so inhumane as to use hypnotic potions on an innocent girl.”
“Innocent my foot—” Aurora began to speak, but I hushed her.
“Silence.”
The room fell silent. I took a step forward whilst signaling Cassian to prepare himself. Then, I said, “That isn't the only reason I have you all gathered here tonight. Will Aurora be thrown in the dungeon for all the treacherous acts she's committed? Yes. But, that isn't even remotely close to what this family should be worried about. What the whole supernatural world should be fearful of.”
I gave a brief glance around the room, my eyes settling on Rose. Her smile was reassuring.
Having gotten that confidence booster, I continued, “Some time ago, we discovered the existence of a terrible virus.”
Gasps exploded from a few corners of the living room.
“You heard me right. And this virus isn't like your regular virus. I've seen its effects first-hand, and I can tell you that it is the most terrifying thing you'll ever see in your lifetime. This virus is capable of killing vampires under seconds.”
More shocked gasps exploded.
“The virus is capable of killing wolves under seconds. Humans? They'd be gone before you can even blink. Some lunatic… has been sponsoring the creation of this virus, intending to use it for heavens knows what. And this mastermind is none other than…”
I slowly turned my outstretched hand towards the man who was seated in the farthest corner.
“Former Alpha Silas d’Aragon!”
My sudden declaration caused Catherine, Nox, and Aurora to gasp in disbelief. They wore baffled expressions, their eyes instantly shifting towards the terrible man.
“Your reign of terror ends tonight, father. You are going to be locked away forever, where you cannot harm or kill anyone ever again. Just like you killed that poor maid a while ago.”
“What?” Aurora shook with rage. “You mean this bastard killed Hannah?!” She dug both hands into her hair, screeching like someone who had finally gone over the edge.
“First you took my husband from me. Now you plan to take away every other thing I hold dear? Over my dead body!”
“Tell me it isn't true, father… Tell me Caligo is spewing lies!” That was from Nox. The poor girl looked like she was also teetering on the edge of insanity. She had been exposed to so many baffling truths this night that her mind was slowly falling apart.
Faced with the intense gazes of everyone, my father did not panic. The tiny shred of surprise that had been on his face when I revealed who he truly was, was gone now. He slowly raised his head, and I tensed, ready for any sudden moves.
“How amusing.” He said, eyes flickering with amusement just like he had mentioned. “I thought I had covered my tracks pretty well. How did you find out?”
I scoffed.
“Your first mistake was underestimating me.”
My father's smile widened into something cruel. He slowly rose to his feet as he said, “Underestimate you? You're mistaken. If there's anyone underestimating someone here, it's you. Because have you stopped to consider what will happen now that my cover has been blown? Do you think I have any regard for your lives? I'll kill all of you here, then proceed to enslave the entire supernatural world!”
Every word he uttered was like a weight that pressed down on my chest.
Damn, he was powerful. His mere presence was so suffocating, that it took all my willpower to stand there in defiance.
But I did not back down. Because I knew I wasn't alone.
I calmly tucked one hand behind my back and sent the necessary signals to Rose. She stood up without wasting a single moment and began ushering everyone out of the room.
A Terrible battle was about to ravage the manor.
Or at least, that was what my father believed…
I smiled at him and said, “Oh, I did consider that, in fact. And that's precisely why I have countermeasures in place.”
My father's eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean by that?” He asked with eyes full of wrath.