Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Kai’s POV

The Court felt like vultures surrounding me for one purpose: to devour me.

"A week since you left the Pack without concrete reason. The Court blames your decisions and asks for a formal explanation to make this understandable, sire."

The Court fell into silence, following the sound of my exhale as I folded my hands. Before me stood Count Cyrus, his eyes trailing from my father to me, then back to my father.

"You’re being asked a question, Kai," Father snarled. His wolf made itself known, but he wasn’t the only one standing at the edge.

"Forgive me, but it seems I missed the memo. That didn’t sound like a question." I grinned, eyes darkening as I surveyed the Court again.

Count Cyrus proceeded to ask his questions once more.

"Why did you leave the Pack in the time it needed you most, considering the imminent war we’ve all been dragged into?" the man pressed, then continued. "And why are we entering into an unprovoked war when MoonBlade never did anything worthy of you fighting them in the first place?"

Of course, I didn’t tell any of them the reason I fought MoonBlade and why we were being threatened with war, and not even now would I begin.

"I could always take a break. The Court didn’t need to know about my personal affairs," I said.

"And the latter?" the man pressured. My fingers dug into my palm, almost drawing blood from the fury building inside me.

"A member of the Pack was kidnapped by a rogue. Once banished from SilverFang for committing atrocities, now reclaimed by MoonBlade. Doesn’t that already make them the irresponsible ones here? Why would a Pack accept a rogue if they themselves weren’t examples of the same thing?" I addressed the Court, scanning the entire room as I made sure to meet the gaze of each person.

From his chair, through the familial bond, I felt Father stir.

"Can I speak?" Leo uttered. He’d been so silent I almost believed he’d come merely as an observer.

"Proceed," Father granted permission.

The urge to groan aloud was overwhelming.

"I suppose Alpha Kai neglects the main reason he’s dragged us all into war. He not only committed infidelity but left to save someone who was once in a relationship with this rogue. That member couldn’t have been trusted either."

"Bullshit," I cut in.

"Formality must be maintained," Father called to order.

Fuck it all...

I’ve tried to be formal countless times, even when I wanted to curse everyone in this room for belittling me. The mission of the Jury wasn’t to call me to order or understand me. Not even Father.

He wasn’t here merely to listen to both sides.

It was because everyone here believed I didn’t deserve the role of Alpha King, and anything they could pull to prove it, they’d gladly use. The same went for Father. He wanted to see me humiliated.

My wolf stirred to the surface, nearly tearing through my skin to make his presence known. But I restrained him.

As I’d always had to. Ever since then...

"My nephew speaks the truth, sire." Count Barry rose, stepping out from his seat toward the middle where he met Father’s gaze directly. "I’ll make it as clear as possible. How do we trust a man who’s leading us into a war we don’t understand? Not only was this war wrong, but it was also childish. With the power you have," he continued, turning to face me, "it’s understandable to cheat, but to endanger us because of it is unreasonable. Forgive me, but I’ll not indulge nor place my weaponry at risk for this."

"And what exactly do you mean?" I questioned.

"You’re in no position to ask questions, Kai," Father warned.

Truly, it became clear to me then. This was indeed a gang up.

With that, I let my pheromones slam into Count Barry’s gut. I forced him into submission instantly, and immediately, he fought back.

As an Alpha, and an old one at that, I expected him to be smart and calculating. He attempted to overpower my aura, pushing against my compulsion.

In the background, the Court fell into disarray, yet I didn’t care one bit. I pulsed my aura further, finally clipping the man’s wings and forcing him to his knees.

Once he was in my grip, head bent in a compulsory bow, I stepped forward. The Court fell silent as though every person was waiting to see what I would do next. I raised Count Barry’s head and forced him to look into my eyes.

"You’re making a grave mistake, sire," he claimed, but I clicked my tongue and shook my head.

"No. I’m humiliating you for attempting one on me," I said and walked past him, my wolf still overpowering and shadowing his.

Then I walked toward Father, climbing the steps and eventually stopping directly in front of him.

"What the hell are you doing, Kai?"

"Making myself clear," I stated, raising my voice enough for the entire Court to hear. "It’s enough playing into your plot to make me feel lesser than you already have. Father, I am your remaining son and the rightful heir to the throne. You don’t have any other option, which is why you’re bitter and dissatisfied. So, either you accept me as I am or you disown me right here and let another family take over the throne."

If he did the former, then perhaps I could finally forgive myself for the crimes I’d committed. Truly, I understood his pain even though I could never imagine the weight of it. Yet I understood why he hated me. However, it was time I finally stood up for myself, and for the knowledge that it was what my brothers would have wanted.

If Father chose the latter, it would still play in my favor where I could peacefully be with Alex. However, something told me Father would never do that. He wouldn’t let the reign of kingship end in his generation.

"You’ll go this far for the Omega?"

Like I insinuated, he already knew everything. This meeting had merely been staged to embarrass me.

"Yes, I will." My voice strained, Count Barry still fighting against my wolf.

"Bring this Omega to the Court and let us assess his fitness for the throne, whether he could truly be your Luna."

"Father, I’ve already made my choice," I spoke through my teeth, making him understand that I didn’t need the Court’s approval.

"The Court must do what’s necessary."

"They serve me," I countered. "I will be the Alpha King and they’ll heed my instructions."

Father rose from the throne, closing the space between us. I maintained my gaze, showing neither fear nor hesitation.

"Sadly, it isn’t your rule yet. I make the rules," he declared, pulsing out his own aura.

I stepped back and bowed slightly. "Fine." Through gritted teeth, I agreed.

I turned, aiming for the exit, but Leo dashed in front of me and grabbed my arm.

"Don’t think you’ve won this case. I swear, I’ll make you regret this."

Leo never offended me. Even now, I couldn’t bring myself to hate him or anything of the sort. But if this was what I had to do to attain my own respect, then so be it. He’d played his side of the game too, and in the end, one pawn had to be sacrificed for the other to win.

Having left the Court, I headed toward the hallway. Clawface appeared, and I approached him.

But before I spoke, he chimed in. "Sire..." His eyes shifted behind me as though he desperately wanted to ask how the meeting had gone.

"What is it, Clawface?"

"It’s the Butler at your cottage. He says there’s something important he must discuss with you." Clawface passed the ringing phone to me.

I collected it and pressed it to my ear.

"Yes, Hector?"

"Master Kai. It’s about Master Alex. He left with an unknown vehicle." My brows furrowed at that as he hurried to explain further. "He didn’t tell me where he was going. He just packed his bag and left."

Alex didn’t know anyone else or have anywhere to go, so where could he have gone?

"When was this?"

"Less than an hour ago."

"Did you track his device?"

"I couldn’t. It’s like there’s a barrier blocking it," Hector clarified.

I ended the call and passed the phone back to Clawface. But just then, Marcellan entered my view, causing my frown to deepen.

We may have been friends for years, since our teenage days, but he barely came near the throne. Just like Alex, he detested the burden carried by the air in this place.

"I suppose you’re aware Alex has left the penthouse?" he questioned once he stopped before me.

"And you knew this how?"

Marcellan chuckled, hitting my shoulder playfully even though he could sense the rage of my wolf.

"I did tell you, Kai. He’d find me interesting."

"So...?" I cut in.

"Alex reached out to me. He doesn’t want you looking for him. He plans to end this war and said he has a plan, but you must trust him enough not to interfere," Marcellan reported, then added a remark of his own. "You know, I truly think Alex understands you better than any of us ever did."

"I’m not letting him put himself in danger," I growled. "If he’s asked me not to interfere, then it means one thing. He’s in MoonBlade."

"I think it’s better if you trust him to handle this." I snarled at Marcellan, and he recoiled, yet he didn’t stop trying to convince me. "And... and I believe this is a chance for Alex to prove himself before the Court. I’m sure they want to see him, but imagine the thrill on their faces when they learn he stopped a war that was supposed to be inevitable."

Marcellan made sense, but how could I simply leave Alex to deal with this alone? And how could he have betrayed me like that?

He literally played me, yet idiot me still felt triumphant that Alex had been smart enough to outmaneuver me without me even realizing it.

"Fine." Against my better judgment and every ounce of trepidation, I agreed.