Chapter 115 Chapter 114
Alpha king Kieran.
Our swords collided in a flurry of sparks, the metallic tang of each clash permeating the air. I fought with the desperation of a king defending his kingdom, but Callahan moved with a predatory grace, fueled by a thirst for vengeance that matched my own.
The duel unfolded like a deadly ballet, the ebb and flow of our movements creating a macabre harmony. My every strike was countered with calculated precision, and as the minutes wore on, a growing realization clawed at the edges of my consciousness – Callahan was stronger, more cunning, and thoroughly prepared for this confrontation.
As the battle reached its zenith, a momentary lapse in my defense became my downfall. Callahan seized the opportunity, disarming me with a swift maneuver that left me vulnerable. The taste of defeat, bitter and unfamiliar, settled on my tongue as I found myself on my knees, my sword yards away.
Callahan circled me, his footsteps deliberate and filled with triumph. "You were never fit for this throne, Kieran. A weakling, just like our father said."
The word 'weakling' echoed in my ears, a venomous reminder of my failure. I bared my teeth at him, my wolf snarling in defiance, but the reality of my predicament was stark. Bound by chains forged with wolfsbane, silver, and orichalcum, I was rendered powerless, my strength drained by the insidious combination. I struggled to get away from the chains grasp but their spikes cut through my armor and into my skin, poisoning my blood and making me howl in pain.
Callahan watched me with sadistic pleasure, moving closer to taunt me, relishing in my defeat. "You thought you could keep the throne? You thought you could erase me? Pathetic. You're nothing but a pathetic wannabe. To the grave you'll continue to be a loser, amounting to nothing.
Every insult cut deeper, but I couldn't summon the strength to retaliate. Callahan brought out something from his cloak and prying my mouth open, forced me to drink it. The effects was instantenous, I became paralysed. A new potion, its effects unknown to me, had sapped my vitality, leaving me at Callahan's mercy. The taste of helplessness was bitter on my tongue and I felt tears sting my eyes.
With a malevolent grin, Callahan stepped closer. "It's time for you to witness the fall of your kingdom, brother. But first, a visit to your castle."
My attempts to resist were futile as he bound me further, a mocking display of his victory. The world blurred as he delivered a final blow, rendering me unconscious.
In the hazy recesses of fading consciousness, I heard his parting words. "Sleep well, weakling king. Your reign ends here."
And with those cruel words, darkness claimed me, my kingdom slipping from my grasp.
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Evelyn.
As I stood in the grand hall of the palace, the weight of responsibility pressed heavily on my shoulders. It had been days since Alpha King Kieran had left to face the enemy, and I had been left to manage the affairs of the kingdom in his absence. Every passing moment felt like an eternity, my nerves fraying with each hour that ticked by.
Finally, the news of Kieran's return spread like wildfire through the palace, and I rushed to the courtyard to meet him. I expected to see him victorious, his head held high in triumph. But as he emerged from the shadows, I was shocked to see him defeated, his eyes, once ablaze with determination, now reflected a haunting defeat that sent shivers down my spine.
He was bound in a cage, huge chains embossed with spikes wrapped around him, digging into his armor and flesh, blood oozing out of his body. Having a gag in his mouth, Alpha king Kieran could only snarl and growl, thrashing around in the cage, helpless to do anything else. My blood ran cold at the sight and my knees threatened to give way beneath me. I summoned all the courage I could muster, raising my teary eyes to the monster that had him bound. He had a malevolent grin on his face, and the look in his eyes spelled nothing but doom.
"Kieran," I gasped, my voice a fragile whisper as I moved toward him. I stopped when I saw the look in his eyes, motioning for me not come any closer. My wolf howled in pain inside of me, and I felt so close to fainting. His gaze met mine, and for a fleeting moment, I saw the pain etched across his face. The kingdom's defenders, too, wore expressions of shock and disbelief. Among them, Ethan, a loyal confidant of the Alpha King, carried the burden of knowledge that seemed to deepen the lines on his face.
The man who lead the troop of soldiers descended from his horse, taking big strides to the entrance of the palace, the dominating aura reeking off him threatening to bring everyone else to their knees. "Finally! I'm back here!" He bellowed, his voice filled with delight as he stretched his arms wide, his face turned towards the sky. "It took lots of years of planning and cooking up my revenge but I'm so glad to see it become successful." He then turned to Kieran who was in the cage. "The throne is mine now, brother... Shouldn't you be happy for me?'
"Brother?!" I parroted back, shocked at the turn of events. "When did the Alpha King have a brother?" My question seemed to have caught the attention of the man as he turned to me and I flinched, taking a step back, trying my hardest to not divert my gaze.
"Looks like I'm not common knowledge. Why would I be? Since you made sure you killed everyone who knew I existed." Callahan started, growling as he glared at Kieran before a smile ghosted his face. "What a shame, you killed everyone else except the main threat. It just shows to prove how incompetent you are." He turned back to the crowd that had gathered, raising his voice as he addressed us. "My name is Callahan and I am here to claim back the throne that was promised to me! Your Alpha King and I engaged in a duel to which he lost to, thereby loosing the rights to rule this kingdom! It is my time now!"
Shouts of shock filled the entire courtyard and the air thickened with tension as he reveled in the victory that had eluded us. Kieran's defeat struck a discordant note, an ominous symphony that threatened to drown out the very heartbeat of our kingdom. "That's right..." He jeered, smiling sardonically as he stared at each and everyone of us. "Be afraid... The Alpha King is now me."
"Release him," I demanded, my voice quivering with a mix of anger and desperation. "You have the kingdom already, so release Kieran!" I yelled, my body shaking with fear and anger.