Chapter 18: Blood and Betrayal
1289 Words
Logan’s POV
The tension that accumulated in the air could be sliced with a dagger. Everywhere was calm, way too quiet; not even a distant howl was heard from the nearby forest.
After all that transpired the night before, how Lucy was poisoned, leading to her collapse and the heirs in danger, then again Alpha Ryker almost losing his mind, I knew that things would take a different turn onwards.
The Alpha, in anger, roared very loud, even louder than when a moon’s wolf was hunting for fresh blood. And I, Logan, was assigned as his Chief Guard; in my many years of service, I had witnessed many punishments since he resumed his rule, but this particular one, I knew, would leave everyone choked.
The council hall where everyone had assembled smelled of fear and sweat. Trembling before the incredible Alpha, servants, including maids, mostly kitchen hands, and the stable boys were also excluded. They were all on their knees, shaking with fear for what they know nothing about and with their heads bowed. Blood was already gushing out from some of their bodies as they were lashed with strokes of a cane. I stood by the side, arms folded as I must stand there and watch.
“I ask again, who allowed poison into my home?” Ryker thundered, voice vibrating beyond control and could devour anything. “WHO IS THAT?!”
None of them dared open their mouths to respond.
He slammed his hefty fist on the table, scaring everyone present to death. “I almost lost her to the cold hands of death! Even my twins, MY OWN BLOOD, almost didn't have the chance to see the day!”
A maid standing in the middle let out a quiet sob. I recognized her immediately; that was Milly. She had been working for a long time in the kitchen, even before I got recruited to join the guard.
He glanced in her direction, then stalked toward her.
“You were reported to be the one who gave her the meal.”
Milly's dropped face instantly in guilt, crawling for mercy. “Alpha, please, there must be a mix-up somewhere. I swear! I didn’t...”
“Enough of those lies!”
Ryker raised his hand over her head, and surprisingly, I saw how the strike was going before it came. His claws were all over her throat.
“I won't have wasted time in tearing your lying tongue out of its malicious roof if she hadn't survived this...” he turned, eyes roaming and blazing at the same time, “I would’ve in fury burned down the whole pack, turned this place to your burial ground."
Before the interrogation started, Lucy had been brought back to the pack by Nurse Kara. She was stable now, still recovering, her face pale, yet she refused to rest by insisting on witnessing the judgment.
She was given a seat behind the guards, and she sat down with shaky legs. I observed her eyes wide like saucers as she stared at only Alpha Ryker.
I noticed it wasn’t just fear but a look of disgust.
It was the look of total confusion.
Shocked to her bone marrow.
It was obvious she hadn’t expected him to have this level of rage over a matter that concerned her, owing to how their relationship had been back and forth ever since they met. But now, Alpha Ryker's behavior screams for protection.
Or could that be said to be love?
Alpha Ryker turned again to face the servants trembling on their knees.
“You were extremely careless, failing to carry out your duties, totally useless. You live and dine in luxury under my roof. You breathe because out of my generosity, I let you do it. And yet, a small task of watching over what she eats, helping her stay healthy, you failed to stop her food from being poisoned?”
The silence followed was more painful than the words oozing out of his mouth.
He signaled the guards standing by for their punishment to be served. “Whip them very well. Ensure they are fed with nothing but the remains of stale bread and water for a full moon. Let them be exposed to what it means for death to brush hurriedly past their Alpha’s door unannounced.”
I flinched in pity for them. It wasn't new to me as I had seen the punishments before it even landed on them.
Alpha Ryker left immediately after issuing the command without another word.
Lucy tried to pacify him by running after him, but I gently stopped her from going. “All he needs now is space to think,” I whispered to her hearing.
She didn’t say anything, only focused on the bloodied courtyard, sorrowfully observing those being punished as their scream filled the house.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
That evening, while the moon was just rising to bless the pack with its glow, I decided to take a stroll in the direction of the western wing. I needed a break from the Alpha's quarters, a space to figure out how to expose the dark secrets yet uncovered.
But what I didn't know was that someone was waiting for my presence.
It was Selene, of course. But how did she know?
She suddenly appeared on my track, blocking my evening stroll.
“Well, well, here comes the ever-loyal Logan, the chief guard of all time.”
“Selene,” I called out her name, gritting my teeth. “You shouldn’t look for trouble till this place.”
She didn't say anything; instead, she swiftly walked past me, ensuring her fingers brushed fingers my arm just as a scorpion’s tail would have done.
“Information got to me that you’ve been silent. That’s good of you to have behaved yourself. I have no doubt after seeing you because it has always crossed my mind that you must have a wise head attached to your shoulders.”
“I haven’t uttered a word of what happened to anyone,” I replied tightly, already forming a fist. I would advise you not to mistake my silence for loyalty; that's not happening.”
She turned to face me fully on hearing that, stepping very close to me, way too close.
“Oh, I don’t, but I know how such a thing operates. I'm very much aware of how much you cherished your chief guard position. Your place of abode, even the power that comes with it."
She pushed a small box forward to me.
“Well, for your troubles, consider this my token of appreciation. For loving your position dearly and keeping your eyes closed.”
>>>>>>>>>>>>
The next morning, preceding my encounter with Selene, Alpha Ryker summoned me.
“She’s still weak but luckily out of trouble now,” he said, not looking at me but pacing his study. “Lucy, I would want more guards around her this time around. On no account would anyone be permitted to enter her quarters if I don't say so? No food without properly inspected."
“Yes.... Alpha.”
He stopped to look at me. “You’ve been strangely quiet this few days.”
I hesitated, not knowing the answer to give him. “It’s not in my power to interrupt you, Alpha, unless instructed to speak."
He studied me as if he could read through me. Then he continued softly, “Someone very close is leaking information from this quarter. Unfortunately, someone… we trust wholeheartedly. Find the person, I can't lose Lucy now.”
I kept my facial expressions as blank as possible. I had practiced over the years, so it wasn't tough.
“I’ll do my best to find them,” I replied
- Writer
