Chapter 122
I left Lyra in her room while I went back to mine to change into something simple. I can sense Zach’s impatience through another mind link.
“I’ll join you shortly,” I convey through the mind link, adding, “I just had to make sure Lyra was okay.”
“Okay,” is all he responds as I sever the link.
Stepping out of my room, I head to the training ground where the pack warriors are already assembled. I can almost feel Jack’s surprise when I confront him.
Since Jack’s case has been reported to the High Council, it’s not just my responsibility to handle it; it concerns all the neighboring packs.
They had pledged backup to help bring him down.
That’s where we had planned to gather. I can see fear in Jack’s eyes; he never anticipated the number of warriors uniting against him.
From all directions, warriors from different packs are poised to take him down and put an end to his reign of terror over the surrounding parklands.
But he quickly tried to cover it up by taunting me, saying, “Good to see you, my king,” attempting to start a conversation.
“I don’t have time for your nonsense,” I reply sharply, signaling to my warriors to take charge.
I could sense fear in his eyes; he wasn’t prepared for my swift action. Formalities were the last thing on my mind; I just wanted to end this and return to Lyra.
Soon, the air was filled with growls and howls as the wolves engaged in battle, while I stood vigilantly, watching the conflict unfold.
Jack stood there, observing, just as I did. I knew the moment would come when I’d have to confront him personally.
As he attempted to find an escape route, I positioned myself in his path, blocking him, and without hesitation, he lunged at me.
His mistake was underestimating my readiness to avenge my first mate’s death. I needed to hear him admit his responsibility.
I was prepared to make him pay for the anguish he inflicted on Lyra. I was ready to make him answer for all his sins.
He attacked swiftly, but I was quicker, dodging his strikes and bringing him down to the ground.
I could hear him whimpering, fear evident in every movement. Anger clouded my senses as I clenched my fist and struck his nose, the sound of a crack echoing through the air. I didn’t relent until I saw blood, a physical manifestation of my rage.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Then, unexpectedly, he let out a menacing laugh. I wasn’t surprised; I knew he was gearing up to speak, and I was prepared to listen to whatever nonsense he had to say.
“Which of your mates are you avenging for, your first or your second chance mate?” he taunted, blood dripping from his nose, challenging me even in his vulnerable state.
His mention of my mates only fueled my anger further. “This is for my first mate,” I spat out, pointing to his disfigured face.
“Then you haven’t done enough, because she was so gullible to follow me out of your pack,” he retorted. “You seem to have so many snitches, and they were ready to give information so I could attack and take her.”
I was taken aback by his openness. Where was he going with all this?
“I don’t have much time either,” he continued, surprising me with his confession. “I’ve done many wrong things that I’m not proud of. I have no reason to live anymore.”
“And that Aiden, oh my dear brother Aiden,” he continued, his words dripping with malice. “I used sorceries to draw him out and make him stay right beside your mate, so when you saw the wolf, you killed him.”
This confession confirms Zach’s suspicion because we had previously discussed why Aiden stayed put beside Cassie’s body and didn’t flee.
“And you killed him right before her daughter, who happens to be your mate,” he accused, his tone accusing and condemning. “You’re not as innocent as you think; you have blood on your hands.”
“I hate that good-for-nothing girl called Lyra, a bitch she is, a traitor,” he spat out venomously. His words struck a nerve within me, fueling my determination to end him once and for all.
I pounced on him, landing a series of blows without pause. He didn’t protest or fight back, leaving me taken aback.
Soon, he coughed and spat out blood from his mouth, then calmly said, “Are you surprised I didn’t fight back? I told you, I have no reason to live.”
“Why?” I finally managed to ask, with a hint of curiosity.
“Kayla left me. I loved her my whole life, and she left me. Everything I did was for her, so we could use her powers to let me rule for life, but she left me,” he confessed, with sorrow and regret.
I could see his vulnerability, his mourning for her.
“She, despite her power of immortality, was poisoned with a sorcery so powerful that she couldn’t survive. It would be an honor if you ended my life for me,” he said, with resignation in his voice.
Seeing him in this state, I contemplated letting him go instead of ending him. Allowing him to grieve and suffer would be a punishment in itself, leading to the end that he craves.
As I pondered, the thought crossed my mind: what if he raised his ugly head again and attempted to strike back? He had been nothing but a pain in the arse.
The fear of him regaining himself, dusting off his grief, and launching another menacing threat haunted me. What if he becomes an even greater danger to us and our children?
“What did you do to Annie?” I asked, seeking answers and clarity.
“I did nothing to Annie. She had complications with her pregnancy, and I don’t have the power to take care of her, so I dropped her at your pack’s border,” he replied, devoid of any care or remorse.
“Do you know Lyra’s real parents?” I inquire sharply, my emotions running high.
He looks up at me, tilting his head to the side, and shaking it slowly. “But I played the part in making Kayla doubt Aiden,” he confesses. “I told her that Lyra was a child from one of his whores, which strained their marriage, and she found solace in me.”
“You son of a bitch!” I roar in anger, my Lycan instincts taking over. I don’t want him to have the satisfaction of a slow death, so I lift my sword and swiftly cut off his head, blood spraying around us.
He’s a scheming bastard, he’s done more harm than good in his lifetime. People like him should not be allowed to live.
As I look around, I notice my men waiting for me. Zach steps closer, resting his hand on my shoulder.
I nod, turning away from Jack’s headless body, and making my way into the woods.
Zach barks out commands for the warriors to clear the dead bodies and burn them, the aftermath of our fierce battle settling around us.
I felt a surge of thrill and relief knowing that I had finally eliminated the threat that had loomed over us. Lyra had nothing to fear anymore. I had avenged Cassie, Annie, and most of all, Lyra.
As we made our way back to the pack, Cara came running to welcome us. I could sense her panic as I asked her what was wrong.
“Alpha, you need to hurry. It’s Lyra,” she exclaimed, her words sending a jolt of concern.