Claimed By The Rival Alpha

Chapter 70: Chapter 70

Kael

The instant Alpha William’s voice faded, the ballroom descended into complete silence as even the orchestra stopped.

The last note of the violin lingered in the air before disappearing into an uncomfortable stillness that seemed to press against everyone’s chest.

I remained seated for a heartbeat, my gaze fixed on the girl standing beside Alpha William.

She couldn’t have been older than nineteen. Her hands clutched the fabric of her pale blue gown so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.

Tears shimmered in her eyes despite her obvious attempts to hold them back. Every few seconds, her shoulders trembled, but she stood exactly where she had been placed, like a frightened lamb waiting for slaughter.

The murmurs began slowly as Guests whispered behind raised wine glasses. Noblemen leaned toward their wives, exchanging uneasy words.

While others refused to look at the girl at all, choosing instead to stare at the polished marble floor as though pretending none of this was happening.

Cowards! I slowly rose to my feet and the movement drew Alpha William’s attention immediately.

I saw his smile widened. It wasn’t the smile of a father, It wasn’t even the smile of an Alpha instead, it was the smile of a man completely satisfied with the fear he had created.

"My fellow Alphas," Alpha William said pleasantly, spreading his hands as though welcoming everyone to a celebration instead of announcing another innocent girl’s death. "I can see this announcement has surprised many of you."

His voice carried effortlessly through the ballroom. "But I simply couldn’t allow unfortunate rumours to spread."

He rested one hand lightly on the trembling girl’s shoulder.

"My daughter’s... regrettable disappearance has caused unnecessary speculation. Some have questioned whether the Nightbane Pack will fail to honour the agreement our ancestors forged."

His smile never faltered. It was more like he really enjoyed being the vampire’s lackey... always ready and happy to do their bindings. "I assure you that will never happen."

I could literally feel the girl’s breathing become uneven as she lowered her head, clearly fighting tears.

"The vampires have received a maiden from Nightbane every year," Alpha William continued calmly. "One disobedient daughter does not excuse us from our responsibilities."

His eyes swept across the gathering. "Therefore, I did nothing wrong in personally selecting another worthy maiden in place of my missing daughter."

I felt the girl’s entire body stiffened while anger surges through my body. I really wish I could walk to Alpha William and pouch the hell out of his face.

"This young lady is the daughter of one of my loyal minor nobles. Her family has graciously accepted their responsibility to the pack."

Across the ballroom, a middle-aged man slowly stood and his face had lost every trace of colour.

He bowed stiffly. "It... it is an honour, Alpha William." His voice has obviously cracked halfway through the sentence.

Beside him, a woman buried her face inside an embroidered handkerchief, her shoulders shaking with open sobs she could no longer suppress.

My jaw tightened as neither parent looked proud or looked willing.

This can’t be what Alpha William meant by graciously... when the family is obviously in pain for their daughter being offered to some blood sucking vampires in place of someone else’s child.

Alpha William didn’t spare either of them a second glance. To him, they were merely fulfilling a duty.

I finally spoke when I couldn’t keep it in anymore. The whole shenanigans were beginning to piss me off. "Interesting."

Every eye shifted toward me as I continued speaking, "If this concerns your own pack," I said evenly, "why announce it during another Alpha’s celebration?"

Alpha William turned to face me fully and his expression remained composed.

"Because," he replied smoothly, "this matter concerns far more than Nightbane."

He clasped his hands behind his back. "The agreements made with the vampire kingdom are not merely my burden."

He slowly looked around the ballroom. "They protect every neighbouring territory."

Several guests shifted uncomfortably at his words.

"If one Alpha fails to fulfil his obligations," Alpha William continued, "the consequences rarely remain confined to his borders."

His words settled heavily over the gathering.

"You all understand history." His smile returned. "When ancient promises are broken... ancient enemies remember."

A few nobles exchanged nervous glances as others quietly lowered their heads in fear.

That was exactly what Alpha William wanted. He wants everyone to live in fear of vampires.

Councilman Cedric cleared his throat before stepping between us.

"My friends," he said with an awkward smile. "Surely tonight isn’t meant for discussions of politics or old treaties."

He forced out a laugh that nobody returned. "This evening celebrates unity among our packs."

He gestured toward the musicians. "And our honoured storytellers have prepared a wonderful performance."

Alpha William inclined his head politely. "Of course." His voice remained warm. "I had no wish to sour the festivities."

His eyes briefly met mine again. "I merely wished to prevent false rumours regarding my daughter’s disappearance."

There was the slightest pause before he added. "I wouldn’t want anyone believing Nightbane has abandoned its obligations."

His gaze lingered on me for only a second longer before he smiled at Councilman Cedric.

"My thanks for allowing me a moment to address everyone."

Cedric nodded with visible relief while Alpha William gently motioned for the frightened girl to follow him.

She obeyed immediately not because she wanted to but because she no longer believed she had a choice.

They stepped down from the platform together while I watched the girl’s mother quietly break into fresh sobs and nobody comforted her.

The musicians hesitated before cautiously lifting their instruments once again and soft melodies slowly returned.

The storytellers resumed their performance as though nothing had happened but the ballroom had changed.

People still spoke, yet their conversations had become whispers. Most people’s smiles had vanished and laughter no longer echoed beneath the crystal chandeliers.

The celebration felt hollow while I remained standing for another moment before taking my seat.

Without moving my lips, I reached out through the mindlink.

"Kieren."

"Already listening, Alpha." He replied immediately.

"Find out everything about that girl." I instructed.

There wasn’t a moment’s hesitation as he replied instantly.

"I’ve already assigned one of our trusted warriors. They’ll learn who she is, how she was chosen, and whether her family was forced into this."

A faint sense of approval passed through me. "Good."

"You’ll have answers soon, Alpha." Kieren said and the connection faded.

Almost immediately, I opened another mind link.

"Beta Bastian, Increase surveillance on Alpha William, Lord Kavanagh, and every person who arrived with them.

A brief silence followed before he asked. "You think tonight’s announcement wasn’t genuine?"

I watched Alpha William laughing with another Alpha as though he hadn’t just condemned a young woman to some blood sucking vampires.

" I feel there’s more to this. This definitely isn’t his true purpose. It’s more like a distraction, a warning or perhaps both."

Beta Bastian considered my words before replying. "I noticed something while he spoke. He kept looking at you and not at the audience."

Beta Bastian’s voice remained calm. "It wasn’t accidental. It was deliberate. Almost as though he expected you to challenge him publicly.

I thought back over Alpha William’s speech. He was obviously trying to provoke me into challenging him.

"Remain alert," I ordered as the link dissolved.

My fingers tightened around the stem of my wine glass. Despite everything, my thoughts drifted elsewhere to Selena.

Had she heard Alpha William’s announcement?

Knowing her... She almost certainly had. I could already picture the fury burning in her beautiful eyes.

She had always despised the tribute system. Ever since she’d learned the truth behind it, she’d refused to see it as tradition.

To her, it was murder wrapped in ceremony and now... Another innocent girl had been chosen in her place.

If Selena knew... No! When Selena knew... Her determination to destroy the entire system would only grow stronger.

She wouldn’t stand by while another family suffered because of her father’s decisions.

Which meant she might do something impulsive and something dangerous.

The castle was overflowing with Alphas, nobles, warriors, spies, and men whose loyalties remained uncertain.

This was the worst possible time for her to act. I silently prayed she would stay hidden just for one night and just until these guests were gone.

A sharp pulse suddenly cut through my thoughts. The urgent force behind the mindlink made every instinct inside me sharpen.

Kieren’s voice was tense as he spoke. "Alpha... we’ve got a problem."

I straightened immediately as I replied. "Report."

"One of Alpha William’s five companions slipped out. This must be right after Alpha William announced the new tribute."

My expression hardened as I asked, "Has he returned?

"Not yet, Alpha." A cold feeling settled in my chest as he added. "We’ve already sent warriors to shadow him discreetly.

Kieren hesitated. "But I don’t think he’s wandering the castle by accident."

Every muscle in my body tensed as the pieces fell together with terrifying clarity.

Alpha William hadn’t cared whether anyone believed his speech.

He had only needed every eye focused on him long enough for someone else to disappear unnoticed.

My expression darkened as I confirmed Alpha William’s speech had only been a distraction.

Someone was already making a move elsewhere in my castle.

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