CHAPTER 2
Erdy's heart skipped a bit with the words this girl named Trina uttered a few moments ago. But it's not what she said that made him give in a little, it is the look in her beautiful green eyes. Her heart-shaped small face, pointed nose, rosy cheeks and naturally light red lips plus a very tempting figure that can't be hidden by her long dress were enough to listen to her. She looks so innocent and charming. None of her features was similar to Jared's, you might even think that she's not his daughter at all.
On the other hand, the intense stare of the alpha was too much for Trina to bear so she lowered her head again and waited patiently and frightfully for his response.
"I heard everyone's side of the story now. Although the crime is unforgivable, I will take your words Jared, that your daughter will serve me the way I wanted too. she's blameless for all these but you still cruelly offered her as a compensation." Erdy announced in disgust before he continued. "I will accept your offer in one more condition." He was observing Trina while saying those words. He saw her smiled bitterly. Who wouldn't feel terrible for being offered for free like a livestock right?
"We will abide with any of your condition alpha," Jared said sighing a relief now. He's already celebrating inside because his plans were starting to fall into pieces.
"The condition is, you will be ripped of your title as a Beta of this pack. All the power and privileges given to you will be void and you will live as on ordinary soldier of this kingdom. In addition to this, you will also task to guard the western perimeter for the rest of your life. This decision is final and non-negotiable unless you want to give up your life now." Erdy declared in an extreme supremacy.
Jared was beyond shocked with that but he didn't have any power left to retaliate or ask for reconsideration because he knew, when alpha Erdy made a decision, even the heaven and earth won't be able to change it. He swallowed all the pain and humiliation he suffered today but promised himself that he will rise again and will take everything he thought he deserves back.
"I accept your decision alpha." Jared said with a defeated expression and bloodshot eyes.
"How about me? What will happen to me if my husband will be guarding the frontlines?" Veronica suddenly asked while still trembling in fear with the alpha's decision. They just literally lost everything and so afraid of becoming a slave.
Erdy looked disdained to Veronica before speaking. "You will surely have your fair share of punishment, but for now – he paused and looked at the guards, "take this bitch to the dungeon." He ordered authoritatively and being followed instantly.
"Wait, alpha, what is the meaning of this? We already gave you our peace offerings and you already accepted them, so why do we still need to receive a punishment?" As soon as those words came out from Veronica's mouth, a resounding slap landed on her face. She was furiously struck by Jared whose eyes are now raging in fire. Alpha Erdy, along with the crowd, was just observing the scene.
"Did your brain already leave your head? How dare you question the alpha in front of everyone? Do you really have a death wish or you want to drag us straight to hell?" Jared is greeting his teeth tightly while telling those words to Veronica. And for the first time in her life she was hurt and insulted by him that sent extreme panic to her system.
"I-I was j-just saying…" She was trying to reason out but another slapped was given to her by her husband.
"Have you forgotten who brought us all these mess and ruined the plan I devised all my life? It was fucking you. So you better shut that mouth of yours before I ripped you into pieces," Jared whispered to her madly before letting the guards to take her.
"I'm so sorry for that sir. It won't happen again." Jared said lowering his head again. The alpha's stare was too intimidating, so he did not dare look at him again.
"Of course, I will make sure things like this won't happen again." Erdy replied seriously. "And one more thing, you are not allowed to go anywhere aside from your designated area. Disobeying that will cost you your life." He added with finality. Jared was so shocked but he doesn't have any way to retaliate without angering the alpha more, so he just agreed and promised again that he will take back everything and even more. His mind was now filled with fury and thoughts of revenge.
"Everyone, we are done here now. You can now go back to your respective posts. And you…" he looked at the direction of Trina who was silently crying and continuously wiping her tears because of the misfortune that befell her family. "You follow the maids. They will instruct you to your room and teach you of the things you need to know in order to serve here in the palace the right way." Trina nodded and obediently followed the two ladies in front of her now.
"You're still here?" Erdy asked Trisha – the wife of his assistant who was accidentally killed by Veronica. "Do you disagree with my verdict?" He asked gently. He rarely shows gentleness to anyone, only to those he trusted the most.
"It's not that I disagree sir, I just want to know why?" She asked as her eyes started to water.
"Henry was my most trusted confidante. We grew up together, we learned martial arts together and we fought many battles side by side – watching each other's back. So I thought, killing those monsters would be too light of a punishment. I want to torment them and make them feel pain a thousand times more, but I doubt if it could really quench the fire in my heart." Erdy answered honestly with a trace of frustration and rage in his eyes.
"You're right sir. Now I understand things better. I couldn't agree more of what you have said. They really deserve more than just an instant death. They should feel tormented that they would wish they should just die but can't." She answered angrily.
"You should go now and take good care of you pups. I know it's been hard for you so if there's anything I can do to help, never hesitate to ask. The palace will always be available for you and your twins' needs." He told her with concern countenance.
"Don't worry too much about us sir, you already helped us more than what we deserve, and I know you already have more things in your plate to think about so we won't be a burden too." Trisha said smiling.
"You will never be a burden to me since I considered Henry as my soul brother." he assured her.
"Thank you again sir. I will go now." She said before bowing and headed to the exit part of the court.
It was already dark when Erdy left the court and proceeded to the room next to his personal chamber. It is actually an adjacent room to his own that also serves as his personal pleasure room. It is the only place where he took women to bed and discard them after. Although he was known as heartless, what others don't know about him is that he was just looking for someone who would be able to capture his heart and will give meaning to his existence as part human. Everyone of his age already found their mates so he's getting more and more impatient to meet his too. His kingdom's future Luna.
When he was about to open the door to the room, the head butler arrived to inform him that his father wanted to have a chat with him, so he postponed his plan of getting to know his new slave better.
Although Erdy is already the alpha of their pack, he doesn't want to be the king. Besides, the humans residing in all the lands owned by the palace do not know that werewolves and other unimaginable creatures co-exist with them in this world.
King Edgar Vermont is the reigning king for almost a hundred years now. He is the father of alpha Erdy and a direct descendant of the first werewolves' species ever existed in the world. He is married with Celestine – she was a rogue queen before becoming a Luna of then alpha Edgar.
Erdy always considered himself very lucky for having a very supportive and loving parents. When no one is around, at his age of thirty-one, he would lie on his mother's lap like a child in times of distress and conflicts in maintaining their standing in the world. He only has one younger brother – Ken Vermont – who is now twenty-six years old and managing his own pack as an alpha too.
"Father, what is it that you want to discuss with me?" Erdy asked his father who was busy looking at some old photos. He looked at him and fixed his glasses.
"Take your seat son, you are so tall that I might break my neck looking at you for long," King Edgar joked. Erdy smiled and obeyed his father.
"Minister Albert just linked to me everything that took place in the court earlier today," he started saying. Erdy was listening intently. "Jared's father was my best comrade when he was still alive. And I honestly felt disappointed that his only son received such a harsh punishment. Although I understand that you ruled everything in the right way, you should at least be lenient to Jared's daughter." King Edgar's words were firm and full of concern at the same time. Erdy understood what he meant but the thought of Henry being killed overpowers his capability to show mercy to Jared's family.
"I was honestly shocked too when he offered his daughter instead of punishing his second wife for her crime. I can't find any answer as to why." He replied annoyed with that fact.
"That's true. If Peter were here, he won't allow his only granddaughter to suffer like that. But the decision has already been made thus, all I want to request is for you to be kinder to her and make her feel home at least." His father was serious in saying this.
"I can't promise to be so good to her after what her parents did to Henry, but I will try father." He said sincerely. His wolf was being restless whenever that girl was mentioned.
"Just remember son, the sin of the father has nothing to do with the child." This was his father's words after dismissing him.