The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 240: Seven Hours ()

Zariah raised a brow at Allen as he stepped into Askel’s office but Allen only winced visibly.

"Lord Kodin is insistent. The crimson wolves are not allowed within proximity of the dungeons and the council is strictly enforcing it. I cannot get through to any of them, unless by Crimson order." Allen relayed to Zariah.

Crimson order, the supreme authority granted to the Crimson Moon Pack in events they needed to exercise authority over other species, packs or associations.

It was reserved to be used in only drastic situations, much like when Allen had used it on Queen Heveneth of the Floral Domain when the Fae Queen was adamant on a war.

But to make use of it for personal gain or a personal purpose, it was not the right way...it was not the way in which Zariah’s father had taught her to be Crimson Alpha.

"That is not an option... not yet." Zariah said with a shake of her head.

The door to Askel’s office came open and Lucas walked in. Zariah perked up immediately.

"How is it?" Zariah asked quickly, however her hopes were again deflated when Lucas shook his head slightly, avoiding her gaze.

"Just tell me." Zariah said in a low tone.

"Seven more humans that were injured by Askel but escaped the scene have turned forsaken. More humans have been hurt by these forsaken on rampage and the human settlement is in a state of terror."

"The exact amount of people injured by Askel in the midst of that pandemonium is unknown. The supernatural council is sparing no effort to round them up before they turn, but it is more probable to identify them only... when their rampage begins." Lucas related to Zariah.

Allen hissed audibly, pacing around the office in a bid to ease his frustration, not that it would do much to help in the present situation they were faced with.

"Word is spreading quickly. They are calling it ’The return of the Forsaken’." Lucas revealed grimly.

"That means...many more will get hurt or die. The entire supernatural realm will hear of this ’return of the Forsaken’, the accords will fall through, agitations between domains will begin... and for all of this, Askel’s charges, will become even more grave." Zariah murmured, her eyes going closed.

It had been seven hours already, seven hours since Askel was locked away in the dungeons of his own palace after he lost control of his beast before the eyes of the entire Ethereal Domain and Zariah was still at a loss on what to do.

In these seven hours, it felt to Zariah like the entire world was slowly falling apart. And every word of criticism directed at Askel was like a shard piercing her skin, and there were hundreds of such criticism flooding in from all around the domain and beyond.

The situation seemed to be growing more dire by the minute and Lord Kodin was purposely keeping Zariah out of the loop for fear she would take a drastic action to rescue Askel.

On the other hand, some Ethereal Alphas had already begun appealing for Askel’s execution, wasting not even a moment to reveal their true colors and their true intentions.

’Public execution...’ Zariah thought and that feeling of Deja Vu was stirred again.

Zariah did not want to permit her thoughts to stray down that path. It was something she would never let happen.

’Not as long as we live.’ Torin echoed Zariah’s vow in a weak tone. Still recovering from the forced shift.

Zariah had been severely warned against it, but in that moment, she could not have helped it. And Torin equally understood.

"Queen Sancia?" Zariah enquired reluctantly.

Somehow, it was now her job to make certain the only family Askel had left was well protected in such times.

"Rounding up supporters to demand Askel’s release by force... which does not help anybody. I have tried deterring her but she is adamant. To think this all began with her adamancy..." Lucas hissed beneath his breath.

Zariah ran a hand through her hair in frustration, sucking a deep breath in to calm herself.

"Let her be. It is already too late to cast blame. In her own way, she must be losing her mind too." Zariah muttered.

"My wolves are out looking into the situation beyond the Ethereal Domain. They will send word soon... in the meantime, I have to find a way to free Askel. To do that, the rampages must stop...all those turned or turning forsaken have to be rounded up in one fell swoop." Zariah said in a serious tone.

"But how? It all happened so fast, we barely took notice of the humans he came in contact with." Lucas admitted grimly.

Zariah mulled over it for a moment before it dawned on her.

"Caedmon!" Zariah exclaimed aloud.

"He was apprehended by Nile but we had to turn over custody of him to the supernatural council." Allen reported to Zariah.

"What about him?" Lucas asked quickly.

Zariah stared at Lucas for a moment before she glanced over at Askel and then at Lucas once again.

It was already too late to conceal things at this point.

"Caedmon stole an item from Allen’s possession. We believe this item is linked to Askel in some mysterious manner since it reacts in close proximity to him..." Zariah trailed off.

"We also believe this item may have been used to push Askel into losing control." Allen completed.

"Could it be... the item...from the Sea Domain?" Lucas asked.

Zariah nodded slowly and Lucas’s eyes grew wide.

"How could it have such an effect? But it only makes sense. Askel was completely fine and fully in control, but it all happened so suddenly..." Lucas trailed off in dismay.

"If that item could influence Askel, it might help us track down those turned by him too..." Zariah explained her train of thought.

"It is not a good idea for you to go see him." Allen dissuaded Zariah, obviously still cautious of the mate bond Zariah and Caedmon supposedly shared.

"I will go see Caedmon at once!" Lucas said without hesitation but Zariah prevented him.

"No... I will go myself." Zariah decided.