Twenty years later
MIGUEL'S P.O.V
I knew father would never forget the case. Twenty years ago, after which, father thought I was the one who said she was pregnant. Umberto was indeed three months pregnant and father spared her to raise the child, gave her twenty years of grace, and now it's twenty years.
Everyone was present in the courtroom, just like it was twenty years ago. The difference is that everyone is a little advanced in age. Umberto knelt reluctantly with Ceasor, their son standing beside her. My heart kept on saying they have something up their sleeves.
“I have my judgment in two ways for the crime you committed twenty years ago. Considering my relationship with Jason, I can give you the grace that you either become an omega or a rogue. That's the best option I can give you” Umberto stood at a point. Ceasor stared at the Alpha who was looking impatient, then at his mother.
“Mother, stop being obstinate and accept the alpha's order by becoming an omega” he whispered at her, and she slapped him across the face, taking everyone surprised. “Are you really my son? Do you want your mother to become a worthless being in the Pack house? I will rather become a rogue than an omega” she blew a gasket standing on her feet. Today is indeed filled with surprises. Father relaxed on the chair, watching the scene unfold. I knew Umberto was unpredictable, but not to this extent. She can die this instant if father wants to, but he just kept his cool. Jason stood up and joined his family. Looking straight into the Alpha's eyes, he smirked.
“If you're sending her away Sabastan, where do you want me to be, besides you while my mate suffers in the hands of those cruel rogues?” Everyone's eyes almost bulged out of their sockets when he called father by his name. Guards scurried off to where he was ready to pounce on him, but father stopped them with his powers.
“He is still my friend and your beta, so you can't harm him,” he said nonchalantly and released them. They bowed and returned to their posts.
“I believe you're not in your right senses today so considering our friendship, I will let this slide and postpone the judgment for tomorrow” father voiced calmly, standing up. I felt disenchanted. I thought father's only weakness is mother.
“I apologize, my Lord on behalf of my parents,” Ceasor said with a bow.
“Jason!” Father screamed, standing from his throne. Jason had used his power on his son and he was lying lifeless in his pool of blood.
“He might be my blood, but he has a bastard behavior in him.'' Some guards came in and took Ceasor away.
“Don't make me cut every tie with you, Jason!” Father let off a steam.
“You've always been a hamstrung Sabastan, always ordering me around like I'm your slave. Of course, we will leave this forbidden pack, but it won't be that easy for you. My honor has been challenged, and we need a duel to gain back my honor” he huffed. Now I see that Jason has completely lost it. Everyone gasped when he mentioned a duel. The fact, he will become the Alpha if he succeeds in killing father.
“I know you have an interest in becoming the Alpha, but your greediness is gradually pushing you to your death. You all are witnesses that Jason Osiris just challenged the Alpha to a duel. You all should be present at the new battleground tomorrow at sunset," Father declared.
“Yes, my Lord” We chorused.
Father ambled to where he was. “Don't regret it tomorrow” he stared at him and flounced out. Everyone left the hall except Jason, Umberto, Miguel and me.
“Father won't spare him tomorrow for tarnishing his honor” I shook my head pitifully at them.
“Someone's pride is going to kill him tomorrow, poor Ceasor will become an orphan” Miguel said glumly.
“That's if he survives his father's assiduous blow on him” I stared at him, and he was about to use his powers on me, but I stopped him.
“Seems he wants father to finish him before the duel,” Miguel chipped in, and I smiled as he withdrew. He dares not harm father's favorite and the future Alpha of the Pack.
“I really can't wait for the duel tomorrow, let's go, Miguel '' we smirked at him and left the courtroom.
“Jason must have lost his mind to think of challenging father to a duel” Miguel nodded in understanding.
“But I'm still worried, it's been twenty years, and I've never seen father practice before. I know Jason would have been practicing since he planned everything all along” he said, feeling concerned.
“I can smell father and mother in the garden. It's a rare opportunity, and we shouldn't miss it” I covered it up. He sighed and we padded to the second garden.
“I never knew Jason could bite the hands that fed him this deep,” he said in the depth of despair. Mother kept mute.
“My lord, you…”
“Stop that!” He screeched at mother, taking us by surprise.
“He called me Sabastan there and I couldn't do anything, so my mate should call me my name as well. Call me Sabastan Persis!” He sobbed.
“Persis” he called softly, realizing what he had done. Today is indeed full of surprises.
“Yes Sabastan, the beta humiliated you In front of everyone and there is a duel scheduled for tomorrow and here you're sulking and looking so pathetic. I brought you here for practice, but all you did was flog my ears with Jason's change of behavior. You can train by yourself and fight Jason tomorrow, good luck!” Mother also screeched back at him, almost leaving, but he held her back.
“Why blow a fuse because I did? If Jason kills me tomorrow, you and our children are likely not to survive it when he becomes your new alpha”
UEL'S P.O.V
Father is trying to be obstinate instead of apologizing to her. Mother used her power on him, and he fell on his back. Only mother can lay a finger on the Alpha.
“Don't you ever dare talk about death between us again. Can we go for the training now because I'm so sure Jason won't go easy on you tomorrow? I will not go easy on you tonight either” mother said and the battle began.
“I never knew mother is this good” I whispered as she used her sword like a guru.
“A Luna must know how to fight because she is the Alpha's assistant” Miquel whispered back. We watched keenly and mother seemed to be winning. I kept on studying every step she took.
“Long live the Luna, long live mother” Miquel hailed excitedly before I could cover his mouth.
“Greetings father” we bowed. Father was laying on the floor, breathing heavily. It was my first time seeing him in shorts and a shirt. Not until now did I realize father is younger than his age, since he was always in a huge renaissance. Mother threw a sword at Miquel, and he caught it at once.
“You can try your fighting skills with your father tonight. Don't go easy on him. Remember his words, to be an Alpha is when you don't slacken off in anything” she added. I sat down at a distance and watched every step. Father got some minor injuries, but he caught up with every skill he had used in a long time.
The training ended at dawn and mom made sure he was fully prepared to go for the duel. Miquel and I visited Ceasor.
“Do you need anything?” Miquel said softly, sitting beside him. We filled him up with everything that happened, after which he passed out.
“Your father went extreme this time” I said, and he nodded sadly in agreement.
“I doubt if the alpha will go easy on him today” he voiced absentmindedly.
Everyone watched at a far distance as the two opponents signed the duel. The speaker announced there will be no punishment if one opponent kills the other. The battle began fiercely. Jason really prepared for years.
“His skills are quite different from all the skills I've learned, but father still has the upper hand” Miquel whispered.
It's been two hours. The beta is proving to be strong despite the injuries he had sustained. He can't heal himself since the wound could smell the fear in Umberto. That's what people get for being evil.
An hour later, he was on the floor breathing hard. Father lifted the sword, ready to pin his heart to the floor, but raised it down all of a sudden. Father's sword is not ordinary, it's a poisonous sword that Alphas in the past used to destroy witches thousands of years ago and if used on him, he will die instantly.
“Bring him to the courtroom with his mate” he ordered and left the battleground. We all settled down in the courtroom awaiting judgment.
“I knew you sent your men to kill Miguel thinking it's Miquel, the heir to the throne. I could have killed you back then, but the memories we had together, the promises we made to each other and our past friendship didn't permit me. I'm cutting every tie with you and spearing you because I won't go easy on you in the future. I can tell rogues taught you the skills you used back then for years. This is my judgment” the room became as silent as a graveyard.
“Jason Osiris and his mate Umberto have committed many atrocities in this Pack and are found guilty, they should be sent to exile for collaborating with rogues,” father declared.
“This can't be true, I am the next Alpha!” he barked, standing on his feet trying to move close to father.
“Treason!” Guards screeched, stretching out their swords to stop him. Father stood up from his throne and brought a sword forward.
“This Pack belongs to the brave and not for the greedy Jason, bow your head to the Alpha” father voiced and the guards withdrew. Jason played hard and refused to bow his head.
“I'm warning you Jason Osiris, respect this sword and bow your head” father commanded pointing the sword at his neck and he bowed reluctantly.
“Now bow your head to your Luna!” He took forever. Mother frowned at him.
“No, my head will not bow to a woman!” he barked, and guards carried him out with his wife.
“You're banished from this pack forever,” Father ordered.
It's five years now and the Pack has been living peacefully. Father still doesn't want Miquel and me together, but I'm a grown-up now. I don't take those things to heart.
“Don't you think it's time you start looking for your mate?” Father had informed us earlier he would have a discussion with us tonight, and here we are in his chambers.
“You mean him?” Miquel and I pointed at each other simultaneously. This isn't going to go well, I heard a lot about having a mate. Some get their mate earlier, while some will never get to see their mate.
“I'm talking to you both, especially Miquel, you're the future Alpha k of this pack, and you need a mate who would support you just like your mother” mother cleared her throat.
“Sabastan, you do know mate is not something you can force on them. They will find theirs when the moon goddess thinks it's right” ever since the incident five years ago, mother has been calling father with no formality and I guess father is okay with it.
“I know that and it's why I made another arrangement for Miquel, take this” father gave Miquel a letter. I don't know what's in there, but his facial expressions say it all.
“This isn't right, father!” He let off steam staring at the letter once again.