Chapter 167

Ethan

Stepping foot onto my land and then into my pack house this time is different. The usual zing of anticipation is dulled, almost as if it has become numb after Fiona left. It doesn’t matter that she’s never been here or that she’s never fully been part of my pack.

There’s something missing now.

There’s a large hole that none of my usual pack members could fill.

I rub at the ache in my chest, wishing the now-constant pain in the mate bond would grow numb as well. Though, at the same time, I hope it stays around. It’s the only thing connecting me to Fiona now. If it were to completely disappear, there would be no hope of rekindling the bond between us, and that would be unacceptable.

“Zev?” I call down our bond, but silence greets me. It’s the same silence that’s been sitting between us since Fiona left the house. “You have to talk to me at some point, Zev. We can’t be divided while we fight in the Challenges.”

No response. Not even a growl.

Nothing.

Though, it’s not like I could blame him for icing me out. It’s my fault Fiona left. I should’ve gotten my head out of my ass way before now, but it’s too late. There isn’t much I can do now, but I swear I’ll make things right when I get back. After the fights and after I beat every last Lycan that Challenges me, I’ll go back to her.

“Alpha,” a familiar voice calls.

Turning, I find Elder Nugyen coming toward me. Behind him, Elder Raen and Mr. Denton walk into the room offering kind smiles. The three kindest and so far, the most supportive of the elders in my pack offer bows of respect as they stop beside me.

Mr.—Elder Denton’s eyes roam over me, and I don’t miss the worried wrinkles around his eyes. I can imagine what he sees. A run down, ragged young man that looks nothing like the put together Alpha he’s used to.

“Ethan, are you alright? Did something happen?” Elder Denton asks, reaching out. His hand lands on my shoulder, and I have to force myself not to flinch. The zip of pain that hits me in the spot he touched flies through my body, spreading. It’s the same as what happened when Ryan slapped me on the shoulder for good luck before I left to get on the plane.

“Are you unwell, Alpha?” Elder Raen asks, his brows pulling together. I almost laugh at the question. Unwell would be an understatement.

“I’m fine. Did you call for a meeting that I’m unaware about?” I ask the three of them. It’s not odd for Elders to hang around each other during the day, since most of them are retired, but for these three to come to the meeting room at the same time I arrived, it a bit odd.

“No...” Elder Nugyen trails off, glancing at the other two before continuing. “We came looking for you, to ask what your plan is, but now I’m wondering if you’re alright.”

I nod, lying to everyone including myself. I just have to push through the Challenges, and then everything will be fine. One way or another, I’ll fix everything.

“You sure as hell better be fine, boy. I didn’t raise you all these years to give in before becoming the Lycan King,” a growly voice shouts just before the door to the meeting room slams open and my father storms in.

He marches right up to me, grabs me by the collar, and shoves me at the wall. My back collides with the solid structure, and the Elders gasp.

“Get your hands off me,” I snarl, the numbness giving way to a fiery anger. I’m not surprised he’s angry, but I am shocked he would dare to threaten his Alpha like this. It doesn’t matter that I’m his son, the disrespect is uncalled for.

“You will not fail the challenges if you want to—”

“Silence!” The command rings loud and clear with the Alpha command, making everyone in the room freeze and stopping my father in the middle of his rant. Lately, he’s been pushing the limits a little too much.

With the anger and pain already piercing me, I can’t, or actually, I won’t deal with his disrespect. Not any longer.

“I will win the challenges, father, but not for you. In fact, nothing I’m doing is for you. I don’t care that you spent your life training me because that was your choice. If you’re miserable or unhappy, don’t blame that on me. You’re the one who took yourself down the path you’ve been on,” I growl, shoving him back. His hand drops from my neck as he stumbles backwards.

“You can’t speak to me that way.”

“You’re wrong,” I interject. “You can’t speak to me that way. I am your Alpha not the other way around. Your time as the leader of this pack and as the dictator in my life is over, father. You’re already toeing a line with the attitude and grabbing me. Don’t push even further.”

His eyes widen in shock, and before he can respond, I point to the door.

“Get out. I have things to discuss with Elder Denton, Nugyen, and Raen.”

My father’s mouth opens as if he’s going to say something but then it closes, and he turns. Smart man. Choose your battles wisely, especially if you know you can’t win. He always told me that, and now he’s taking his own advice for once.

Once he leaves, I turn back to the men in front of me and nod in apology. Even though they’re Elders, they shouldn’t have to see the anger that simmers between me and my father. Not that the anger sticks around for long. In fact, as he disappears, that numb, hollow feeling falls over my body again, pulling me down into dark depths.

“There was one other reason we came to find you, Alpha,” Elder Raen says, pulling my attention to him.

“Hmm? What’s that?”

The’d instantly piqued my interest. I knew they weren’t just here to welcome me. They would’ve waited a little longer if that were the case.

“We got word from one of the Council Members in charge of Angela’s case. We thought you may want to know that she’s been taken into custody by the King’s guards. The trial is not over, but she’s been deemed a flight risk and as the trials are going on, she will be detained,” Elder Raen explains.

“I believe there shouldn’t be anymore problems coming from Angela in the future,” Elder Nugyen adds.

“Good. Do you think they will punish her to the full extent of what she’s done?” I ask, the heat in my chest simmering like a constant flame. If the Council doesn’t punish her, or her family, I will have to take matters into my own hand.

“I believe they will do what is right,” Elder Denton says, stepping forward. “Even with their shortsighted views, the Council knows not to take things too far. Angela will be punished for hurting your mate.”

A satisfied rumble comes from deep within me, and I almost smirk at the primal response. I’m not the only one satisfied with this answer. No matter how far Zev buries himself, he couldn’t help but respond to the news that his- our- mate is being avenged.

“Thank you for letting me know,” I tell them, nodding at each. “Now, I believe I have some training to do before the Challenges begin in two days.”

“Of course, Alpha. We wish you the best.”