Marked By Destiny: Claimed By Three Alpha Brothers-Chapter 183: A reason they chose you

Aaron lowered the cigar to the ashtray as he brought the phone to his ear. "Yes, Shawn?"

"Boss, you need to know something important. Last night, a strange wolf infiltrated our camp that we have setup at the western borders. We tried to chase him, but couldn’t catch him." His tone depicted how tense the situation was.

"Who was the wolf? Couldn’t you recognize him?" asked Aaron.

"I couldn’t, Boss. Our hunters chased him and even hit a bullet in his front leg, but after that he just disappeared. I’ve never seen a wolf like this, who escaped from so many hunters," Shawn stated, feeling strange. "Could it be Lucien? I’ve heard that he’s quite powerful."

"Lucien is in the pack. And his brothers are here too. It must be someone else," Aaron stated. He furrowed his brows together. "Maybe he has returned," he muttered.

"Who, Boss?" Shawn asked confusedly.

"Grayson Zirren," Aaron replied. "He’s the only wolf, who has defeated hunters in the past single-handedly," he said with a grim expression. "And as I expected he’s alive."

"Boss, but we aren’t sure about it," said Shawn. "What if it’s someone else? We searched the borders, but we couldn’t locate that wolf anymore. I think you should return," he suggested.

"No, I can’t return now, Shawn. I told you to handle everything well. The wolf must have come to find out what we are upto. Just tighten the security," Aaron stated, "rest you know what you’ve to do.

Shawn hesitantly hummed. "I will do my best."

Aaron lowered the phone as he hung it up. Resting it on the table, he pressed the burning cigar against the ashtray and thought, ’A wolf who escaped the hunters. Why do I feel it’s none other than Grayson. I’ve to step up my game. I can’t wait even for another day.’

He rose to his feet and went to the balcony of the hotel. Resting his arms on the balustrade, he looked at the city stretched before him. ’I couldn’t get close to Leia last night because of that sentinel. Ronan has tightened the security outside Rhea’s house, so I’ve to think of another way to lure Leia toward me. That’s the only way I can stop Grayson too.’

He looked up at the sky and heard its roaring. ’If I succeed tonight, then a lot will change.’

~~~~~

Lucien tossed an envelope onto the desk, the slap of paper against wood making Sorin’s pen freeze mid-stroke.

"What is this?" Sorin asked, brows knitting into a frown.

"See for yourself," Lucien replied coldly, pulling out the chair opposite him and sitting down.

Sorin set his pen aside and drew the photographs from the envelope. The color drained from his face as he studied them. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard.

"I asked you countless times if you were behind the hybrid attack on me," Lucien said, voice laced with menace. "And every single time, you lied. You thought I would never find out. But here’s the truth in black and white, you allied yourself with a hybrid to strike me down."

Before Sorin could respond, the door creaked open and Cesar entered.

"Your Highness," Sorin stammered, leaping to his feet at once.

Lucien also rose and gave a respectful bow, though his sharp gaze never left Sorin.

"I can explain," Sorin rushed out, his voice trembling. "Lucien, there has to be some misunderstanding—"

"There is no misunderstanding," Cesar cut in. He clasped his hands behind his back, his piercing eyes fixed on Sorin. "Earlier this morning, I spoke with Adrian, Rurik’s father. Do not think Lucien ran to me with this, because he didn’t. Until that conversation, I was unaware of the betrayal brewing under my nose. Adrian apologized for his son’s rashness, but what shocked me was learning you, a kind of us, stood beside a hybrid against one of your own. That is a treachery I will not tolerate."

Lucien’s glare deepened. Sorin avoided his eyes, his shoulders stiff with fear. He knew how deep Cesar’s bond with Lucien ran. Losing his position as Alpha was no longer just a fear, it was a looming certainty.

"I suspected you from the day I pulled you out of that forest," Lucien said, fury simmering in his words. "Still, I gave you my trust. Do you know why? Because I believed you weren’t like the hybrids and I wanted to believe in you. But you’ve proved me wrong. I know you’ve never liked me, but to betray your own kind? To conspire with outsiders?"

"Your Highness, I didn’t want to—" Sorin began, his voice breaking.

Cesar raised his hand sharply, silencing him. "Rurik confirmed it all. You despised Lucien’s closeness to the royal family, and in your bitterness, you allied with him. This is not only jealousy, it is treason." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Sorin’s fists trembled at his sides. Finally, he lifted his head and spoke.

"Yes. I did it," he admitted. "Not because I envied Lucien, but because justice has been blind in his case. His past crimes, slaughtering witches, were brushed aside easily. And now those witches return to haunt us. The elders of the council know the blood on his hands, yet he is hailed as a hero while the rest of us are judged by stricter laws."

His burning gaze locked onto Lucien, defiance sparking in his eyes.

"You could have raised your grievances in the council instead of conspiring against me," Lucien shot back. "If you think me unworthy, let the council decide. Let them hear your accusations."

"Then call the council," Sorin demanded, squaring his shoulders. "You’ll see that many are weary of the royal family’s blind favoritism toward you."

Lucien gave a humorless chuckle. "You’re trying to make me the villain in this story. Fine. I welcome the council. Let every wolf hear this. But until then—" He turned toward Cesar, his expression firm. "This betrayal cannot be left unchecked."

"Indeed," Cesar said. He shifted his gaze back to Sorin. "You are hereby under arrest for conspiring with a hybrid to assassinate Lucien. Guards, take him."

Sorin’s eyes went wide; he shook his head violently. "No, why are you arresting me?" he demanded, but the palace guards already had a hold of his arms. These were not ordinary guards; their uniforms marked them as the royal escort.

They hauled him to his feet and began to drag him toward the door. Sorin stumbled, struggling against their grip, shouting protests that soon faded.

When the door closed behind them, Cesar turned back to Lucien. "Why didn’t you tell me sooner? If you were suspicious of Sorin, you should have at least shared it with me."

Lucien furrowed his brows together. "I needed proof," he said at last. "And I never expected His Majesty would push to bring the hybrids together like this."

"Strange things have come to light. Some witches are indeed plotting against us and it has been confirmed too. Adrian confessed the alliance with my father without much prying, then, during our meeting, he let slip his son’s involvement. Rurik revealed everything."

"I killed his mother," Lucien said quietly.

Cesar’s face softened. "It wasn’t your fault. Even wolves, and many hybrids, understand that you lost control as a young wolf that night. It was the witches who set everything in motion."

Lucien ran a hand over his jaw. "Are you sure it’s wise to trust Adrian and the hybrids, some of those who were once allied with the witches? They still see me as the culprit."

"Not all of the witches and hybrids hold that view," Cesar said. "Some of the senior covens accepted responsibility for failing to stop the conspiracy against your family. And, Lucien... There is more. Did your parents ever tell you anything about your special ability? The witches have always believed there was a reason they chose you."

Lucien frowned. "No. My parents never told me anything like that. I’m not special. I was simply born strong."

Cesar’s tone grew tense. "You can teleport. That isn’t an ordinary werewolf trait, not even for alphas. I asked my father; he doesn’t know why either. Perhaps your parents did know and chose not to tell you."

"The witches planned it meticulously," Cesar went on. "It wasn’t the work of a few, there were more than fifty involved. They all wanted something from your sacrifice."

Cesar’s words left a strange unease in Lucien’s chest. Memories of that night flooded in his mind, and he felt a sharp pain shot in his head. Quickly, he squeezed them shut.

"Lucien, are you all right?" Cesar asked, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder.

Lucien blinked, forcing himself back to the present. "Yes. I’m fine," he said, though he was still not feeling well.

"Sorry if I made you remember that night," Cesar said, pulling his hand back. "You are still the same. You don’t share much. I hope you don’t do this anymore. I can be of great help to you," he asserted with a smile.