Chapter 3.

Damien POV 

"My Alpha, my Alpha," the pack guard stammered, fear evident in his eyes, resembling a frightened child.

"What is happening?" I inquired, my voice laced with concern and a deep frown etching my face, replacing the anger that simmered within.

"The pack is under attack," he said, causing my eyes to narrow. I had to swiftly come to the pack's aid and fend off these invaders.

"Not again," I growled inwardly, my frustration mounting. These relentless adversaries refused to leave my pack in peace.

Suppressing my rising anger, I clenched my fists and pressed my lips firmly together, striving to regain control.

"How? Who are they? And how did they manage to breach our defenses?" Urgency tinged my voice, but fear had no place within me. I was the protector of the pack, always prepared to wield my spear against any threat.

"No, it's our own people, Alpha. They demand your presence, threatening to overrun the pack if you don't comply," he informed me, injecting a note of relief into my racing heart. The way he conveyed the news suggested that an external force had not infiltrated our sanctuary.

Angrily, I growled at him, my friend's face mirroring my hatred and anger. I tightened my grip on my hands and pressed my lips against the roof of my mouth to quell the surge of rage.

I brushed past him, striding purposefully to confront the people who were apparently in revolt outside. However, a flicker of doubt crept into my mind. What could have driven them to rebel against their own kind? Hastily donning my royal robe, I ventured out to witness the multitude of werewolves congregated before me, their presence both astonishing and unsettling.

"Bring her out! We demand our children back! Justice must prevail! She cannot live while our children lie dead, victims of her cold hands!" The clamor of their voices filled the air, echoing through the surroundings. I knew that surrendering Eva to this mob would result in her merciless demise.

I suppressed my anger, refusing to provide them with the satisfaction of a heated response. I tightly clenched my hands, exerting control over my rising emotions. Handing Eva over to the furious crowd was out of the question. She held a special place in my heart, as my second chance mate, a beacon of hope after the loss of my first mate during a war. I was determined to nurture our bond, and I needed more time to do so.

An idea blossomed within me, causing a smile to grace my lips. "You shall have justice, but first, we must establish her guilt for the crimes she is accused of," I addressed the gathered werewolves.

"She will face trial before the Elder Council of the werewolves," I announced to the crowd. A voice from the multitude inquired about the trial's timing. "Expect it to take place next week," I replied, dispersing the gathering before retreating to my quarters.

The pack was engulfed in turmoil, and I had to find a way to reunite Eva with her mate. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon me, and I sought solace in sleep. However, the recent events weighed heavily on my heart, preventing me from finding rest. The burden compelled me to take a nocturnal stroll around the pack, hoping to ease my troubled mind.

As I walked, thoughts of the enigmatic wolf who had captivated me swirled within me. Despite the crimes she had allegedly committed, I found myself unable to sever the connection. A heavy sigh escaped my lips, betraying the internal struggle I faced. Midway through my wanderings, I overheard voices emanating from an adjacent wall. Sensing the need for secrecy, I concealed myself, ensuring my presence remained undetected.

"We can no longer tolerate his leadership," I recognized my Beta's voice amidst the others.

"We must seize control of the pack by force," he declared, while I continued to eavesdrop.

"But how can we eliminate him?" an unfamiliar voice inquired.

"Fear not. Tomorrow is the trial of that monstrous wolf. I will poison his drink through the bearer, and he shall perish a week later from organ failure," the Beta divulged, punctuating the revelation with a sinister laughter.

Silently, I retreated from their vicinity, ensuring my departure went unnoticed. Returning to the pack house, I struggled to comprehend that my trusted Beta, someone I held in high regard, would conspire against me without just cause. A seething rage swelled within me, compelling me to confront them and unleash my wrath. Yet, I refrained from succumbing to my anger.

Tomorrow, I would publicly expose their treachery, ensuring they faced a slow and agonizing demise. "I will feed you to my rogue wolf," I growled, a venomous blend of hatred and anger seeping into my voice.

The next morning, I gathered the entire pack together and announced my Beta's treachery. I told them how he had been plotting to overthrow me, and how he had been in league with the enemy. The wolves were shocked and outraged, and they demanded that I punish him immediately.

I ordered my Beta to be brought before me, and I told him that he was hereby stripped of his rank and banished from the pack. I also told him that he would be fed to my rogue wolf. The Beta begged for mercy, but I refused. I had no choice but to make an example of him, or else others might be tempted to follow in his footsteps.

The rogue wolf was a fearsome creature, and she tore the Beta to pieces in front of the entire pack. The wolves were horrified, but they also understood that justice had been served. I had protected the pack from a traitor, and I had shown that I would not tolerate any threats to my authority.