COMEBACK OF THE ALPHA KING

Chapter 11- Triggered

It took King a full minute to recover from what he just experienced. He straightened up, turning towards the direction of the voice.

He found a small-framed young woman glaring at him with an anger that could power a lamp.

She looked attractive at first sight, but when he looked closer, he realized her beauty was cosmetically aided.

King let his gaze trail her sophisticated-looking clothes and blinding accessories. He concluded that he'd be dealing with another rich brat.

This woman carried a poise and look about her that confirmed King's suspicions. She glared at him like she was staring down at a peasant who had just stained her clothes.

She etched her lips into a permanent scowl, and her hazel eyes dribbled with spleen.

Although her push had been forceful, it wasn't strong enough to carry out her intent of slamming King to the ground, so she tried again.

"How dare you hit my son? Are you insane or you are trying to be?"

She raged in a scream that was louder than her son's initial yowl. Seeing his mother's support, the little boy picked himself up, dusting off his clothes.

He stuck his tongue out at Paris and she looked away from him in return, burying her face in King's neck.

King stepped aside to avoid this whimpering woman's second attempt at assaulting him.

She tripped on her feet upon missing contact but steadied herself in time to lunge for another attack.

This time she didn't try to push King, she attempted to strike his face.

She was too short to reach her aim, and this aggrieved her into a rant of degrading words.

The snobby woman called King all the words that could exist in the foul language dictionary.

She yelled out cusses that would scar the kids present for a thousand years to come.

King cupped Paris's visible ear with his large hands, taking the woman's disparaging remarks with a flourish that only infuriated her to yowl some more.

Kings' calm reticence to her hurtful words dissatisfied her. He didn't show the reaction she expected.

She wanted him furious at all costs so he would be triggered to do something drastic she could hold against him.

She knew this man did nothing to her son. The entire incident unfolded before her eyes and she had seen her son was at fault, but she wanted to blame King.

She did this because she had seen him relating with Onyx and her child. This woman held a deep grudge against those two.

Mostly Onyx, but her daughter had her blood, so she should share in her venom.

"Julia, you've got to calm down. The kids are listening."Onyx panted out, joining the growing ruckus.

She rushed over as soon as the woman started attacking King, but she couldn't speak because she lost her breath from the quick sprint.

Her rising terror also contributed to her loss of breath. Julia wasn't a mum to mess with.

Not only was the woman insolent and mannerless, but she also had a resounding influence in society. She found pleasure in flaunting this privilege.

The woman believed she owned the world and everyone should bow to her, kissing her feet in reverence to her mere existence.

Anyone who messed with her always paid a dire consequence for it. Wherever the woman went, trouble followed like a shadow.

Onyx avoided her at all costs. This wasn't because she was scared of her like the other women. Onyx avoided her because she loved to stay out of trouble.

She knew this woman despised her. She didn't know why, neither did she want to find out.

Every time they came into the same vicinity, Onyx smelt the intense danger brewing from Julia's very soul.

She had done a great job avoiding Julia all these years, and now, it seemed, all her efforts were being discarded into a trash can.

Onyx planned to grab her daughter and urge King to get out of there as fast as possible, but Julia had other ideas.

"Oh, look who it is, the impoverished slut." She spun around on hearing Onyx's voice.

A devious smile spread out on her face. She looked over her shoulders, pretending to see Paris and King for the first time.

"Wait, a minute... is that... "she squinted her eyes at them, then turned to cast a disgusted look at Onyx.

"You found a pretty boy in a costume for your dull kid?"

She let out a brief demonic laugh and then scowled like a scorned witch.

"Just when I thought I had seen it all.

You couldn't even find a proper f**k toy. You hired one in your class to brew your..."

Onyx cut her shut when she saw King hovering behind Julia. He didn't look pleased, and she could tell what was coming.

"Julia, watch your mouth." She directed her words at Julia, but her eyes were fixed on King.

She pleaded with her gaze for him to stand back. King understood her plea and stifled his overpowering fury.

He could stand this foul-mouthed goblin insulting him, but he wouldn't tolerate her insulting Onyx or his little girl.

He kept his protective hands on Paris's ear, directing his scorching gaze at Julia's head of bleached blonde hair.

King knew he couldn't control his wrath for much longer. How long was he going to stand and take this small creature's insult to his girls?

For Onyx, he tried staying still.

"How dare you tell me what to do you, stupid dog!"

Julia raised her hands to strike Onyx. King stepped in, trapping her raised hand in his firm grip.

"Cover your ears, sweetheart." He muttered to Paris.

She did as instructed, looking over King's shoulders, away from the scene, and fluttering her eyes shut.

"What in the world!"

Julia babbled out flustered by King's death grip.

"You'd bruise my arm, you ragged beast."

She hollered, struggling to pull her hand free.

"King, please," Onyx begged, reaching out to pull his hand away from their punishing hold.

King recoiled at the unexpected contact, still not used to Onyx's electrifying touch.

He knitted his brow at her, bewildered for a second until Julia's continued insult dropped a dirty look on his face.

King and Onyx returned their attention to her.

"It wasn't even her fault, Julia. Lin Lin pushed her first. Nobody touched him."

Onyx put effort into keeping herself leveled despite her brewing indignation.

"Don't you dare call my son's name with that unclean mouth of yours!

He is worth a million of your generation put together!" Julia fired back.

She yelped her next words in a tone similar to a wailing dog.

"And who made you judge of the situation, hun?"

She flailed her hands about, motioning around the playground.

"Everyone saw your hungry boy toy push my valuable gem.

That animal you call your child started it first.

Ask around. Go ahead!"

Onyx cast a curious glance around, knowing exactly what she would find.

As expected, everyone pretended not to notice this outright bullying.

The parents looked away, hugging their children to themselves, acting like something interesting was going on in the sky above.

The only hint that they were listening was their stiff forms and their kids, who watched the scene in unabashed interest.

Some mothers tried to twist their children's heads to look elsewhere, muttering words of correction to them.

Onyx knew the exact thought on everyone's mind. It's not our business. They were too cowardly to step up for the truth.

A raging irritation at this sickening act brewed in Onyx's gut as she returned an icy glare at Julia.

First, were the children bullying her daughter now a parent?

A parent who should be a worthy example was forging this insane act. If no one would step up, someone had to put this woman in her place.

Onyx's renewed resolve dropped a venom in her voice she didn't possess previously.

"Listen, Julia, I have had it up to the neck with you..."

Julia didn't allow Onyx to finish her words. She tried to slap Onyx once again, but this time, King had no restraint.

He twirled her around with a swift jerk of her shoulders and gave her a reverberating slap that echoed throughout the pack and beyond.

All necks snapped in their direction, everyone present suddenly incapable of avoiding this group anymore.

Onyx stepped back, blinking in astonishment at the fresh drama.

"That should teach you to respect others regardless of class." King's stern voice rang out.

He raised his hands to give Julia another deafening slap to the same cheek his previous one had landed.

"That is for not having an iota of discipline in you." His pressed voice stunned Onyx.

She had seen him slap Darius and this slap he dished out to Julia was nowhere as hard as the one he gave Darius, but it was still as effective.

A small smile caressed her lips when she realised he was keeping himself civil despite the rage she could see in his eyes.

Another slap rang through the playground. "This is to teach you what you are lacking."

King stated with finality, but that was just the beginning of Julia's woes.

Onyx tapped her shoulder to bring a mortified Julia's attention to her.

She struck the cheek King didn't touch, with as much force as she could muster.

"This is for scaring and bullying my daughter."

She breathed out, startled by the ear-splitting tingle of her slap. It was harder than King's slap.

Thrilled by the freeing feeling, she served Julia another piercing slap.

"This is for insulting her father."

Onyx gasped out satisfied by the horrified look on Julia's face.

Both of her cheeks were now lined with vicious handprints. Different hues of red.

"This is for looking down on me."

The third slap had every parent in the playing ground scurrying out of the area with their kids.

Julia had just received more than a triple threat and they feared hell would lose its boundaries soon.

Car doors could be heard slamming shut from all angles of the park, and soon enough, revving engines followed.

In a matter of seconds, the playground was empty.

Even the birds feared to chirp, the swings became aware not to make a sound. An ungodly silence rang through the playground.

King didn't notice all this. His dazzled gaze remained fixed on a grinning Onyx. Her unexpected behavior amazed him.

He saw Onyx as a cautious person. One who was too refined to soil her hands, too gentle to be controversial, and too polite to be radical.

This was a different Onyx, standing in front of him, and it fascinated him.

**********

6: 50 pm, Thatcher group company, 28th floor .

Dustin Thatcher led his team out of the conference room, bopping his head to a tune he was humming.

They had just finalised an important deal for the company and he was excited to have been the pioneer.

This meant a substantial reward from Sage and he couldn't stop planning his expenses.

Dustin's brown leather shoes and his handmade cream suit were worth more than his staff's salaries put together.

He was one of those superfluous men who prided themselves in their physical appearance.

Dustin aimed to always let his appearance do the talking his words couldn't do.

If the clothes weren't outrageously pricey, Dustin didn't want them. He wasn't named Leytan City's fashion icon for nothing.

Without the excessive dressing, Dustin could still demand the attention of everyone wherever he went. He was a marvel to look at.

He had this tall and sturdy body frame women loved to daydream about, and his chiseled facial features left a memory wherever it appeared.

He took rapid paces, waving at some working staff who staggered on their toes to bow to him.

His conquering oud perfume filled the air around him, announcing his presence before he appeared.

He took his time grooming his wear as he continued to walk to his office, his team members struggling to match up with his pace.

He plucked out his gold-rimmed glasses from his eyes blowing air on its lense.

The nearest staff provided him a handkerchief, before he asked, to clean the glasses with.

"I got this for 13,000 dollars." His haughty voice permeated the hallway.

His team listened with full concentration, knowing he needed someone to rub his already overgrown ego.

"Look, it came paired with this." He placed the glasses next to a gold wristwatch sitting on his wrist.

"How many karats of gold..."

An old man with a good head of graying white hair stepped in front of him, halting his boastful speech, just as he approached his office block.

"Sir..." the man teetered out, bowing at a 90°C angle despite his weak back.

It took him a few minutes to stand up straight. Dustin waited, staring him down with an irritated look.

"You interrupted me, Angus." He drawled out, scrunching his nose up in disgust.

"Yes, sir, it's about..." Angus hesitated, looking at the crew of staff behind Dustin.

He wasn't sure he should relay the message he had in front of this many people.

Dustin followed Angus's gaze and smirked at the man, who was old enough to be his grandfather.

"What is it Angus, you want some financial aid?"

Angus's dainty eyes widened. "Oh no, Sir. It's about Sir Darius. The police have detained him."

The old man rambled out at once, mortified beyond belief.

He knew his boss was a vivacious man, but it still surprised him each time he opened that running mouth of his.

"My brother got arrested?" Dustin wheezed, his jaw dropping ajar.

He looked behind him, waving his fingers at his team to dismiss them. They shuffled out of his sight in a disorderly pile.

"Follow me." Dustin's supercilious tone deflated, his brown eyes growing icy.

He replaced the glasses on his face, dumped the handkerchief on the ground, and led the way into his office.

Angus scrambled after him, shutting the door behind him with a cautious click.

"Spill," Dustin ordered, taking his seat on a well-plopped leather couch.

He took off his glasses again, tossing it on the coffee table in front of him.

"He got arrested this morning, in town at Hegward building on the charges of molestation, assault..."

Dustin shot out one hand to stop the man's explanation. He bowed his head low, rubbing his other hand over his creased temple.

His confident demeanor morphed into the stance of a burdened man.

"Come again, Angus," he sighed, growing dizzy from what he had just heard.

His brother Darius was always in one trouble or the other, causing a permanent ache in the family's heart.

As the older one, Dustin was always the closest one to clean up after his brother's mess.

Each sunrise came with a new headache Darius had created.

"He got arrested this morning, Sir in..."

Dustin raised his hands again to stop the man. He glanced at his watch.

"This morning? Why haven't they released him?

The family pays the officers for that one reason.

At least in another 10 years, we should have no problem with the law.

The Thatchers don't belong in the cell."

He snapped, fuming with an uncontrollable rage.

"Don't tell me they are asking for more money?"

The thought of that had him hunting for his phone in his pants pocket.

"No Sir, it's not that." Angus shook his hands, asking for an audience.

"Tell me what I am not hearing, Angus, goddamn it!" Dustin yelled, startling the man.

He flung his phone on the coffee table. The gadget glided across the glass surface and hit the plush rug with an inaudible sound.

"S...s.. sir Darius is in real big trouble this time, sir.

I went over to collect him as soon as I got the call and they wouldn't release him.

Officer Lyod says the case is beyond his power."

Angus stumbled over his words, puffing as if he had just run a marathon.

"What? That's some solid bullshit.

What does he mean it's beyond his power?

Get me my damn phone."

Dustin wriggled his fingers at his abandoned phone. Angus quickly scrambled for it, picking it up and placing it in Dustin's outstretched palms.

With the impatience of a starved pet presented with tasty food, Dustin dialed Officer Lyod's line.

The officer didn't pick up at first and Dustin tried again, muttering cusses under his breath.

He turned a sharp gaze at a fidgeting Angus, then dismissed him with a non-committal wave of his free hand.

Officer Lyod picked up on the second ring, just as Angus left the room to stand at his usual place behind the door.

"Lyod speaking." The Officer rattled out, drawing out a forced smile from Dustin.

"Hello officer, it's Dustin. Dustin Thatcher, I heard you kidnapped my brother." He let out a stiff laugh.

Officer Lyod didn't respond to his joke. His voice remained official.

"Oh, Dustin Thatcher. Thank the heavens you called, sir. I've been meaning to reach out to you.

I cannot be involved in Darius' case this time. It has gone out of my intervention."

Dustin's vision went red and blaring alarms went off in his head at the statement.

He shot a glare at the closed door as he responded in a frigid tone.

"What the f**k does that mean, officer?

If you want more money, just ask for it. Quit playing mindless games."

Officer Lyod sighed at his end. Dustin heard his exhaustion, which caused him to sit up straight. The officer sounded too serious to be joking.

"Look, Sir. It's not about more funds right now.

Dustin's case has gone beyond the Police unit.

It's not at the city level anymore. The Kingdom's crime and investigation unit have taken it up.

Do you know what that means?"

Dustin got up on his feet, suddenly feeling claustrophobic.

Tiny beads of sweat formed on his forehead and he loosened his tie to enable his blood to flow freely.

"What does that mean?" He paced the room, not knowing what to do with his legs. He dreaded what was coming next.

"This matter has reached the provincial capital, demanding strict enforcement, sir.

There is horrid evidence of past crimes against your brother.

The details are too gory to get into on the phone.

If you wish, you can come over to the station and see for yourself what I am talking about."

Officer Lyod's voice lowered to a whisper as he continued. Dustin strained his heart to listen.

"If you ask, sir, I suspect your brother has stepped on a mighty toe this time, and you need to do more than a bribe to get him out of this pit.

I have never seen something this implicating in all my years in the force."

A trail of sweat broke out from Dustin's temples, rolling down his face. He attacked it with his loose tie, clenching his teeth.

"Thank you, Officer Lyod. The family would get this sorted."

He rolled out in a sober voice, hanging up the phone before the officer could respond.

Dustin thought through what he had just heard. A mixture of panic and anger raved in him.

True, the Thatcher family was wealthy and influential in society.

However, they were just climbing the social ladder and only just building a foundation.

They still hadn't reached the level of some deeply rooted noble families in the city whose blood trickled riches.

If what he had just heard was true, then the family was in tremendous trouble this time.

Who was this powerful person? How did Darius enrope himself in such a mess?

Dustin wasn't bothered about his brother's life, but he was more concerned about the family's reputation.

"Angus! Get in here!" He bellowed, shooting a furious glare at the door.

The door opened, exposing a shivering Angus.

"Go to the police station right now and get a report on Darius's current case.

Use all the resources we have, to investigate the force behind this mess right now!"

He barked, throwing his phone at the man. The phone didn't make it across the room.

It flew out of Dustin's grasp, clomping to the floor in front of his feet.

"On it, sir." The old man scurried out of the office, breathing out a sigh of relief for the elemental save.