Markkus, however, was oblivious to the older generation's reactions, his attention was fixed on the two mysterious figures standing beside Evelyn - a brooding man with superior looks and aura, majestic and intimidating, but looked uninterested with an air of detachment. Yet, he commanded respect, and Markkus's skin pricked with unease. His wolf whimpered softly, reminding him of the incident that happened in the Lord's sanctuary.
But there was no way in hell that Markkus thought this man in front of him was the lycan.
Perhaps, he was a guest, he thought.
Markkus tried to see the level of their cultivation but failed. His brows creased. It means these men were stronger than he was.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice firm and authoritative.
His words finally snapped everyone out of their dazed state, and the hall erupted with the older generation scrambling to prostrate themselves before the guest.
"Welcome back, My Lord!"
Alpha Logan, still looking stunned, was the last to fall to his knees, his forehead touched the floor in total submission.
Markkus's eyes widened in shock as he realized who the two figures were. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he too dropped to his knees, his forehead also touching the floor in reverence, followed by all the younger generations.
The younger generations didn't know this man, even among the older generation, those without high ranks haven't seen this man in their lives, but his name, Vladimir Kaelin Darkshadow, was a name that even a pup that was born yesterday knew.
With every step he took, the air thickened with anticipation, the shadows themselves appearing to bend and twist in his presence. His eyes, piercing and unforgiving, swept the room, as if daring anyone to meet his gaze.
The silence was oppressive, heavy with the weight of unspoken questions and unmet expectations.
Markkus felt his heart pounding in his chest, his senses on high alert as he waited for Vlad to speak, but the most thing he wanted to do was to lift his head to confirm something…his cloak. It looked exactly like the one Evelyn was wearing.
He could be wrong. He didn't see it clearly.
Evelyn, who couldn't move a muscle, and hadn't even seen the man, was stunned to see a pair of shoes standing in front of her. This aura…it felt familiar…
The shoes began to move further and further away. She shut her eyes, trying to remember where she felt that aura but she couldn't. Her mind was in a total mess now.
"Rise!" Barak commanded after Vlad was seated on Alpha Logan's seat.
Because Vlad had never appeared in ceremonies before, he had no seat in the hall. But in Greymoon pack, Alpha Sinner left a seat in his hall for the lycan, even if the lycan had never visited his pack.
That was the difference between a devotee and a rebel.
Everyone stood to their feet, head lowered, no one dared to sit down, and neither did Vlad, nor his beta told them to.
Only Evelyn was still lying on the floor. But seeing this, a warrior helped her to her feet, however, her legs buckled and she almost fell, if not the warrior who held her in place.
Finally, Evelyn could see that man, sitting up high on the throne-like chair, his piercing gaze fixed intently on her. Vladimir Kaelin's eyes seemed to bore into her very soul, as if searching for something hidden deep within.
Evelyn felt a shiver run down her spine as she met his gaze. Shifting her gaze from him, her eyes fell on his black cloak, and her mind went black.
Memories from last night smashed into her blank mind like a broken dam.
It was him!
Her mind reeled from everything she found out, of how Markkus betrayed her, and also the realization that she killed so many people and as a result, her wolf died.
The tears that had long stopped flowing started again. The pain of betrayal, rejection, and grief consumed her once more.
"What is going on here, Logan Blackwood?" Beta Barak asked with a brow raised, cutting through Evelyn's thoughts.
Expect him to give any of those Alphas respect, then you must be kidding. In terms of rank, he was higher than them. In terms of power, he was twice stronger than them, and in terms of age, some of them were older, still, why should he respect them?
Alpha Logan was offended that a beta he was older than dared to address him by his last name, but he swallowed his grievances.
"It's the mating ceremony, but a misunderstanding occurred. However, it's been taken care of," he smiled calmly.
"Oh? What kind of misunderstanding was that?" Barak pressed. Seeing how badly beaten Evelyn was, he felt his heart pounding for these people. The Lord said nothing, but Barak was sure he didn't like what he was seeing.
Just as Alpha Logan was about to speak, Barak waved his hand, "Sinner, how about you tell the Lord what you know?"
Of course, Alpha Sinner was more than happy to dig Alpha Logan's grave. He reported the matter as it was, down to the last detail, and even included how Markkus disrespected him.
Barak frowned, "Is that so? Logan's son takes everyone on a ride? He doesn't even have slight respect for other Alphas? Is this true, Logan Blackwood?"
Alpha Logan didn't dare to retort, despite feeling extremely dissatisfied. "It was my fault. I didn't teach my son well."
"That's right. This beta shall discipline him on your behalf," With that, a long whip conjured from flames appeared in Barak's hand, its length unfolded like a red snake slithering through the air.
Collective gasps filled the hall and people took hurried steps back to avoid getting hit by the powerful whip intent. The aura from the whip told of Barak's unbeatable prowess.
He's become stronger in the last three decades, the older generation thought. They wondered what his cultivation level was. Perhaps, he's reached the fifth stage of ability enhancement level or spirit awakening...?
There are five cultivation levels everyone knew of, namely;
Energy condensation level
Foundation/body building level
Core building level
Ability enhancement stages, from stage 1-5
Spirit awakening.
Most of the Alphas are in the late stages of Ability enhancement level, and Markkus was on the peak of the third stage of ability enhancement level. If Barak was in the last stage, or worse, early stage of spirit awakening level, then Markkus might die...
Cold sweat formed on Alpha Logan's forehead, afraid that Markkus wouldn't be able to take the hit.
The sound of the cracking whip echoed through the hall, striking fear into the hearts of all who heard it.
Markkus's brows creased. He didn't like this at all, but his father slightly shook his head, discouraging him from trying to fight.