Aida sat in a daze, thinking about what the king had told her. Her heart ached for her grandson even more. All the suffering he went through the last eight years didn't end, and he had to face even something worse.
'Supreme Luna,' Lea called her through the mind link.
'Did you do what I asked?' she asked.
'Yes. I convinced the new Luna to stay, and she was determined not to give up.'
'Good job, Lea,' she complimented.
'It's my pleasure to help. Moreover, the new Luna is good. She only needs some guidance.'
After the mind link caught off, Aida pressed her lips, displeased by the fact that everyone closer to her was seeing the goodness in that vampire, but she saw none. However, she had to guide her for the sake of Orson.
After hearing the knock on her door and knowing who was behind the door, she let a seemingly pleasing sound. "Get in."
'It's time to watch the invisible goodness she carried!'
Seeing the vampire with glowing red eyes, she raised a brow. "So, did you have an answer?" asked Aida. Although she had already known the answer, she feigned ignorance to listen to the answer by herself.
"Yes," she said. Her sound was filled with confidence.
Seemingly pleasant by the answer, Aida nodded in approval. Her objection dissipated a little, and her troubled heart calmed a bit. "Sit down," she ordered, pointing at the chair opposite her.
Lucette walked closer to the coffee table, sending her wary gazes. She sat down carefully and crossed her hands. Luna Aida saw the vampire's little movements, which made her frown. The vampire behaved as if she had done something wrong and was waiting for punishment, although her words earlier were sharp, and her voice was loud.
"Enlighten me," Aida remarked, without thinking more about the vampire's behaviour.
"I know I lack in many aspects, but I will try hard to learn. Your Highness said that a Luna isn't just a title, and I want to have this honour to be a deserving Luna in the future," said the little vampire. Her eyes glowed like a precious gem.
Aida was surprised. She never thought that Lucette would know how to sweet-talk. She curved her lips, loving the vampire's determination and confidence. Since Lucette had the will to change, she had to help her.
"I will supervise your performance these days."
***
At the same time, on the upper floor, the Supreme Alpha sat in his office, facing his grandson, who was looking at him as if waiting for something.
Ferdinand sighed. "I knew this day would come," he murmured. He knew his grandson wanted to find the clue in his hand about his mate's death.
He wanted to drag the matter longer than that, but he knew this day would come sooner or later. There was no need to hide the things from his grandson.
Minutes of silence camped in the room. Ferdinand dropped his eyelashes and then spoke in a natural tone, "Earlier, when the werewolf kingdom was founded, its leaders were known for their immense strength and endless wisdom. They ruled for decades and centuries. However, there was something common between all the Supreme Alphas—they had golden eyes."
"I did not understand why you were telling me this. I did not come to have a history lesson!" Orson scowled.
Ferdinand stared at him displeased he was interrupted when he was narrating something significant! "It is the main point. Listen carefully and interrupt me not."
Orson stopped and leaned on his chair leisurely.
"Golden eyes were the sign of the new ruler. When a pup was born with golden eyes, the ruler's power decreased slowly. Werewolves lived for years following the gifted one. When a pack changes to a new ruler, the same pack members will be promoted eventually and the previous one will be demoted."
"At first, werewolves were content, but then their dissatisfaction grew as they were demoted. This eventually led to cases of pups with golden eyes being killed. After the death of the Supreme Alpha, werewolves fought amongst themselves for over five years. With the absence of the golden-eyed werewolves, the Alphas battled for the throne, until my grandfather's reign. He managed to unite the werewolves, but he was always wary of the potential appearance of the golden-eyed alpha."
"My great-grandfather was a strict alpha, and he ruled with an iron fist. He killed everyone who had golden eyes for years and hid everything about them as the years passed by until they didn't have any existence. Some packs refused to submit, so they were sent to the Ucyan continent and lived there."
"My great-grandfather was more honourable than yours," Orson commented.
"You also had my blood," he retorted, scoffing. "When my great-grandfather was about to die, he let his son be the ruler, then my father and the same with me. This story is a heritage from Supreme Alpha to another."
"There must be something behind this to tell me about your ancestor's dark history. Am I wrong?" Orson asked playfully, despite having his blood boiling from the inside.
Ferdinand clenched his jaw. 'Unlawful brat,' he thought. "Before Akela's death, I got news about a teenager with golden eyes in the Silver Moon Pack so I had to do what the previous Alphas did— There was a golden rose next to your mate's body..."
"Why am I not surprised?" Orson scoffed and stood up. "Grandfather, I was begging you for eight years -F***** eight years- to tell me the truth but you didn't. Now I understand why you hid the news." he faced his grandfather and stared at him.
"They killed Akeela because of you. They killed her because you can't stand stepping away from your position as the Supreme Alpha and endanger the truth to be revealed."
"I did it for your sake. I was protecting your position as the next Supreme Alpha. At that time, I didn't know that they would kill your mate," Ferdinand raised his voice.
Years ago, when he received the news, he was terrified. Seeing the golden rose, he felt guilty for being the reason behind his grandson's misery. He had no other way. It was the Supreme Alpha's duty and heritage. He could never shake it off or step out of it.
Orson burst into laughter. "What a great joke. I'll pretend I didn't hear anything. I only need one thing. Who's the teenager? And where is his family? answer those questions," Orson said.
"No."
His grandson rose from his seat and said, threatening him, "Tell me or I will cause a ruckus here."
Ferdinand hardened his expression. "I will put you in that prison before thinking of hurting anyone. I did my part of the deal. I told you the reason behind Akela's death. Go out."
"Can't you let me do one thing without you controlling me? I was suffering for eight years, do you want me to suffer more?" he pleaded.
For once, he wanted to have peace in his life. He wanted to end everything and go to his Akela.
Ferdinand's gaze dropped as his heart pounded with pain. He had seen how the last eight years had affected Orson. How could he wish for his grandson's downfall when he knew him so well and understood his thoughts?
Seeing Orson walking away, his heart pricked even more. When Orson opened the door, he felt as if he was going to lose him forever.
"That teenager is already dead and his family moved out from the pack. They are living in a far town with the humans. His name is Nigel Hughes."
The words escape from his lips. If it were anyone else, he wouldn't easily yield, but given the circumstances, it's understandable. After all, it's his grandson.
But he was leading Orson down a dangerous road.
Ferdinand leaned on his chair and closed his eyes as soon as Orson closed the door. The tiredness took all over him, wishing that the little vampire could make Orson like her before losing his everything.