Chapter 328: _Bringing That Bastard Down
"So your Beta is a traitor," Janelle remarked once Kaelos and I got to Kaelos’ office to regroup.
She and her husband were the only ones among the Alpha Kings and Luna Queens who hadn’t returned to their territories, wishing to see how things were sorted after the chaos at the festival.
Her husband, Alpha King Thorian, stood resting on the wall at a corner, his arms folded in front of his chest while Kaelos and I stood in front of his desk.
I stared at the white marble floor, my eyes distant as I tried to compose myself.
My mind kept replaying all the memories I’ve had with her these past few months.
How she’d help me make potions. Gossip about Kaelos with me back when I felt like running for my life. She’s been more than a friend... she was a rock.
And now she’s gone.
Death was a scary thing.
Caroline was dead, but we had to keep our heads in the game if we wanted any chance of avenging her.
"An artificial hybrid has been hidden among your ranks for what? Years?" Alpha king Thorian suddenly spoke with a scoff, fixing his sharp blue eyes on Kaelos and me. "And you’re only discovering—"
"Marcellus was cunning." Kaelos interrupted sharply, glancing subtly at me before continuing. "He’s managed to fool us all for years but only started being confident with his atrocities after Odessa’s arrival. Probably to make the blame go to her."
Janelle parted her lips to say something but then Thorian snorted.
"Right. And whose fault is that? Ours?"
My jaw clenched, my fists curling as I looked away from him, trying to keep my cool.
But then...
"Honey, cut them some slack." Janelle chimed with an understanding tone sighing heavily.
As if there was a lot she wasn’t letting us know.
I raised my head only to see her walking toward me with a plain expression at first. But when she got to me, she placed her hands on my shoulders, causing me to freeze.
"I should’ve told you about Caroline’s... True origins." She began, causing me to furrow my eyebrows.
True origins?
"Honey?" Thorian called with uncertainty but Janelle raised a finger, nodding at him.
"It’s fine. After all, that witch Ryker had under his control already mentioned it loud and clear during the battle." Janelle said with a shrug.
She was talking about Lucinda.
And what did she make ’clear’?
"Caroline was a Silverborn. A child of Selene." Janelle revealed, her expression filled with acknowledgement. "Just like me. And just like Kaelos."
I blinked, my lips parting with confusion as I swerved my head to Kaelos who seemed equally confused.
"What?" He blurted but Janelle shook her head.
"I’m sorry I didn’t say anything but I noticed the second we met. Besides, whenever a Silverborn discovers their true nature... We keep it hidden." Janelle paused, glancing briefly at me. "Usually, anyway."
I didn’t even know what a child of Selene was, but I had a guess that it had something to do with a stronger connection to the moon goddess.
"Why did she never say anything?" I asked, feeling a twinge of betrayal and sadness. "I trusted her with my Hybrid secret. Why couldn’t she—"
"As silverborns, we carry the blood of the goddess in our veins. We’re descended from her." Janelle interrupted, shaking her head. "And it seemed Caroline was too set on her mission from the goddess to tell you. It was for your protection."
Suddenly, Kaelos spoke up, waving his hands. "If the silver borns or whatever are such a secret... How did Ryker know about them enough to give info to Lucinda?"
"Because he’s Ryker." Thorian stepped forward just then, his footsteps echoing through the office. His expression was tight with actual fear as he continued. "I’ve never seen power of such magnitude. And the fact that he’s an Alpha king as well..."
He paused, locking his eyes on Kaelos who stiffened beside me.
"Two Alpha Kings existing within one continent is a recipe for war. One of you will have to go down eventually." Thorian added but Kaelos scoffed.
"He’s not the Alpha king. I am."
"Tell that to his bloodline or his aura." Janelle chimed, her voice sharp. "The last thing to do in this situation is to be overly confident. Ryker isn’t to be underestimated."
As they went on and on, my mind was distant, thinking about one thing.
Finding Marcellus.
Patrols throughout the pack were still in search of him, hoping he hadn’t fled already. The pack was the size of a small city after all.
’And once I find him I’ll want to rip out his heart myself.’ I thought to myself, my fists clenching beside me. ’I’ll make him suffer the pain Caroline went through. The pain all his other victims have gone through.’
I could feel my magic coil inside me like a bomb waiting to pop.
But I drew in deep breaths to calm myself, especially when I noticed Kaelos staring at me with worry from the corner of my eye.
’Don’t let the rage consume you, Odessa.’ his voice echoed in my mind, warm and grounding. ’You’ve already gone through enough tonight.’
’Exactly.’ I turned my head to him and gave a nod. ’Which is why I want to take back control of this one thing. When we find Marcellus, promise me that I’ll be the one to end him.’
Kaelos’ eyes glinted with uncertainty. ’We could still need him for questioning. About Ryker.’
’And you think a psychopath like himself who’s remained hidden for so long, smiling, drinking and chatting with us... Would comply with anything we ask?’ I asked with a mental scoff.
The look in his eyes told me Kaelos knew I was right.
’I don’t want him to hurt you.’ he finally admitted. ’I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to control myself if that happens. The pack has already seen enough destruction tonight.’
I smiled warmly, ignoring the scrutiny from Thorian and Janelle who had probably noticed our mental exchange.
’There will be no need for that.’ I muttered, placing my hand on his shoulder. "It’s him you’ll need to worry about when we find him."
Suddenly, right on cue, the office door burst open. We all swerved our heads simultaneously just in time to see Althea walking in, accompanied by a few guards.
Her expression was stern as she spoke. "The soldiers have a visual on Marcellus. Close to the eastern walls."
My eyes widened as I glanced once at Kaelos before stepping forward. "We need to hurry before he scales the walls or—"
"I placed a magic ward around the pack." Althea interrupted, giving me a nod. "He wouldn’t be able to teleport and the walls will burn his skin if he attempts climbing. The soldiers have him cornered."
Thorian sneered just then. "We came here through a portal, witch. Does that mean we wouldn’t be able to leave as well?"
Althea turned her head to him, silent for a couple of seconds before speaking. "I’ll open one for you. Straight to Europe."
Janelle parted her lips to speak but Thorian shook his head. "I’ll be damned. How should we trust—"
"You can either deal with your bias against witches now and trust her or wait until we’re done, Alpha King," I spoke with a firm voice, not even sparing him a glance as I walked toward the exit. "Tonight, we’re bringing that bastard down. Once and for all."