What he said inflamed me. How can he still say casually when so many innocent lives died because of his so-called test?
"And also, is it convenient to use rogues against us? Do you still have a conscience?" I mocked. "Was it also your plan to kill them after testing us? You're the king and elders; aren't you supposed to care for them and spare their lives? They may be rogues, but they still have the freedom to live just like us. You stepped in their right, and this is the most disgusting trick for me."
I feel sorry for the fallen and dead rogues.
To others, this is good news, but putting my pack in danger is another matter. Plus, those poor rogues make my heart ache for them.
"What are you talking about?" the elders asked me confusedly.
"What am I talking about? I'll show you, and please follow me," I uttered and stood up. I lead them out of the packhouse to the open space at the edge of my territory.
There, I show them the gruesome aftermath of the war. Rogues' dead bodies are scattered on the dirty ground. Their remains and bloody death make someone puke their intestines out.
I saw confusion in their eyes, including the king.
"We never used rogues, Raven. We don't need them to attack you just for this test," Onix mumbled while shaking his head.
"Then explain why these things happened? For the past three days, rogues had been attacking us. And the worst is that humans were involved. I captured a rogue and that human for interrogation, but when I woke up the next day, my warriors found them dead without reason. I tried sniffing the air to search for the sign of the trespasser, but it was clean. And what disturbed me was that the rogues exploded on their own as if a bomb was planted inside their bodies. There was something fishy about this, I just felt it. Rogues never band together and live alone. They even avoid pack's territories, so why did they come here in a group." A snicker escaped from her mouth. "And you're telling me that you have nothing to do about this? Are you kidding me?" A hint of sarcasm can be heard in my tone. My eyes never left the king's face as I tried to observe him.
Confusion is written on his face as if he has nothing to do with this. Even the elders are clueless about it.
"This is confusing," Scar muttered after examining all the remains. "Someone is behind all this," he added.
"Yeah, I already figured it out. Someone out there probably hated me so much that they used this chance to kill me. Maybe, someone you trusted or working at the palace," I said.
"Onix assigned someone to investigate this matter," the king commanded.
"Yes, your majesty," he replied. "I must go back to the palace and see if I can find something."
The king nodded. The elders went with him while the king and his bodyguards stayed.
"I formally acknowledge you as an alpha, Claw, but what happened here puzzled me."
I glanced at him.
"Are you? Or you're just trying to hide it from your elders," I uttered.
"Can we talk in private?" he said seriously.
I was debating with my inner self if I would agree to talk to him or not.
"I know you probably don't want to be alone with me, but we need to talk for the kingdom's sake. I need to know everything that happens here," he insisted.
I heaved a deep sigh. Even though I don't want to talk to him, I must choose my responsibility first and set aside my grudge.
"Alright, follow me to my office," I resignedly said.
As we were walking back to the packhouse, I could feel his intense gaze behind me.
"Stop staring, will you," I snapped at him. Goosebumps slowly crawl on my skin.
"Sorry," he said.
As we entered my office, I offered him the seat in front of my table. I don't care if he's the king and needs royal treatment. He's in my territory and will have to get the treatment just like the wolves who live here.
I opened the window to allow the fresh air inside. I don't know why after we entered, heavy and thick air surrounded me as if suffocating me.
"Do you have a mate, Alpha Claw?" he suddenly asked me when I returned to my seat.
Huh! What kind of question is that?
"No! I don't," I answered casually.
"How old are you?"
"Twenty."
"Weren't you supposed to find your mate at sixteen?" I saw curiosity in his eyes.
Wait! We were supposed to discuss the attack here, but why is he asking me some personal and irrelevant things?
"Excuse my rudeness, your highness, but we must be talking about the rogues and the attacks," I interrupted him.
"I leave that to my elders," he replied. "They will solve it, and there's no need for me to help them," he added, which made me question his leadership.
Why does a king rely on his elders to work for him?
"If that's the case, then why do you want us to talk? I think we don't need to talk about that. I will investigate on my own," I dismissed him.
"Answer me, Raven, where is your mate?" he asked using his dangerous tone.
Bullshit! His voice carries a strong oppressiveness that I and claw have no right to refuse to answer.
"D-dead," I answered softly, though it was a lie.
The king's voice was more powerful than an alpha tone. Everyone answers him regardless of how strong the clan is.
I saw him smirking at me.
"Woah!" he mumbled. "Aren't you a remarkable lady? You survived without a mate even though chances of survival are slim; you still manage to stay alive. You even manage to become an alpha which most females your age can't do," he said, praising her. He stood up and walked to where my seat was located. "I am very impressed!" He was seated at the edge of the table. "Tell me, how did you do it? I'm curious."
"Aren't you curious one?" I asked him and pushed my swivel chair away from the table. I don't like the idea of being near him.
I smirk.