"Why did you attack us?"
Aylin stood in front of Dariel as she questioned him with a stern gaze. Yet, all she got was a bitter laugh in return before the man hissed in pain. His face was distorted after his bloody battle with Zavid.
Though Zavid and he were the gammas of their respective kingdoms, Zavid was stronger than him and had experience while all Dariel had was his weak body to fight against him. It was no wonder that he lost to Zavid this easily.
Azimir stood behind Aylin as he watched her interrogate the perpetrator who had attempted to harm both him and Aylin and the people around them. Though he wished to rip the man's head off for his wicked actions, he still had to find out their reasons and all the other people involved in it, if any.
Moreover, it was Aylin and her people who were harmed the most by him. Azimir handed over the reins to Aylin to take charge and show the Beta of Renada what she was capable of when annoyed.
"Why did you attack us?" Aylin spoke again, her eyes narrowing subtly. There was a threat in her tone and other than her warriors in the room, who were well accustomed to her, nobody detected it.
Azimir gave her a mysterious look when he sensed the changes in her. But he did not intervene, allowing her to do as she pleased.
"Beautiful!!" Dariel sighed and Azimir glowered at him for his insolence. Instinctively, he took a step forward as anger surged through him.
Aylin's head snapped to him when she detected his movements and she shook her head at him, stopping him in his place. The human warriors and the guards of Ideni did not detect anything amiss. But Dariel noticed this small interaction and his brows quirked up in wonder.
"Alpha of Ideni and Commander General of Aranill. Hmm," He mused, a strange glint passing through his eyes. "When did this happen?" He directed his question to Azimir which both Aylin and the man ignored.
"This is the last chance for you to answer me. Why did you attack us?" Aylin clenched her fists and gave him a cold look.
"For a change, you answer my question, Commander. When did you and Alpha of Ideni fall in love? Why did we not know about it?"
Aylin's heart thumped when she heard him and she glanced at Azimir again. But all she saw was an impassive face, his expressions unreadable and hard.
Composing her emotions, Aylin pressed her forehead before she smiled at Dariel, making the man suspicious of her intentions. "You have lost the last chance to answer me. Now, wait for your doom."
Aylin then turned around and faced the other men in the room. "I am done here, Alpha Azimir. We will not be getting anything from him. Let us leave."
Aylin's words surprised everyone and they gave her a puzzled look. Even Azimir was stunned by her decision. Neither had she resorted to violence while interrogating him nor had she threatened him. She had even failed to get anything out of Dariel and had surrendered to the situation without even trying. Displeasure filled his heart and he hesitated to leave the place without getting what he wanted.
"But..." Azimir started only to stop when he saw her incensed state.
"Do not worry, Alpha Azimir. I have not given up." Her mysterious reply made everyone frown, especially Dariel who was having an ominous feeling all of a sudden.
"The Gamma of Renada will be charged with treason. And.." She ran her eyes around the dungeon cell before she faced Dariel. "Even the Alpha of Renada and all the people of his kingdom will be held responsible for what happened the previous night."
Dariel's face paled and he was terrified. Never had he expected such a shift in the situation. While he was prepared to give up his life for his Alpha, he had not envisioned to pull him into the mess he had created.
"Once I reach Aranill, I will put forth the request before the Alpha King and all those who are responsible for this will be punished accordingly."
Aylin had not revealed what the punishment was. But Dariel already had an inkling about it. He and his Alpha and all the people would be beheaded in front of everyone.
"No," Dariel shouted in fear. "You cannot do this, Commander."
"Why do you think I cannot?" Her voice was filled with absolute sinisterness and Azimir was in disbelief to find her imposing aura. It was delightful and his thoughts about her changed significantly.
"Since you dared to attack us, brace yourself to face the consequences. Do you think we do not know why you or your Alpha came up with such a plan?" She glowered at him, now utterly irate.
Azimir stepped forward, his sterling grey eyes fixed on Dariel. "Since you intruded my kingdom without permission and attacked our guests, you will also be punished according to the rules of Ideni."
Dariel's heart almost stopped beating. His eyes widened in terror and for a moment, he did not know how to get out of the situation he was in.
Alpha Azimir was a resolute and frightening man. Never had he let anyone who dared to threaten him escape unscathed and from his declaration, Dariel was now sure that even if they managed to escape their deaths at Aranill, Ideni would not spare them.
Aylin and Azimir exchanged a nod. But before they could depart from the cell, Dariel stopped them.
"You cannot do this, Commander. You cannot harm the people of Ideni. They are innocent."
"Shall I presume from your words that your Alpha is not innocent and he is as involved as you were in this attack?" Aylin was quick to corner him and Dariel was tongue-tied.
"With your acceptance, you have made it easier for me. Neither you nor your Alpha will get away from the punishment." Aylin did not allow Dariel to even speak a word, her domineering stance forcing him to submit before her.
"Be prepared for your punishment and.." Her lips arched up on one side. "Do not worry. None of the innocents will be implicated."