Chapter 8: The Elder's Verdit

~Alessandro~

"I hope you enjoyed my little gift."

The moment those words entered my ears, I froze, my grip on the balcony tightening, cracks forming.

'What gift?' My mind immediately flashed to the only abnormality in my life—her.

Her teary eyes, reddened at the corners, shinning with defiance that broke forth once in a while, her dark hair contrasting against her pale moonlit skin, despite the dirt streaks on her skin. Even in such a depressed place… shone.

That image had seered itself in my mind.

I turned, for some reasons, i couldnt place my fingers on, hewring those words sparked something akin to a parrie fire, my eyes blazing with anger, which I held back in.

"What do you mean by that, Radu?" I spat out his name. He was as venomous as they come.

Behind me stood a familiar man—brown-haired, brown-eyed, a slight smile on his lips, his eyes basking in what he thought was his victory.

"Of course, you know what I'm talking about, don't you, Alessandro? I've always wanted to hit you where it hurts, but you were uptight and sealed even tighter than the forbidden library. And finally, after so many years, I got you exactly where it hurts. Didn't expect that, did you, Alessandro?"

I had to agree begrudgingly.

"In fact, if not for the greed of someone around you, I would have succeeded. But as they say, human wants are insatiable."

He swiftly sold out his intel just to glimpse a reaction from me—unfortunately, a reaction he'll never get. I stared at him with the same narrowed eyes. I had already suspected that he had planted a mole within the numerous servants in my quarters.

He pursed his lips, displeased, before pushing it a step further. "Do you know what he sold you out for? The hand in marriage of a damsel."

He guffawed. Even I must say how dumbfounded I was. "I guess your servant’s loyalty was just about this much, huh?"

He jumped on another boat, clearly disturbed by my lack of visible reaction. He tidied up his clothes. "I've won, Alessandro—and you can say bye-bye to the throne. You've violated the rules, and I'm sure some people will be delighted to hear about it."

By now, word should have reached the elders. Without guessing, I already knew whose handiwork that was. He was that desperate to take something that was never his in the first place.

He stood up from the sofa, flashing me with a face that bore little resemblance to mine—a victorious smirk, assured, perhaps even dreaming of his coronation.

But as he walked away, I found myself asking,

"The girl—was she aware of it?"

"Aware? The girl was oblivious, thinking her beloved parents cherished her, only to be sold behind her back in the blink of an eye. But such devastation—isn't it delicious? I'm sure you must have felt it, Alessandro… the despair in her eyes, the panic, the fear."

Fire blazed from my eyes. I spun around, coming face to face with him, my brows deepening. 'Did he mean what I thought he did?'

"You mean you brought an unwilling girl into this, Radu?" I voiced out, word by word, through gritted teeth. "This is a new low, even for you, Radu."

But all I received was his boisterous laughter. He threw his head back, his shoulders quaking. "Does it matter?"

I froze, the red haze creeping into my vision dispersing. He was right. In this line, pity is useless. I swore inwardly, knowing I had lost control of my emotions for a moment—a crack in my exterior.

And he too had noticed it. "Oh? Wait, don't tell me the ever-emotionless and indifferent Alessandro has started feeling something."

"Don't delude yourself, Radu. Your schemes will never make you a king."

I stood watching as he retreated once more, walking toward the door.

"And I forgot to say—you may or may not receive the elders’ summon any moment from now. Take it as a friendly reminder from me." He ticked his index finger, moving it side to side as though he truly cared. But I knew better—we were nothing more than enemies tied by blood and fate.

As his figure gradually became smaller, he left behind the words lingering in the air:

"I'm curious, though, Alessandro… how does it taste?"

"Arrgh!" Once he was out of sight, I let loose. With a growl, I slammed my fist on the wall beside me, leaving dents and cracks in its wake. My chest heaved violently, fingers clenched at my sides.

*****

"The elders may now see you." A brunette in a bun curtly spoke, her poker expression giving no sign of her inner thoughts.

"Prince Alessandro now enters," she announced my arrival to the people seated inside.

With a wave of her palm, the guards by the side stepped backward, pulling at the massive, gigantic double doors.

They opened up to reveal a wide room. Magnificent in elegance. Lined up by its sides were seats forming a semicircle, occupied by white-haired and bearded elderly persons.

A mix of female and male wolves, seven in number with distinct features, but what was common was the stern and piercing looks in their eyes that narrowed in on me the moment I entered.

"Greetings, Elders." I gave a curt nod, noticing the flicker of disapproval that went through their faces, except for the woman at the side, who had as much expression as a wall.

'Were they expecting a grand and elaborate greeting filled with flowery words of praise, sending them to the moon like Radu did, or bowing until my head reached the floor like the commoners did? If that was what they expected, I'm afraid they'll have to wait until their graves.'

The air stilled for a moment. I stared at each one of them straight in the eyes, then the elder in the middle broke the silence.

"We've received a report that you've taken to bed a she-wolf that is not your mate, Crown Prince Alessandro. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Inwardly scoffing, I already knew who they stood for, and it was never me.

"And may I ask who this reporter is?"

"No, you may not. It’s anonymous."

'No, it’s not.' I knew it wasn’t. The subtle glint of delight flashing through their eyes told me.

Taking a step forward, I refused to poke that bubble of lies. Instead, I shot back, "I'm sure you already know everything you want to and have made the verdict."

"We wouldn't make a judgment without hearing the words from the accused. Please be cautious of the impact of your words, Prince." One cut in, shooting me a displeased look, clearly grated by my words.

'Reputation-loving wolves. They say wisdom comes with age, yet I fail to see it here.' I scanned the group once more.

"I only speak from experience, not from assumption."

One of them averted their gaze, clearing their throat awkwardly, past memories coming up.

"Don't divert the reason for your summon." Before it could spiral downward into unpleasant memories they never agreed to admit, the leader, Elder Thalvorn, reined it in, pulling it backward.

"So you do not deny the fact that you have bedded a she-wolf, and you are aware of the kingdom's laws?"

I did not for a fact. The solemn voice echoed. It was the sixth elder, a female wolf, a keeper of the royal decrees, who stayed silent through the meeting.

"As per the decree of the High Council, the firstborn heir must reserve his first union for his fated mate. Any deviation from this law results in immediate forfeiture of succession rights."

"Knowing fully well what happens…you still…" He wrinkled his forehead, sighing in regret. Something unreadable flashed turning his once clever eyes murky.

"But you're wrong."

"What? Excuse me?"

"Both you and your informant were wrong about one thing." For the first time in a long time, the corners of my lips tilted upwards.

"I never slept with a random she-wolf." Remembering the sensation and stirrings within me, it was something strange— but undeniable, cool and soothing yet magnetic wafting over me in waves until I sank. I had realised that—

"She is my mate." My steady voice rebounded through the hall.

The elders' expressions distorted, disbelief and shock visible.

Eyes widened. Jaws dropped. Tiny gasps rang through the pace.

"Surprised?"