Under the Moonlight

Allerick's priority

Allerick sat on his throne with such glory and poise that the people who were looking at him from below were in awe. His entire demeanor seemed different than they were used to and their eyes sparkled in admiration on seeing him adorn the august throne with such magnificence.

Although their Alpha had been a man of confidence and strength, something in him seemed to have changed today. Today, he was more humane and even though he had been silent since the court session had commenced, he appeared gentle and approachable. He had shed his overbearing aura and he was even smiling faintly, which was a first for him.

Since the time he had ascended the throne and had become the Alpha and King of Avolire, he had never smiled at anyone, not even at his adopted brother, Elliott. To see him smile, albeit faintly, many of the ministers were rendered speechless yet amazed.

Something in their Alpha had changed. But none of the people other than Elliott could discern the reason for the change.

Allerick's eyes twinkled when he saw the confusion and admiration in his ministers. Even he himself had been shocked to find himself smiling when the court had started and the people had entered the throne room one by one. But soon, he got adjusted to it and reveled in the respect the people had for him.

Elliott was right. He thought. The people did love him, albeit not all, and it was he who had not noticed it. Again, the familiar feeling of self-loathing emerged in his heart. But when he recalled all that Elliott had told him an hour ago, the feeling vanished and he felt his heart settling at peace.

Allerick was still surprised by Elliott's behavior. The man had never acted this way before, with him or with his parents. He had always been respectful in his speech and manners. Even when Elliott was advising him on matters related to the kingdom and the safety of the people, he had remained polite and compliant. To see his demeanor change this way stunned him but in a pleasant way.

Allerick had never known that Elliott, his brother, had such a high regard for him. Even though he was just his adopted brother, Elliott still treated him as his own blood and this thought touched him greatly. His younger brother he had doted upon in childhood was still there with him, supporting him silently and this truth gave him enormous confidence.

Even if he had failed to do his duty as an elder brother, as a younger brother, Elliott had always been with him and just the thought alone made his heart soar with joy. Right at that moment, Allerick made up his mind to return the brother Elliott had missed all those years. He had to expiate it by returning to how he had been before he took over the throne.

Although it was a difficult feat for him, he still decided to try for Elliott, for his brother and his kingdom. But before that, he had other matters to address. The assassins who killed his warriors were still at large and he had to capture them before he lost any more people.

Allerick raised his hand and the courtroom that was filled with whispers of the shocked ministers turned silent at once. His smile had slipped and he had become the Alpha the world knew him to be, cold and ruthless. He ran a gaze around the courtroom, making sure to look at everyone and all the people who had been admiring him a few moments ago lowered their gazes at once in fear.

Being extremely sensitive to feelings, Allerick sensed their fright. But it did not faze him as he thought it would. The people feared him for who he was and the power he held. Moreover, it was this fear that had stopped many from rebelling against him and the throne.

His father had taught him how to be a good Alpha and the first thing he had told him was to never trust anyone, not even his close ones. The people only looked for their happiness first, unlike an Alpha and King who had to put his kingdom and its well-being first instead of his. The people might admire him now. But it would not be long before they would revolt against him and disregard him if he could not satisfy all that was expected of him.

Since then, Allerick had stopped trusting everyone. Although he saw the respect the people had for him, he knew who genuinely esteemed him and who was only acting before him. For people of these kinds, there is only one solution. To keep them in their places, he had to be as menacing as possible and, in this regard, he did not even mind becoming a ruthless Alpha. His kingdom's welfare was his priority, not how the people thought about him.

'Thank you Elliott for teaching me a valuable lesson today.' He smiled at the man who was standing right beside the steps that led to the throne before his face hardened again.

"We all know why I have called you all here." He started, his domineering voice reverberating in the throne room and everyone stiffened in their seats immediately as they lowered their heads.

"I would now wish to know if anyone here has any plans to capture the assassins who are targeting our werewolf warriors one by one." Allerick wandered his gaze around the room again and this time, no one dared to meet him in the eye. They just sat still as they tried to come up with a feasible plan that could lure the assassins out of their hiding. But, in futile.

When Allerick did not get any response from anyone from his Council of Ministers, he felt irritated all of a sudden. The people on his Council were each well educated and intelligent. Yet, they failed to come up with a suitable plan to capture the assassins who were threatening his people. Then, what was the use of even having them on his Council?

"I must say I am impressed by my ministers." Allerick stood up suddenly and the men sat straight at once, terrified all of a sudden. With each step their Alpha took down the stairs, the men felt helplessness engulfing them. The Alpha was annoyed, they could feel it and he was right in his place. But the fear of being blamed got the best of them and all the ministers could do was pray for their lives.

Right at this moment, one of the younger men in the council who was looking at the people beside him instead of having his head lowered stood up suddenly and Allerick's brows quirked up in wonder.

"Please forgive me for my impudence, Alpha." He bowed at the man and Allerick stopped walking suddenly.

"You may speak, Minister Gavril." He allowed and the young man lifted his eyes immediately.

"Before we come up with a plan to capture the assassins, we need to first find out who is helping the assassins in secret, Alpha. Only then will we be able to find the killers."