Dark and Untamed

Chapter 8: Uncertainty

[South of Shkrade, Silvervale territory.]

In a dark hall, 19 figures sat around a wooden table adorned with gold. A lavishly decorated chalice that contained blue fire barely illuminated it. The flickering flames made the shadows dance.

At the head of the table sat a man. He had dark brown hair and hypnotic green eyes. He had a small smile on his face.

This man was Darius Hale, formerly Estelle's lover.

He was a handsome man with sharp jawline and stylish hair. He gave one an impression that he was a saint who wouldn't hurt a fly.

“ What is the meaning of this, Darius. Why the f*ck are you on that sit? Although you were declared heir a day ago, that doesn't give you the right to sit there!“ A werewolf whose body was riddled with scars spoke. His name was Tamon.

Although some of the others present didn't voice it out, they agreed with him. That sit was reserved for the ruling Alpha.

Darius didn't look offended, in fact his smile widened even further as he played with a necklace in his hand.

“ Ohh Tamon, don't so grumpy.“ His voice sounded like flowing water, smooth and fluent.

“ You don't put water and fish into a pot if you don't have the fire to boil and cook it. I am the heir, a strong and competent male. If the Alpha were here then I wouldn't be on this sit, but since he isn't around, it's only right for me to take his place and organize things. Don't you think?“

No one spoke, they didn't have to, as much as they disliked Darius, he still made sense.

“ Now... as for the reasons you all got summoned here.“ Darius interlocked his fingers. His eyes swept over each and every single member present before briefly pausing on an empty chair by his right. It belonged to a certain person.

“ One, I will be changing some the pack rules.“

This statement caused an uproar.

“ What!? are you out of your damn mind?“

“ You're no alpha, you were just declared heir!“

“ Are you f*cking serious!!“

“ This has to be a joke right?“

“ What gave you the right to do that! it's illogical.“

Several werewolves raised their voices, some even slammed their fists against the table in anger. But all of this stopped when Darius said these words

“ The Alpha gave me the authority to do so.“

“...“

The hall suddenly quietened down in stunned silence. The werewolves exchanged wary glances, they couldn't just believe their ears. Estelle, who had been more reasonable and competent than Darius in every single way didn't receive such power and authority.

Yet this man did.

As if to show them the validity of his words, Darius raised his right hand, it held a large fang that was about the size of an adult's forearm. The fang radiated an aura of sacredness.

Those who were about to complain yet again shut their mouths. The Sacred Fang of Authority. That was what Darius held.

Darius raised his eyebrows smugly. “ Believe me now?“

“ Haaaa...“ A sigh revibrated throughout the whole hall. It sounded ancient and deep.

This caused everyone present to turn their heads towards a figure sitting at the other end of the table. Some even lowered their heads, not out of fear, but respect. This figure was Joren Winterbourne. The oldest and the most powerful person present. He had been serving Silvervale before the likes of Estelle were even born.

Even Darius had to be careful when he was around. Joren didn't speak immediately, he just tapped his fingers on the table in a rhythmic manner. This caused the tension in the air to thicken. The tapping continued for quite some time before it stopped. Joren's grey eyes shone and his gaze alternated between Darius' face and the fang in his hands.

“ So...“ A deep and grating elderly voice rang out. “ That thing, Randur gave you that?“ Joren pointed at the fang. Joren didn't address Randur as Alpha, which showed how strong his position was in the council.

“ Yes.“ Darius replied with a respectful tone.

Joren didn't respond but he just continued to observe Darius, whose back was now soaked in sweat due to nervousness.

Soon enough Joren averted his gaze and stared at an empty chair near Darius' right. His eyes softened a bit hardening again.

“ Am curious, boy. How did you convince Randur to give you that?“

“ He just gave it to me.“ Darius replied like a person who was running out of breath. Joren's aura was greatly affecting him.

“ He just gave it to you?“ Joren asked again.

“ Yes...“

After Darius' reply, the hall was enveloped in silence before a loud grating laugh shook the hall.

Literally.

Joren's laughter was so impactful the chest of those present shook, their lungs almost collapsed. The blue flame in the chalice flickered violently, it was reminiscent of a canoe in the middle of a storm, trying to stay afloat for dear life.

Just when everyone felt like they were about to pass out, Joren stopped.

“ Heh, boy... I advise you to be careful from now on.“ Joren said with a smile on his face. Looking at the pale faces of everyone present, Joren shook his head. If Estelle was here, she wouldn't have been affected like the others. In fact she would have probably laughed with him. Thinking of his beloved niece, Joren's mood soured and his expression turned wistful.

He brought his fist to his mouth and coughed.

He waved his hand nonchalantly. “ Carry on... don't mind this old man.“ After saying that, Joren's figure seemed to blend with the dark shadows, hiding his presence entirely. No one would be able to tell if he was there if not for his grey eyes that shone in the dark.

Darius sighed in relief, he felt as if his life was no longer hanging by a thread. If Randur was Silvervale's sword then Joren was it's spear.

Due to Joren's interference, he feared what would happen if he revealed the new pack rules here, so...

“ The new rules will be sent to you all via the Hermes Crows.“ This particular animal was what people in the continent of Shkrade used, for it was an animal with great intelligence and speed.

No one spoke.

Darius' fists clenched underneath the table. But outwardly he kept a smooth smile on his face face.

“ Then, as for the second reason you were all summoned.“ Darius inhaled and closed his eyes.

Then when he exhaled his eyes opened and they glinted with a certain emotion.

“ I need some of you to go down to the deadfalls and look for Estelle's body. Before you start bombarding me with questions, let me say this. I will NOT entertain them as I am short on time. Normal werewolves can't go down because of the temperature, so only the higher-ups like us can go. And don't fret, you all have the permission to use the hollow mountain to descend.“

As soon as Darius said these words everyone snapped their heads towards him.

Before they could say anything, Darius cleared his throat loudly and continued.

“ Despite being a ' traitor ' she has done a lot for the pack, so it's only rightful we give her a proper burial... of whatever remains.“ Darius made sure to emphasize on the word traitor.

Many of them stilled. Their joy died down. They had almost forgotten that Estelle was labeled a traitor 5 days ago and thrown into the deadfalls. Nevertheless, they came to accept it. Despite her wild, feral and unpredictable personality, Estelle treated everyone kindly and justly... In her own way. Furthermore, she was one of the strongest and smartest werewolves, even though she doesn't outwardly. Most of them refused to believe that Estelle was a traitor, but what could they do? Their own alpha said it himself.

They all nodded at Darius' words, but a few voiced their concerns.

“ Why not go down with us to retrieve her remains, isn't she your betrothed?“ Natasha, a werewolf with wavy red hair, spoke.

The hall went silent again.

“ I have important pack matters to tend to. So I can't do that.“ Darius said with a guilty face. Of course, that was just a facade. Internally he was scowling.

' Why would I go to that cold and hurrid place for some useless corpse?' Darius almost spat. The reason why he did this was because he wanted to please Joren, if not he wouldn't have mobilized his forces like this. Darius' also felt a sense of trepidation anything time he thought of Estelle. He knew how tenacious she was, surviving the most gruesome wounds most which he had planned.

He also felt a gnawing sense of uncertainty. He needed to see her body, or whatever was left of it for him to be at peace.

When the other pack members heard Darius' excuse, they only shook their heads.

“Matters of the pack are more important than retrieving your betrothed's remains? You talk as if you are alpha!“ Tamon the scarred werewolf spoke in obvious disdain.

Darius glared at him but remained silent. Gripping the fang of authority tightly, he muttered one word.

“ Dismissed.“

Without a word, they all vanished leaving a gust of wind. Well it's not like they technically vanished, but it was because they were too fast to be seen by the naked eye.

Alone in the hall, Darius gritted his teeth. Gone was the saintly and meekly facade. Covering his face with the back of his hand, said in a voice that was shaking with rage and hate.

“ Even when you are dead, you still cause a lot of trouble for me... my dear Estelle.“ Darius felt a variety of emotions when he thought of that woman. Hate, awe, twisted love, jealousy, fear, lust, and many more emotions, mostly negative though. Remembering how much better she was... Darius felt... Inferior. That woman surpassed him in every single thing, and that shattered his ego. The only way he managed to get rid of her was her blind trust in him.

The sound of gnashing of teeth rang out again.

Remembering her tear stricken face and the look of disbelief and betrayal she had when he and Randur dragged her to the deadfalls Darius felt guilt and satisfaction. Well, the satisfaction was greater than the guilt on the ratio of 10:1. In the end, despite being poisoned and caught off guard, it still took 2 alphas to get rid of her. Without a fight, that is. If there was a fight, either he or Randur would have died.

Darius roughly ran hand through his hair and shook his head to shake out any thoughts related to Estelle. It reminded him of his inferiority complex.

He exhaled and closed his eyes. Then he suddenly remembered a problem. A really big one at that. He felt a headache when he thought of how he was going to deal it. Well, he decided to leave that one for Randur.

The problem was that...

Hestia was returning from Silon tomorrow.