Chapter 51

The memory came rushing back to Leo, unhidden, a night painted in the vivid hues of shame and fury. It was the tournament season, the annual test of strength, strategy and dominance that determined the pecking order among the younger wolves of the pack. 

Leo had trained for months, his every waking moment dedicated to proving himself to his father. But when the final match ended, it was Aiden who stood victorious, his name resounding in cheers as he was crowned the winner.

Leo stood in the arena, his breath shallow and uneven, his body bruised and bloodied. His father's gaze burned into him, a mixture of disappointment and expectations. Yet, Leo couldn't meet his eyes. He'd failed.

Aiden, on the other hand, was radian in his triumph. The young Lycan exudes confidence, his smirk a dagger aimed at anyone who dares challenge his dominance. And with his victory came the privilege: the right to pass judgment on behalf of the pack.

It began almost immediately. A group of rogues has been captured the night before, their bodies gaunt and weary from weeks of scavenging. They were dragged into the pack square, shackled and trembling under the weight of their own fear.

Aiden stood before them, his presence a storm cloud ready to break. “You trespassed on our land,” he said, his voice sharp and cold. “You hunted what was ours. Tell me, what do you think you deserve?”

One of the rogues, a wiry man with a scar running down his cheek, lifted his head. “We were starving,” he rasped. “We didn't come to fight—”

“Enough,” Aiden's command cut through the air like a whip. He turned to the gathered pack, his smirk returning. “Mercy is for the weak. And we are not weak.”

Leo watched in horror as Aiden sentenced the rogues to the punishment pits—a slow and agonizing death designed to serve as a warning to others. Their cries echoed as they were dragged away and Leo felt a churning in his stomach. He wanted to speak, to argue, but the sting of his own defeat by Aiden kept him silent

Aiden wasn't finished.

Later that day, an old woman was caught near the royal residence. She was frail, her clothes patches and worn and her trembling hands clutched a loaf of bread she had stolen from the kitchens. When the guards brought her to Aiden, his eyes gleamed with the thrill of control.

“You dared to steal from the Alpha's home?” he asked, circling her like a predator stalking it's prey.

The woman fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “I Have grandchildren,” she pleaded. “They haven't eaten in days. Please, I meant no harm—”

Aiden silenced her with a sharp gesture. “Excuses,” he said, his tone dripping with disdain. “Do you think desperation gives you the right to steal? No. Theft, especially from the Alpha's house, is treason.”

He turned to the gathered guards, his voice rising. “Treason is punishable by death.”

A gasp ripped through the gathered guards. Even among a few other wolves that were there, known for their strict adherence to law, such a sentence seemed extreme for an old woman. But Aiden was unmoved. He called for the executioner, and the old woman was dragged to the center of the pack square.

Leo's heart pounded in his chest when he heard of it. He hurried down to the square immediately. This was wrong. Ruthless as Aiden was, this was a new level of cruelty. He looked around, hoping someone would speak but the pack remained silent, their loyalty to the victor overriding their sense of justice.

“Enough!”

The commanding voice cut through the tension like a blade. Alpha Eric stepped forward, his presence immediately commanding respect. He looked at Aiden with a mixture of disapproval and challenge.

“She’s a thief, yes.” Eric said, his voice measured. “But she is also a mother and a grandmother. Her crime does not warrant death.”

Aiden's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing at Eric. “She broke the law. What messages would it send if we let her go unpunished?”

Eric stepped closer, his voice dropping to a growl. “Aiden, your father won't want this either. The message it sends, Aiden, is that we are monsters. A true Alpha knows the difference between justice and cruelty.”

For a moment, Aiden looked as though he might argue but then he stepped back, his smirk returning. “As you wish, Alpha,” he said, his tone laced with mockery. “But don't expect this leniency to win you loyalty.”

The woman was released, her tearful gratitude directed at Eric, not Aiden. Leo felt a surge of pride for his father but also a deeper, festering resentment towards Aiden.

Later that night, Leo found himself alone, replaying the day's events. He could still see the woman's terrified face but through it all, Aiden smirk haunted him, a reminder of the cruelty that lurked beneath his confident facade. 

Leo vowed then that he would never lose to Aiden again. 

“You're not answering because I'm right… I know, right?” Aiden brushed his shoulder against Leo's.

Leo swallowed hard, his eyes closed as he was cut off unawered from his thoughts. 

“You are right… if something happens to her… I won't forgive you, Aiden.”

He pushed Aiden with his shoulder out of his way and walked out of the room. Aiden signaled to Isabella so she would take Lucy away and back to her post of work.

As they walked and almost got close to the door, Aiden's voice came through, interrupting them. “Isabella, be nicer to your maids.” 

Isabella let out a fake smile but didn't turn back to notice Aiden. She stormed in her mind with all kinds of thoughts. 

This wasn't the Aiden she knew back then. Aiden wasn't the kind of wolf to have emotion or feelings towards anyone.

She soon tightened Lucy's hand with her fist and hurried her out of the hall, stirring up a loud bang with the main door.

Once they were outside, Isabella let go of Lucy's hand, desperate for some answers she knew she couldn't get. She walked back and forth, taking a brief look at Lucy. 

“Could we just leave here,” 

Isabella stopped in her tracks at the sound of Lucy's voice which sounded more like a command to her. 

“Are you kidding me… now you can talk right, huh?” She moved close to her. “You've been silent all through like your mouth was sealed in front of Aiden… now you can talk, huh.” she glared at Lucy, looking for something she herself didn't understand.

“It's not that, Isabella… you know, I'm just getting better and I need to catch some rest before another work comes up.” 

“Oh… that, you won't be resting anyways because another work is right there waiting for you.”

“Why… you should be nicer to your maids, Isabella.”

“What do you say?”

Lucy kept mute as she busted out the words without her even knowing. The words were out already and the best she could do was to compose herself to avoid any suspicion.

“Did you just quote Aiden's words…. Wow… I knew something happened when we left, right?”... She questioned. “Right?” She yelled.

“Trust me, Lucy… I will make your life a living hell unless you tell me something… what happened back there?”