Defying the Rogue Alpha
Chapter 107: East

Chapter 107: East

Alaric, pleased that he had the king’s full attention, allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. He had waited years for this.

"There was a sign in the skies today, from the east," Alaric said. "The moon’s glow intensified, she has awakened her powers."

Herod inhaled deeply, his excitement almost palpable. The prospect of seizing the ultimate power made his pulse quicken. He had spent years conquering lesser packs in the north, absorbing territories, breaking alphas who dared stand against him. But this was destiny.

"It’s finally time," he murmured, his eyes darkening with raw ambition. "Time for me to take control of the entire werewolf world."

His laugh was filled with anticipation.

"Which alpha is the fiercest in the east?" he asked.

"Alpha Lucas Raventhorn."

Herod frowned slightly, rolling the name around in his mind. "Hmm... never heard of him."

"His name strikes fear in the hearts of lesser packs."

Herod leaned back, intrigued. Fear was a language he spoke fluently.

"How much land does he control?"

"He has claimed several key territories, strengthening his hold over the eastern lands. His most recent conquest is the Bloodhound pack."

"Does he know about the daughter of the moon?"

"I doubt that your highness. If he did, he would have claimed her. Only werewolves in the north know the history of the daughter of the moon."

"With her power, all territories will be mine. The entire werewolf kingdom will bow before me."

Herod’s focus had always been singular, his thirst for dominance insatiable. He had spent years crafting an empire through brute strength, fear, and calculated diplomacy. Now, fate had delivered him the missing piece of his reign.

Alaric cleared his throat. "Yes, Your Highness. But we have to find her first."

Herod’s gaze snapped to him, sharp as a dagger. "That’s your job, isn’t it?" he said.

"Only the Amulet of the former Daughter of the Moon can be used to track her," he explained. "It is the key to unlocking all of her powers. But she must be properly mated beneath the full moon for the transformation to be complete."

Herod’s interest piqued further. The idea of mating a celestial werewolf and making her his queen was almost too perfect. The Moon Goddess herself would bow to him.

"Where is this amulet?"

Alaric straightened his spine, his chest puffing slightly with pride.

"In my possession, Your Highness."

For a moment, even Herod looked mildly impressed.

"The previous Daughter of the Moon was born in my lineage," Alaric continued. "Her amulet has been passed down through centuries, waiting for the next chosen one."

Herod’s smirk widened. "Then what are you waiting for?"

Alaric hesitated just slightly before asking the question that had been burning in the back of his mind since the moment he realized what this would entail.

"What do I do when I find her?"

"Bring her here."

Alaric’s grip tightened on his staff. "Against her will?"

Herod let out a short, cold chuckle. "Who wouldn’t want to marry the Alpha King, Alaric?" he mused, then paused for a moment. "But... in the event that she declines..."

He didn’t need to finish the sentence.

Alaric nodded once. He had served under many kings, but Herod was different. There was no moral compass.

*****

Ava scowled at the two men sitting across from her, both glaring at each other with a storm of unspoken accusations in their eyes.

Behind each alpha stood Missy and Kade, both looking equally exhausted by the sibling grudge match that was about to unfold yet again.

"All you both need to do is talk. I will ask the questions, and you guys answer them without any arguments. Is that understood?" Ava looked from Lucas to Dennis, waiting.

Lucas folded his arms, while Dennis tilted his head slightly, jaw tight with barely contained irritation. They both finally nodded, albeit begrudgingly.

Ava turned to Lucas first. "Why do you think Dennis betrayed you?"

Lucas barely hesitated. His eyes burned with fury long buried but never truly extinguished.

"He planned a coup, attacked me, we fought, and he killed our mother."

Ava nodded, then turned to Dennis.

"Why did you plan a coup?"

"Technically, I didn’t. He just assumed I did."

Lucas immediately bristled, his hands balling into fists as he spat, "Liar!!!"

Dennis’s eyes flared with the same intensity. "Oh, go to hell. You think everyone is out to get you!"

"Because they ARE!"

Ava pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Boys!" she snapped. "Enough. Dennis, tell your brother what actually happened."

"The Silver Pack councilmen came to me," he admitted. "They said Lucas was insatiable. He was taking over packs whose alphas so much as breathed the wrong way."

Lucas scoffed but said nothing.

Dennis continued. "The High Council sent a warning, but Lucas ignored it. Members of our own pack were scared and concerned. I listened to them, Lucas. I gathered them with the councilmen, and we approached you... on your way to another war."

"All hell broke loose," Dennis continued. "You attacked without even listening to us. Mother stepped in, tried to stop it but in the chaos... I accidentally hit her."

Ava turned to Lucas. "Lucas?"

"I..." His voice cracked, but he cleared his throat and continued. "I got information ahead of time that Dennis was gathering my people against me."

Ava raised an eyebrow. "And let me guess... that information came from Dorian?"

"Look, I know, okay? I know Dorian has been manipulating me. I only assumed it started recently... because of you."

"It seems you both have a common enemy," Ava said. "Want to reconsider your life choices?"

Lucas let out a slow breath, but before he could answer, Kade spoke up.

"Alpha," Kade said, stepping forward. "We can use this. We’ve been looking for information to take my father down. We may not be able to nail him for setting Ava up, but we can take him down with what happened ten years ago."

"We have no evidence," he said. "Dorian has the backing of the council. It’s Dennis’s word against his."

Lucas turned to his brother. "I am sorry. Mara dying the way that she did... it’s no excuse. You are my brother."

Dennis stared at him for a long moment, as if seeing him for the first time in a decade.

Finally, he exhaled. "I should have been there for you... and not let the politics keep me away."

Ava, watching this rare moment of brotherly truce, was tempted to make a sarcastic comment but held back. Miracles do happen.

"How did she die? How did my mother die?" Ava asked.

@addicted2fantasy: Wow! Your enthusiasm makes writing this story so rewarding. Thank you.