Chapter 124: Clue

Khalid POV

“You are dismissed… For now.” Azrik spoke after a few seconds, his voice carrying undeniable authority.

His expression was one of suspicion, a glimpse of doubt that he couldn't openly express, as, at that moment, he had no concrete proof to support it. Nevertheless, his sharp eyes analyzed every detail, every remnant of truth hidden in the gestures of those present.

“Soon, I will contact you regarding the punishment for Alpha Ivar Volkheim and his pack.” Azrik turned to Ivar, his gaze assessing and relentless.

“Will she be okay?” Ivar asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

“Yes, she just needs to rest.” It was Aquiles who answered, with the usual calmness that characterized him.

“I will analyze the information I obtained from the ritual and about the possible spells Gáta may have cast on Ivar and his pack.” Shangō declared, his tone firm, walking towards Ivar, who bowed in respect to the magnitude of his power.

“We will wait.” Hélios replied, making an educated bow, followed by Aquiles, who repeated the gesture in respect to both Shangō and Azrik.

I briefly nodded to the two Elders before turning and leaving the meeting room, my footsteps echoing on the polished floor. There were still many questions hammering in my mind, but this was not a safe place to get answers. As we walked through the silent corridors, I noticed Hyperion approaching. His gaze scanned my figure with disbelief, his slightly widened eyes betraying his shock. I saw him open his mouth to say something, but hesitate, closing it again before finding the right words.

“The portal that brought us here is open again.” Hyperion informed, his voice controlled, but there was an underlying tension in his words.

I just nodded, preferring to remain silent as we headed towards the exit. The silence that settled was peculiar, laden with something I couldn't name. It was heavy, as if there was an invisible weight on our shoulders, but at the same time, there was a strange lightness, as if something was falling into place.

With each step, I could hear the hearts of three individuals beating inside my chest. The sensation was bizarre, unsettling, as I had never experienced anything like it before. Unlike most vampires who are turned, I am a pure one. An extremely rare being. I was born of two vampires, something that, for many, was considered impossible. My mother fell in love with a vampire, my father, and, by some miracle of nature or magic, I was conceived.

Because of this, I never knew what it was like to feel my own heart beat. I don't need to breathe, unless I want to, but I do it to maintain a more human appearance, facilitating coexistence with other races. My blood has always been cold, my touch always icy. Some dare to compare vampires to reptiles, creatures that need the warmth of the sun to warm themselves, but that is just a misconception. Most vampires cannot withstand sunlight, except the oldest and most powerful. Or those like me, who were born pure vampires.

I never needed to fear the sun. I never needed to hide in the shadows. But now… now everything was changing.

‘Shara! You knew? You had to know!’ My mind echoed in revolt against my Daemon, but I was met with silence. He didn't even respond, I couldn't even feel his presence, which only increased my frustration.

We continued towards the portal, the same silence dragging along the way. This time, however, it seemed almost palpable, pressing against me like an entity of its own. As I crossed it, I felt a strange pressure on my body. It wasn't pain, but a deep discomfort that took my breath away for a brief moment. Something that, biologically, I shouldn't even be able to feel.

‘Stop complaining!’ Shara finally manifested, his voice resonating inside my mind.

I brought my hand to my chest, noticing the change, and realized we had arrived at the main building's lobby.

“Let's go to the rooftop.” Hyperion ordered, his voice filled with urgency.

I raised my gaze and noticed the attentive eyes of the pack members fixed on me. A wave of murmurs spread through the hall, laden with uncertainty.

“They felt it.” Aquiles explained, his expression neutral, but his eyes carried an analytical glint. “It was like a shock that ran through the entire pack.”

‘Everyone knows that you are connected to them.’ Shara completed, his voice filled with an almost amused satisfaction.

I just nodded, not knowing exactly what to say. The magnitude of what was happening was still settling within me.

“Later, we will make an announcement about the situation.” Hyperion announced, his voice resonating through the hall, making it clear that his message was intended not only for those present but for the entire pack.

We walked to the special elevator that gave access to the rooftop. Once again, silence enveloped us. When the doors opened and we followed the corridor, I noticed that, somehow, Aquiles, Hélios, and I moved in perfect sync. The balance between us was happening quickly, perhaps faster than I thought possible.

I had already accepted that Sophia would never be mine. And now, I was connected to her… But, along with that, also came two werewolves.

‘Don't forget that now our domain will also be theirs.’ Shara spoke, amused.

My eyes widened as I understood the true implication of this. The Moon Warriors pack was no longer just a dominant force among werewolves. Now, it had become the most powerful pack, not only among lycanthropes but also for other races.

“Just like our enemies.” I murmured, my head lowered in contemplation.

Everyone stopped walking, realizing the weight of my statement.

“I haven't been alive for so long without having a gigantic list of enemies.” I raised my gaze and met the attentive faces of Aquiles and Hélios.

“We'll deal with it when it happens.” Aquiles spoke, with his usual serenity.

“No.” I shook my head. “You don't understand… Gáta is a Cultist and I trusted her. This means she had access to my domain. At least, to a part of it.”

“Don't worry, I was out because of this. I already put her on the blacklist and removed her access from our domains.” Shara intervened, his voice filled with resolute coldness.

It was, perhaps, the second time Aquiles and Hélios had heard the voice of my Daemon.

“But this means that the pack needs to go through a ritual, so I can put the same measures here. To integrate the pack into my domains.” I explained.

“Now I understand what Sophia used to say about her Daemon.” Aquiles commented, letting out a low laugh, as if that was just another routine detail.

“My power ensures that Gáta cannot enter the pack. Any attempt will be eradicated.” Hélios explained.

I confirmed with a nod, but there was still something essential missing.

“I still don't understand… Did you know? I mean, did you know?” I asked.

“Let's put Sophia to bed and I'll explain my theory.” Hélios replied.

I sighed. There was nothing more I could do. Besides, there were only a few meters left to the room.