Chapter Twenty-Four:
Sebastian's POV
James and his guilty conscience must have been telling him to make a run for it, as he had left traces behind. He needed a beating before getting asked questions.
"Under my command, ask all the warriors to lash him until I arrive. He was responsible for the burning of the Lead Warrior's mansion," I told the warrior.
The warrior, Geo, had been something of an assistant to the Lead Warrior. He was the one who had told me what the Lead Warrior's daughter looked like when I tried searching for her during the snowstorm. He'd be the one most affected by the death of the Lead Warrior, amongst his warriors, and the burning of the Lead Warrior's building. He suppressed a growl as he replied, "Yes, Alpha."
I knew he'd be the one cheerleading the lashing, so I decided to take my time and see my mother first. James was close to her since the death of their mother, who was the former Beta. The current Beta, her oldest son, assumed his position during my father's rule, and young James had been taken care of by my mother. I was never close enough to take him as a younger brother anyway—he always had iffy behaviors.
"I need to speak to you, mother." I walked into the hall where she taught the young omega girls about making industrial products. The omega girls bowed and scampered away, and I took a seat opposite her. She had a slight frown on her face.
"It couldn't wait? I was in the middle of something."
My mother and I hadn't been the closest since my father died. She did nothing wrong, but I just didn't bother her with anything and appreciated whatever input she provided.
"This is important. The Lead Warrior's mansion was set on fire." I could bet no one had told her this yet.
Her brows knitted together, not in shock but in disapproval. Though, I felt shock should be a more appropriate response before disapproval.
"James did it."
I wondered if my tone sounded accusatory as her frown lessened.
"Are you sure? Or did someone accuse him?"
"He outed himself. He lied about it, and I picked up the truth. You know I can." I studied her expression.
She fell silent immediately and looked away. That was one of the reasons we fell apart. An Alpha had a strong connection with his pack, strong enough to sense them in danger and when they're trying to betray him.
Since my mother knew I could sense the lies in my pack members, her communication with me reduced. I didn't accuse her of anything, but that was questionable.
"James burned the Lead Warrior's building. Have you spoken to him yet? You need to hear everything he has to say. He might've done it, but… you know."
She nearly spoke clearly with him.
"I don't know."
He was her little boy, and that's why I came to speak to her about it first. I was older than James by just a year, so I didn't want to be direct with him—his 'mother' should.
"I just wanted to ask you, but it seems you don't know anything about it." I waited, considering whether to ask 'right?' That would give me a better answer, as if she said no or yes, I'd be able to know which was a lie.
But I didn't want to sense my own mother's lies or realize that she was lying to me. If the Luna turned out to be involved in all of this, it would make things difficult for me.
I left the hall and linked to Geo, but he didn't connect. I linked to another warrior, and he replied hastily, "The Beta punished Geo for carrying out your command, Alpha."
I stopped in my tracks. Did this warrior know what he was saying? He didn't even mince words in telling me that the Beta not only disobeyed me but also punished my messenger. These warriors were unhinged.
"All of you should leave first."
"And James? Geo told us what you said, Alpha."
They must have already been gearing up to lash him.
"I said to leave first. I won't repeat myself again."
"Yes, Alpha." Then I disconnected from him.
The Beta sided with his brother, which might seem natural, but he also disobeyed direct orders from my messenger. Geo would be the next Lead Warrior soon enough, so that behavior was uncalled for.
My Delta wasn't around, or he'd have handled this. I sped to the back of the pack, where I sensed Geo. I caught the scent of James and the Beta and slowed down, hiding my scent so I could hear what was being yelled.
"What gave you the right to attack my brother in front of me?" The Beta's voice boomed from the shack they were in. So Geo had attacked first before giving my orders? Typical of him. Those warriors were truly unhinged. The Lead Warrior had truly been magical to keep them under control. Either way, Geo must have spoken my orders after the Beta punished him, so he shouldn't still be punished. The Beta must be against his brother's actions.
"Geo, get up." I revealed my position and walked into the shack. The Beta's eyes landed on me but quickly diverted. James made a small step towards his brother.
"Yes, Alpha." Geo stood up, keeping his stoic expression. A side of his blonde hair was disarranged, and I guessed the Beta had punched him when he attacked James.
"Alpha, I just heard—"
I didn't wait for the Beta's explanation before slamming a punch on James, watching him stumble toward Geo. The Beta moved to catch him, but I blocked him, lowering my eyebrows.
"You heard my orders, did you not?"
The Beta stepped back.
"I-I did, but—"
"No buts." I turned to Geo, who stared down at James on the ground like he was a piece of trash he wanted to stomp on.
"Take him out. Carry out my orders."
James opened his mouth to speak, but I raised my hand.
"You burned the Lead Warrior's mansion out of greed. We'll address that after I finish speaking with your brother here. For now, just suffer."
Geo pulled him away as I spoke. When I turned to the Beta, I saw the panic in his eyes. I didn't have younger siblings, thank the Goddess, so I wouldn't know how it felt to watch your stupid sibling get punished for their crime.
What I did know for sure was that the Lead Warrior's daughter and his warriors were the true victims.
"So you've heard his crime. What do you have to say about it?" I tilted my head, blocking his line of sight. He had been watching his younger brother being pulled away.
"I-I don't know what to say... I saw him last night with fuel. He said he was making a bonfire for all of us to admire. I didn't think it was anything as crazy as that."
So James had his cool villain moments at night? He was lamer and more incoherent than I had assumed. It pleased me to know that the Beta was telling the truth, and he truly didn't know anything about this.