Chapter 103 If The World Must Burn
"It's impossible to reverse the punishment," Killorn coldly remarked amid Reagan's irritated stare. "Layla dabbled in forbidden black magic by using human blood."
"You don't even understand how magic works," Reagan implored with a deep scowl of disapproval. "Your wife was fine with it as well. If Ophelia was not, she wouldn't have confided in us."
Killorn sharply turned to the man with the force to knock someone over. He stepped closer, wondering what Ophelia could've told the two. "What did you just say?" Killorn demanded.
"If you do not give me what I want, what makes you think I'd tell you what you want to hear?" Reagan muttered with a disapproving shake of his head. He straightened. "Your wife is very precious and you should not have left her by herself."
Killorn narrowed his eyes. "Ophelia is not alone, she is just gathering air—"
Ophelia was alone. Killorn let out a quiet curse and turned to see Beetle returning from the balcony empty-handed. Beetle wore a blank expression as if he hadn't just failed his mission. The loyal man stopped right in front of them.
"Alpha," Beetle whispered whilst stepping closer. "Luna was not on the balcony and her scent grows fainter from the ballroom. She is no longer here." Killorn grew alert. His hands twitched to break something. His mood soured and he straightened.
Killorn opened his mouth and spoke in a chilling voice. "Gather our men. Scour the entire castle for her. Break down every door if you must. I want my wife in front of me before the night ends!"
- - - - -
Minutes had passed and werewolves with Mavez symbol tattooed onto their wrists combed through almost every room they could get their hands on. Any door or lock that wouldn't open, Killorn was there to personally kick it off the hinges. He refused to leave until he found his wife.
They tried to keep their searching minimal, so the guests didn't realize. The ball persisted as if nothing was amiss, despite the gossip feast they had earlier.
Eventually, as the moon hung lower, and even the supernaturals were exhausted from mingling all night long, suspicion rose. Where was Princess Elena? Prince Everest? Where were the charming siblings whose presence was always noticed, but not tonight?
People eventually realized Duchess Ophelia was nowhere in sight. "How suspicious!" one of the vampire aristocrats hissed to another.
Suddenly, Prince Everest appeared at the entrance with a self-assured smile. "I thank everyone for their gracious presence at my dear sister's gathering. I hope everyone enjoyed themselves to the fullest of their capabilities and wish you all a very good night."
Just like that, the eventful ball came to a conclusion with half of the guests murmuring and whispering to each other about how odd this event was. Even so, Vampire Heads and Werewolf Alphas left the hallways with a faint conversation humming in the blissful air. They boarded their carriages home, knowing this would surely make the news.
As Everest departed, he caught the eyes of Reagan who stared at him as if the old man knew something everyone didn't. Everest kept his smile tight-lipped, but said nothing, for what's done had been done.
"Magic…" Reagan murmured to himself. "That brat reeks of it."
- - - - -
"Princess!" A voice cried out in vain as a maid rushed forward to bow deeply at her rude entrance.
Elena didn't even have to glance up to know who had come for them like the grim reaper. She remained seated by the edge of the bed, tending to a woman she was barely acquainted with.
"He's here, isn't he?" Elena wistfully sighed, the epitome of calm. She pulled the blankets higher to the sleeping lady's chest and then rose to her feet elegantly.
Before Elena could even react, the doors to the guest room burst open. "A-Alpha! This is improper!" The maid insisted, but flinched back when he spared her a mere glance.
Light poured through the dimly lit room. Elena hid an amused smile and turned to see the intruder. Alpha Mavez lived up to his fearsome reputation. The man was a vision of bitter ice and sharp steel. His features were twisted with fury, his lips curled in a cruel manner. If someone breathed the wrong way, he'd have their life.
"You have my wife."
Four words. That was all it took for Elena to nearly laugh. If Ophelia was this man's wife, how could he dare to call himself a husband? What kind of husband would let their wife reach the lowest point of her life—enough to seek out another man's help? "She was unconscious," Elena coyly explained. That was the truth. After Everest pressed his hand to Ophelia's forehead and did what he must, she fainted. It was a normal reaction to such a powerful spell being worked on her.
"Where was she?" Killorn remarked whilst storming into the room, led by his most-accomplished men.
"I do believe my maid was rude to interrupt, but so are you for coming near my quarters with a group of men," Elena warned him, casting all of the werewolves an icy glare.
Not a single one of the loyal dogs hesitated. Mavez Pack's werewolves stalked forward, intending to kill royalty if they must. Elena almost laughed out loud. These men who trained within the palace grounds, ate the palace food, and lived in the rooms supplied by the empire… even in the end, they bit the hand that fed them and only showed loyalty to Alpha Mavez.
The audacity. This was why Elena refused to lower the walls around her heart when it came to men. Women, though, weren't any better.
"What did you do to my wife?" Killorn demanded, storming up to Elena before she could even blink. They were just an inch apart and if he could strangle her, he would. He was above hurting women, it was never his thing. His father's abusive nature made sure of it.
"I've been nothing, but kind to her," Elena refuted. "You on the other hand… hah."
Elena scoffed under her breath and shook her head as if she knew something he didn't. She crossed her arms and stepped to the side, showing she meant no threat to Ophelia. If the man wished to take the woman, so be it. Everest had already done his damage. There was no reversing what he did to Ophelia. Not even a spell cast by Reagan could overcome Everest's vampire abilities.
"If I find out anyone laid a hand on Ophelia," Killorn suddenly said whilst brushing past Elena. He bent and lifted his wife into his arms, who seemed to be in a peaceful slumber.
"What? Are you going to repeat the Forest of Blood?" Elena provoked, watching as he walked past her, not once taking his eyes off the prize.
"The empire will cease to exist." Killorn's words made everyone freeze in their path. Even his sworn men, all of whom he trained, paused for a split second. They glanced at their leader, at attention to strike.
"You're fearless," Elena spat out in disgust. "You really think you have a chance against us vampires? You may be the warriors of our nation, but do not forget we have mages at our side and the Pure-Blood vampires' abilities. If war breaks out, you won't stand a chance!"
Killorn's hardened expression softened when Ophelia stirred in his arms. He tended to her with great care. When he raised his head, the warmth melted into hatred.
"If the world must burn to keep my wife warm, then I'd stoke the largest fire," Killorn declared. It was the last thing he said before storming off with his woman tight upon his chest.
The hair on Elena's skin stood at Killorn's words. It was treason. Yet, Elena had a good feeling he wasn't bluffing. The auction house that burned down to flames with vampires inside was a testament to his intentions.
Whatever happened to Ophelia, Killorn would give back tenfold. He would not let a single soul rest, not even in death. There was no peace or relief the second Alpha Mavez made his presence known.
"Crazy," Elena muttered to herself in disbelief, pressing a hand to her mouth and glancing over at the maid who had heard everything. The poor thing was shaking like a rat, her eyes trained to the floor.
"I-I—"
"Go and inform my brother what happened tonight," Elena said in a collected tone. Someone had to be the voice of reason, and she always made sure it was her. The maid hurried off to tell the news, not knowing how their aloof Second Prince would react. Elena let out an unimpressed sigh, knowing Everest would hear the news, wipe the maid's memories, and have someone keep a close eye on her. Though his abilities never missed, there was a moment in time when Everest's powers had weakened. Had it not been for the silver potion he drank, he would've lost their father's favor.
"Moves and countermoves…" Elena muttered to herself, just as Killorn's words began to click in her mind again.
Elena was rightfully furious over a man like Killorn, but even more so, she felt a gnawing emotion in her chest. Exactly what made such an emotionless man possessive of an emotional woman? What causes the stone heart to crack?
"Ophelia, exactly who are you?"
Elena was beginning to doubt Ophelia. This sweet and innocent little human who could barely stand her ground… she managed to ensure the most powerful Alpha across the entire land.
But how? And with what?
Why was Alpha Mavez obsessed with Ophelia? What did Ophelia have that other woman did not? To be exact… what exactly happened between the two for a love like theirs to transpire?
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