Chapter 17

"What kind of question is that?" I sneered. "You're talking as if my mother's death means nothing to me. Those evil creatures murdered her without reason, seized her body—and you still think I could be in love with one of them?"

My voice was loud and sharp, and I stared at her with a stern expression.

"I'm sorry..." she murmured, reaching out to touch me, but I backed away.

"I can't believe you think that way about me." I shook my head and turned to face the window.

"Do I look that stupid to you? My only desire has always been to destroy that entire pack and leave them in ruins. That’s why I accepted this mission, even though it risked my life. They killed my mother!" I snarled, punching the window glass in anger as my mind filled with the image of my mother's beautiful smile.

She exhaled deeply, rubbed her face with her palm, and stepped closer. "I’m truly sorry for even thinking that. I am so sorry for that stupid speculation. It was actually your father who wanted to know because he suspected you had feelings for Diane." She whispered, and my heart skipped a beat.

"He planned to kill her tonight if you had confessed she was your mate or that you had the slightest affection for her." She added leaving me shocked, but I didn't show it.

A wave of relief and happiness washed over me, knowing I had come dangerously close to telling her the truth. I trusted my grandmother more than anyone else.

Since my mother died, she has been the only woman I saw as a mother figure—my confidant in nearly everything.

She almost caught me.

"Tell Dad I’m disappointed in him, and you took for accepting to do this. Please leave. I need to sleep and clear my head," I hissed, lying on the bed and pulling the duvet over myself, leaving only my face exposed.

"We are sorry. Curiosity made us act rashly. Rest well, my son." She said, kissing my forehead. I smiled faintly.

As soon as she left, I sat up, exhaling the breath I hadn't realized I was holding. If Tina had pushed just a little harder, I would have confessed everything because I thought she was on my side and would help me protect Diane.

How could I have known she was helping my father find the truth? That would have been the end of Diane.

I am glad she believed my outrage.

*******

Jaden's POV

I sat beside the Alpha, his eyes burning red with venom and rage that burned like a furnace as he stared at Diane's trembling parents.

Their heads were bowed, bodies shivering in fear as they stood in front of the furious Alpha.

"There’s no way they crossed the border, and your badge just went missing. I don’t believe in coincidences! Did you hand it to him? Did you help that monster escape this pack?!" he roared, his voice like a raging storm. Even the walls seemed to tremble.

Only the vampires could turn him into this kind of feral monster—one who would gladly destroy a city to get revenge.

He loathes everything about them, and I understand why. He once told me the story of how he lost his first love.

That cold night, she was killed by a group of vampires. Though he never saw the vampires who did it, every mark on her lifeless body indicated it was them.

She was a young, beautiful maiden working in the royal castle and had charmed him, who was still a prince then.

He couldn't keep his eyes away from her, but since she wasn't part of the royal family, he couldn't openly show her affection.

They meet in secret, make love, and share promises.

When she became pregnant with him, he arranged a place for her and visited her regularly, making sure she had all she needed.

A year after she gave birth, he visited to see their child and to celebrate his ascension as the new Alpha since his father was too old to continue. He was also planning to bring her back to the castle.

He was also going to bring her back to the royal castle, only to find her dead body in cold blood alongside his little daughter.

He couldn't openly mourn her since no one knew about his secret affairs, but that deep hatred and vengeance blazed endlessly in his heart, and he swore to destroy the vampire. Even if that would be the last thing he achieved before dying.

His second mate later died of illness, leaving him without an heir. I assumed I would be next in line, though part of me feared he had another plan. He never confirmed me as his successor, and that silence made me uneasy.

But I didn't allow that to bother me. If I helped him destroy the vampire, and show my capabilities, he would gladly make me his successor.

Although the vampire hunters claimed they knew nothing about the death of his lover, he didn't believe a bit.

It had been so many years, and the only thing he could brag about was capturing their current queen a year ago, claiming he also knew nothing about her whereabouts, just as they denied the killing of his first love.

He has budgeted millions of cash on training the warriors and hunters, buying every lethal weapon and charm without hesitation.

The vampires knew better than to start a war with him now because he was very much prepared for them.

Just two days ago, he was close to capturing Leo, who nobody knew was a vampire, and not just any vampire but a royal member.

I understand his frustration and aggravation because that was the closest chance he would get to force the vampires into a war with him and give him the opportunity to overcome them and take control over their land.

His desire is to turn them all into his slaves and make their lives hell on earth.

"Leo isn't just any vampire! I sensed it clearly. He is from the royal family and could possibly be the vampire king's precious son! I just can't believe we lost that chance because you misplaced your badge. I don't buy that lie!" he thundered, slamming his fist on the armrest.

"We are saying the truth. Just as you saw, our daughter betrayed us, mixing her special hunter blood with his. It gave him his strength back, and he became much stronger than us. We thank the moon goddess that he didn't kill us."

"I wish he had killed you—because you’re both useless!" Kane snapped.

"If they had any sense, they wouldn’t have gone into that forest carrying their badges. That’s basic protocol of a smart hunter. Unless… they did it on purpose," I said, narrowing my eyes.

"What are you insinuating, boy?" Diane's father spat, glaring at me.

"You talk a lot of nonsense! What else do you want to blame us for!" Diane's mother added, venom in their voices.

I could tell they despised me for cheating on their daughter, but they were unaware I hated their daughter more, and I would do everything possible to make her regret her entire existence.

I stood up and bowed slightly to the Alpha.

"I think they intentionally brought the badge there to assist their daughter's lover escape. How else would that vampire know the badge could unlock the border gate? Diane is unconscious, so they definitely told him!"

I spoke firmly, watching as realization flickered in the Alpha's eyes. Joy seeped in as I saw my words really struck a chord, making a lot of sense to him.

"You lying bastard!"

"How could you accuse us of..."

"Guard"s The Alpha's voice cut through. "Chain them and put them in the dungeon room. I think they have a lot to confess!"