Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Austyn

“One of his favorites was about the Luna Queen and Alpha King.” I said.

“Oh? I’ve never heard that one.” Leo looked at me with an adorably curious expression.

“Once Upon a Time, there was a strong Alpha King and a generous, beautiful Luna Queen. They ruled over the werewolves from the royal kingdom. They ruled with a fierce, but compassionate, hand. They had four guards who were the strongest werewolves in the entire species. They came from an old bloodline of werewolves destined to protect the crown. Everyone loved them. The kingdom’s heart grew bigger when the King and Queen birthed a child, a baby girl,

“Everything was peaceful. The people were happy and the kingdom was flourishing. Until, one day, a group of werewolves who called themselves the Council of the Wolves, attacked. They had spies within the kingdom, spies who were able to infiltrate the guard and kill them before they had the chance to protect the King and Queen. The Council of Wolves killed the monarch in order to take control. They wanted to rule with an iron fist, they wanted absolute control over the werewolves in order to make them the most fearsome and elite species,

“But, the Princess lived. She was taken by the mates of the four guard wolves and hidden among their children. The four mates divided across the country, taking their children with them. In the four corners of the country, the mates of the guard created a pack of their own. These packs would be destined to rise and defend the lost royal bloodline when it returned. One day, the descendants of the Princess and the four guards would rise against the Council of the Wolves and bring peace among the species once more.” I took a deep breath, finishing my tale. Leo was looking at me in awe.

“What?” I asked.

“The Council?” His voice was barely audible.

“Yeah, I guess it’s the legend behind how the Council came to power.” I shrugged. Leo was still staring at me,

“It’s just a story.” I chuckled.

“It doesn’t sound like a story.” He shook his head.

“What? You think there’s actually some lost royal bloodline out there?” I laughed at him but his face was serious.

“I’ve heard rumors.” He stated.

“What rumors?” I asked.

“Rumors that the Council has been overstepping, that they’re trying to get involved in the affairs of Alphas and their mates.” Leo said.

“Why would they care about an Alpha’s mate?” I asked nervously.

“I’ve heard that there are Alpha’s mating with other species. The Council thinks that the laws against species mingling should apply to mates.” Leo’s words were beginning to scare me.

“Who says that?” I demanded, not willing to believe it.

“Specifically, packs in Washington, California, Rhode Island, and Louisiana.” Well that’s a geographical coincidence.

“That’s ridiculous, Leo.” I sighed.

“Is it?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

“Yes.” I replied stubbornly, turning away from him.

“You’re right, it’s probably nothing. Anyway, I’d still like to know what happened between Alpha Victor and your father.” Leo changed the subject.

“Who says anything happened?” I asked.

“I remember when the rogues attacked. I was 16 so I remember it well. Beforehand, my father held a meeting with his Beta and Gamma that I sat in on. He said that the Dark Moon pack was vulnerable, weak, because the Alpha and Beta were at odds with each other. He was considering ending their alliance and closing off the territory borders so that we were more secure. A few days later, we heard the sirens from Dark Moon indicating an invasion. By the time my father’s warriors got there to help, your parents were already dead.” Leo’s words cut through me like a knife.

I had no idea there were any issues between Alpha Victor and my father. I stared at the ceiling, furious. Leo’s hand shook me from where it rested on my stomach,

“Austyn?”

“I didn’t know that.” I grumbled, refusing to look at him.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Does your father know what the argument was about?” I asked.

“I have no idea.” Leo said. I turned to face him again,

“I need you to find out.” I said through my teeth.

“I banned him from the packhouse. We’re not exactly on speaking terms.” Leo said, his eyes darkening.

“Then I’ll ask him.” I said stubbornly. Leo’s hands gripped me even tighter,

“Like hell. You’re not going anywhere near him.” I became even angrier at his words. I jumped out of the bed and glared at him,

“I can do what I want, you don’t control me!” I yelled.

“Austyn, really?” Leo sighed at me. I knew I was being unreasonable, but I was pissed,

“I’m not controlling you. My father is dangerous and desperate. I have no idea what he’s capable of right now. You can’t go near him.”

“Then, you need to talk to him. You’re the Alpha, you can make him listen.” I demanded.

“I can’t make him tell the truth. He won’t talk to me. He won’t help me.” Leo ran his hand through his hair, frustrated. We were standing on either side of the bed, far away from each other. My arms were crossed stubbornly over my chest.

“You can’t just drop this on me and then say, well, sorry, nothing I can do about it!” I yelled again in a mocking tone.

“I’m not, just, give me a minute to figure something out.” Leo’s voice was low as he struggled with his own emotions.

“I’m not useless, I can find answers on my own.” I stormed towards the door. With a hand on the door knob, Leo grabbed me and pulled me away.

His eyes were black with anger and his Alpha aura was radiating dominance over me like a wave. But, like the last time he used his tone on me, I felt my own strength welling in my chest. I pushed against his command, Ember whimpering at the pain of denying the Alpha.

“You won’t do anything.” He ordered me, his voice thick with authority.

“Are you going to stop me?” I snapped.

“If I have to.” He said coolly.

“So much for free will.” I spat in his face.

“Austyn, please,” He closed his eyes, his hands shaking as he fought with himself,

“Don’t do this. I want to help you, I don’t want to control you. But, I can’t let you near my father.”

“If you are so afraid of what he might do, why is he still here? You banned Kayden for the same offense.” I glared.

“Kayden attacked you. If my father….if he would dare….I would have him killed. I don’t want….Austyn, please don’t make me make that decision.” He was begging me, but it fell on deaf ears.

“I’ve spent my entire life shunned from asking questions, hidden and silenced. You gave me strength, Leo, you taught me how to be sure of myself. If you didn’t want me to be my own person, you should have left me the broken slave girl you found me as.” My voice came out as a growl. Ember was crying in my head, whimpering and begging me to stop. She could feel Quinn’s pain and she wanted us to submit to the Alpha’s orders.

“You know that’s not what I want.” Leo sighed.

“I need answers.” I said.

“And I’ll get them, my way.”

“That’s not good enough.” I yanked my arm out of his grasp and moved towards the door. I heard Leo growl behind me. Suddenly, his arms were around my waist and I was being shoved to the other side of the room.

“I can’t let you go.” His face was blank, cool, and furious. His eyes pitch black. It was an expression I had never seen before,

“I’m sorry, Austyn.” Just as I was about to argue, he slammed the door shut and I heard it lock. I ran towards the door and pulled on it as hard as I could, it wouldn’t budge.

“You can’t just lock me in here!” I screamed, pounding the door with my fists.

After what felt like hours of hysterics, I finally collapsed on the ground. I banged my head against the door and cursed Leo’s name. Oh, how did today go so wrong?