The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 246: The Mastermind ()

"Zariah!" Allen’s urgent hiss drew Zariah out of meditation.

Or at least Zariah had attempted to meditate, since getting any sleep had long been a futile effort.

The door slammed open and Zariah’s eyes came open, her brows furrowed into a frown. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"I will be at the council room soon. I am aware the applications have been stopped and the council members are given three days to make their decision before the slated date for the challenge. I will make my decision in a timely manner, Allen. You know better than to rush me." Zariah said in a tone that conveyed her displeasure.

There was a lot on Zariah’s mind, more so than there had ever been across two lifetimes and while it may have been easy for the other council members to decide on their candidate for the title of Alpha King, it was not the same for Zariah.

On every application Zariah had vetted, all she saw were the thousands of reasons why there was no one more suitable than Askel, how was she to pass his throne to someone else with her own hands?

"No, that’s not it. Something happened, the Ethereal Alphas have gathered in the courtyard...you should come out and see for yourself." Allen said to Zariah uncertainly.

Zariah’s frown deepened. She ran a hand through her hair before she got up to her feet and gestured for Allen to lead the way.

They headed out of Zariah’s quarters and it took only a short walk before they arrived at the courtyard.

Just as Allen had said, there was a commotion right in the courtyard of the Ethereal Palace and a few Ethereal Alphas still present in the guest palace and other royal lycans had their attention drawn to the scene, causing a crowd.

On sighting Zariah, the crowd parted ways to let Zariah through to the front and it was only then Zariah caught sight of the cause of the spectacle.

Zariah was not certain what had happened, but somehow, Declan was being crushed to the ground underneath the boot of a random, unfamiliar man.

He was a tall man, with a lean but athletic build and for some reason, though Zariah did not recognize him, he struck a sense of familiarity within her, one Zariah could not be bothered to dwell on.

"As I have said, my name is Morden and I demand to see the Lord of the supernatural council." The strange man, Morden announced once again.

It seemed Declan had tried to apprehend this man and had somehow been overcome, which spoke volumes to the capability of this strange man.

Declan was third in command of the Royal Lycan Pack, he was not an easy opponent.

Lucas was also present at the scene, he faced off the strange man, crouched and ready to lunge but he warily watched, clearly cautious about Declan’s safety.

"Who the hell are you and how did you get into our territory?!" Lucas snarled furiously.

Zariah only took in the scene for a brief moment and then she moved in a flash, grabbing hold of the strange man from his arm, she hurled him in one swift move across the courtyard.

Zariah’s movement was so fast, no one had caught her moving till the strange man crashed into a tree far away from where he had been.

Declan coughed and gasped for breath, clawing his chest and Lucas rushed to his aid whilst Zariah stalked the strange man.

The courtyard fell into silence as the gazes of the spectators trailed Zariah, equally curious to see how this would play out and just as wary of the strange man.

"Who are you and on what business do you trespass the Ethereal Palace?!" Zariah demanded in a harsh tone.

The strange man leisurely got up to his feet and dusted his robes before fixing Zariah with a dismissive grin.

"It depends on who is asking." The man replied blankly.

"Zariah Torin Moonstone, Crimson Alpha and current custodian of all royal affairs of the Ethereal Domain. That is to say that you..." Zariah took an intimidating step forward.

"...are trespassing on my lands." Zariah completed, her tone dark and deadly.

Much to the surprise of all the spectators, the man stared blankly at Zariah for a moment before he chuckled.

"Your lands? Since when did the Moonstones lay claim to Royal Lycan territory?" The strange man asked.

"The Royal Lycan territory...no, stretching on to the entire Ethereal Domain, has always and will always belong to the Niolens." He said, completely unfazed by Zariah’s dominant aura.

It was then Zariah took critical observation of the man before her eyes, there was something terribly off about him, something that unsettled her deep in the gut from the very first moment she set first sight on him.

"You are wolf...but not entirely wolf..." Zariah realized in suspicion, her nose twitching slightly as she picked up on the strange blend of scents.

"Who are you?!" Zariah demanded once again, this time, her tone left no room for taunts.

"Morden Niolen... first son of Alpha King Ridge Niolen, brother to the current Alpha King Askel Niolen and... rightful heir to the Ethereal throne." The strange man announced.

This time, his words left everyone speechless. Zariah herself was stumped for words.

’Askel had a brother? Since when? Why had he never been mentioned?’ Were the thoughts that ran through Zariah’s mind.

Zariah passed an uncertain look to Lucas who shook his head slightly to indicate he had no idea.

"What game is this?" Zariah asked in a blank tone, regaining her composure quicker than most.

"It is only natural you do not know me, my existence was not made known to the world, neither was it meant to be...but there is one who can confirm my identity," Morden said, crossing his arms behind his back.

"Send word to my dear little brother, tell him Morden is here to return his gift... and claim what is mine." Morden said in a dark tone.

His words sent an eerie chill down Zariah’s back, a chill that was strongly reinforced when he lifted a horrifyingly familiar item to the view of all.

An item that had haunted Zariah’s dreams and her every waking moment.

An item that was imprinted deeply in Zariah’s memory that if her chest was ripped open, one would find it engraved on her heart.

An item for which Zariah had sworn to return as a vengeful ghost that claimed the debt of life.

The item Zariah had seen before her death in the previous lifetime and the only link to the mastermind.

"The Alpha King’s jade..." Zariah whispered in a low horrified tone.