Chapter 92
***FLASHBACK. A FEW YEARS AGO***
Knock-knock
"Come in."
.
*Bows* "Good day, sire."
"You wanted to see me, Gustan?"
"Yes, sire. There's been some good news... well, not technically good news for those involved, but for us, it is!"
Alpha Jireh then dropped the book he was reading so that he could concentrate more on what Gustan was saying. "This better be good. What is this news, Gustan?"
"The night shadow's alpha Derick has passed away this morning."
Gustan, nodded, "yes. I heard the news too, it was so unexpected and must be entirely devastating for his loved ones. What I don't understand is how good of a news this is to you."
"It is sire! Can't you see? Now we no longer have to drag over what rightfully belongs to us! We can have full possession of our lands now that no one stands in our way!"
"Are you talking about the lands that Alpha Derick and I agreed to share?"
"Yes, sire. That's the one!"
"There'll be no need for that. Alpha Derick and I signed a treaty before he died. We agreed that the lands can be taken over by the other person if one of us dies without a successor. I intend on keeping to my part of the agreement, no matter what happens."
"But sire, alpha Derick is dead now..."
"Alpha Derick has a successor, a son, who will now take his late father's place. So, the treaty still stands."
"Gustan knew of this, but never thought of alpha Jireh displaying such integrity."
"B-but... sire, he's just a boy..."
"A boy that will soon be crowned the alpha, a boy that we will learn to respect as an ally. Alpha Derick's death does not change the terms of our treaty, so long as that boy is still alive."
Gustan's mind hatched something then, "But sire... what if he isn't?"
Jireh frowned, "what do you mean by that?"
The beta shrugged, "what if... maybe, the boy suddenly died or disappeared or something? No one would stand in your way then, right?"
"If Derick's son just dies all of a sudden, then I suppose I have the right to overtake the lands, but I know that none of that will happen because I do not intend to shed any innocent blood because of any properties. I don't know whatever it is that is going on in that head of yours, Gustan, but it better not be what I think it is."
Gustan smirked, as he proceeded to take his leave. "No sire, I just wanted to inform you of the alpha's death, that's all. Of course, I do not intend to do anything silly to jeopardize your reputation."
"Gustan!"
"Yes, sire?"
I have been watching you closely, and I know that you've never agreed to this treaty since the day it was proposed. You've always been a strong opposer and you've never for one day hidden your immense hatred for the night shadow alpha. I hope you will not allow evil to overcloud your better mind and do something you will regret for the rest of your life.
"I don't understand sire..."
If you don't understand anything, then you better understand these words I am about to say to you. The treaty between the night shadow alpha and I does not have anything to do with you! Do not get involved in any way! Else, you will regret it!"
***END OF FLASHBACK***
"I warned you! I warned you to stay away! And now look at what has happened, you not only displayed your wickedness and stupidity by impersonating me, you nearly brought war upon these lands!"
"Sire, I..."
"You what?"
"I... I had a good reason for what I did! I fought for you sire! For these lands!"
"You fought for your pocket, Gustan."
"No! I did not, sire. The night shadow pack already had so much! So much, but they are so greedy! All they care about is immersing more wealth and power for themselves, and I am beyond devastated that you as an alpha will let them prey on our lands like the wild beasts they are."
"Gustan?"
"Yes, sire?"
"What kind of alpha would I be if I let my love of wealth and power bring suffering to my people? What kind of alpha would damn the consequences and introduce war into his lands all because of material properties? Tell me??? What kind of alpha would I be?"
"It was... it was the men's fault sire... t-they went ahead to kidnap someone they shouldn't."
"That does not erase what you did! Nor does it erase the fact that you tried to shed blood and bring destruction to our people. I am glad that you have been found out! And now, you will go down along with the men you used in executing your evil plans."
"Sire..."
Alpha Jireh didn't want to hear another word from the mouth of his beta, he immediately sent for his guards to take him away.
"Lock him up and make sure he is left without food or water. He will be executed in this court by dawn."
"Yes sire," they answered as they dragged the beta out of the court.
.
.
"Thank you so much, alpha Jireh, for your display of modesty and integrity. I must admit that I never expected such actions from you."
"Jireh nodded. An alpha has to do what he has to do. I have been watching my beta closely through the years, I did not trust him one bit. This move he tried to play... I've been expecting it for long."
"Thank you, alpha Jireh," Damian added. "Now that justice has been served. My mate and I can return home and be assured of our safety in the meantime. We will not forget you for helping us."
"Look at the time, it's still early, and I haven't had the company of an ally in a long time. would you mind staying over to dine with my circle? You and your men can leave the following morning. I'm sure you must have been tired from all that traveling."
Walden answered, "normally, I wouldn't be so quick to give trust so easily, but with what you have shown today. We will honor your request."
Jireh turned to Damian, "Alpha Walden has answered for himself, and what about you? Alpha Damian?"
"I will only stay because I want to witness the execution of your beta. I want to see to it that the bastard gets what he deserves for daring to lay a hand on my mate."