Chapter 5: Incompetence

•••• 𝗔𝗟𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗔 𝗪𝗢𝗟𝗙 𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗡 •••••

𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘: Court room

The Council chamber was silent --- Too silent. The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, silently urging one another to speak yet none dared break the stillness

Alpha Melrik Vorthen sat calmly upon his throne, one hand supporting his jaw while the other rested on his armrest. His eyes remained closed as though he were meditating yet no one believed he truly was

None of the Ministers spoke. One misplaced word will earn a death sentence not a single soul can escape

The Court Door flung open.

"Report" a fat grinning man who was the Clan's scribe walked nervously towards the center of the room

Your Majesty, " he began eagerly his shoulders raised in pride. "I am glad to report that the Mate Match Ceremony was successful. Two hundred wolves within our clan were bonded, and over eighty were mated to wolves from allied clans"

Alpha Melrik opened his eyes slowly scanning the man with his eyes, Silence drowned the room as seconds turned into minutes, The scribes hands shook as fear tightened around his chest.

"What about the Unmated" Melrik voice echoed through the corners of the room

We currently do not have the record of the Unmated, but my officials are working towards getting the exact amount of the Mateless" The man replied boldly

"The Audacity". Melrik murmured his voice low, The atmosphere changed as the air felt thicker, uncomfortable and choking

"Do you wish for your bones be fed to the rogues"

The man fell to his knees immediately, his eyes dilating in pure fear

I apologize for my incompetence Your Majesty "

"Apology. "Melrik chuckled darkly rising from his chair". "That doesn't erase how unreliable you are with your duty and you shall be punished for your stupidity"

Fifty lashes would teach you responsibility" Melrik said flaty.

He paused

"But I do not feel merciful today". He gestured towards the guards without emotions

If he endures five hundred lashes, then continue until he can no longer stand. If possible let him bleed to death, I do not reward stupidity with mercy" He said arranging his garments. "You shall be of example to the others"

The man's eyes widened in shock as he stared at Gerrard the Alpha's beta with hope that he could perhaps come to his aid... Perhaps..... Just once but he didn't, the only thing he could see was his lifeless eyes which was laid on the Alpha in respect

Gerrard signalled towards the Guards to drag the man out, but he shoved them aside running towards the throne, he grabbed Melrik by his garment and gasps filled the air

"Please Your Majesty, Pardon me just once.....

The room froze

"I had spared you by punishment alone" Melrik said coldly. "Yet you dared stain me with your sinful hands".

In a flash steel sang.

The man's arm fell to the ground, his blood staining the once spotless marble floor

"Throw him into the Basil Vault with his family, not one of their bones should remain intact or you shall take their place with your entire bloodline" Melrik commanded his voice devoid of emotions

The room froze

Guards stiffened, their jaws clenched, yet none dared hesitate. To disobey meant their entire generation wiped out in a night

The scribe screamed as he was dragged away, his cries echoing until the door slammed shut

"Let this be remembered "Melrik said, turning back towards the throne

"Incompetence is treason" he said coldly. "Let his fate serve as your example

The chamber fell into a suffocating silence. Even the torches seem to flicker in fear, casting long trembling shadows across the marble floor. Guards shifted uneasily hands tightening on their weapons, ministers lowered their heads, swallowing hard sweat sliding down their temple

Gerrard's jaw clenched, but he didn't move. All eyes remained on the Melrik whose gaze now dwelled somewhere else

"This Council is dismissed" Gerrard announced, The ministers all stood up at once bowing to Melrik before leaving hurriedly

Gerrard stepped forward, his boots silent against the marble floor

"Your Majesty", he said cautiously. "The full moon rises in Five days. What are our orders"

Melrik's eyes flickered towards the horizon visible through the high windows

"Five days...", he murmured as if tasting the word. "Every Unmated wolf especially the female wolves should be accounted for before the moon rises. We cannot afford any loses" Melrik added

"Yes, I'll carry out your order" Gerrard bowed his head in compliance

"What about you" Gerrard added.

"I'll be okay, as long as everything is ready" Melrik replied flatly

"About that, Two others killed themselves this morning ". Gerrard announced and Melrik finally glanced at him

"Then restock them like fishes, they should never run out" Melrik answered standing from his throne. "Make them available before the full moon"

"Yes, Your Majesty" Gerrard answered he took two steps backwards, bowed and left

Melrik walked to the open windows, eyes fixed on the blooming beyond the palace walls

Then a voice whispered in his head

"𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘳, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳"