Chapter 178
THIRD PERSON POV
“Any news on the assailant?” I asked the moment I strolled into Dimitri’s study.
“Nothing yet. There are no cameras on the stretch leading to the fields that connect with the forest.”
“What if they didn’t go through that way? They couldn’t possibly. Wouldn’t they have been stuck with a barrier or something? This looks like someone who could access the forest from the inside. When I tried to stop the assailant, there was a portal waiting just ahead.” I turned my attention back to the door.
“It’s soundproof.” He replied, standing up. He had read my thoughts. “I don’t understand. Everyone who is a threat to my throne and my daughter has all been wiped out.” He stood by the window, his gaze far away.
My mind raced. I had omitted the part where I had fought with the assailant, and that it was my father. I didn’t even know where to start looking from, and the answers seemed just beyond my grasp.
“Lyra has powers. It’s only normal that there are people who would want that power.” I replied.
“The problem is that we have no real leads and Ironclaw is too large.” Dimitri gnashed his teeth in anger.
“Then we have to create them.” Ryker turned to walk out of the study. Dimitri turned to look at him. His eyes narrowed as he watched Ryker leave.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the Ironclaw pack, in the Vivarium sects headquarters right underground beneath the pack center, Varkas was having a standoff with Alpha Declan, Ryker’s father.
“Do you realize what you’ve done? The King is now on high alert. No one authorized this move, Declan. You should have waited.” Varkas spat, his veins bulging out the side of his head, angrily.
“I’m done waiting. I’ve waited for years, and now we have the gift of immortality right here on our doorstep, and you ask me to wait? I lost my pack for this!” Declan fumed, equally breathing down angrily. He wasn’t prepared to listen to what Varkas had to say.
“Stay down, Declan. I will not repeat myself.” Varkas growled.
“You don’t control me. I’m Alpha—”
“Not anymore,” Declan sneered. “In here, within the walls of the Vivarium grounds, you’re nothing but a follower. You will do well to remember that,” He spat.
Alpha Declan’s eyes turned bloodshot as he glared at Declan. “How long do we have to wait? You keep saying you have a plan and yet, you’ve got—nothing,” He sneered, waking slowly towards Varkas.
Varkas’s jaw tightened as he glared at Declan’s approaching figure menacingly. He didn’t move, nor did he flinch. His gaze remained locked on Declan until both men stood barely a breath from each other.
“Alright now, we shouldn’t fight amongst ourselves. Alpha Declan, stay easy now. We have been waiting for the day we would get the perfect serum for immortality. Now, with the Aethera within our walls, we do not need to hasten our plans. Lord Varkas has been doing all he can these past years, and so far, his leadership has been exceptional. What is a little more time? Besides, your plan was bound to fail from the beginning. Trying to kidnap the princess in the presence of that troublesome Alpha King was a plan bound to fail. He is no ordinary werewolf.” A very slender man approached at an impossible slow speed.
“Stay out of this, Josiah,” Declan growled, turning his attention to the slender man.
“Come on, my dear friend. We shouldn’t resort to ripping our throats out now. The Aethera is mated to your son, and he is quite powerful. I think your anger should be directed at that wench Dalia, the late Queen Isla’s personal maid.”
“The mad woman,” Declan sneered disgustingly.
“—Well, she is the only one who knew the Aethera survived but kept her mouth shut all these years. Despite the torture the Lycan King ordered. She is the snake and the cause of these delays. Transfer your anger there and trust Lord Varkas to apply wit in getting the Aethera here, to us. Imagine what we will do with her blood.”
“I’m not in the mood for torture. That’s your forte, Josiah.” Declan sneered, turning his attention back to Varkas.
“How long do we have to wait?” His voice sounded like a low rumble as he turned to Varkas.
“You don’t get to ask me that after I saved your life.” Varkas spat, growling in return.
A slow chuckle escaped Declan, before turning to a full blown laughter. The sound reverberated through the walls, making the room sound like a metals scraping against stone.
His eyes turned cold, and the smile drained off his face like it was never there. “You didn’t save me. You saved yourself. Imagine what would happen should any one of us fall. A lot of us are tired of waiting, Varkas.” Declan hissed, his stance firm. He wasn’t backing down anytime soon.
Varkas’s eyes dimmed, and he blew hot in frustration before bringing out a vial from his pocket, lifting it to Declan’s face.
“The Aethera’s blood—” Varkas spoke out loud. Josiah gasped, and Declan’s breath hitched slightly. His eyes shone with greed as he stared at the vial of blood. Varkas noticed the change in his expression and sneered.
“It was gotten from the doctors after they cleaned out the surgery room. It took a lot of strength from the witches to wring out every dried blood from the soaked wools and clothes. We need to perform the ritual and then share it with everyone. Let them have a taste of a little drop of the powers. This should calm you down for now, Declan, and let you know I’m working on this.” He turned to Josiah. “Gather everyone to the chamber of rituals.” He glared at Declan briefly before turning away.