Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve
Ultimate power should be displayed, flaunted. The weak are scorned and the powerful, respected. Never hesitate to silence your enemies with power~ Xavier Vancei.
Xavier
“Three men cannot become Alphas all at once!” A voice says, and the others echo their support. I know most of them—I saw them defer to my father during pack meetings which he always forces me to attend.
“I am not raising a weak man!” He’d say when I try to decline. During those days, I prefer to climb trees, hunt for rabbits in my human form, or try to imitate the domineering howls of the pack’s Betas and gammas. I never try to imitate my father. He’s powerful, and cruel. From a young age, I didn't want to be like him. But in face of every one of my refusal, he dug his claws into my neck until I screamed for help, until reality and darkness blurs into one. I spotted my mother once or six times during his assaults, and after he left me on the ground, crouching into a pathetic heap, she’d come and lift me into her arms, a treatment kit beside her. She’d pat my head in consolation, and treat me without a word.
But I saw it each time—the pity, the anger, the guilt. And I resented her for it. I resent her for it.
I can hear Pulian’s sly voice amongst the protesters, and I merely scoff in response. Xarius is getting angry, patience has never been his strong suit. But it is mine. It is one of my pleasures to take things slowly, especially with an enemy. Create an illusion that they’re in control, and let them fool themselves. When they think they’re about to consume you, you strike and hit them where it hurts the most. Where they won’t be able to recover in a long time. The pleasure that gushes to your head then is a gratifying experience, a worthwhile result. Anticipation crawls into my mind now, as I stare at the faces of the Betas that make up the Council. They’re all dressed in black, and have uniform annoyed expressions on their faces. Some of the Betas agree with our ascension. The majority are against it. Vehemently so.
I let them continue to yell at the top of their voices, their underlying fear as day to me. There’s something more than being afraid of getting lorded over, and its among the reasons for such vehemence. My wolf growls, threatening to shift, to tear apart these people who dare to undermine him and his authority.
“Three guys can’t be the Alphas of Blackmoon at the same time,” I suddenly say in a loud voice. Xarius comes over to sit beside me. I can tell he just did something sexual. My earlier words returned temporary quiet to the throne room. The Betas look at me, some nodding in agreement.
“It’s unheard of,” Pulian puts in. I relax against my chair.
“That doesn’t mean it can’t be done,” I interrupt and he narrows his eyes.
“The other packs will–”
“The other packs are not Blackmoon, Pulian. My brothers and I will assume our positions as Alphas of this pack. Not Alpha and Betas, but Alphas.” I say with a note of finality. He opens his mouth to argue.
“Pulian,” a chilly smile lifts my lips. His words die down on a gulp.
“Are you trying to rebel?” I ask him.
“With all due respect, Xavier, we are Betas of this pack. We are your father’s aides—were his aides. If there’s anyone who knows the pack’s rules and how it should work, it should be someone among us. Twelve years away from the pack is a long time to–”
“Xavier?” I repeat the name, and he snaps his mouth shut with indignation. I am amused.
“What happened to the mode of address which you adopted the night we arrived?” I strike my fingers with exercised control. He doesn’t flinch in face of my words. Good.
I’m going to take my time with him, and I want it to be worth my while. What fun is it, if he breaks easily?
“None of you have chosen a mate,” another Beta cuts in. My eyes snap to his direction.
“And the one which the Moon goddess chose–” another says, letting his words hang. Anger is starting to brew within me. Clearly, these fools don’t know who I am now—who we are. I feel a seep of Xander’s bloodthirstiness, a chill accompanying it, and I casually wave my hand—a signal for him to stand down until it’s time.
“We don’t consent to the ascension.” Seeing enough backing from his cohorts, Pulian reveals. I expected it. I nod indifferently.
“Does anyone else want to object?” I question, my voice going a notch higher. A few of them hesitate.
“I object.”
“I also object.”
I wait until ten Betas voice out their objection, then I rise to my full height, eyes retreating and leaving a bright red. My claws extend, and I bare my teeth. The room is plunged into an icy cold, fear finally surfacing in their eyes one after the other. But we are not done yet.
“Let me kill them. Their flesh will serve as appeasement for their disrespect.” My wolf huffs. My brothers repeat my actions, their aura surfacing and suppressing the men in the room. I glance at Pulian who has shown a bit of apprehension, loathing worming through my body. I can see that he didn’t expect this. How could he possibly expect the weak and abused sons of his friend to suppress him with just an aura? He doesn’t bother to hide his hatred this time. Or maybe he forgets. I click my fingers.
“Kneel,” I bark in Pulian’s direction, my voice laced with Alpha’s command. His chair scrapes the ground, and his knees kiss the ground’s surface. I turn to the others, their bodies trembling slightly. ‘Cowards.’
“Anyone else wants to tell us how our pack should be led?” I ask sarcastically. Deathly silence meets my question.
“Thought so,” I retract my aura, and my brothers follow suit. I take my seat once more, knowing what action to take next to exert my dominance.
“Tell a gamma to bring our prisoner here.” I order no one in particular. I can feel my brothers’ stare on me, but I care less. No form of softness, affection, or weakness must be shown. That is what I’ve learnt.
A Beta stands up. “You mean the–”
“Yes,” I cut in. “The girl.”