THE ALPHA'S DESTINED MATE

Nine – THE MAID OF COURAGE

Nine – THE MAID OF COURAGE

Alpha King Steven's face was clouded with a dark expression. His brows darkened with an unwelcoming gaze lacing his eyes.

The effects of dark sorcery had always taken a toll on him. The memories attached to that very day he lost his dearest to the darkness of magic, all in the name of trying to save her.

That heart- and soul-crushing memory had left him devastated, living in a space of pain, as he passed a decree with an aching chest that all those who practiced dark magic would be charged with treason. None would be spared.

He turned his head to Brandon, his gaze falling on him with uncertainty.

“I don't know what he's talking about, my Grace,” Brandon immediately said, putting his hands up in the air in defense. His face was totally blank as he listened to Archie's accusations.

“Are you lying to your king?” Alpha King Steven asked, his voice low and frightening, his hands holding Archie's face firmly by the cheeks.

“No, my King, I'm not!” Wizard Archie affirmed, trembling as his hands pointed intently at Brandon, refusing to pull them away.

“I'm sure it's him,” Wizard Archie blurted in a strong-willed voice, his face masked with unwavering seriousness, making it easy for everyone to believe his words.

“He couldn't possibly be lying to the king?” Alpha Levi whispered to Alpha Wayne.

“He knows the gravity of the consequences,” Alpha Wayne replied.

“Your Grace, I think Wizard Archie is not in his right senses. It would be better if I escort him back to his ville to get some rest first,” Brandon suggested, taking a closer step. His eyes now bore intensely into Wizard Archie's face as he sensed the fragment of darkness hovering around his eyes.

‘Oh s**t! What happened to him?’ Iry, Brandon's spirit wolf, asked.

‘If you ask me, then who will I ask?’ Brandon replied inwardly, still trying to figure out what sort of dark sorcery had been used on Wizard Archie.

The creak of the council room door grabbed their attention. The rhythmic clicking of heels against the tiled floor followed as everyone's gaze fell on Madison, who strode into the room, her body perfectly graced in a lilac-colored blouse and blue denim palazzo pants.

“Wizard Archie had confided in me, Your Grace, yesterday that he had a vision that Brandon was casting dark spells on you, my Grace,” Madison said in a calm and husky voice, stopping in the middle of the room with her hands crossed over her chest.

“He confided in you?” Brandon asked, shocked and totally taken aback by her words.

He knew that Madison had always played in Wizard Archie's garden as a kid, but he never imagined that they could be close enough for him to tell her about his visions, which should only be shared with the Alpha King and confidential personnel in the pack.

“Yes, he did,” Madison responded coldly, tilting her head towards Wizard Archie. “Didn't you?” She arched a curious brow at him as he nodded his head.

“So, Beta Brandon,” Madison called out coldly in a sneering tone, walking closer to him, “standing in front of your Alpha King and the few council members of his Fangors present,” she blurted, pointing at Alpha Levi and Alpha Wayne.

“Swear by the throne that you don't know what Wizard Archie is saying,” Madison asked, raising a cunning brow at him.

‘Did you do this, Madison?’ Brandon questioned inwardly, closely watching Madison's face like it was some sculpture of art whose meaning he was trying to figure out.

‘This lady is a sly!’ Iry yelled, growling as if ready to break loose, devour Madison, and put an end to the annoying madness being displayed in the council room.

‘Iry, you have to calm down!’ Brandon warned softly. “One wrong move and we are both as good as dead!” He added.

‘He couldn't possibly have done what Wizard Archie is saying?’ Alpha Steven wondered inwardly as he looked at Brandon, totally lost in his thoughts.

“Aren't you going to bail yourself from that accusation, or should the guard be summoned to take you away to await your punishment for your treasonous act?” Madison urged, her voice igniting fire in the overwhelming situation.

Brandon played deaf to her utterances, swiftly turning his gaze to Alpha King Steven. “You have to believe me, Alpha. I will do no such thing against you!” he defended.

“I don't even know how to use or cast dark spells, not to mention using them on you, my Grace,” Brandon added, his voice hinting at honesty and worry.

A sly smile crept onto Madison's lips, her heart marveling with joy that knew no bounds. Her plans were unfolding just the way she had imagined them.

‘Today, you will meet your end, courageous Brandon,’ Madison thrilled inwardly, wiping the cunning, sly smile from her lips before it could be noticed.

“So, you are saying that Wizard Archie is lying against you?” Alpha King Steven asked sternly, his eyes not leaving Brandon's face.

His heart ached between his duties as the king, honoring the law he had declared, and going against it to save his only loyal Beta and best friend.

His eyes heaved with sadness, but he refused to make his fears known. The last thing he wanted was a reason for his council to see him as a pushover.

“I have been loyal, stayed by your side all these years, my Grace. Have I ever given you a moment to doubt my loyalty, Your Grace?” Brandon asked, his face contorted with seriousness as he immediately fell to his knees.

“I will never harm you!” he affirmed in a strong voice.

“He is correct, Your Grace,” Freya spoke out immediately, coming forth to the middle of the council room, as Madison's eyes flushed with bewilderment.

“Freya!” Madison called out in a low voice, trying to stop her.

“I can attest to his innocence, my Alpha King. He has never used dark magic,” Freya announced in a serious tone. Her words sent shock rippling across the faces of everyone in the council room.

“I know who has used it and is using it to control the mind of Wizard Archie now,” Freya said, her face not flinching with fear as she spoke courageously.

“Who is that?” Alpha King Steven asked curiously.

“It is Madison, Your Grace,” she replied, unfazed, turning her gaze to the surprise that clung to Madison's face.