บท 23: Claim Your Father's Wolf!
MOON
No matter how long Daemon NorthSteed stood outside of his father's chambers, waiting for his approval of an audience with him for what would be their final meeting, the Alpha King refused him audience.
In fact, in a rage that carried on to outside, Daemon heard the unmistakable growl of his father screaming and professing his hatred for Daemon in a voice that had become increasingly weak. Then an hour later of Daemon standing outside, an Epsilon brought the King's official command.
Daemon bent a knee to receive the command that spewed horrible words. But not even that was able to shake his statue-like stoic appearance. For even though it appeared that he wanted to see his father, his face lacked all the emotions of disappointment or hate one would expect.
He was like a blank canvas. And when the Alpha King's command was read to him, a suspicious smile tugged on his lips. So suspicious that any stranger would think he was happy to be banished.
"I, Alpha King NorthSteed have committed a sin. Twenty-two years ago, when Daemon NorthSteed was born, I should have had him killed for the crime of discreating the body of the former Luna Queen and my mate. But due to my fatherly love for him, I let my treacherous son roam about.
"And now, even if I want to kill him for attempting to take my life and my throne when it is not his right. The Alpha's of the Six High-Ranked packs step in to protect his treason. All I can do is banish him to fight the war at the border of glaciers. He should quell the uprising of the Arising Rogues and atone for his sins. This is my command, and any objection shall face the wrath of my wolf!"
"I receive the command of the Alpha King," had been Daemon's nonchalant response that was accompanied with a shrug that stunned the Scribe that read the command to him. "Do convey my farewell to the Alpha King."
And with that, Daemon walked away, never looking back.
Shortly after Daemon left the entrance of the Alpha King's dwellings, Moorim and a suspicious cloaked figure graced the Alpha King's dwelling.
Pruritus Galan, the Packs Gamma who was guarding the entrance of the Alpha King's dwellings slightly drew back on seeing the face of the cloaked figure.
The man who was beside himself with thoughts of how to save his measly head in the event of what seemed like a most violent takeover of power was once again conflicted.
Should he stay? Or should he turn a blind eye? Those were the questions that he asked himself, but the answer was farther from him than it was earlier.
As the Gamma of the NorthSteed pack, it was his duty to be in charge of the Alpha King's safety. He and his house, the Galan's, have pledged that much… their loyalty to the Alpha King.
But lately, that loyalty had crumbled till all that was left of it was rubbles. He tried to tell himself that it was no fault of his. That it was the fault of the Alpha for allowing traitorous objection to engulf his thoughts, but Pruritus knew better.
He, the Gamma of the pack, had betrayed his Alpha. And such betrayal would have his head rolling when he would be exposed… and that will surely be soon.
And yet, Pruritus made his decision. He turned a blind eye, allowing Moorim and the traitorous cloaked figure entrance into the Alpha King's abode. For that was the only gamble he could afford.
Inside, the King perked up on hearing the sound of the door opening. "Daemon?" He whispered, a raw, primal thing like hope wounding in his chest.
Indeed, he had pushed his fourth son away. Over and over again, he had drawn a line that Daemon was not supposed to cross. But in his grief and adept confusion, he didn't know whether his actions were right or not.
In that moment of doubt over his actions, the voice in his head whispered, 'Burning silver? Have you forgotten it is mined only in the Desert? Who else could have gotten his hands on it if not Daemon, your son born of the true blood woman of the Dry Lands?'
No matter how much the Alpha King's Arctic Wolf fought against the voice, his weary body was weak and could not entirely push it off. So tormented, he was buried in the harsh whisper of his own mind.
Moorim and the Cloaked figure entered the room, causing the Alpha King to squint. With his superior eyes, he made out who was his Beta's companion. "Eldric?" He whispered more to himself, confusion colouring his features.
He wondered what his fifth legitimate son was doing there.
Moorim smiled a grim smile, "Your majesty, Eldric has come to see you."
Standing in the well illuminated room side by side, the duo shared some striking resemblance that the King attributed must be his confused eyes seeing wrong. For however could his Beta and son share a resemblance?
Eldric pulled down his cloak and sat on the bed beside his father while Moorim poured out alcohol which he served the King who was now seated on the bed in an upright position.
"How have you been, father?" Eldric asked in a voice that was devoid of his usual playfulness.
"I am well. What are you doing here?" The Alpha King asked gruffly as he gulped the brown liquid that sloshed in the cup. These days, he could barely survive without injecting his body with the liquid, it was the only thing that kept him sane.
"I've come to see you, father." Eldric answered, his voice filled with… longing and something else. "Father, Daemon has committed a grave mistake. With your permission, I shall send our elite Epsilons to have his head…."
"You will do no such thing!" The Alpha King roared, sending the cup he drank from flying to the wall. Its contents tipped over, colouring the white pristine walls brown.
Moorim observed the dripping liquid impassively. It would not be the first thing that tainted the walls of the room. It had after all seen more blood than should be possible.
Eldric, who had not expected the terrifying reaction from his father, stood from the bed and bowed his trembling body to him. "Forgive me for causing you anger, fath… I mean your majesty."
An uncomfortable silence settled between the trio. Father, son, and observer.
In a deathly still voice that rang clear in the room, Eldric spoke, "Do you not hate him? Or perhaps are you glad that the five Alpha's have saved his neck that you hesitate to claim."
"How dare you!"
"Do you even love me? Have you ever intended to pass your Arctic Wolf to me? Or perhaps do you intend for the wolf to end with you?"
"And why should I pass it to you son of a vermin?! So you do have ambition, eh? It's a pity that compared to Daemon, you still stand as nothing!"
"Of course I am nothing! How could I ever compare to your golden son of your golden mate. I mean, even he bears the brunt of your hate, how much more myself?"
Moorim who observed their exchange impassively was jolted when the Alpha King spoke to him next, "Why did you bring him here?!" He screamed.
Moorim simply fetched another jug of alcohol, his posture lacking the normal subservience it normally would.
"Forgive me, your majesty." He said carelessly, handing the Alpha King a glass cup. Moorim poured him alcohol, even as the cup was full he continued pouring until the beddings and the Alpha's skin were soaked wet.
"What are you doing?!"
"You must forgive me, your highness."
"What do you mean?"
"You heard the great seer, did you not? The time of the Arctic Wolf is nigh."
Before the Alpha King could say more, he started clutching at his throat viciously as if a terrible itch had come over him. The overflowing glass naturally fell and shattered on the floor.
"Wh…what have you doneee?" He spluttered, gasping for air.
Moorim's simple response had been, "You cannot lead us anymore."
"Annd whoooo are youuuuuuu to make such decision! I am youuuur Alpha and kiiinnng! Bow to me!"
And while the Alpha King's eyes flickered between gold and black like a dying thing, Moorim did bow to him.
The Alpha King, still clawing at his throat, attempted to shift with all his might… but that only increased the itching at his throat, further plunging him into terrible pain. It was like his insides were burning, and his wolf was trapped in a loop where it could not self heal.
"Father, the burning silver would claim your life at this rate," Eldric said in a menancing voice. He took a step closer to him, staring down at his Alpha, King and Father, "I will advise against scratching at your throat before you meet your death by your own claws."
The Alpha King fell off the bed to the hardened floor. He was sprawled before Moorim who still maintained his bow, and his son who encircled him like a vulture descending on a corpse.
"How... dare... you... son... of... a... vermin! Attempt... to... covet... MY THRONE!"
"'Who shall kill you? And who shall take your throne?'Did your great seer not point his fingers at Daemon as the culprit? Do you not believe her words? Or do you not trust your Theta that oversaw the process?!" Eldric leered, laughing maniacally.
"What... have... you... both...done?!" The Alpha King gasped, spitting blood. Moorim, who still maintained the bow, didn't look up… nor did he answer him.
"What I should have done long ago!" Eldric screamed, tears of frustration rolling down his cheeks.
In a low voice, Moorim muttered, "Eldric, do it."
Eldric looked away, panting hard.
"Do it." Moorim said more forcefully.
But Eldric wouldn't face them.
"Do it now! You must claim your father's wolf before he dies!"
The Alpha King, at the throes of his end, could no longer form words. Instead, all he could do was watch the horrible scene unfolding before him.
Eldric finally turned, stealth colouring his posture. He stalked for the king with dead eyes.
"Just one swipe at his neck would do it." Moorim muttered lowly while the Alpha King kept clawing at his neck.
"But they will all know that I am a blood alpha," Eldric shrewdly said.
"I will take care of it."
Eldric's wolf simmered at the surface, his brown eyes glowing and his claws and fangs, making an appearance. His hairs grew longer as the half-shift completed. Half beast, half man, he growled lowly, stalking for the king.
And without looking back, he swiped at the Alpha King's neck with one clean swipe, claiming the wolf he believed was rightfully his.
Gasping for air, and as the life left the Alpha King's eyes, he could only splutter one last word,
"Dae…monnnn."
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