CHAPTER 226: DAUGHTER- MY BIGGEST ENEMY

Aldren then turned towards him and Lance’s eyes narrowed at the sight of the hatred directed at him. Was the man planning to challenge him? Lance smiled. It seemed he’d figured out Emira’s identity.

But instead of issuing a challenge, the councilman lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, I request a private audience with you, please."

Lance nodded as he stared at the man. So Councilman Aldren could still speak without leaping straight into a death challenge.

At his agreement, most of the other councilmen began to leave the chamber, relieved to slip away. Two of them lingered near the doorway, pretending they were still needed, but even they could not justify staying any longer. They walked out quietly, unable to listen to what was coming. However, they did feel an urgency. They needed to find out if Aldren had found out the mole.

The moment the door closed behind the last councilman, Evan Aldren’s submissive attitude vanished.

He straightened with a sharp breath and spoke clearly, "Your Majesty, I suggest you abdicate the throne and hand the reins over to the council."

Lance raised an eyebrow at that. "Are you challenging me?"

"Do I need to challenge you?"

"Do I need to challenge you?" Aldren asked, his voice rising with anger, having forgotten he was talking to the Supreme Alpha. "Can you truly swear that you are worthy to lead the werewolves into a fight against the Dark Lord? You were too soft, Your Majesty. Too trusting. And because of that, the people under your rule have been colluding with the Dark Lord right under your nose. You didn’t even know."

Lance watched him calmly, almost amused by the man’s agitation. "You are very emotional today, Councilman Aldren. Just because I have not taken any steps, doesn’t mean I don’t know what is happening."

"This is no time to be calm!" Aldren snapped. "Our enemies are getting stronger, and our leaders are getting weaker. You are getting weak and soft! It is the truth. Only trials and tribulations can make capable leaders! Years of peace have made you soft! When the time comes, you won’t even be able to protect your own pack, let alone all others! Tell me! Can you promise me that you can protect the werewolves and the White witches?

Lance tilted his head. "Yes. As a matter of fact, I am perfectly capable of protecting all the innocents."

Aldren did not notice the word Lance used. All Innocents, not just werewolves. He was too focused on his own anger to hear the difference.

"No!" Aldren shouted. "Even if you say you are willing to fight and protect the people from the Dark Lord, you cannot lead us now. Not when you are already under the influence of a dark witch! She is living in your pack! You have even accepted her as your slave! With such a close connection, how can anyone from the werewolves trust you? If you want anyone to believe that you are trustworthy, then kill her! Get rid of her before your mating ceremony so that she cannot create any trouble!"

Lance’s easygoing expression vanished then. His jaw tightened, and his eyes darkened. "Be very careful with your words, Councilman Aldren."

But Aldren charged ahead, ignoring the warning. "You hide her here. You protect her. You let her stay close to you. How can the council trust a ruler who allows dark blood inside?"

Lance stood up then and spoke quietly, "When the Dark Master was captured, it was declared that those dark witches who had not committed any atrocities would be free to live. That was the agreement. That was the law."

Aldren opened his mouth, but Lance spoke over him.

"Despite that, the dark witches were hunted by white witches and some werewolves. They were killed without trial. They were punished for crimes others had committed all in the name of vengeance and righteousness...So even if a dark witch is in this pack, don’t think you can use her existence to pressure me or twist my decisions."

Aldren’s face flushed with anger. "You are protecting her!"

"I am following the law," Lance replied simply. "Something that many have ignored and overlooked over the years.

Aldren clenched his fists. "This is exactly why you cannot continue ruling. You are blinded by your feelings. You are letting her influence you."

Lance gave a small, humorless laugh. "Is that what you want people to believe? That I am weak? That I am controlled by someone else?"

"You are weak," Aldren insisted. "And that weakness will destroy us."

Lance’s eyes hardened further. "No. You want me to abdicate the throne to the council so you can become the true ruler behind the scenes. This has nothing to do with my strength. This is about your ambition to want to erase the dark blood. For that, you were willing to kill your own mate! Your own children.

Aldren’s gaze shifted, but he didn’t deny it.

Aldren shook his head and glared, "I only want what’s best for our people. My child was destined to help bring back the Dark master! Of course she had no right to live! It was all for the welfare and protection of our people!"

"No. You wanted revenge. You want to settle old grudges and mix that with your own malice."

Aldren let out a harsh laugh. "You can say whatever you want, Your Majesty. Twist the story however you like. But the truth is right here. You have been influenced by that dark witch, Emira! Everyone can see it. Just hand her over to me, and I am willing to trust your leadership again."

Lance didn’t even blink. "I do not need your trust, Councilman Aldren. And as for giving Emira to you... never."

Aldren’s face twisted with fury. "Then hear this clearly. I will kill Emira, Your Majesty. By hook or by crook! I will finish what should have been done long ago. You cannot stop me!"

For a moment, there was silence.

Then everything around Lance stilled. The air itself seemed to freeze. His eyes locked onto Aldren with a focus so sharp it felt like a blade resting against skin. He tilted his head slightly, almost curious, almost bored.

When he finally spoke, his voice carried a coldness that settled deep in the bones. "You really think you can threaten me, hmm?"

Before Aldren could answer, a crushing pressure dropped over him like a mountain. His breath caught. His vision blurred. He stumbled backward and then collapsed to the floor, his knees slamming into the ground with a loud bang.

A stream of blood ran down from his nose. He tried to lift his head, tried to speak, but the force pressing down on him allowed no movement. Every muscle locked. Every instinct screamed. There was only one direction he could move.

Down.

His neck bent forward despite his struggle, forcing him to bare his throat in complete surrender.

"By rights I should kill you, Councilman Aldren. The only reason I have not yet beheaded you is because of Emira. Your biological daughter, after all carries your blood. But be warned. One word, one thought against her and you wouldn’t just be kneeling in surrender... Your head would be separated from your body. Am I clear?"