Chapter 17: A Counter plan

Third-Person’s POV

“Two choices, Laxon personnel. One, to die and get buried with this place or, give me what I want. You better choose what benefits you the most.”

With an arrogant smile and a wink, Denise Shadowstone pulled the door open and left a final glance at them before closing the door exiting.

“She knew it. How? When did she—h*ck! Where is Verdiga?”

“Stop fussing around, Gallardo.”

“She knew how to use that emblem.”

“Summon Verdiga!”

“If she spoils out the truth, then all eyes will be on Laxon. We’ll be buried with this land, idiot!”

          The conference room exploded in ruckus the second Denise left. Arguing and block-minded, almost no one of them realized the arrival of the man they wanted to see was now on the foremost seat. He is wearing a long black hooded coat and in his hand was a golden staff.

“I heard what happened. I’m expecting the congress to come up with a plan, what are you doing?” the old man worded.

          He took off his hood, revealing his face. A scar was visible on his right eye, and on the left lies also a scar that looks like his skin was peeled. His hair was all white and his skin grew weary and loose. Those wrinkles and ridges on his face define the years he had spent his life.

“Verdiga,” mutters Sarjao who kept silent since Denise left.

“Are you still concerned with the emblem, Verdiga?” Asks Ybanez. “You started aging since the emblem was out of your place. Are you sure you want to die?”

          With that mocking question out of the professor’s tongue, the entire room was filled with silence. Until a loud and roaring series of laughing emanated from the oldest man among them. The founder of Laxon University, Verdiga Jallan.

“Ybanez, you’re humorous as always,” he complimented. “Let’s say, I do less effort to retrieve the emblem purposely. I want to know what her real capability is. But I have never expected for her to know the truth.”

“Maybe because the emblem was still under Afana’s control,” Cervantes, one of the highest five, blurted out. “Even if she’s dead, but I still believe she isn’t. Afana still is emblem’s master and our lives depend on it.”

“You have a point. Laxon remains the highest sector across Claveria. Though we hid our motives well, Denise is our ticking bomb,” added Herardo, also on the highest five. “Once she spouts out the real history, our enemies would know our weakness and they will go over the emblem to end Laxon.”

“Are you saying we should let her ascend as the Alpha?” Sarjao objected.

“We have no other choice,” replied one of them.

“Letting a woman be an Alpha fuel up rebellion,” replies Sarjao, clenching his fists. “Werewolf council long forbids a woman to take over a high position. How do you think they would react if they were enlighted by that thought? The war for equality that the white wolf started will also be resurrected!”

“He’s right. We can’t be involved in another war again. Who knows it could be our last?” Esperas warned.

“Laxon stands the greatest manipulator. How come we’re the ones who are being toyed by now?” reacted Saram.

          And again, a commotion started and they were again driven out of the constant. Verdiga sighed and slammed the table with his hand so hard, causing them to shut. “We indeed lost Magnus as our pawn. But today we’ll be retrieving another. And Denise is our key.”

“What do you mean?” they asked with their foreheads creased.

“The untamed Alderhaws of the south, they can be our next pawn,” the old man attested. “Zaetron Cole Alderhaw, the Alpha of Nightshade is Denise’s mate. That way, we can say Denise can be Alpha.”

“But she is an Alpha’s mate. She cannot be an Alpha on her own,” protested Ybanez.

“Exactly!” Sarjao commented, slamming the table with his wide smile full of hope and bliss. “Tomorrow, send a message to the council. We are now allowing Denise Soleil to be the Alpha of Shadowstone pack.”

“And prepare the typesetters for a show.”

*****

Denise’s POV

“Hey! Are you even listening?” Sydney called, snapping me out of my thoughts.

          I quickly turned to face her but before I could even answer, unusual chills were sent down my spine out of a sudden nowhere. Making me freeze in creep.

“Denise?”

          I hesitantly looked at her and smiled frankly. “I got a bad hunch something might happen.”

          Her forehead crumpled and before she could speak with her mouth now opened, a loud banging on the door startled the room.

“Denise Soleil Shadowstone! Open the door!”

          Shouts someone whom I don’t need to ask because I already knew him by voice alone.

“Rocco Saavedra,” I mumbled and stood up to open the door. “What’s with the banging? We’re not prisoners, in case you didn’t know.” My body leaned side by the door frame.

          The second I opened the door widely, Rocco’s normal terrifying look greets me.

“Laxon approved,” he plainly uttered, causing my eyes to narrow.

“The what?”

“They passed it on to the council.”

“The what?” I repeated, forming a slight smile on my lips.

“Decision’s for tomorrow.”

          That’s it! My eyes tightly closed and grumpily grabbed his shoulders. “Damn it! Finish your sentence!” I yelled and tugged him inside the room.

          But instead of answering, Rocco instantly dived into the bed laughing hysterically.

“Tell me if you’re ready to talk.” I rolled my eyes and commanded my legs back to the balcony where Sydney is.

“Wait! A-Ahahaha,” he blocked and jumped out of the mattress. “Laxon has given their approval. And now, the matter is on the council. Verdiga promised to keep their hands out to your ascension to Alpha position abiding by your stated condition. The decision’s for tomorrow and Laxon requests you to be out of the University by twilight.”

          My lips winced, not knowing what to express. Should I be happy? Or be dismayed that Laxon really really hates me and that they want me gone as soon as possible?

“Laxon hates you to the core, Shadowstone,” remarked Rocco still giggling. “I might advise you not to steal again unless you want to be chased again.”

          I chuckled, “I see nothing to be stolen from this place. Unless there’s another hidden treasure that costs a lifetime.”

“There is,” he replied which I quickly stopped and face him.

“Where?” I hastily asked.

          But he laughed louder at me and pinched my cheek, “Laxon conceals an underground tunnel leading to a forbidden palace beneath the ground. If you’re interested, meet me there someday.”

          Why would I? The Alpha position is my priority right now. But entering another game could be fun anyway. “What kind of treasure is that?”

          His looks changed of a sudden, his face became deadly serious. “The ability to rewrite your past.”                

          The words he had just released sent chills into my bone marrow. I couldn’t clearly read Rocco sometimes. Until now, it’s still hard to predict which personality of his comes out.

“That’s what legends say,” he chuckled and stretched out his hand, only to reach my head. “You know where to find me in case you want another adventure.”

          I chuckled and directly looked at those detailed green eyes of his. “I will,” I simply answered.

          Rocco smiled gorgeously and ruffled my hair before finally leaving the room. I followed him the second the door closed and remained standing by the door. Sensing his presence in case he were to stay and spy on us.

          But it seems like he has a plain motive this time. He left and took the left wing.

          Laxon is a place filled with blades on every corner. No one and nothing should be left labeled ‘trustworthy’.

“Someone’s going to be reported,” Sydney sang at a volume from the balcony the minute I took a seat by the coffee table. Accommodation here’s rated fine, not bad. Maybe I should consider staying?

“Who is that?” I plainly asked, taking my now-cold tea from the table. Referring to the blonde man sitting on the chair parallel to mine. A blonde man with stunning brown iris, cladded with a black sweatshirt. 

“Are you sure you haven’t seen him?” Sydney sizzled, flipping pages on the book which I know she’s not even reading it.

          I leaned closer and placed the cup back on the table as I put my hand over it. Resting my chin on my closed fist, not quitting my eyes off the foreign man ahead. “Is he a fling of yours?”

“A mere fly,” Sydney added, still not sparing a glance at the man.

          My head tilted as I lifted my cup. “Should you be talking or remain a dummy?” a question directed to the blonde man. Letting a few minutes pass, he’s still not talking. “Do you need help opening your mouth?” I smirked and leaned closer and closer until he was only an inch apart from me. My eyes traveled down to his lips. “Nightshade dog.”

          And in a flash of light, a sharp arrow dashed from a distance through the tiny gap between us.

“I’m glad you recognize me, lady. Now get off before I could lose my head,” this man finally talked.

          I leaped away and darted a sharp glare towards the direction where the arrow came from. “He gave me a fake alpha crest, did he?”