Claimed By The Rival Alpha

Chapter 79: Chapter 79

Kael

For several seconds, I couldn’t move. I stood at the edge of the courtyard, staring at the three figures as they remained scattered across the castle grounds.

My eyes narrowed as there was no mistaking them now.

The figure standing beside the pile of bodies slowly lifted his head from the guard’s neck. Blood stained his mouth, dripping from his fangs as he looked directly at me.

The second stood high above the castle gates, completely motionless.

The third had positioned himself directly in front of the carriage that had been carrying Alpha William away.

Kieren inhaled sharply beside me. "My Alpha..."

I felt the fear rolling from him through our connection. Through mind link I responded to him. "Stay calm."

His body visibly shook as he asked, "How can I stay calm?"

I sent an Alpha Command through the mindlink. "You have to be!"

The command pressed through his wolf as his breathing slowed almost immediately. "Yes, Alpha."

I kept my expression completely neutral as Panic would accomplish nothing.

The vampires had already entered my territory... They had killed my guards and they were standing inside my castle grounds as if they owned them.

If I allowed fear to take control now, I would be handing them the advantage.

I slowly began walking toward them. Each step was deliberate as my shoulders remained relaxed.

My face revealed nothing while Kieren followed a few paces behind me.

"Should I remove every servant from their duties?" He asked through mind link.

"No!" I bluntly uttered.

His confusion came instantly. "But—"

"No!!!" I didn’t bother to explain to him.

If I suddenly ordered every servant out of the corridors, the vampires would immediately know I was preparing something.

They were observant. They were already aware I’d discovered their presence so I needed to make them believe they still had the upper hand.

I spread my arms slightly as I approached. "Welcome to Blackbourne."

The vampire standing beside the bodies smiled. "Are you the Alpha?"

"I am."

His gaze traveled over me then he looked toward the dead guards. "They had good blood."

His lips curled into a smirk as something inside me burned. Those men had served my pack... They had families, they had lives and this creature spoke about their blood as though discussing fine wine.

I kept my voice steady as I asked. "What brings you into my territory?"

The vampires laughed. The sound was cold and unpleasant. Then one of them disappeared.

I barely saw him move and a second later, he stood directly before me.

He was so close that I could see the crimson stains around his mouth. "You already know why we’re here."

I didn’t step back. "Perhaps."

His smile widened while I subtly reached for the mindlink. "Kieren."

"Yes Alpha?"

"Move the servants away from the corridors leading to the courtroom."

He hesitated as I added, "Now!"

"Understood." He started to turn.

One of the vampires immediately noticed. "Where is he going?"

I smiled as I spoke, "To prepare the courtroom."

"For what?"

"For you." I gestured toward the castle. "If we’re going to discuss serious matters, I’d rather not do it standing among dead guards."

The vampire studied me. "You’re inviting us inside?"

"Of course." I smiled. "You came all this way."

The vampire laughed. "How hospitable."

I turned toward the castle. "Please." I said and they followed.

Inside, every instinct screamed at me to keep them away from the rest of my people. Especially Selena.

If she crossed paths with them... Everything would collapse. I prayed silently that Beta Bastian understood what needed to be done.

As we entered the courtroom, I gestured toward the seats. "Make yourselves comfortable."

One vampire sat, another remained standing while the third casually examined the room.

I moved toward the table. "Wine?"

"No."

"Ale?" I asked, again.

"No."

"What do you drink?"

The one nearest to me smiled. "Blood."

I stared at him as I tried to calm down my anger. "Of course."

"Preferably werewolf blood."

My jaw tightened. "You won’t be drinking that here."

His smile disappeared. "Is that a refusal?"

"It is." The room became tense.

He stepped closer to me before speaking, "You seem protective of your subjects."

"I am."

He stared at me for several seconds before slowly smiling. "I admire that."

Another vampire chuckled before saying "You knew we’d come."

I shrugged. "I suspected."

"You even sent someone to watch the Kavanagh manor."

There it was... they already knew my moves.

I didn’t react. Instead, I poured myself a drink before speaking, "I’m curious."

"About?" One of the vampires asked with creased brows.

"Why take the hospitality of one of my subjects when you could have come directly to me?"

The third vampire laughed as he seemed far more playful than the others. "We wanted to surprise you."

"You certainly succeeded."

"We’re pleased."

I smiled. "Then allow me to return the courtesy." I raised my glass. "Welcome to Blackbourne pack."

They laughed again.

The vampires were talkers and that was useful because every word they spoke bought me time.

I quietly opened a mindlink. "Beta Bastian."

"Alpha." He responded almost immediately.

"Get Selena and her friend out of the castle now."

"Where should I take them?" I asked.

"Take them to the old battlement beyond the castle gates immediately!"

I ended the connection then I turned back toward the vampires.

"So..." I leaned against the table. "Tell me."

They continued speaking and they even described how they’d slaughtered Alpha William’s Beta.

Every detail and every word. They seemed strangely proud of it.

I allowed them to talk because the more they revealed, the more I learned.

Alpha William had told them about my rivalry with him. He’d told them about Selena.

He’d told them she had escaped and somehow... He had convinced them that I was responsible.

"Alpha William believes you stole her."

I laughed softly. "Does he?"

"You find that amusing?"

"Alpha William believes many things."

They stared at me as I continued. "He has a reputation for treachery among everyone."

I leaned back. "He has deceived allied packs... He has broken promises and he manipulates those who trust him."

The vampires exchanged glances while I smiled. "Yet you believed everything he told you."

One vampire narrowed his eyes. "Are you questioning our judgment?"

"Not at all." I took a sip. "I’m simply questioning Alpha William’s honesty."

"You think we are fools?"

"No." I shook my head. "But you’re rarely here."

They remained silent as I continued. "How could you possibly know which werewolves deserve your trust?"

I continued before they could answer. "I understand why you trusted Alpha William. It is because he leads one of the strongest packs, and he can offer powerful agreements."

"A good player can obtain things others cannot."

I smiled. "But have you ever considered that he might be using you?"

The room went completely still then one of the vampires called Vandal moved.

I barely had time to react as his hand closed around my throat. My back slammed against the chair while his face was inches from mine.

"You insult us."

I didn’t struggle as I stared directly into his eyes. "Did I?"

His grip tightened as my wolf snarled but I remained still.

One second, Two then another vampire spoke. "Vandal."

The pressure disappeared as I straightened slowly while Vandal stepped back.

I rubbed my throat then smiled. "You have a temper."

His eyes narrowed. "We came for one reason and that’s because of the girl."

His voice became cold. "Our Lord was promised a royal daughter."

He stepped forward. "You werewolves seem to have forgotten the agreement made centuries ago."

I remained silent.

"The consequences of breaking it will not fall upon one pack." His eyes burned. "They will fall upon all of you."

He began listing them.

Packs would be destroyed. Generations would be slaughtered. Bloodlines will be erased. Territories would be reduced to ruins as they could dismantle werewolf systems.

They could infiltrate packs and they could destroy families.

"It won’t matter who disobeyed us." He leaned closer. "If even one royal daughter is withheld... You will all pay."

I studied him carefully then he said the words that confirmed everything.

"Selena Vale isn’t merely another royal." His smile became sinister. "She’s our Lord’s special one."

My mind raced as I couldn’t show it. Instead, I slowly leaned back. "There is a Selena."

Their eyes sharpened as I continued.

"She came here weeks ago."

"Where is she now?" They simultaneously asked.

I shrugged. "As far as I knew, she mentioned her name was Selena Savanov." I sighed then added, "But she eventually fled Blackbourne."

Their expressions changed. "You expect us to believe that?"

"I’m not asking you to believe me." I gestured toward the doors. "I can show you around."

They exchanged glances while I kept my face calm. "You can go ahead and search the castle... you can search wherever you want."

The silence that followed was unbearable then suddenly, Kieren’s voice exploded through my mind.

"Alpha, have you lost your mind?"

Garrick followed immediately. "Alpha, what are you doing?"

I ignored both.

The vampires finally stood, then Vandal smiled before speaking. "Lead the way."

I turned toward the courtroom doors. "Of course."

And silently, I prayed that Beta Bastian had moved Selena far enough away.

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