Chapter 16
"Who would attack our Pack? We're literally the most peaceful Pack in the werewolf community and everyone knows that," Blake said, putting on his shirt as he went outside to meet Alden who had been waiting for him. "It's the Alpha of the Mystic Pack. His son died after being unconscious for six months, thanks to Liam who shot him with a poisoned arrow. He is challenging Liam to a duel and has threatened to engage in a war with our Pack if the duel doesn't happen," Alden explained in a low tone.
"That doesn't even make sense, or what do you think?" Blake asked.
Alden shrugged, not saying a word.
"Hey, I'm sorry about earlier," Blake said, believing Alden to have a sour countenance..
"No, I should be apologizing for interrupting you."
"You don't even sound like you mean it. Yes, I'll be the one to mark Ciara eventually and she would accept me as her mate, but it doesn't mean that I will throw you and the Luna out of the palace like father fears," Blake reassured him. Alden chuckled. "I'm not worried about that, trust me. I've never been interested in the throne, so you can have her all to yourself. It's a good thing though that it's you and not Liam, congratulations," Alden said hurriedly, then increased his pace and was soon out of sight.
Outside, the Alpha of the Mystic Pack, with his eyes glaring red; his claws and fangs all out with the hairs sticking out of his body, roared furiously. "Bring Liam out now!" he yelled.
Alpha Rowland rushed out, seeing the chaos Alpha Seaman had already caused. His security guards were badly injured and Alpha's Seaman's army had taken full control over the palace.
"Dear friend, let's settle this amicably. There's no need for war," Alpha Rowland said.
"I'm not here to fight you. I'm here to get my pound of flesh. An eye for an eye! A son for a son!" Alpha Seaman thundered.
"What wrong did I even do?" Liam barked back, forcing his way out of the throne room and overthrowing the guards that his father had ordered to subdue him.
"I told you to remain inside. Do you want to get yourself killed?" Alpha Rowland screamed at Liam.
"What's it to you? You have two other sons," Liam retorted.
"Exactly! At least, you have two other sons, old friend. Mason was my only son, my blessing after three good-for-nothing daughters. I won't let his death go unpunished! Moreover, Liam has shown no remorse whatsoever and it is only right that we have a duel a fight to the death. It's only fair that I get to do that at least," Alpha Seaman stated.
"It's not fair, friend. Liam is just a child. You are an experienced fighter. He stands no chance against you," Alpha Rowland said.
"My son also didn't stand a chance when Liam aimed a poisoned arrow at him," Alpha Seaman countered.
"I had no idea it was poisoned. Besides, it was your own son that brought it along with him to the hunting grounds and along the line, we had a fight. He aimed at me with a sword and I have a scar on my arm due to that. It was only then that I fired the arrow at him in retaliation. It was aimed at his leg and he only had an unfortunate demise because it was poisoned which was all his fault," Liam said in his defence.
"You will point accusing fingers at a dead man? The game is on!" Alpha Seaman screamed, unsheathing his sword and lifting it high in the air so it could be heavily descended on Liam. "Please, don't!" he heard a tiny, but firm voice yell, stopping him halfway.
Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on 000005s.org for uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading!
When Alpha Seaman looked up, he saw the prettiest young girl he had ever come across, and as a man known for his unending list of concubines, he desired to make her one of them immediately. The girl was Ciara, and looking at how Liam swung his head to look at her and remained fixated on her, a mischievous grin appeared on his face.
"On second thoughts, what's the use of killing you when death will just be an easy way out for your miserable self? I will instead take this maiden back with me to my Pack and make her my personal plaything. Every night, when you go to bed, you'll shed tears, knowing you've lost the love of your life and she's busy gracing someone else's bed," Alpha Seaman stated.
Liam scoffed. "You can do as you please. Thankfully, she means nothing to me and I will be appreciative of you if you can get her out of my sight," he said.
His answer sounded convincing, but Alpha Seaman wasn't convinced. "Very well, then. Guards, seize her! She'll be accompanying us back to the Mystic Pack!"
"You can't-" Blake started, but Alden cut him off.
"Do you have a death wish?" Alden asked him in a low tone, and Blake abruptly kept his mouth shut, hoping that this ended up as a joke because he couldn't begin to imagine ever losing Ciara.
"Let me go!" Ciara screamed as the guards grabbed her by the arms and began to lead her away.
"You can't just take the innocent girl away, Seaman," Alpha Rowland said.
"It's either the girl or your son, Liam."
Alpha Rowland was in a daze. He had known Alpha Seaman ever since they were kids and he couldn't possibly just go to war with him. He reasoned that he was merely grieving due to his son's death and would come around soon enough, and then, he could discuss the release of Ciara.
"Very well, but do not touch her just yet. Give it a week, at least," Alpha Rowland stated.
"Why? Do you believe I would have changed my mind in a week? Trust me, no amount of time will be sufficient to quench the ache in my heart. However, I shall give it a week, not because of you, but because I am still mourning my son. Guards, lead the way," Alpha Seaman ordered.
"Let me go, please. I don't want to go anywhere. Please, Alpha. Prince Liam, help!" Ciara cried for help as she was led out of the palace.
"Father," Blake called, helplessly.
"Do not fret. I'll go and visit him in a week's time and ensure he returns her in one piece," Alpha Rowland assured.
"Can Alpha Seaman be trusted?" Alden asked.
"Yes, he's a childhood friend of mine. He can be trusted," Alpha Rowland affirmed.
"I'm sure you never thought a day would come when he would show up at your palace unannounced and threaten to end your son's life," Liam said, meeting Ciara's pitiful gaze as she was carried out of the palace. "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm trying to say he can't be trusted. There's no way I'm leaving Ciara with him. A fight to the death it is," Liam announced, against his better sense of reasoning, because as much as he would like to lie to himself and act like he didn't care about Ciara, he did care.