CHAPTER 202: _BRIDGING THE GAP

Everyone was silent after Kaelos’ cold declaration, glancing at each other with tense expressions.

And as for Delta Axel... Well, he was shaken but the look in his eyes told me that he would be willing to stir more trouble yet again.

And honestly, I didn’t care anymore. Just like Kaelos was tired of mercy, I was tired of being the voice of peace in his head.

If it weren’t for the fact that I was required not to use magic or any of my powers for the coming six months, I might’ve done something much worse than his outburst.

"Thank you, Alpha King." My aunt Althea stepped forward once again, her voice gaining more confidence when Kaelos offered her a seat at the table.

When she sat, I could feel the animosity from the Delta and the hesitation from the military advisor. But neither of them dared to say anything... Yet.

"The other coven elders had been busy giving disciplinary measures to Lucinda as punishment for her brash actions during the Charity Ball." Althea continued, adjusting her purple robe. "That’s why they weren’t able to respond on time after the broadcast."

The military advisor remarked just then. "Oh, is that so?"

But Althea ignored him and continued. "They’ve relayed a message to me. None of the witches of the high covens of North America helped the Lord of the North. We’re sure of it."

Marcellus, who had been watching everything unfold silently all this while, suddenly cleared his throat and spoke.

"No offense, high priestess, but how are you sure of it? Only a powerful spellcaster would’ve been able to release enough energy to disrupt the global connection of the WATN through their North American towers."

Layla suddenly chimed. "Either that or a large group of witches. But that would require witches who don’t give a shit about the laws of their covens. Or—"

"Rogue witches," I muttered solemnly, clenching my jaw. "What if the Lord of the North allied himself with rogue witches or one powerful rogue witch? That seems more likely than him being a ’puppet’."

Everyone else either nodded or exchanged agreeing glances.

"Well, what this means essentially is that the witches of North America who are bound by covens have no affiliation with the lord of the North," Althea said with a small sigh.

There was a few seconds of pause before the Delta surprisingly mustered the boldness to finally speak again, his voice a bit shaky.

"How quaint. Too bad our werewolves are being trafficked and treated like circus animals by the humans who have refused to side with witches."

"We don’t know the full details of what’s happening in Mexico, Delta." Elder Davina blurted while the Delta nodded slowly.

"My point exactly. We know nothing. We’re running this meeting like headless chickens while the lord of the North has access to information capable of causing worldwide anarchy."

He glanced briefly at Kaelos but then looked away just as fast, clearing his throat.

"Mark my words when I say that after that broadcast today, there WILL be defectors from every pack. Possibly among the Alphas of said packs." The Delta stared at me, not even bothering to hide the spite in his eyes. "The Alpha King needs to make a move. Something that will reignite hope among the people."

The silence that came after those words was deafening.

I glanced at Kaelos who gave me a small nod.

He didn’t even bother explaining what that was about and turned his gaze sharply to everyone else, steepling his fingers in front of him.

"I have the perfect move to reignite hope. A power move, if you will." He said calmly, pausing for what seemed like an eternity before he dropped the bomb. "I’ll be making Odessa my Luna Queen and will announce it to the world. That was the original plan before the broadcast."

I scanned my gaze around the table after he made that declaration.

Marcellus seemed pleasantly surprised, elder Davina had an approving smile, Althea’s expression was stoic... Everyone seemed to have no problem with it.

Everyone except...

"Preposterous!" The Delta banged his hand on the table, ignoring the military advisor’s attempt to get him to calm down. "The packs of North America will be outraged if they learn you want to make a hybrid their Luna Queen. This wouldn’t bring hope... It’ll only strengthen an already wild forest fire!"

I tensed up, hating how convincing his words were.

But Kaelos was unshaken in his decision. "The people will have to adapt then. The way I see it, Odessa being a hybrid will be the perfect way to bridge the gap between the two races. Especially now that ’morale is low’."

The Delta seemed like he was about to snap. His eyes twitched as he glared at Marcellus all of a sudden as if he had betrayed him.

"Beta, why? I told you to inform the Alpha King about marrying my daughter, Hailey."

Wait... What?

I turned my head to Marcellus and watched as he gave a defeated sigh, shrugging.

"Well, like I told you that day, it would be useless. I can’t sway the Alpha king’s decisions." Marcellus remarked, glancing at Kaelos first before glancing at me.

I saw the amusement in his eyes and knew that he found the Delta’s situation funny. That brought a small smile to my face... Until the Delta suddenly got on his feet.

"This is madness! Pure insanity!" He screamed, his stomach jiggling. "And my family and I wouldn’t stand for it. I hereby defect as Delta of the Blood Oak pack. I’d rather join the lord of the North."

The second he let those last words out of his mouth, I knew he had set off a bomb that I no longer had control over.

Kaelos stood instantly just when Delta Axel was about to step to the door, grabbing his neck with his right hand before raising him into the air, ignoring the gasps and choking sounds he made.

"And you think I’ll give you the chance to do that after making such a declaration?" Kaelos growled coldly, his voice reverberating. "Since you’ve made your decision, allow me to show you mine."

Without warning, he snapped the Delta’s neck with one swift motion, the sound of his neck bones breaking like chopsticks echoing around the room.

My lips parted slightly as I watched the Delta’s lifeless body plop to the floor with a loud thud that broke through the heavy silence that had now descended in the room.