Chapter 11
1217 Words
Chaos filled the arena as guards quickly surrounded Somad but he looked unusually calm.
Blood soaked into the stone floor and the metallic smell filled the arena. The crowd had gone dead silent after the initial screams, fear freezing them in place as Elder Somad stood over the corpse, dagger still dripping red.
Zoran didn’t move from his position in front of the people, but his aura was enough to restrain others.
Rowan stepped forward, his face dark with anger.
“Guards,” he commanded coldly. “Arrest Elder Somad, now!.”
Gasps tore through the arena as it has never been heard that an elder was arrested.
Somad scoffed, lifting his chin. “Arrest me? For executing a traitor?”
Rowan’s eyes burned with anger as he glared at him. “You murdered a man in front of your Alpha and your people.”
Somad wiped the blade on the dead man’s shirt, his expression still unusually calm. “A man who sold Frostpine from the inside.”
“What?”
“What does the elder mean?”
“How can the Alpha not be aware of such a thing?”
Murmurs erupted again, as the people waited anxiously for him to continue.
“He was the one who revealed the secret routes to the rogues,” Somad continued loudly, turning to face the crowd. “He is the reason they bypassed our outer defenses.”
Rowan’s jaw tightened. “And how do you claim to know this?”
Somad smiled thinly. “My eldest son oversees the security feeds along the border routes. He discovered the footage.”
Naelis folded her arms and her eyes turned sharp. “Then call him.”
Heads turned toward her, as soon as she spoke.
“Bring your son,” she continued, unfazed by the numerous eyes on her. “Let’s watch the footage ourselves.”
Somad’s gaze snapped to her, his eyes turned venomous. “And who gave you the right to speak?”
Naelis lifted a brow and grinned. “Common sense?”
His lips curled. “You are an outsider, worse… a woman. You should be focusing on learning how to serve your future husband in the kitchen and in the bedroom.”
The temperature immediately dropped as Silas took a step forward but Naelis signaled him to calm down.
But Zoran stepped forward before anyone else could react and there was a sudden shift in his aura.
His eyes, which are usually restrained, now burned with quiet fury.
“Mind your tongue, Somad,” Zoran said, his voice low and deadly controlled. “You stand before a guest of the Alpha’s family.”
Somad sneered. “A guest is still beneath.. ”
“She is also the daughter of the Alpha of Blackwater,” Zoran cut in sharply. “One of Frostpine’s strongest allies.”
That shut him up and he glared resentfully at Zoran.
Naelis blinked, then slowly smirked.
Somad’s face twisted with humiliation. “You dare reprimand me in public?”
“I dare correct arrogance when it threatens unity,” Zoran replied evenly.
Rowan raised his hand to calm the tense atmosphere.
“Enough,” he said. “The matter of the rogues is settled. I will provide a full explanation regarding the deceased man.”
He turned to the crowd. “Return to your homes, Frostpine remains under control.”
Reluctantly, the people dispersed, murmuring about what just happened.
The elders followed Rowan through the inner corridor, the air was still charged and tense. When the doors sealed behind them, everyone stopped and waited for Rowan to speak.
Rowan faced Somad directly “You will provide the footage. Now.”
Somad’s eyes flickered with unease and everyone noticed.
Naelis grinned at him, clearly enjoying the show.
Somad bowed slightly, hands clasped before him. “Of course, Alpha. I accept your judgment.”
His voice and expression were smooth and it made others feel uneasy.
Naelis took a step closer, her instincts screaming that Somad was up to no good. She was afraid he would attack Rowan, who was standing closest to him.
But Somad quickly moved in one violent motion, he lunged forward, not toward Rowan, but sideways.
Towards Naelis and before she could react, his arm locked around her neck, yanking her back against his chest. The bloody dagger pressed to her throat.
Everything stopped for a few seconds, as no one had predicted that things would take such a turn.
“Somad!” Rowan roared.
Zoran’s eyes narrowed as all he could see was the blade that was pressing on Naelis’s skin.
Her pulse fluttered beneath the blade. Her scent spiked, mixed with anger, shock, and something dangerously close to pain.
Zoran felt his wolf slam against his restraints, growling for him to let it out. It wanted to rip Somad apart for touching what was her.
Somad laughed, breath hot against Naelis’s ear. “One more step and she dies.”
Naelis hissed, struggling. “You old bastard…”
The blade pressed harder and a thin line of blood welled, it slowly dripped down her neck.
Zoran took one step forward, his wolf on edge and could take over at any moment.
“Don’t,” Somad warned.
Zoran stopped but his eyes had changed. The red in his eyes glowing faintly, ancient power coiling beneath his skin like a beast barely leashed.
“Release her,” Zoran said, voice terrifyingly calm. “This does not end well for you.”
Somad sneered. “You won’t attack, not with her life at stake. If she dies, you will have to give her family an explanation”
Naelis swallowed, then scoffed. “You really picked the wrong hostage.”
Somad tightened his grip. “Silence.”
Zoran’s hands curled into fists, claws threatening to break through skin. Every instinct screamed to rip Somad apart, to tear the dagger from his hand and scatter his remains across the floor but he didn’t move.
Because she mattered more than anything and he couldn't risk losing her or showing that she was his weak spot to avoid future dangers.
“Listen carefully,” Zoran said. “You are surrounded… You have no escape.”
Somad laughed again, his expression twisted in absolute madness . “I only need one.”
His eyes darted to the corridor exit but Zoran shifted his stance subtly, blocking the angle.
Silas also blocked the next available exit without a word. His eyes were fully focused on Naelis, he was afraid she would lose it.
Rowan’s voice was as cold as steel. “Let her go, Somad. You’ve already damned yourself.”
Somad hesitated and Naelis chose that moment to stomp hard on his foot.
He yelped and the dagger wavered.
Zoran quickly moved forward with an inhumane speed. In a heartbeat, his hand clamped around Somad’s wrist, crushing his bone, the dagger clattering to the floor. He ripped Naelis free and shoved her behind him, shielding her with his body.
Somad screamed as Zoran slammed him into the wall.
“Chain him,” Zoran snarled.
Guards rushed in
Naelis steadied herself, chest heaving and eyes blazing as she stared at Somad being restrained.
Zoran didn’t look at her but his body stayed between her and everyone else.
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