CH.76

"Yeah, seriously - what exactly is he?" Killian chimed in. "I know my inner beast sees him as his Alpha. I mean...he most definitely gives off supreme Alpha vibes, which makes total sense given how I come from one of the most powerful Alpha bloodlines around."

He shrugged his broad shoulders. "But we all know you haven't exactly been a hundred percent honest with us about the boss man's deal, grandpa. I don't get how he's so insanely powerful when he's never once shifted into a wolf form, drank blood, or showed any typical signs that he's either a werewolf or vampire."

Killian's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied the couple’s expression. "Yet, his very aura somehow commanded mine and Seven's absolute loyalty and obedience at our very first encounter. Whether we want it to or not. It's like we're cosmically bound to follow his lead."

He ran a hand through his tousled locks again. "Plus, every other supernatural creature I know gets riled up and horny as hell during the full moon. We're all a bunch of rabid beasts during that time of the month. But Knox?" He let out a derisive snort. "That dude never once popped a single boner or got the least bit frisky, no matter what lunar phase it was. Hell, he never even looked twice at a woman, except for that white lotus chick."

Killian's lips curled into a lecherous smirk as he gave an exaggerated roll of his eyes. "Of course, that was before he finally met my lovely sister-in-law and she rocked his whole world. She got that repressed ice king's engine revving like nobody's business."

A deep chuckle rumbled from his barrel chest. "You should have seen the poor bastard desperately trying to cool himself down with cold baths and showers because he just couldn't get enough of my idol's sweet--"

"Enough of your incessant blabbering about that worthless human wretch!" Meredith's snarl cut through Killian's crude ramblings. "The only reason that insignificant girl still draws breath is because she has yet to provide my grandson with an heir. An offspring of his bloodline."

She leveled a threatening glare at the smirking wolf. "But you would be wise to keep that little pet far away from my grandson until we can devise a way for him to lay with her and sire a child without killing her...or risking himself in the process."

"That's enough from both of you!" The commanding baritone of Enzo's voice finally rang out, silencing the heated back-and-forth.

The regal vampire lord had remained still and silent up until this point, seemingly deep in contemplation as he attempted to make sense of the unfolding tragedy surrounding his grandson.

Enzo's piercing gaze slowly swept over the assembled group, his expression inscrutable yet heavy with complexity. "I know precisely what is happening with my boy...and I understand the steps that must be taken to save him from this fate." His tone was grim yet resolute, devoid of any of the usual mirth or sardonic humor that typically laced his words.

His amber eyes finally settled on Meredith. "However, I am also a firm believer in the sacred mate bond, perhaps more than any of you..." His sculptured features tightened imperceptibly with a fleeting glimpse of anguish and haunted memories flickering across his handsome visage. "I know firsthand the devastation of having one's mate torn away or watching them give themselves to another. It is the most unendurable torment, one I would not wish on my greatest enemy."

A tense silence hung in the air for a long moment before Enzo continued in a low, measured tone. "Which is why, no matter what happens...the girl cannot be killed, even after she has successfully provided my grandson with an heir."

A feral growl rumbled up from the depths of Killian's broad chest as his eyes blazed crimson. His claws began lengthening with an audible series of sickening cracks and pops.

His wolf was in a blind rage at even the vague implication of harm befalling Serena. But before the snarling beast could fully emerge, Enzo's commanding supreme tones sliced through the tension.

"Reign that beast in, boy!" The sheer force and dominance underlying Enzo's growled order caused Killian's body to seize up.

His muscles locked in place as he fought back the urge to reflexively submit with a whimper. The weight of the high-born’s dominion pressed down on him like a crushing vise, keeping his feral side forcibly restrained for the moment.

A stunned hush fell over the assembled group. Their eyes were wide with shock and apprehension at witnessing such an overwhelming display of Enzo's true power and authority. Even the unflappable Meredith found herself staring at her husband in disbelief.

Her full lips parted slightly as her gaze was inexplicably drawn to the nearly imperceptible tendrils of black smoke leaking from Enzo's very being. Not only that, but she had caught a glimpse of something else that others may have missed when he uttered that command.

“Enzo…” She trailed off, unsure how to phrase her question. “Why exactly where you exiled back then? Why did Queen Minerva end up marrying your brother?”

“I think the right question should be: What exactly is the true Delgaard family’s origine?” Seven spoke up.