34
Calum's POV...
My legs raced outside at a fast speed. The scream ignited panic inside of me as my chest clenched tightly.
For some reason, it felt like I was being dragged back and I puffed out air from my mouth, trying to divert myself from filling my head with thoughts.
I stepped inside the room to behold a sight that took me off balance.
I was startled, seeing my father's body sprawled on the bed. His eyes closed and his body pale with lifelessness.
I puffed out air from my lips, not wanting to let my thoughts occupy my head but then a low voice filled my ears and my eyes darted towards the maid whose body was shaking in sobs at the corner.
"What the hell happened!" I thundered, my body shaking from the bitterness I felt. My gaze remained fixated on the maids while she trembled under it.
His body looked stiff with his lips pale blue. His hands were put in a tight fist which showed how much he struggled before giving up. Even without being told, I knew for a fact he had been given wolf's bane.
My throat felt parched and constricted. I tried to swallow hard but the lump of distress I felt at the back of my throat made it difficult.
I groaned in pain and gazed at the glass which was placed on the table beside him. I instantly realized he had been poisoned.
Everything happened so fast, neither was I given a chance to understand what was going on.
A lot of questions surged through my brain. How did this happen? who is responsible for committing such a crime?
"Wolfsbane" I muttered, my words leaving my mouth in a low whisper.
Anger consumed me, my eyes flashed dangerously at the maid who avoided my gaze with tears rolling down her cheeks.
"How did this happen?" I asked, my hands grabbing her arms in a tight grip.
She gasped in fear as I dug my fingers into her arms. She squealed in pain, shaking her head uncontrollably.
"I... I have no idea. I swear I didn't hurt the alpha, I just served him a drink and he lost consciousness" She cried, her words coming off in stutters as her body shivered in fear.
"Lies!" Ryder thundered, his eyes fixated on Father's body. He stormed towards the maid whose heart ached for the floor to open up and swallow her. At least only then would she be safe.
She knew everyone would blame her for harming the alpha and no matter how hard she cries, everything will be reciprocated with deaf ears.
"What did you stand to gain? I know wolf's bane is dangerous but it's not so fast to get to his heart and kill him so suddenly. While he struggled, why didn't come get anybody!" Ryder fired, his eyes throwing daggers at her. His temple throbbed angrily with veins popping on his forehead.
"I__I didn't mean to. You have to believe me"
There wasn't any way I was going to going to believe her baseless words.
"For a second let's believe you don't have a hand in what has transpired" I uttered, trying to keep the rage I felt in check
"Yes I didn't kill the alpha" the maid confirmed shakily
Her presence irked the hell out of me causing irritation to well up inside of me
I balled my fists in anger, breaking my knuckles. I hooked a hand under her arm and yanked her up in a harsh tug.
"You were present in this room and you watched my father fight for his life. Why the hell didn't you come get any of us!? I snarled angrily and she jerked back without saying a word. She was mute whilst shivering uncontrollably.
"Your tongue hasn't been cut off so speak up right now!" Ryder fired impatiently.
"I... I.. I was scared and I didn't..."
"Shut the fuck up!" Max roared in rage "Not one more word from you. Guards seize her right now!" Max commanded
Like they had been waiting for a command, three guards busted into the room. Turns out we weren't the only ones who heard the scream but half the entire pack.
The three grabbed them, clutching her arm firmly and dragging her out
"Please! I didn't do it!" her voice echoed through the room. "You can't punish me for something I didn't do!" she fought with determination. "Please!_"
Her voice faded the more they took her far away and the moment she was far gone from the room, I dropped to my kneel. My hands trembled by my side as my breath quivered.
My breathing quickened as I stared at my lifeless father on the floor. I couldn't cry, not because I didn't have to but because I didn't know exactly how I felt.
"_ I'll order the guards to take away Dad's body" Max suggested.
Ryder sighed, leaning against the wall as he shook his head
"She did something. He is an alpha and he can't just die so easily. I believe he might make it out alive" Ryder voiced out, but failed to hide the doubt he felt inwards.
"No one can survive wolf bane. You saw him, Ryder. Did he look like he had a bit of life in there?" I asked in defeat
"I_" Ryder was about to speak, but a voice interrupted us.
"Arthur!"
I knew that voice. It was my mother. I watched her cheek stained with tears as she raced to where we were panting from how fast she ran
She rushed to Dad's side, dropping to her knees and shaking his body vigorously as she wailed out loudly.
"No" she called out. "No!" she cried out even louder.
"Can someone bloody tell me what happened to him!" she ran towards me as her hand collided forcefully with my chest.
"Callum!" she screamed as her body shuddered.
"Someone explain this to me!" she cried out in my face but I remained mute. I didn't want to say anything or rather what was I supposed to say to her?
Sorry?
I knew for a fact whatever emotions she was portraying were just another well-played drama by her.
She always never ran out of lines, I could never believe her or take her words seriously, especially when she once tried to poison him but her efforts proved futile.
"I need the maid that killed him brought to me at this moment! I'll use my hands to torture her then I'll feast on her alive" She thundered, her voice erupting like a volcano
Ryder sighed, turning to the maids who escorted her in. "You you" he pointed
"Yes sir" one of them answered as they rushed to where he stood
"Take her away from here" Ryder instructed. He turned to her, parting his lips to speak. I knew from the look in his eyes; the look of hate and disgust, that there were so many things he wanted to say but rather he said__
"You need to clear your head" he forced out
"What is that supposed to mean?" she shot at Ryder in a fierce tone. "I just lost a husband__"
"And we just lost a Father" I spoke out immediately.
"You need to leave to clear your head," Max said after me
She stood up with rage visible in her eyes. Probably she was irate we didn't give her enough time to display her fakeness
After tearing her eyes off all of us, she turned to leave in anger.
The only people left were some guards and maids in the room. That was excluding the people clustered outside.
Just as though my mind had been read Max called out
"Everyone leave now! I want to have a word with my brothers" Max ordered. We waited for the room to be completely empty and then Max shut the door behind him.
Silence
No one said a word. But everybody had something brewing inside of them. He looked from Ryder to me and then from me to Ryder.
"Guys" he began. "The Alpha's dead" he puffed out air with unease. "You all know what this means right?"
I took a deep breath as my heart thumped inside my chest. I knew immediately what he was talking about.
"No" Ryder shook with panic visible in his eyes. "I am not ready guys"