MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA
Chapter 82: Unexpected Attack

Chapter 82: Unexpected Attack

Xavier sat quietly in the dungeon cell, still fuming from the events that brought him here. It had been a few days. He thought that he wouldn’t spend more than a day.

Did his father not know that he was locked up?

The thought sent a spark of anger through him. His father, the great Elder Thomas, always so quick to defend his family’s honor, yet seemingly oblivious to his own son’s plight.

He stood up and strode to the iron gate, trying to see beyond, but no one was in sight.

"Hey! Anyone there?" His voice rang off the walls, echoing in reply. He’d tried to get a hold of the dungeon guards to pass a message to his father, but they seemed to be avoiding him.

The silence was oppressive, and Xavier’s frustration grew with each passing moment. He paced back and forth in his cell, his footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls.

Suddenly, he stopped, his ears perked up. He thought he heard a faint sound of a few thuds. The noise was muffled, but it sounded like someone - or something - had fallen.

Xavier’s heart quickened, his senses on high alert. He strained his ears, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound but nothing.

He sighed with disappointment, wondering if he’d just imagined the whole thing. Just as he was about to give up, he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps drawing nearer.

And then, a figure hidden behind a dark hooded cloak appeared behind the bar gate, fumbling with the keys. The figure’s hands were gloved, making it impossible to discern any defining features.

Xavier’s instincts screamed at him to be cautious, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Who are you?" he demanded, trying to keep his voice steady. "Did my father or mother send you?"

The figure slowly raised its head, and Xavier caught a glimpse of piercing yellow eyes gleaming in the darkness. But he said nothing and continued to unlock the cell door, the sound of the mechanism clicking open echoing through the silence.

With a final glance at Xavier, the figure pushed the gate open and stepped aside, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond. "Come out," the figure said in a low, gravelly voice, beckoning Xavier to follow.

That voice wasn’t familiar. Although he had the scent of the Black Moon Pack, meaning he was one of them, but Xavier couldn’t quite place him. He looked at the figure again, trying to see past the hood, but the darkness seemed to swallow up his features.

"I won’t come with you unless you tell me who you are." Simultaneously, Xavier half-transformed, his claws extending as he glared sharply at the person.

This person could have been sent by his enemies to get rid of him: he may be related to the workers he’d almost killed days ago.

The person stepped into the cell, closing the distance between them. His hand reached into his cloak, as if to pull out something.

And he did.

But it wasn’t what Xavier expected - if he expected anything. The person pulled out a clenched fist, opening it and blowing out a white powder that enveloped Xavier’s face.

Xavier coughed, momentarily blinded by the powder.

And then, his eyes widened as he realized too late what the powder was. He tried to hold his breath, but it was too late. The powder filled his lungs, and he felt his legs buckle. His vision blurred, and he stumbled forward, his hands grasping for something to hold onto.

But there was nothing. Everything went dark, and Xavier collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The last thing he heard was the sound of the person’s footsteps getting closer to him.

...

"Don’t overdo it, Beta," Elder Thomas growled, his eyes narrowing into slits as he glared at Beta Thane. "Release my son."

Beta Thane’s expression remained unyielding. "Your son has committed a grave offense, Elder Thomas. He will remain confined in the dungeon until the Luna’s arrival."

Elder Thomas’s face purpled with indignation, his eyes blazing as he took a menacing step forward. "How dare you defy me!" he thundered, his fists clenched at his sides. "I am his father, and I demand you release him into my custody, immediately!"

Beta Thane stayed silent for a while, then sighed with helplessness as he met Elder Thomas’s furious gaze. "I mean no disrespect, Elder," he said, his voice steady and calm. "But the law is clear. Your son has committed a serious crime, and he must face the consequences. The Luna will decide his fate, not you."

He continued, "The pack members are watching. If I make an exception for your son, it will undermine the law and create chaos. I won’t let that happen, Elder. Not even for you."

"Xavier has paid for his mistake by spending days in the dungeon. The worksrs didn’t die: damage was minimal. It’s time to show mercy, Beta Thane. Anything less would be...unbecoming," Elder Thomas said, his voice dripping with condescension.

Elder Thomas was desperate for Xavier’s release. He couldn’t let Luna Reana discover what his son had done. He’d paid the victims off, and bought the eye witnesses to keep their lips sealed.

If she did, his son would face even more severe repercussions, potentially jeopardizing their entire claim to the Alpha title.

Had he known that Beta Thane would be such a stubborn one, he would have rallied the council to raise objection when he was instilled as the beta.

"If you’ll excuse me, Elder Thomas, I have other things to–"

"Beta!" A warrior rushed into the hall, his face flushed with urgency. "We’re under attack!"

Beta Thane’s eyes snapped towards the warrior, his expression turning grim. "What’s the situation?" he demanded, already striding towards the exit.

Elder Thomas’s face paled, his eyes darting towards the door as if expecting an enemy to burst in at any moment.

"Our scout said it’s over a thousand warriors–"

Thane halted, "Warriors? Not rogues?" What pack would dare to attack another pack without permission from the high council? The implications were dire. "This is a declaration of war," Beta Thane growled, his eyes locked on the warrior. "Which pack?"

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