CHAPTER 3.1

One week later…

My father and I arrived at the Lycan Palace. Stepping out of the coach, my father adjusted my collar, “This meeting is very confidential, Justin. There will be many high-profile guests and some of our rivals too. You must keep your temper under check. Don’t speak unless they address you specifically. You think you can manage that?”

Drawing in a deep breath, I nodded, “Don’t worry, father. I will remain as cool as cucumber.”

His eyes flashed with a warning, “This is your only chance, Justin. If you lose your cool, you will never get another opportunity to avenge your mother’s death.”

My expression turned serious and I nodded, “You can trust me, father. I will proceed with utmost caution.”

He pursed his lips and patted my back, “Very well then. Let us go inside.” He kept his hand on my shoulder as we walked inside. This gesture wasn’t driven by intimacy but fear; fear that I would break and start acting out at some crucial moment. His gaze drifted to mine restlessly every few moments.

I wasn’t going to break; not this time. I wasn’t going to waver no matter what happened. I was here with only one objective in mind: to get chosen.

“Justin?” A snort sounded to my left, “What is a loser like you doing here? Are you even allowed in here?”

My blood boiled but I plastered a smile on my face and turned to face him, “Orlando, it is such a pleasure seeing you. You have the highest chances of getting chosen.”

The color drained from his face, “Who wants to be chosen? I… I am too busy to do such a menial task.”

“Orlando! Watch your tongue,” Alpha Derek snapped as he approached us hastily. He squeezed Orlando’s shoulder and gritted out, “It is an honor to be the chosen one.”

“Of course, whatever you say, Dad….” Orlando stated in a nonchalant voice before shrugging his father’s hand and stomping inside.

“My son likes to joke around….” Alpha Derek, stuttered before changing the topic, “How have you been, Alpha Hades?”

My father’s eyes flashed with anger but he bowed anyway, “We have been doing great Alpha. Thanks for your concern.” He held my hand; his nails digging into my skin, “We… we need to be somewhere.” He gritted out, leading me inside.

Our pack had suffered a lot because of Alpha Derek. He was a bully who liked to target smaller packs. A hiss escaped my lips as my father’s nails dug deeper.

He released my arm instantly, “I am sorry, Justin. It is just that… That man makes my blood boil….”

My gaze swept over the exquisite hall. It was a thousand square meters of sheer grandeur. Chandeliers, drapes, flowers, and magical flies adorned the ceiling making it look like something straight out of a fairy tale. But, even more impressive was the gathering: Alphas of the most powerful packs, leaders of prominent covens, and even vampire lords were present.

With so much power, the atmosphere was naturally dense and oppressive. The hall was like a fucking box of Uranium; one splinter, one mistake, and the entire world would blow up. Only the Lycan King could host such an outrageous gathering.

He had done his best to make suitable arrangements for all. The tables were color-coded; red for vampires, electric blue for the witches, and black for the werewolves. The chairs in each section were further arranged to represent the hierarchy of the social order.

The most powerful leaders were allotted golden chairs, the less prominent ones, silver, and the weaker ones were allocated chairs with bronze headrests.

The guests seated on golden and silver chairs had a bevy of attendants each while the rest were served by the common servants.

My father walked up to a bronze chair and sat down. I chose a convenient place and stood leaning against a pillar.

“My dear, Alphas, Lords, and Mystics,” The Lycan King’s magically magnified voice drifted boomed in the hall. “We are all gathered here for one sole purpose; elimination of the wereheretic. I want to know whether you all are with me in this mission.”

“The werewolves are naturally with you. Wereheretics are not supposed to exist; nobody with that kind of power should be allowed to exist,” Alpha Aramus, the representative of the werewolves said in support.

“She is messing the balance of the natural order, bringing chaos and we need to get rid of her; not because we are afraid. But, because her presence will doom the world,” Lady Naila, the leader of the mystics added in support.

Now, all the gazes shifted to Lord Kaizen. He stood up and bowed respectfully, “Vampires usually don’t concern themselves with such matters. But, this time, it is personal. She broke into the castle of one of my men and slaughtered all of them. The Vampire Kingdom will go to any extent to uphold justice.”

“That is great! This is the first time in the history of Supernatural History that all of us have agreed on something unanimously. Hope we can remain united until she is eliminated.”

Everyone stood up. Placing their left hand on their chest, they said in unison, “We shall remain united until justice is served.”

Goosebumps erupted all over my arms at the deep, sound that resonated in the hall. A shudder coursed through me involuntarily and my mind went numb. It was difficult to believe that a single woman had managed to elicit such a response.

For the next few hours strategies were discussed, plans were made. Every strategy was amazingly portrayed and explained. The only problem was that the leaders didn’t agree on a single plan.

Ultimately, the Lycan King suggested that the werewolves, vampires, and witches would finalize one plan each by the end of the month and they would meet again.

A deep frown settled on my forehead and I shifted restlessly, shrinking further and further into the corner. By the time the meeting ended, I was drowning in a sea of insecurities and low self-esteem.

How could I compare to all the affluent people gathered in the hall? There was no way I would get a chance to take revenge.