CHAPTER 113: DUTY TO OUR KIND

Caleb rushed toward the young girl and dropped to his knees beside her, panic tightening his chest. "Why did you suddenly run in front of the car? Where are your parents?" he asked with urgency.

The girl clutched her scraped knees and shook her head. "I don’t want to go," she whispered in a trembling voice.

Lucien, who had just stepped out of the car, assessed the situation with a glance. "Take her to the hospital, Caleb. I have to leave."

"Got it," Caleb replied immediately. He gently scooped the girl into his arms. She wrapped herself around him tightly, her small frame shivering with fear.

Lucien’s eyes narrowed as he studied her for a moment. "She doesn’t seem to belong to our pack. Find out where she came from," he instructed before turning on his heel.

Without another word, he climbed back into the car. The driver started the engine, and they pulled away, disappearing down the road.

Nearly three hours later, Lucien arrived at the council hall. It was a vast, stone-built structure. The alphas of the neighboring packs had already gathered, anticipating the arrival of their Alpha King.

"Lucien, we meet again!" Fabian’s voice rang out as he approached, a sly smile tugging at his lips. He extended his hand.

Lucien clasped it firmly. Their handshake was brief, layered with undertones of rivalry and unresolved tension.

"Have you given any thought to the offer I made?" Fabian asked, watching Lucien carefully.

Lucien took a step back. "Let’s discuss that later," he replied while shifting his gaze.

At that moment, a hush swept through the council hall. The massive doors opened, and all the alphas turned in unison as the Alpha Prince entered.

Everyone rose from their seats in silent respect.

Cesar strode in with authority, stopping at the raised platform at the front. The elders stepped forward to greet him with solemn bows.

Fabian leaned in slightly toward Lucien. "Seems like today’s matter is serious... even the Alpha Prince showed up."

"Hm. It’s serious, indeed," Lucien murmured, his eyes fixed on the front. "That’s why all the pack alphas were summoned so suddenly."

Before Fabian could respond, again the room fell in silence.

The grand doors opened once more and this time for the Alpha King.

Every person present, from the youngest emissary to the most seasoned elder, bowed deeply in reverence.

The long black robe draped over his broad shoulders whispered against the marble floor as he walked toward the grand throne placed at the raised platform.

Alpha King Francis took his seat at the head of the council platform, his gaze sweeping across the chamber. With a subtle gesture of his hand, he signaled for everyone to be seated.

Once silence settled, his voice echoed through the hall.

"As you all know, this urgent council was convened in response to a troubling development," he began, eyes scanning each alpha. "Over the past few months, there have been repeated reports of mass killings. These killings were targeted and brutal slaughters of lone wolves across various territories."

Murmurs rippled through the hall, but no one dared interrupt.

"The evidence is still under investigation," Francis continued, "but suspicion points toward the witches, beings who have long kept to themselves, avoiding our lands and conflicts."

"Their suspected involvement in these murders has forced my hand. That is why you have all been summoned here today."

Hushed whispers rolled among the council members.

"Your Majesty," one of the elders stood up, "if witches are truly involved in this, then we must take a swift action."

"What does the elders think be the best response towards this? I want to avoid any kind of war with them. We do lack evidence, but we need to be prepared," Francis pronounced.

"For the last five decades, everything has been relatively peaceful," the second elder said thoughtfully. "I believe the best course of action is to speak with the witches’ leader. Confirm whether any among them are involved before we accuse them. That, I feel, is the most reasonable approach."

A few heads nodded in quiet agreement, until a deep voice cut through the chamber.

"And why would the witches admit anything if they were guilty?" Lucien’s voice echoed across the hall. He rose from his seat, his sharp eyes fixed on the Alpha King.

Francis turned toward him. "Lucien, then tell us, what do you propose?"

Lucien drew a breath. "I suggest the alphas of this council form small investigative teams, drawn from different packs. Trained, trusted wolves who can discreetly look into these murders, report patterns, and gather real evidence. The palace’s own investigation isn’t enough, we need eyes on the ground, in the shadows, and also across borders."

Before Francis could respond, a scoff rang out.

"That’s impossible, Lucien," said Alpha Sorin, rising from his seat in a dismissive tone. "Every pack alpha is already burdened. We have our lands, our wolves, and our duties. Are you implying the palace lacks competence?"

Lucien didn’t flinch. "No, Alpha Sorin. I’m saying this threat may be bigger than we think. Even giving two hours of your day from each pack, could mean the difference between preparedness and another silent massacre. It’s not about burden. It’s about duty to our kind."

Cesar smiled a little, admiring Lucien’s sense of duty. He stood up and turned to his father. "Your Majesty, I agree with the suggestion that Lucien has proposed. Such teams can not only help us investigate these mass killings, but many more things which may be buried. We can’t directly accuse the witches even if there’s involvement of dark magic. Let’s gather a solid evidence first, which will put us in advantage."

"What do the Elders think?" asked the Alpha King.

The elders exchanged glances with each other before coming to a common agreement. "We think what Alpha Lucien has proposed is a better idea to handle this matter, Your Majesty."

Francis nodded his head and looked at the other alphas. "If there are more suggestions, please put them forward."

However, almost everyone agreed with Lucien’s idea.

Fabian gazed at Lucien, who sat down. "This is why others admire you while some get jealous of you," he remarked with a grin.