Chapter 139 Richard's Warnings and Threats

Chapter 139 Richard's Warnings and Threats
Chapter 139

DARIUS 

"Remember," Dorian reminded me as we walked towards the rink. "Caleb is still part of the hockey team. You need to behave yourself and be mindful around him."

"I am not talking to that asshole," I muttered. "But if Caleb tries to look for trouble, I will serve him hot."

"You are not going to do anything."

"Watch me."

"Darius, listen to me." Dorian stopped walking and grabbed my arm. "You need to ignore him. If you give in to Caleb's taunts, a fight will break out. And more lives will be lost. Is that what you want?"

I pulled my arm free. "A fight will not break out. The security will be there to stop it."

Dorian sighed heavily, exhaustion written all over his face. "You are unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable just like Ravenna."

I grinned. "I will take that as a compliment."

"It was not meant as one."

We entered the rink and found Coach Bonn already there, setting up equipment.

"Coach," I greeted him.

"It's good to see you, boys. Go change into your practice vests. The others should be arriving soon."

Dorian and I headed to the changing rooms. By the time we returned, the rest of the team had gathered.

"Alright, listen up," Coach Bonn called out. "I want to test your skills today. See if anyone has gotten rusty during this break. We are going to play random scrimmage. The goal will be guarded by your goalkeeper. Anyone can snatch the puck and dribble past the others to score. There will be no set positions. J
All you have to do is just play."

"Sounds easy enough," someone muttered.

"Then let us begin."

The game started fast. I grabbed the puck first and took off down the ice.

Dorian chased after me, trying to steal it back. We were about midway through when suddenly a wall of distress slammed into me.

I nearly collided straight into Dorian.

"What the hell, Darius?" Dorian barely dodged out of the way.

"Atlas, pull yourself together!" I yelled internally. "Do not make me crash to the floor!"

Atlas went quiet for a moment. Then I felt the distress again, even stronger this time.

And I understood immediately. This was not coming from me. This was coming from Ravenna.

She was in pain. Or some kind of emotional distress. And it was bleeding through our bond, affecting me.

The sensation clouded my mind and heightened my anger. I was powerless to help her. Even if I was close to her physically, she was on an avoidance mission. She would not allow me anywhere near her.

It tore my heart apart knowing I could not do anything to console her.

Marcus came at me from the side, trying to steal the puck.

My anger exploded. I lost complete control and slammed him into the boards with all my strength.

Marcus cried out and hit the ice hard.

"Pike!" Coach Bonn's whistle blew sharply. "Everyone stop! Now!"

The game froze. Everyone turned to stare at me.

Coach Bonn skated over, fury on his face. "What the hell was that? Why did you do that to Marcus?"

I stood there looking confused. "I... I am sorry. I did it from my wolf rage. I did not mean to."

"Your wolf rage?" Coach Bonn repeated. "You are benched for the rest of practice. Get off the ice."

"Coach—"

"Off. Now. If you cannot keep your wolf emotions locked away from affecting your game, then you will not practice with this team. Do you understand me?"

Bitterness flooded through me. "Yes, Coach. I understand."

I skated off the ice and sat on the bench, watching the others continue without me.

Atlas kept growling inside my head. "Ravenna needs us. We have to go to her."

"I cannot," I replied internally. "She does not want me around."

"She is hurting!"

"I know! But what can I do about it?"

Atlas had no answer to that.

As soon as practice ended, Dorian and I headed back towards the dormitory.

The speaker system in the hallway suddenly boomed to life.

"Attention all students. The investigation into the recent violence will begin tomorrow. Students from departments that were involved in the conflicts will be questioned individually. Cooperation is mandatory. That is all."

"I guess we are VIP participants in that investigation," Dorian commented dryly.

I laughed despite everything. "It will not be that deep for us."

"Speak for yourself. Your father is not my father. You will probably get special treatment."

"My father knows how much you mean to me. He will not give you a hard time."

"We will see."

I was barely back at my room when my phone buzzed with a text message.

My father.

Come to the mansion immediately. B
And bring Dorian with you.

I narrowed my eyes and showed the message to Dorian.

"What does he want now?" Dorian groaned.

"Only one way to find out."

We washed off the sweat from practice and changed into clean clothes. Then we took my bike through the woods towards Mooncrest territory.

My mother was waiting at the entrance when we arrived. She pulled both of us into a tight hug.

"How are you boys doing?" She held us at arm's length, studying our faces. "Are you eating properly? Getting enough rest?"

"We are fine, Mum," I assured her.

"Come inside. I made lunch for you both."

She ushered us into the dining room where she had prepared a full spread of food.

"Where is Father?" I asked, sitting down.

"In his study with his beta. But do not worry about that right now. Eat first."

We ate whilst my mother fussed over us, piling more food onto our plates every time we took a bite.

When we finally finished, a servant appeared in the doorway.

"Young Alpha, your father is ready to see you now."

I exchanged a glance with Dorian. "Just me?"

"Just you, sir."

I stood up and followed the servant to my father's study. The door was already open.

My father sat behind his massive desk, papers spread out in front of him. He looked up when I entered.

"Close the door and sit down."

I did as ordered.

"I needed to see you face to face to deliver this message," My father started. "I would have called, but some things require eye contact."

"What message?"

"After what happened with Selene, I decided I would not be pairing you with any woman again. You are free to choose whoever you want for yourself."

I blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"Do not interrupt. I am not finished." He leaned forward. "Me giving you freedom does not mean you get to be stupid about it. You still need to make the right decisions. Smart decisions. Decisions that benefit this pack."

"I understand."

"No, I do not think you do." Richard's voice dropped dangerously low. "So let me be very clear. Stay away from Ravenna by all means. Or I will hurt her."

My blood went cold. "What? You will do what?"

"You heard me perfectly well. That girl is trouble. She has been trouble since the day she arrived at the academy. And if you continue pursuing her, I will make sure she pays for it."

"You cannot—"

"I can do whatever I want," He cut me off. "I am the Alpha of this pack. You're my damn son. And you will fucking obey me on this."

I clenched my fists under the desk. "Is that all you wanted to tell me?"

"No. There is one more thing." Richard pulled out a document and slid it across the desk. "Information has reached me that the investigation at the academy will start tomorrow. You will cooperate fully with the investigators."

"Of course."

"But," Richard continued, his eyes boring into mine, "you will subtly shift blame towards the Nightshade students. Make it clear that they were the aggressors. That Mooncrest students were acting in self-defence."

"Father—"

"This is not a request, Darius. This is an order." Richard stood up, towering over the desk. "If you protect the wrong people, you will lose everything; your position, inheritance, your future as Alpha. Everything. Do you understand me?"

I stood up as well, meeting his glare with my own. "I understand perfectly."

"Good. Now get out of my sight."

I turned and left the study, my entire body shaking with suppressed rage.

One of these days I won't be able to contain my anger, I'd unleash it on my father.

And the goddess help me.