Chapter 7: Bond By A Command
1150 Words
“Can I see her body?” Kendrick asked as he walked into the pack hospital where Helen's mother's corpse was being cleaned up.
Jasmine's words had struck a nerve, and somehow he couldn't get it out of his head.
Truly, why had he been waiting on the Alpha when the Beta could do something about the death?
Not only does he have the authority to investigate the killing, but he also has the power to read the minds of the dead.
The more he thought about it, the more annoyed he became, and finally when he could no longer hold it in. He marched towards the hospital.
As they heard his words, Nancy and the rest of her team raised a brow in surprise.
“Beta Kendrick, we already checked, but nothing on her corpse gave us a clue as to who killed her.”
“I can read her mind,” he offers, but before he could finish his words, a loud voice cut him off.
“No, you cannot,” Collon interjected. “Are you planning on going against Father's command for you not to use your powers?”
“What choice do we have?” Kendrick snapped. “Why else would I be given this power if not to use it to help the people?!”
“We are already investigating!”
“For how much longer?! It's been six months! Six whole months, and the investigation brings nothing! Do we need to keep beating around the bush when we can easily get answers?” Kendrick seethes.
Collon stepped forward, his jaw clenched as he glared at his brother.
“You don’t get to question the Alpha’s decisions.”
“Then who does, Collon? The killer?” Kendrick scoffed. “Because they seem to be the only ones getting what they want!”
The room fell into silence.
Nancy shifted uncomfortably, her hands wringing the hem of her white coat.
“Maybe… just maybe… we should let him try. Even if there’s the slightest chance it might help. Everyone is on edge these days, and any help would go a long way.”
“Are you asking him to go against the Alpha's command?” Collon asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
“I’m choosing the pack,” Nancy said, lifting her chin. “We’re burying too many of our people, and Kendrick has a gift that might bring answers. It’s not about which sides have more say anymore.”
Hearing her words, Collon's eyes darkened, and he let out a threatening growl. Before he could proceed, Alpha Elton walked in, dressed in his usual black attire, like someone mourning.
If Kendrick didn't know better, he would think his father really felt something for the people who had died.
“What is going on here?” He asked, causing the room to fall into silence.
“Kendrick is trying to read the mind of the dead.” Collon replied while glaring at Kendrick.
Kendrick, on the other hand, pursed his lips while looking at his feet. He could tell that the only opportunity he had was lost.
“Is that true?” Alpha Elton demanded, and Kendrick remained silent. “You would go against my orders?”
As Kendrick remained silent, Alpha Elton let out a deep sigh while massaging his nose bridge.
“I asked you not to use your powers because of the side effects. Not only does using it leave you weak for days, but it also shaves away at your lifespan.”
“If the pack goes under attack from an enemy, we can't afford to have you, one of our strongest, not in the battle,” he explained while Kendrick fought the urge to scoff.
“We haven't been attacked in months...well, except for the killing. No pack has dared to enter our territory. Can't I just do this one time?” He replied. “Just this time, any clue would be enough.”
“No, you can't,” Alpha Elton replied with a tone of finality. “And speaking of which, we have a meeting tonight.” With that said, he walked into the room where the corpse was placed.
Kendrick walked in behind him and said nothing as he watched his father pay his last respect to the dead before walking out.
“Colon, arrange the burial for the two. We'll send them to the goddess tonight,” he instructed.
“Yes, Alpha,” Collon saluted and got to work after giving Kendrick one pointed look.
“Maybe we should leave the whole situation to the investigators,” Nancy muttered and patted Kendrick on the shoulder. “Everyone can see how much you are trying. Let's just hope we get answers soon.”
Without saying a thing, Kendrick walked out of the pack hospital and directly to the training grounds.
He needed to blow off some steam before he completely lost his mind.
Meanwhile, at Elder Ambrose's quarters. The elder council gathered, each one looking dejected and gloomy after hearing the news of another death just after the last one.
“We can't allow this to go on,” Elder Lydia, an old woman with grey hair and a matching eye colour, proposed. “It's been months, and the pack members keep dropping down like flies, and even after so many months, we haven't found the killer!”
“How long do we have to go on?!” Several elders nodded to her words while the others remained still, even though they share the same opinion as her.
“What else do you propose we do?” Elder Matthews joined in. “As you all know, the investigation is still ongoing…”
“Oh please, spare me the lies!” Elder Lydia cut him off.
“Investigation?” She scoffed.
“Tell me, who exactly is carrying out the investigation? The alpha who stays locked up in his chambers all the time or Collon?”
The room fell silent at her words, encouraging her to keep going.
“The only person who is trying is Beta Kendrick, and even he is shackled by the Alpha's orders! How long do we continue like this? Until we are the next target?” She asked.
“Goddess forbid.”
“Oh please, I'm sure the goddess has forgotten this pack.”
“You can't say such ominous words, Elder Lydia,” Elder Ambrose reprimanded, his voice calm, yet it was filled with a subtle edge. “The goddess never forgets her children; that's blasphemy.”
“I understand we are all grieving for the loss of our people, but please let us be mindful of what we say,” he continued. “Now the reason I have brought us all here is to make a proposal.”
“A proposal?”
“I think it's time to appoint a new Alpha.”
- Writer
