Chapter 198 CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ACTIONS
Chapter 198 CONSEQUENCES OF OUR ACTIONS
UNKNOWN'S POV
Two weeks later, the town square is overflowing and packed with everyone.
From wolves in the neighboring territories, allied packs, packs across the continent and even from the far Northern clans.
The Northern clans are almost naked because they are not used to this level of heat while the Southern Alphas are draped in iron and jewelry.
They were all summoned using Ragnar's Alpha of Alphas mental summoning, and it took two weeks but finally representatives from all over the realm are finally here.
They are healers, Betas and even witches in attendance from the Southern tribes.
The Southern tribes are very accepting of anyone in that region.
Everyone here numbered in thousands as they're all speculating why they're here and so close to the forbidden forest.
It seemed only fitting since she's chained and buried not too far from here.
The air itself feels restless because rumors of an ancient wolf and the Alpha of Alphas getting a second mate already spread through the entire realm.
Even more absurd is the rumor about an ancient wolf forcing an Alpha to kneel.
Most believe it is a lie and exaggeration, even Ragnar almost wishes it is true.
He stood at the center platform built above the square with his shoulders stiff and squared up even though he's tired from everything that's happened.
The wound from the false goddess has healed physically, but something was wrong.
He was now more… forward and aggressive, something he wasn't before the injury.
He didn't tell Sebastian because he didn't want him to worry himself so he ignores it and pretends all was well.
Even one night, when he woke up with icy blue eyes, he ignored it and chalked it as a reaction from the poison.
Beside him, Sebastian stands quietly with a scarf wrapped around his neck for comfort and because Sebastian didn't want his mark to be the focal point today.
The crowd keep on staring in curiosity, fear or disgust at the both of them but Ragnar ignores them all.
Behind Ragnar and Sebastian, is a long and bejeweled longsword with a shiny blue blade.
It looks ethereal, unnatural and is their proof of what happened that night.
The square finally quiets down when Ragnar steps forward and starts talking.
“The reason I summoned you all here,” Ragnar begins loudly, “is because the truth can no longer remain hidden.”
Some wolves start speculating at what truth he's talking about.
“The entity we worship as the Moon goddess is a fake!”
Immediate unrest and murmurs explode through the crowd as some wonder if Ragnar has gone mad from the new bond.
Others outrightly laugh with a sneer at his declaration.
“She was a parasitic being feeding on our suffering for centuries especially the Rogue plagues and any pack instability.”
His jaw tightens as he continues.
“The Rogues being spread for so long were her own doing.”
That drew real anger from the crowd.
“You expect us to believe this?!” someone shouts.
“Blasphemy!”
“You dare insult the Goddess herself?”
Ragnar reaches behind him calmly and removes the cloth from the sword as they all gasp and recoil.
Even from a distance, the blade radiates evil and malice.
“This,” Ragnar says coldly, “is the weapon used by that creature.”
His fingers tightens around the hilt of the sword.
“It killed Alpha Dax.”
Ragnar swallows once before continuing.
“And nearly killed me.”
He forces himself to continue regardless of their murmurings.
“Sebastian and… the wolf inside him, Alisander, were the ones who stopped her.”
That drew attention instantly.
Eyes snap towards Sebastian as they look at him in suspicion.
Ragnar continues talking before anyone can interrupt.
“The Rogue curse was originally created centuries ago and was not meant to spread on. The false goddess prolonged it and fed on it for centuries.”
“This makes no sense,” an elder barks out.
“You’re asking us to abandon centuries of belief because of your stories?”
Ragnar steps aside and gestures towards the sword.
“Then touch it.”
Nobody moves or even dares to volunteer.
They could feel the corruption in that blade.
“That blade contains remnants of her power,” Ragnar says. “Our healers have examined it and so did three separate Elders so they can confirm.”
The Elders and Healers beside Ragnar all nod in confirmation.
“You’re lying.”
A familiar voice cuts through the crowd making Ragnar scowl at him.
Lance the deserter.
The bastard steps forward from the very edge of the square like a ghost coming back to haunt them.
He's thinner and more scrawny looking than before, even his vivid red hair is now like fading copper.
But his eyes still burn with anger and jealousy.
“There he is,” Lance says loudly, pointing at Sebastian. “The real problem.”
The crowd turns to look at Sebastian with confusion.
Ragnar feels Sebastian tense up beside him.
“Just because he’s your mate doesn’t mean you get to rewrite history,” Lance snaps at Ragnar. “Tell them the truth, the full truth.”
Ragnar’s stomach tightens at Lance’s vicious smile.
“Tell them all that Sebastian is the real reason why Rogues even exist in the first place.”
The square erupts in shock and fury.
“What?”
“No–”
“That can’t be true!”
Sebastian remains silent because he doesn't even know what to say.
An Elder from an ally pack near the front slowly stands with his only good eye clouded with age and rage.
“Alpha Ragnar,” he said carefully. “Are all these accusations true?”
Ragnar inhales slowly before answering since there's no point in lying.
“Yes.”
The entire square detonates in fury and shoutings.
“And brought him here?!”
“A monster–!”
“Have you lost your damn mind?!”
Ragnar shoves his command power into his voice.
“Listen to me!”
The square quietens immediately.
“It was centuries ago,” Ragnar continues sharply.
“And it was never meant to become this. It was temporary but the false goddess made it into some kind of disease to prolong the sufferings and death–”
But nobody wants a reason now.
Almost everyone here has lost a loved one from Rogues so right now, they want blood.
And Sebastian is standing right in front of them.
An old wolf near the center,.suddenly staggers to his feet.
Half his face is covered in old burn scars twisting right down his neck.
“My wife,” he whispers in disbelief.
The old wolf’s eyes glare at Sebastian with hatred.
“She was pregnant.”
Sebastian goes rigid as he can imagine where this is going..
“She died during a Rogue attack fifty years ago.”
His voice cracks at the ending.
“She begged me desperately to save our child.”
Ragnar squares up instinctively at the hatred in his eyes.
“You,” he snarls at Sebastian. “You caused that.”
“No,” Ragnar says sharply. “You don’t understand–”
“You made those monsters!”
The old wolf’s grief explodes into rage before lunging directly at Sebastian.