CHAPTER 272: _HIS NEXT PUPPET

Marcellus’ POV

*****

Watching the clip of Kaelos killing his father that day was amusing, to say the least.

He’s always known the Alpha King had secrets... But he never expected them to be so scandalous!

He would’ve loved to mock him secretly and then laugh about it with a glass of wine or two... But he had his own issues to attend to.

"Okay, these are all the books on soul branding I could get from Regina." Cullen blurted, dropping three books on the centre table of the living room with a sigh. "Random, but Regina seems oddly... Excited about something. As if she’s found a new toy."

Marcellus clicked his tongue, completely ignoring his assistant as he stood and picked up one of the hardcover books. "Yeah, yeah, good for her. What did any of these books have to say about soul branding?"

He was still troubled over that moonstone energy Elder Davina left on his soul after her death.

The explosion had done physical damage but those had already healed. What lingered now was this dreadful feeling coming from his soul.

Cullen had mentioned he could see it shining inside Marcellus like a silver cloak, but the latter couldn’t see anything, no matter how hard he tried to concentrate.

"Unfortunately, I didn’t see anything about moon stone-based soul branding." Cullen shrugged, sitting comfortably on the sofa across from where Marcellus stood. "But you might just be overthinking—"

"Don’t," Marcellus warned with a cold growl, flinging the book on the table. "None of that bullshit, Cullen. I’m not overthinking this, and if your brain cells weren’t shrivelled up like raisins, your instincts would tell you the same!"

The lad shrank back in his seat, staring at Marcellus with genuine fear and hesitation for the first time in years.

Marcellus kept his gaze on him for only a few seconds before he drew in a deep breath.

This wasn’t him.

Emotions were never something he felt or let control his actions. Unless...

"The moon stone’s energy is probably already messing with my mind now." He deduced, squinting his eyes. "What did that hag do to me?"

Cullen remained silent for a good while before clearing his throat. "Well, like you said, we better keep this under wraps so the Lord of the North doesn’t find out. If that moon stone is anything that’ll hold you back—"

"Hold me back?" Marcellus’ frown deepened as he subconsciously stretched out his right hand. That motion caused dark green sparks of his magic to flicker on his fingertips, bringing a small smirk to his face.

"Looks like I still have my mojo. Maybe—"

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, causing his eyes to widen. He turned his head to Cullen who quickly stood up and grabbed the books on the table, scurrying to the stairs but then stopping halfway, lingering in the shadows.

Marcellus fixed his eyes on the door.

"Come in!"

The door swung open and in came Layla, her long brown hair done in braids. She also wore a form-fitting black skirt to match her black long-sleeved shirt, and her face was flustered with exhaustion.

"Ah, Layla." Marcellus smiled warmly, stretching his arms in a welcoming gesture. "You... Look stressed. I’m guessing it’s because of that broadcast earlier. How’s the Alpha King?"

Layla let out a heavy sigh, shutting the door behind her. "I’m so sorry for disturbing you this evening, Beta. The pack elders just left and it’s getting hectic at the Alpha King’s mansion."

She stepped in, holding her tablet close to her chest. Marcellus’ eyes lingered only briefly on her breasts which peeked out slightly from her shirt.

The last time Layla visited was after Elder Davina’s death.

The poor girl had broken down, sobbing in his "comforting" arms.

Little did she know that he was probing her for the possibility of being his next puppet.

"I can only imagine the gravity of the situation not just in the pack but the continent." Marcellus shook his head with a bitter smile.

But Layla grunted. "You don’t have to imagine, sir. Look."

She walked closer, handing her tablet to him.

Marcellus stared at the screen with curiosity as Layla continued speaking.

"Social media is ablaze with people calling the Alpha King a murderer and tyrant worse than his father. Late Alpha King Leonardo’s son, the newly appointed Alpha King of South America, even made a statement calling the clip barbaric."

Wow... Indeed, all she said was correct.

"The political fallout this will cause could be disastrous." Layla brushed her right hand down her face while Marcellus set the tablet on a sofa. "I’m talking about a possible civil war among the wolves of North America! Alphas on the continent are silent so far, but it’s only a matter of time..."

"Layla," Marcellus spoke calmly, taking a step forward.

"Goddess, I feel so helpless!" She groaned, placing both her hands on her head. "I’m supposed to be the Alpha King’s assistant in PR situations. But THIS? This is too much. I can’t—"

"Layla!" Marcellus repeated, placing both his hands on her shoulders.

That caused her eyes to widen, a gasp escaping her lips as she stared into his sharp green eyes.

"It’s okay," Marcellus whispered, his voice smooth like silk. "Did you hear what I said? You don’t need to burden yourself with these issues."

He could feel Cullen spying on them from the corner of the stairs behind him but ignored that, a small smile creeping up his lips when Layla’s shoulder finally relaxed.

There were a few seconds of silence as she took slow and steady breaths.

But then...

"I’ve been keeping contact with the people at the World Alliance Television Network. The true Lord of the North was behind this. That person, man or whatever he is... He’s becoming scarier by the day."

Marcellus withheld the urge to snigger in her face.

She had no fucking clue...

"Do you know the best thing to do in situations like this?" He asked softly, making sure she looked into his eyes.

When she shook her head, his smile widened as he brought his lip closer to her ear.

"Just. Let. Go." His magic slipped slowly into her mind, causing her to blink with confusion at first.

But then her eyes went blank, her lips parting as Marcellus parted aside strands of her hair with a grin, feeling her thoughts slipping away.

"Looks like I still got it after all..."