Councilman Aldren scoffed loudly, the sound sharp and full of contempt as he looked at the Dark Lord coldly," "Since when did we need qualifications to deal with riffraff? You stand here acting as if you belong, when your very presence stains this land. But since you are here, already, it is okay. I will let your blood cleanse this place."
Even as Aldren vowed these words, the man in black did not react the way many expected.
Instead, Aron smiled. And as expected, it was as captivating as anything.
Then he shrugged lightly, as if the words meant very little to him. "You are my bride’s biological father," he said calmly. "So I won’t argue with you. If you need my blood, you can try to take it."
The word seemed to strike harder than any insult.
Aldren’s face twisted with rage and his composure cracked completely. "I have no relation to the dark witches or their lord!" he spat. "My only regret in this life is failing to kill your bride when she was born, like I had killed my other off spring to prevent your return. If only, my mate had not saved her and run away, you would not have had a chance to return!"
A collective gasp swept through the crowd. Because this was indeed a revelation. For years, Aldren had moved in seclusion and everyone had assumed that it was because his fated mate and child had been killed by the enemies. But no one could have thought that it was he himself who killed their fated mate... A mate that was blessed by the Moon Goddess and Aldren dared to kill her...
Before anyone could react over the horror of the truth, Aldren moved.
He shifted into a Golden wolf and charged at the man... Tonight was the night of the Golden Moon so the power of the Golden Wolf was also at its peak. Everyone held their breaths.
But the large wolf never reached his target. Because a figure stepped between them in a flash.
Emira moved without hesitation. She caught Aldren’s wrist mid-attack, stopping him cold. The impact sent a sharp ripple through the air. Then, with a force that stunned everyone watching, she shoved him back.
As Aldren stumbled several steps, barely managing to keep his footing, he changed back to his human form, glaring at her as a large red mark appeared on his forehead. "What did you do?" He growled. No one could have guessed that he’d had no intention of changing to his human form, it was just that his wolf seemed to have disappeared the moment her hand touched him...
Emira stood firmly between him and the Dark Lord, as she glared at the man coldly. Finally, it was time for her revenge... "I have not yet avenged my mother’s and my siblings’ death.
She took a step forward, her voice low and dangerous. "You are mistaken."
Fury flashed across Aldren’s face as he gathered himself, preparing to strike again. Even if she had rendered his wolf useless using dark magic, it would not stop him from attacking her. He was about to move forward again when Emira suddenly smiled and spoke softly," Aldren... You’ve already tried your move. Why don’t I give you a gift first?"
"You killed your own children. One by one. Because they could bring back the dark lord... It must have pained you to kill your own flesh and blood and then lie to your mate about them being still born... It must have cut your heart into pieces not being able to see the little girls cry, laugh and play. And your mate... you used to love her laughter. That is what you told her. That you wanted to make her laugh forever. Didn’t you go into seclusion because of how much you missed them? So, here, I’ll give you a gift... I will let you hear them... for the rest of your life."
Aldren stiffened and he stared at her. "What are you trying to do..."
Her smile widened," You know the dark magic well. I am sure you can have guessed by now what I am talking about.. But in case you haven’t, my spell is called the ’Grave whisperer."
She watched as he stiffened and stepped back. Good. He recognised the spell.
"Don’t," Aldren whispered. "Don’t—"
Emira lifted her hand. And whispered a single word. And then watched as the man sank to the ground instantly covering his ears. Her hands clenched then as the man struggled silently...
She knew what he was hearing.. He was hearing his children cry... The one he had killed without remorse or even a second thought.
Aldren writhed on the ground, his fingers digging into his own hair as if he could tear the sounds out of his head. His mouth opened, but no words came at first. Only a broken sound escaped him, raw and full of panic. His shoulders shook violently as the crying in his head grew louder.
Around them, the crowd recoiled. Even though they could not hear what he was hearing, their wolves snarled without meaning to. Others went still, their faces pale, their instincts screaming. No one had ever seen a man of Aldren’s standing reduced to this in a matter of seconds.
Emira stood where she was, her hand still raised, her expression hard. She did not look away or flinch. She almost wished she could see what he was feeling and how it was breaking him inside...
But before she could cast such a spell, a quite voice broke the silence. " Enough."
Emira’s head whipped around. Standing there, was Crown Prince Lancelot Stormhold, dressed in his ceremonial robe as he stood staring at her. He stepped forward and place a hand on Aldren’s head...
Suddenly, Aldren changed back into his wolf form, whimpering... But this time the wolf looked visibly weakened and not majestic.