Chapter 4 More to her
Zeev
I went back to Aetheria to report every piece of information I had gathered in Teran. The execution, the drug production site, and my decision to stay back in Teran so that I could get access to more information.
Being a teacher at the school was part of my plan too.I messaged the board, explaining that I had something urgent to do, and they granted me permission.
I would have left even without their permission; that was how I had gotten the job in the first place.
"What are you still doing? Everyone is waiting." Came the last voice I wanted to hear this morning. The voice of my step brother—Laken.
Like his mother, he was not pleased that I was the one father had sent to Teran.
The night before I left, I overheard her telling father that she wanted Lanken to go instead.
She wanted her son to go on this adventure as he has never left Aetheria before. She said it was because Laken had never left Aetheria. She saw it as an adventure, not even an important mission that was crucial to the entire werewolves kingdom. I wasn't father's favorite but I knew he couldn't allow Lanken to go. Father knew Laken was too nonchalant to handle it.
He was gone by the time I made it to the door.
I stepped out of the house and took the cobblestone road that led to a small hill at the back of the pack. It led to one of the castles that matters like this were being discussed.
In Teran, they lived mostly in tall houses with glass walls. Different types of cars and bikes roamed the streets. While we relied on castles, carriages, donkeys, and horses as means of transportation. They also had a significant amount of rainfall; we only had rains here at least three months a year.
I approached the door of the main hall. My gaze landed on my father, seated at the stage with my step mother and my two step brothers on either side of them.
Laken sighed when he spotted me. His mother used her hand fan to fan her face, trying so hard to look good with a forced smile on her face. Kian, who never seemed bothered about anything, was on his phone. My father urged me with his eyes to move fast. But I took my time.
I disgusted my father because I wasn't the son he wanted. A cursed heir who was unfit to lead .
The irony was that he didn't know I would not let anyone rule over Aetheria.
If it came to it, I wouldn't hesitate to wipe anyone opposing me out.
No half–cast would ever lead my people.
I headed straight for the podium where the mic was set up. I dove right in, skipping any formalities.
"I traveled to Teran days ago with the mission of bringing in information about a potential attack on werewolves.”
We knew the law: the two worlds were not meant to interact. They never interacted until Teran students were killed and they had promised to wipe out every werewolf.
“They have a production site called Xylos, where they produce weapons and drugs that work against our kind.”
The once–chatty crowd fell silent. Only low murmurs and whispers could be heard.
I wasn't done yet. What I witnessed on my arrival was even more devastating, showing just how far humans would go to eliminate werewolves. If nothing was done, then there wouldn't be any werewolves left in Aetheria in the near future.
"The drug they are working on right now is Lunacide. A chemical dangerous to melt your bones on contact.”
“Two werewolves were executed publicly two days ago.” I announced.
“What?”
“That's impossible.”
“Teran needs to be taken care of before they start sending spies to our land.”
There was an uproar in the crowd.They cussed and shouted.
"Shut it down." My father yelled, silencing them. I turned to him; his fists were clenched, and visible veins stood out on his forehead.
How was he planning to solve this?
"Those humans need to be taught a lesson. We have to give them a taste of their own medicine."
My stepmother grumbled behind me. I almost laughed at that, but I held myself back given that this wasn't funny at all. She was good at saying things like that.
Finally, I added "They also have some weapons coated with silver which they use as protection against any invasion.”
Father dismissed the crowd, telling them he would call a meeting again involving all the Alpha's of the different packs in Aetheria to discuss our next step.
No one had touched the food laid before them. Laken sat next to his mother, arms crossed, shooting me a deadly stares every minute. Kian, who was less concerned about pack matters, was always on his phone.
Father's hands had been working under his chin and I had no idea what he was thinking about.
With no appetite to eat, I waited.
“Can we eat already?” Kian asked, shoving his phone in the pockets of his black jacket.
“We can settle whatever we have to settle after we are done eating.”
He was about to drag the plate of food in front of him, when his mother slapped his hand away.
No one in the Alpha’s house ate before the alpha, unless he commanded it.
“If you are going to take over Teran, I suggest we start with the production company. That's where most of their power is coming from. Without it, they would have absolutely nothing against…”
I bit my lip and ached my back inward when I felt the pain slowly creeping in. I could feel them crawling around in circles. It didn't only come with pain, but discomfort as well.
Moon Goddess. Not tonight. I was not ready to deal with another night of torment.
“You have a point. I would have to discuss this with the Alpha’s.”
“You all can go ahead and eat.” He urged
"You left for Teran without telling Xanthe. She has been here crying like a baby, disturbing the peace of everyone."
Lanken suddenly said in the midst of all that was happening. I cock my head to his direction. Xanthe was my girlfriend and not my wife. She didn't deserve to know about my every move.
"Is that what you should be talking about right now?"
His mother asked in that less concerned voice of hers. Someone who didn't know her, would believe everything that came out of her mouth.
A hard knock on the table sent us looking at Lanken.
"Why does it always have to be him? I'm capable. I can get all this done. We would not sit here and pretend like we didn't see the reaction he just let out. He is cursed and would die anyway. There is no need to send an already dying person to…”
There wasn't time to comprehend what I was about to do. I picked the fork in front of me and jammed it in his left tight.
A bloody scream rang in the house as blood oozed out, covering the fork and the sky blue jeans he had on.
“Say that to me one more time and watch me kill and bury you.”
“Zeev!” Kian hallowed.
My father stood up as his mother ran to his side and started yelling curses at me.
“You will not find the damn mate that would heal you. You will die. If you don't, I would make sure to do it myself. You want to kill my son?” Her blood shut eyes glared at me.
A menacing laugh left my mouth. “ I will kill you and your son before that happens.” I left the table with my father calling back.
I grabbed a paper towel and cleaned my hands with it and tossed it on the table.
“Did you hear that?” His mother asked, looking at my father.
I moved away from the table. I turned back at the end of the stairs and looked at them.
“I would be going back to Teran and I would be staying longer this time.”
My father was getting old. He couldn't do any of these things on his own. And if I wanted this kingdom to stand I had to do what I was supposed to even before I died.
I went into my room and got rid of the garment off my skin. I replaced it with a white t-shirt and black sweatpants. I picked up the bag that I had already prepared.
I took the back door and stepped out of the house.
A mate. I lost hope of finding a fated mate when I turned seventeen.
I was twenty seven and had no idea if I would ever find one.
“Zeev.” A familiar voice called, making me stop at the gate.
Xanthe.
Before I could turn around, I felt her hands around my waist. She pressed her face against my chest.
“I missed you. How could you leave to that dangerous place without telling me?”
She raised her up, a pouty on her face.
I placed my hands on her shoulder and tried to pull her away, but she had her arms tight around me.
"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. It was urgent.” I forced a smile.
She knew this between us wouldn't last, but she kept insisting.
“Come on, Xan. I have somewhere to be. I will see you when I get back.”
I had to force her hands away. She let go with a frown.
"I love you, Zeev. Please, don't..."
"I love you too." I took her chin in my hands and placed a kiss on her lips. “I will see you when I come back.”
I was out of the gate before she could stop me.
“Keep me updated on everything that would be happening in the pack while I'm away.”
Make sure to guard the pack.”
I mind-linked to Kesser, my closet and trusted man.
I started off to Teran.
Yes, being a spy wasn't the only reason I was going there.
Naomi. She was one of the reasons. The main reason I took a teacher's work at Sandalwood.
There was something odd about her. I could feel that the first time we met. Even in the woods.
There was more to her than what met the eye and I was ready to uncover.