Jae was the final member to arrive at the king's hall. The members of the council rose from their chairs and bowed in respect of the prince as the true blood walked past and joined the alpha and luna at the head of the table. Yejin stood behind the prince's right with his hands clasped together, his chest rising and falling as he fought to catch his breath. The prince and captain had run to the hall upon receiving the alpha's command. The true blood, however, appeared to be unfazed by the quick sprint; Jae calmly sat in his chair, his chest rising and falling only slightly as he maintained control over his breaths.
The king swiveled his head around the table and said, "Let us begin," when he saw there were no empty seats.
The sigma closed her eyes in response to the alpha's words and furrowed her brows in concentration. The hall fell silent as the woman enhanced the link between the council and the delegation teams. The sigma let out a slow breath as she completed the connection and opened her eyes a moment later to reveal silver orbs. The werewolves present closed their eyes as they felt the signal open up and adjusted to the sensation of a boosted link.
'Alpha. 'The leader of Team 2 voiced his greeting through the enhanced link. The beta's voice was firm but respectful as she addressed her alpha.
'Ramona.' The king greeted the beta. 'What is Black Moon's response?'
'They have granted us access and are willing to give us an audience with the alpha.'
The king nodded his head as he responded. 'Good, good. Contact me immediately when you gain an audience with Black Moon's alpha.'
'Ae, Alpha.' Ramona grew silent after her response but remained present in the link to listen to how Team 1 was faring.
'Callon, what is the update from White Fang?' Fachan inquired of the leader of Team 1.
The delta's voice was grave as he answered. 'Sire, a delegation party from Black Moon has just arrived and is currently in a private discussion with the alpha.'
Hushed whispers of surprise floated through the room at Callon's words. The officers and members of the council shifted in their chairs as they grew restless. "What is Black Moon doing at White Fang?" "How did they know we had sent a delegation team?" "What do they want with White Fang?" "Something is amiss."
The king released a low growl to silence the frazzled council. 'Black Moon's presence at White Fang does not change the purpose of the mission. Callon, inform me once you have received an audience with White Fang's alpha.'
'Ae, Sire.'
'We are finished here.'
Jae eyed the alpha through slanted lids as the sigma cut the link. The prince was not pleased with Fachan's response to Black Moon's appearance at White Fang. Black Moon was up to something, and Jae was determined to figure out what Black Moon's intentions were. The true blood stood to his feet once the alpha had left the hall and motioned for Yejin to follow him. The prince's eyes were hard as he exited the hall and made his way to the dungeons. He would drag out Black Moon's intentions by any means necessary.
Yejin was silent as he followed his prince down the several flights of stairs and to the cage where the five were being kept. The prince trailed his eyes over the five before landing on the cowering leader. "Bring him," Jae commanded in a growl to the two guards who had escorted the prince and captain of the guard.
Whimpers of fear trailed from the frightened alpha's lips as he was grabbed and dragged from the cell.
"Where are you taking him?" The beta spoke up as she watched her teammate be brought up the stairs.
Jae stopped in his tracks and turned to face the beta. The true blood's voice was deep as he answered, "You'll find out soon enough," before turning and following the whimpering alpha up the stairs.
"P-p-please don't hurt m-me," the alpha whimpered as he was chained to a wooden chair positioned in the center of a room located just above the five's cage.
"You are likely the most pathetic alpha I have ever had the misfortune to meet," Jae said to the alpha as he rolled his sleeve. "Now, are we going to do this the easy way? Or the hard way?" The true blood asked as he bared his claws.
The alpha gulped as he saw the prince's dark eyes and bared claws. "What do you want to know?"
Jae smirked as he let out a scoff. "That was easy." The alpha's brows furrowed in confusion at the prince's remark. Jae retracted his claws and motioned for the guards to release the alpha. The restrained alpha's eyes widened as the guards unlocked the chains around his wrists, ankles, and neck.
"What a-are you doing?" The alpha inquired cautiously as he remained frozen in the chair.
"You can drop the act, now," Jae said as he stood in front of the alpha with his arms folded across his chest.
"I-I don't know w-what you're talking about," the alpha replied as he turned his gaze to the floor.
"There is no way an alpha like you would be chosen to lead a delegation team. You don't have to keep the act up. I already know you're faking," Jae answered nonchalantly.
A moment of silence passed as the alpha kept his head turned to the floor. The silence was only broken when a crazed laugh filtered out of the alpha's lips. The prisoner slowly raised his head to reveal an evil glint in his eyes accompanied by a smirk on his face. "When did you know?"
"Since the forest. Your subordinates followed your every order when we surrounded you even though you acted like a weakling. That would never happen in reality. We are wolves. We only obey those who are stronger than us. Your beta caught your drift and acted like the strong one to cover for you. My guess is that you were preparing to break out when I went and dragged you out." Jae shrugged his shoulders as he added, "Sorry to bust the party, but there will be no escaping tonight."
The alpha let out a slight scoff as he nodded his head in approval. "You're just as good as they say, Prince. Now, tell me, why did you uncuff me?"
"Well, I would usually propose a deal. We would spar, and if I won, you tell me what I wanted to know. If I lost, you and your buddies would walk free. However, you do not seem like someone who would hold to his word, so the only thing I can propose to you now is: try to survive." Jae ended the sentence with a growl as he bared his claws and charged the alpha.