Chapter 5 #2
The dining hall was alive with the joyous clamor of victory. Laughter filled the air as people clinked their glasses—probably not filled with orange juice—toasting one another and celebrating the end of a long-fought war.
The war was won, and although I’d defeated the vampire Queen, the kingdom and I still lost some of our men.
Before I fell asleep at night, I thought of those who hadn’t returned.
Those who wouldn’t enjoy the peace we had fought so hard to achieve.
In a war, there wasn’t a winner. Our victory was tainted by the blood of my fallen men.
A sigh escaped me, and the irresistible scent of warm bread filled the air, blending with the laughter. Everyone's spirits seemed to soar—their eyes alight with hope for a brighter future.
I plastered on a smile that I was sure didn’t quite reach my eyes.
Despite the festive atmosphere, I couldn't shake my unease around Hayden.
It was as if his gaze from earlier still lingered on me like a ghostly touch, making it difficult for me to fully relax.
I tried to focus on the conversations around me, but the memory of his unyielding stare haunted me, overshadowing the happiness of our victory.
The massive dinner hall had been transformed overnight. Its once plain walls were now adorned with colorful banners that danced in the sun's warm light shining through the large windows.
I figured that Mom must have decorated the hall as I scanned the large space. Finding my parents sitting on a long wooden bench surrounded by the other Alphas, I gave them a small wave. Alphas Henry, Leo, and Michael nodded at me…or was it at their King who stood next to me?
The two new werewolves were Alexander—Torin’s former Beta, and the Beta of the Nighteye pack, whose name I’d forgotten.
As soon as we reached their table, the Alphas made space for me and Hayden, but Adrian dashed to our table breathless before we could even sit down.
A pang of anxiety infused my veins. I expected he would warn us of dark creatures invading our territory or a vampire attack. Shaking my head, I put a stop to my habitual negative thoughts.
Adrian took a deep breath. "Torin has requested permission to enter our territory. He seeks an audience with you all,” he said in a low voice, probably not to worry the kingdom people.
A murmur rippled through our table, and I exchanged a surprised glance with my parents. Torin, the man who had killed my Uncle Derek, wanted to speak with us? What could he possibly have to say?
Mostly, I hoped that an argument wouldn’t break out, as Torin’s presence could trigger the Alphas and my dad. Although Torin had been compelled, he did kill a royal family member.
He was lucky to be alive and free. Why had he come here?
"Let him in and bring him to the boardroom," I called to Adrian, my voice steady despite the turmoil roiling inside me. "He must have something important to discuss if he's willing to come here after what he's done."
Torin and Robert played crucial roles in bringing the war to an end, and with Victoria gone, the brothers could no longer be compelled by their sire. I hoped the Alphas, my parents, and Hayden would be willing to hear him out.
Hayden's jaw clenched, and I knew he disagreed with my decision. But I needed to understand what could possibly drive him to return under such risky circumstances. And perhaps, in some small way, I was also seeking a chance to see him one last time.
"Very well," Hayden finally agreed, though his eyes remained cold and guarded. He gave me a sharp look as if I were a disobedient child. "We'll grant him an audience."
As Adrian hurried off to inform Torin of our decision, I sent glances at Hayden, hoping he wouldn’t confront or punish Torin, further unraveling the fragile peace we'd managed to achieve.
As the Alphas filed out of the dining hall, I took a deep breath, steeling myself to meet Torin. Hayden and I made our way to the boardroom, where a hushed silence had fallen over the gathered crowd.
All five Alphas and my parents took their seats around the table. The weight of their gazes pressed on me as I took my place, Hayden beside me. The air in the room thickened as we awaited Torin’s arrival.
After a moment, Torin walked into the boardroom while Adrian shut the door on the other side. The tension in the room charged, and everyone seemed to hold their breaths in silence while I ordered my heart to calm down.
Torin stood alone, his hands clasped behind his back. He met each of our gazes, lingering a bit longer on mine.
"Thank you for granting me this audience," Torin began, his voice heavy but polite, and I would have fallen if I hadn’t been sitting on a chair.
"I came here to seek forgiveness for taking Prince Derek's life.
I'll bear the weight of this burden in my heart every day, and I know that it caused immense pain to his family and friends,” he said, looking Dad straight in the eye.
“I'm grateful that I was freed, but I came back for any punishment you deem justified. "
My lips parted, and I sucked in a sharp breath. Technically, Dad was no longer the King to issue punishments, but he was my uncle’s closest relative.
I glanced at Hayden as he fidgeted next to me. His face twisted into a scowl, and his fists clenched at his sides.
"This is unnecessary," he growled, annoyance rolling off him in waves. "He doesn't deserve forgiveness. Forgiving him means dishonoring the royal family."
Torin had changed, but so had Hayden. My once patient and polite bodyguard was now bossy and irritable.
As the werewolf King, Hayden’s word was ultimate…unless he was the only one who wouldn’t accept the forgiveness request. I was sure Hayden would come up with a harsh punishment for Torin, hopefully not death.
I held my breath as I looked around the table. My heart ached as I pleaded silently for Dad to find it within himself to accept Torin's apology. My mom held his hand under the table, making me smile. To my relief, Dad nodded slowly, his eyes filled with understanding.
"I see the remorse and willingness to make amends," my father said, his voice steady and calm. "Forgiveness granted from me. However, your punishment is that you won't be reinstated as an Alpha, but you're free to settle wherever you want."
“Brendan,” Hayden said, twisting his head to the former King, “your brother is gone. Torin is a murderer.”
Clenching and unclenching his fists, Hayden's anger was unmistakable, a storm cloud hanging over us all.
“Torin was compelled. Besides, I’m ready to move on from the past,” Dad said, smiling at Torin. “Forgiveness is never easy, but sometimes it’s the only path toward healing.”
Dad’s words reminded me of what Uncle Derek said to me when I was a child.
The five Alphas nodded, each voicing their acceptance of Torin’s request.
“Forgiveness granted,” I said and averted my gaze, remaining quiet.
I could feel the glare Hayden sent me, and goose bumps broke out on my neck.
With everyone’s acceptance, Hayden, even as the new King, couldn’t issue a punishment.
"We're making a mistake," Hayden finally said, his voice low and dangerous. "Torin shouldn't be allowed to step foot on our territory."
Torin spoke up again, ignoring Hayden’s statement. "There's one more request I have for Queen Anna."
At the mention of my name, I met his gaze, trying to suppress the unease that churned within me. I prayed Hayden would keep his cool beside me and not go off like the bomb he was.
"Under my watch, the dark witch stole your wolf spirit," he said, casting his eyes downward. "I'm responsible for that loss, and I'd like to atone for my mistake by helping you regain it."
Was Torin on some sort of redemption mission?
I exchanged a glance with Hayden, who looked as though he was ready to punch the wall. My head spun. Could I truly trust Torin? And did I even want to regain my wolf spirit after everything that had happened?
"Torin," I began hesitantly, searching for the right words, "I appreciate the sentiment, but…"
"Absolutely not," Hayden cut in, his anger barely contained. "You've done enough damage already."
I blinked at Hayden, who had never interrupted me in the past. Was this the same man who’d protected me for so many years?
Hayden clenched his jaw, his eyes darkening with a warning. I didn’t want to make a scene and trigger Hayden any more.
"Breanna already tried and couldn't kill her own aunt. Are you planning to kill her aunt, too, after murdering her uncle?" Hayden taunted, and I gaped at him.
Torin's calm exterior faltered for a moment, but he quickly recovered, standing tall.
"No, I'll resolve the issue peacefully with Cordelia. The dark witch can release the wolf spirit willingly."
I couldn’t stop blinking. What did he plan to do?
Hayden barked out a bitter laugh. "Peacefully? With a witch like Cordelia? You must be delusional."
Hayden had never been so blatantly disrespectful to Torin before.
I drummed my fingers against the table’s surface, the echo of my unease. My heart raced as I watched the two men before me, and if I didn't intervene, things would only escalate further.
"Torin," I said slowly. "I will consider your offer, but I need time to think about it."
"I understand," he said, bowing slightly and turning around.
Adrian opened the door, letting Torin go and probably leading him off territory grounds.
Hayden left the boardroom next as he marched off without giving me a glance.
I let out a heavy sigh. After everyone else left the room, joining the festivities once again, the heavy door closed behind them with a resounding thud, and I sank into a chair, my thoughts racing.
My wolf spirit was essential to who I was, and the thought of reclaiming it filled me with desperate hope. Deep down, I longed to feel whole again.
But I couldn't deny the risks of letting Torin try to help me. I couldn't shake the feeling that agreeing to Torin's offer would only invite trouble.
Trouble with Hayden and Cordelia.