CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56

Kael’s POV.

The sun was high, almost afternoon, when Brian and I reached the Fang pack’s territory, the air hot, the forest thick around us.

My heart pounded, my fists clenched, my side throbbing under the bandage, my side wound burning with every step. I wasn’t sure why It hadn’t healed totally till now. Even when my wolf was back.

Elijah’s death, his blood pooling, his eyes empty, shot in my own packhouse, fueled my anger, my wolf, Zeus, growling, his rage hot, urging me to confront Nicholas.

I knew he was behind it, his cold words in the dungeon, "Just disciplining my guard" and his claw marks on Elijah’s chest screaming his guilt.

My boots crunched on the gravel path, the Fang pack’s stone walls looming, guards patrolling, their eyes narrowing as we approached.

Brian’s face was tense, his brown eyes wary, his hand on his dagger, but I didn’t slow, my anger driving me, my need for justice louder than his silent worry.

A guard stepped forward, his armor glinting, his voice sharp. "Stop! State your business!" he said, his hand on his sword, his eyes hard.

My jaw clenched, my heart racing, Zeus roaring, his strength surging. I didn’t answer, my fist swinging, catching his jaw, his body stumbling back, his groan loud.

"Where’s your Alpha?" I growled, my voice rough, my eyes burning into his, my hand grabbing his collar.

He pointed, his voice shaky, toward the throne chamber, and I shoved him aside, his body hitting the ground, the other guards stepping back, their eyes wide, their hands hesitating.

I stormed forward, Brian behind me, his boots quick, his voice low. "Alpha, slow down," he said, his hand reaching, but I ignored him, my anger too hot, my heart set on Nicholas.

The packhouse was huge, its halls wide, torches flickering, the air cool but heavy with tension.

Guards shouted, their armor clinking, trying to block me, but I pushed through, my fists ready, my eyes fierce, knocking one down, his sword clattering, another stepping aside, fear in his eyes.

My wound burned, my body weak from healing Elijah, but my rage was stronger, my need to face Nicholas pushing me.

I reached the throne chamber, the heavy doors carved with wolves, and barged in, the hinges groaning, the sound echoing.

Nicholas sat on his throne, a glass of alcohol in his hand, his dark green cloak loose, his scar across his jaw stark in the dim light, his brown eyes glinting with a cold smile.

He didn’t move, didn’t flinch, his calm infuriating, his Beta Nathan standing nearby, his face tense, his hand on his dagger.

My heart pounded, my fists clenching tighter, Zeus growling, his rage blinding. "You killed him, didn’t you?" I growled, my voice loud, my eyes burning into Nicholas’s.

"Elijah. I know you’re behind it!" My anger spilled, my chest heaving, the image of Elijah’s blood, his lifeless body, sharp in my mind.

Nicholas scoffed, his laugh sharp, his smile mocking, his glass tilting slightly, the liquid catching the light.

"I don’t know what you’re talking about, young Alpha," he said, his voice smooth, his eyes glinting with scorn.

"You sound upset. Nathan, get our guest a drink. He needs to clear his head." His words were a taunt, his smile cruel, and Nathan moved, his steps slow, his eyes wary, heading for a table with bottles.

My anger exploded, my body shaking, my wound throbbing, Zeus roaring, urging me to act, to make him pay.

I charged forward, my boots slamming the stone floor, stopping inches from Nicholas, my face close, my eyes glaring into his, my breath heavy.

"You’ll pay for what you’ve done," I said, my voice low, my fists shaking, my heart racing. "Even if it means war." My words were sharp, my anger hot, my need for justice stronger than my fear of his pack, his power.

I saw Elijah’s body, his family still out there, held by someone, and Nicholas’s smirk, his lies, pushed me to the edge.

Nicholas’s smile faded, his eyes narrowing, his voice cold. "You don’t want to do that, young Alpha," he said, his words a warning, his hand tightening on the glass.

"I don’t play nice when it comes to war." His threat was clear, his eyes fierce, his scar twitching, but my anger didn’t waver, my heart pounding, Zeus growling, his strength surging.

I wanted to hit him, to claw him, to make him admit he killed Elijah, but Brian’s voice cut through, urgent, from the corner.

"Alpha, calm down," Brian said, his voice low, his eyes pleading, his hands raised.

"Think about the pack." His words were steady, his loyalty clear, but Nicholas’s laugh returned, sharp and mocking.

"You better listen to your Beta, young Alpha," he said, his voice dripping with scorn, his smile wide, his glass raised like a toast.

My heart raced, my fists shaking, my anger boiling over. His mockery, his lies, his calm while Elijah’s blood stained my packhouse, broke me.

I knew war was reckless, knew my pack could suffer, but his taunt, his smirk, was too much.

I turned, my boots heavy, heading for the door, my heart heavy, my anger still hot. But Nicholas’s voice followed, cold and sharp.

"Weak," he said, his laugh low, his word a blade.

My body froze, my heart stopping, my anger exploding, Zeus roaring, his rage blinding.

Without thinking, I spun, my boots slamming, charging back to Nicholas, my fist swinging, hitting his face hard, the sound loud, his head snapping back, his glass falling, shattering on the floor.

His eyes widened, shock flashing, Nathan stepping forward, his dagger half-drawn, Brian shouting, "Alpha!"

Everyone froze, the room silent, the air heavy, my heart pounding, my fist still clenched, my wound burning.

Nicholas touched his jaw, blood on his lip, his eyes fierce but his smile returning, colder, dangerous.

I didn’t wait, didn’t speak, my anger too raw, my heart too heavy. I turned, my boots quick, leaving the throne chamber, Brian rushing after me, his steps loud, his face pale.

The guards outside stepped back, their eyes wide, their hands off their swords, my punch echoing in their silence.

My heart raced, my anger mixed with fear, knowing I’d just crossed a line, knowing Nicholas wouldn’t let this go.