Chapter 3 Chapter 3
Thalia
“Daddy,” Leo turns to Cassian. “Alpha George is dead..” he says, wrapping his little hands around his father's legs, his eyes looking down.
Cassian freezes for a while, then caresses the boy's hair. “Yes, my brother is dead.”
I dress up and stare at the wig on the floor, wondering if I should pick it up or not.
“We should leave now!” He snarls.
I nod, lifting the bag he had packed, and follow him out. We head straight to the car. I and Leo sit at the back seat while Cassian drives roughly, the car cutting through the road at a reckless speed.
I keep my hand wrapped around my son, steadying him until we arrive at the GoldenMoon Pack’s Alpha's lodge.
Tall pillars frame the entrance, nothing much has really changed since the last time we were here.
I tighten my grip on Leo’s hand as the car comes to a stop. The gate keeper peeps and hurries to open the gate as soon as he sights Cassian.
I come down from the car, Leo holding my hands as I glance around the compound.
Our wedding day flashes in my head. How we stood here, in the presence of everyone including my parents, who by the way hasn't spoken to me since the wedding.
They cut me off for choosing to be with Cassian, an Alpha's brother when they were planning to arrange me for the neighbouring Alpha. I didn't even know of their plans until I mentioned my pregnancy. And it wasn't like there was anything anyone could do about it, Alpha George's words were law and final, still, they never replied to my emails and texts ever since.
Cassian walks inside, not bothering to lead us along. We follow suit regardless and the moment we enter the building, every guard and servant bow as we walk by.
“Everyone is in the grand hall..” a guard says.
He hurries towards the grand hall and I hasten my pace to catch up. When we get there, the door is already open.
My eyes are wide in shock as we enter. Alpha George lies completely still on top of a long wooden table standing beneath the hanging chandeliers at the center of the hall. His body is bare, with only a white cloth wrapped tightly around his waist, covering his manhood, his skin pale and cold.
A physician stands close by while the five Elders of the pack form a circle around the table, their faces hard, eyes lowered.
Leo stiffens beside me. I instinctively pull him closer, pressing him against my side.
Cassian takes another step forward, entering inside the circle, his jaw tightening as he stares at his brother.
“How did he die?” He asks, his gaze drifting round the dead body.
“He's been sick for days,” the elder with a scarred cheek says, his fingers tightening around his staff.
“The high Priestess says he was cursed,” the female elder cuts in, looking at the others like they intended to hide that detail and she has just blurted it out.
“Cursed for taking what's mine.. I guess so.”
The elders throw their gazes at him but he doesn't flinch. He is really back here for her and I don't know what will happen to my son and I.
He glances at the physician, “Do you have any explanation?”
The physician shakes his head. “This is clearly beyond science and nature..”
“Then cursed he was,”
One of the elders exhales slowly. “We tried reaching you at dawn,” he says, his voice rough with unease. “Calls were placed…. But you were unreachable.”
“Yeah… I changed my number.”
After we got married and were sent into exile, he threw his phone into the sea, promising to move on and start afresh. But I guess there is never a true move on for him. Especially now that we are back here.
The female elder’s shoulder rises. “Well,
“Now that you are here,” she says carefully, choosing each word as though the wrong one can escalate into something huge, “you should act as regent. Until the Alpha power reflects in your brother’s son.”
Oh no. They don't even know.
The elder with the scarred cheek cuts in. “And even if it does reflect….. the boy is too young to rule. The pack cannot be led by a child. Cassian should remain regent until the boy comes of age.”
Cassian’s head lifts slowly. He steps out of the circle, standing before us all. He then closes his eyes and opens.
His eyes are no longer hazel. They glow deep red.
“It’s Alpha Cassian now,” he says.
The elders stiffen, eyes widening. One by one, they drop to their knees, staff clattering against the floor, heads bowing so low their foreheads nearly touch the stone. The physician kneels as well.
“Alpha Cassian,” they chorus.
My heart hammers violently against my ribs and I firm my grip on my son.
Cassian gazes at me. I swallow hard and bend toward Leo, my lips brushing his ear. “Let’s kneel before your father,” I whisper.
Together, we lower ourselves to the floor.
“Send words to all the Alphas and to the Lycan King, my brother will be put to rest tomorrow.” he says and begins stepping out.
The moment he leaves, we all stand. The elders glance at my son and I, finally noticing us.
“Luna Thalia and the Alpha's heir.” The female elder says and bows.
To my surprise, they all bow their heads.
I feel a rush of heat pass through me. I've never imagined that I will one day be addressed with such a magnificent title.
“Welcome back home,” the scarred elder says as soon as they raise their heads.
“Thank you,” I smile but quickly tighten up my face.
“But what's going to come of Luna Lucinda's son,” I hear an elder whispering to another. “Since Cassian
is alpha now… it means Lucinda's son was never Alpha George's..”
“This proves her infidelity.”
