THE STORM US OVER

THE STORM US OVER
With Mina’s wild laughter fading down the corridor, the hall fell into a heavy, uneasy silence. Damian exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening as he turned his gaze back to Lambert. The boy looked emptied out— just a hollow shell waiting for whatever punishment would fall upon him.

Before Damian could speak, the scrape of a chair echoed. Alpha Max of the Coldstone Pack stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Alpha Damian,” he said, voice deep but courteous, “I beg your indulgence. I wish to plead for the boy’s life.”

A ripple of surprise washed across the hall. Damian lifted his chin, giving him silent permission to continue.

Alpha Max cleared his throat. “Theo has been stripped of position… Luna Mina has fallen to madness. To behead her only bloodline—” he hesitated, “—may the harshness not outweigh the justice?”

Damian said nothing. His silence held weight. Pressure. It made even grown Alphas shift in discomfort.

Then, as if gaining courage from Max’s attempt, four more guests stepped forward, bowing one after the other. They all pleaded for Lambert’s life.

Damian drummed his fingers on the armrest of his throne-like chair, his expression unreadable.

Finally, he spoke—his voice calm, cold, and controlled. “What punishment,” he asked slowly, “do you believe suits him, Alpha Max?”

Max straightened. “Banishment,” he replied. “Let him live… but far from his homeland. Exile him" The others nodded in support.

Again, Damian fell silent. The hall shifted with tension—no one daring to even breathe too loudly. Then, slowly, Damian rose to his feet, and instantly every person in the hall followed suit.

His verdict dropped like thunder. “Lambert of Dam-Nighade Pack,” Damian pronounced, “you are hereby banished to Coldstone Pack under Alpha Max’s custody. You will live under strict surveillance." Alpha Max's face drain of color, and others swiftly adjust themselves uncomfortably.

"But....but... I... thought" He stuttered

"There is nothing to think about, Max. The boy is now in your custody, and If I hears he causes more trouble, commit another crime, or bring chaos upon my territories —” his gaze sharpened, “—I will not hesitate to erase Coldstone Pack from the map.”

Alpha Max bowed deeply, sweat beading at his forehead. “I accept, Alpha Damian.” Then he seize Lambert’s with his eyes.

Lambert fell to his knees, bowing so low his forehead touched the ground. “Thank you… thank you for sparing my life.”

Damian’s attention shifted away from him. Lambert was no longer worth more words.

“Elina,” Damian called. Her breath hitched. She stepped forward, hands trembling slightly.

Damian’s voice filled the hall again. “With Theo stripped of authority, Dam-Nighade Pack needs leadership. Until Elina comes of age, Beta Matt will take charge as acting Alpha. When Elina matures, she shall inherit the Alpha position as the rightful heir.”

Gasps echoed. Even Elina staggered back, tears burning behind her eyes. Theo looked at Damian with a shaky, grateful smile—this was more mercy than he ever expected.

Damon stepped beside Elina, offering her a proud smile before pulling her into a hug. She melted into it, overwhelmed. Then they both turned and bowed to Damian in gratitude before rushing out to find Ella—who had returned back to her chamber right after the competition ended.

Damian watched them leave, then faced the stunned guests.

“I apologize,” he said with a steady voice, “for how today’s events unfolded. Thank you all for your patience.”

The grand hall emptied quickly—guests whispering among themselves, warriors exchanging uneasy glances, servants hurrying to escape the heavy atmosphere left behind. The massive doors thudded shut, their echo lingering like a warning.

Only Damian, Theo, Lucian, and Liam remained.

Theo stood stiffly, eyes lowered, the humiliation of his downfall still fresh on his skin. Lucian and Liam stood alert, waiting for Damian’s instructions.

Damian descended from his throne-like seat with controlled steps. He stopped directly in front of Theo.

“For years,” Damian began, his voice calm but cold, “I trusted you with this pack. I believed you were strong enough. Wise enough, and loyal.”

Theo clenched his jaw but kept silent.

“But what did you do?” Damian continued. “First, you let a poisonous woman into the heart of the pack. You ignored several warnings. You ignored your son's future. You ignored the very principles of leadership.”

Every word struck deep. Theo’s shoulders shook—but he didn’t defend himself. There was no defense left.

Damian sighed, not in pity, but in exhausted disappointment.

“You disappointed me, Theo. Not just as an Alpha… but as a man.”

Theo slowly dropped to his knees, bowing so low his forehead touched the marble floor.

“I know,” he whispered hoarsely. “And I accept my punishment with gratitude. You spared my life… and you gave Elina a future. I can never repay that.”

Damian didn’t respond immediately. He looked to Lucian.

“Until further notice, Theo will train with the other warriors. He will rebuild himself from the ground up. I want a report on his progress every week.”

Lucian bowed. “Yes, Alpha.”

Damian’s gaze returned to Theo. “There is one more thing.”

Theo lifted his head slightly, confusion flickering across his face.

“You will spend the next three months in the warriors’ quarters,” Damian said. “No privilege or special treatment. You eat with them. Sleep with them. Train with them. If you survive it… you might earn back a sliver of respect.”

Theo swallowed hard but nodded.

“Yes… Alpha.”

Damian’s voice softened—a rare moment.

“Elina is just beginning to sees you as her father. Do not fail her.”

Theo’s breath hitched, and he lowered his head deeper, trembling.

“Never,” he whispered. “Never again.”

Damian straightened, turning toward Liam.

“And you,” he said. “Prepare the message for all surrounding packs. The news must spread immediately—Theo’s dethronement, Lambert’s banishment, and Elina’s succession.”

Liam bowed. “It will be done.”

Damian paused a moment, his expression darkening slightly.

“And include a warning. If anyone dares to question or challenge Elina’s right to rule, they will face Dam-Nighade’s full force.”

Liam nodded, understanding the weight behind the words.

“Understood, Alpha.”

Damian dismissed them with a final wave of his hand. Lucian and Liam left first.

Theo remained, still kneeling.

“Get up,” Damian said quietly.

Theo obeyed slowly, standing on unsteady feet. Damian looked him in the eye—one leader to a fallen one.

“You have a chance to rebuild yourself, Theo. Don’t waste it.”

Theo bowed deeply. “Thank you… for giving me that chance.”

Then he turned and left the hall, escorted by Lucian. The door closed gently behind them, leaving Damian alone in the vast, echoing room.

For the first time that day, he let out a long, heavy breath. The storm was over… the rot had been cut out.