Chapter 103: ¹⁰³: square one

He didn’t stop there. He continued, his tone becoming increasingly accusatory.

"That is a complete disregard for our empire’s rules. If there is anything related to the Alpha’s well-being, every council member should be made aware of it to make sure every rule is implemented when needed and that no one in a powerful position takes advantage of their authority. We don’t have laws and rules in our empire just to keep them written in the constitution, do we?"

He paused briefly, looking around the hall before continuing.

"Or is it that Beta Ryan has become so arrogant simply because he was chosen as Beta...the first chosen Beta in our empire’s history, that he put that blockade in place himself, so that neither the media nor even the council members were given any reports about what happened for all these days?"

He pointed directly at Ryan, his voice loud enough to carry throughout the hall. He didn’t even show a shred of concience to keep his displeasure for Ryan hidden.

Ryan didn’t say anything back, he was standing in his position besides me just looking down at the hall as if he was not the person being accused of misusing his powers.

I had promised him, I would not let anyone use my decisions against him and maybe that was what was keeping him so relieved.

"Even I, the former Beta, who has the responsibility of making sure the current Beta doesn’t dare to misuse his powers, was kept away from this information, as though I have no value in this empire now that Beta Ryan holds the position!"

His expression hardened. "Such arrogant behavior! Such misuse of one’s powers is nothing but a threat to the security of our empire! If this is true, then I am sorry, Alpha, but Beta Ryan needs to give up his position right now!"

"Ryan didn’t put the blockade, Mr. Vale. I did!" I growled the words, making him instantly stop the nonsense he had been spouting.

Silence fell throughout the hall. Mr. Vale stared at me in shock, clearly not expecting my answer.

"Ryan stopped everyone, even the council members, from getting any news these past few days because I ordered him to."

"But... Alpha..." Mr. Vale stuttered as he glanced at Ryan before looking back at me, swallowing nervously. "Why did you put the blockade? The warriors were not that seriously injured. They are already recovering quickly. Then what was the need to take such an emergency step?"

As soon as he said that, Elder Kayden also stood up.

"Alpha, you were also in the hospital all these days. Did something happen to you?"

I clenched my fists in frustration as he jumped into the conversation as well. However, I had to remain controlled and make sure none of that frustration showed on my face.

"Alpha, something happened to you, and we were not informed? Do the people here even realize how dangerous that is for our empire?" Elder Kayden continued. "You being in danger means our entire empire was in danger!"

I looked at Elder Kayden, trying to control the anger that threatened to flare up every time I had to deal with him.

"Elder Kayden, please don’t jump to conclusions like you always do! Nothing happened to me. It was just the injured warriors who were in critical condition, and I decided not to let that information get out until they were fine and out of danger!"

"But Alpha, if they were in such critical condition, then how are they fine in such a short time?" Elder Vale asked, supporting Elder Kayden’s argument. "Things don’t add up. Are you keeping something hidden from us?"

"Yes," Elder Kayden chimed in. "We also heard about the strange orb you destroyed in the rubble that day. Did it hurt you? Was that the reason you were in the hospital and why this entire blockade happened?"

He looked around the hall before continuing.

"Alpha, we are the respected council members. You have to tell us everything clearly!"

"Quiet!" My voice thundered through the hall, making both elders drop to their knees as they felt the wrath of my wolf surfacing.

The entire hall fell silent.

"We have given you the freedom to question us to keep the system accountable and functioning for our empire, but that does not give you the right to use it for your own gains!"

It wasn’t me speaking anymore.

It was Nyx.

I clenched my hands, my eyes turning red as I tried to control his fury and keep him in check. I could feel his anger pressing against my restraint, demanding to be released.

Nyx, we can’t show anger toward our own pack members, I told him.

He let out a low grumble but finally allowed me to take control of the conversation again.

"Elder Kayden. Elder Vale." I addressed the two elders, keeping my voice controlled now.

"Neither was I hurt, nor was there any emergency. It was I who decided to keep the blockade. Why did I do that? Let’s just say I felt like it. You don’t have to be overly worried about it."

"But Alpha..." Elder Kayden kept his head lowered, not daring to look up at me. "We have to be worried when our empire doesn’t have an heir yet, and we are getting attacked in our most important places right under the noses of our officials again and again!"

I closed my eyes in frustration. So this was his motive. He was back to square one again.

No matter how many times we discussed it, Elder Kayden always managed to bring the subject back to the same issue.

"We have already discussed the issue of an heir, Elder Kayden. Why bring it up again?" I asked, keeping my frustration to myself.

Elder Kayden finally looked up, though his eyes still didn’t meet mine.

"I am bringing it up again because we all know after the requirements you have put forward. No she-wolf will come forward to give our empire our heir!"