CHAPTER 281: _CALL IT TYRANNY, I DON’T CARE

When Odessa and I got back to Blood Oak, we went straight to the mansion.

Once there, we met a makeshift stage already set right outside the mansion and a few pack members gathered in front of it, murmuring to themselves.

Odessa and I exchanged glances, our expressions tense, before we continued moving, navigating past the crowd. They gave way for us, many bowing.

But I could feel their judgment clearer than the sun in the morning sky above.

On the stage, Layla and Marcellus were already standing waiting. They exchanged a brief glance as Odessa and I mounted the stage as well.

"Sir, the situation at Blue Ridge pack," Layla whispered from behind me as I stood in front of the podium, scanning my gaze on the pack members below.

Men, women, teenagers and even children from all walks of life, including among the elite wolves.

This wasn’t everyone in the pack but it didn’t matter. The whole world will be getting my message today.

"Did you do anything to the culprits or...?" Layla continued but I raised my hand, stopping her.

I didn’t need a debrief. I needed the world to hear me.

The cameras on the stage were already rolling, ready to broadcast my message through the World Alliance Television Network.

’You’ve got this.’ Odessa whispered mentally, placing her hand on mine for a few seconds before withdrawing it and stepping back.

I drew in a deep breath as the crowd went silent.

"People of Blood Oak, the North American packs and indeed the entire world. I come to you today not to apologise for the video from thirteen years ago that was broadcast... But to make a few things clear."

My gaze trailed over to a part of the crowd where I noticed the elders of the pack standing with stern expressions on their faces. I only stared at them for a second before continuing.

"My father was... A man of few words. Whenever a situation like this arose, back then, he solved it by killing all involved and moving on with his conquests. The war was more important to him than what the people truly cared about."

Another pause, but this time I placed my hands on the podium, my eyes narrowing.

"Yet he was praised for his conquests and for protecting the people. But what use is peace if it’s paved through blood?"

"I’m not going to defend what I did that night. I was young and tried defending myself from my father’s attack on me. I can’t bring him from the dead, nor can I change the past, but I can promise this: from today henceforth, I’m going all out to weed out any sort of support for the Lord of the North from all packs in America. Starting here in Blood oak."

I made a gesture, and guards stepped out from the mansion compound behind me, positioning themselves around the people gathered.

There was an uproar as the people looked around themselves with fear and confusion.

"Kaelos?" Odessa whispered but I ignored, my grip on the podium tightening slightly.

I’ve had just about enough.

"Starting from this hour, I’ll be checking on every pack on the continent as well as their Alphas. I’ll have eyes at every corner, guards and pack soldiers of each pack will begin strict monitoring of the people of each pack."

I leaned closer, staring into the camera. "And if anyone and I mean anyone, even breathes about supporting the Lord of the North’s ideology. They’ll either be banished to the barren lands of the continent or executed."

The people began murmuring again until one man, an elite among the wolves, stepped forward with anger on his face.

"This is outrageous! So we aren’t allowed to have free speech?" He snarled, glaring at me. "This is what you call a statement? This is how you defend yourself for killing your father?"

I stared down at him with disdain but I didn’t even need to flinch.

A few guards moved instantly, grabbing him and pulling him away from the crowd of people.

"Mathias!" A woman screamed at him, pushing through the crowd and trying to reach him.

Most definitely his wife.

"Stay put or join him," I said calmly as Mathias was brought up to the stage. The woman instantly stood still, although her body shivered with dread.

The guards pushed him to his knees, forcing him to look me in the eyes. He heaved heavily, his eyes quivering.

"What makes you different from your father?" He asked with a sneer. "It’s the same tyranny but in different fonts."

"Yet you and the rest like you trying to crucify me, praised him for his ruthlessness." I spat, stepping away from the podium and grabbing his jaw. "This is your final chance. Do you swear allegiance to me or the Lord of the North? Let it be known to everyone watching worldwide."

’Kaelos, this was supposed to be an apology.’ Odessa whispered in my head with worry and confusion. ’Don’t you think this is a little too rash?’

I glanced over my shoulder, my eyes locking on hers. ’I never promised an apology. I said I’ll make a statement and that’s what I’m doing. And this isn’t rash. Far from it, my love.’

The only thing "rash" here was the Lord of the North sending his spies into one of my packs and using them to strategically take down an Alpha in support of my reign.

Alpha Deveraux was an unfortunate case... But I’d be damned before I let it become the start of something bloody.

My grip tightened on the elite wolf’s jaw as I swerved my head back to him. "Well? Who do you swear allegiance to?"

He shook with anger but when he looked into my eyes, that anger slowly turned into fear. He managed to glance at his wife in the crowd, his breathing relaxing slightly.

And then...

"You, Alpha King Kaelos." He muttered, lowering his head when I let go.

He pressed his face against the ground, not daring to look at my face. I only let my gaze linger on him for a few seconds before turning my eyes back to the cameras.

"There will be no mercy for anyone who says otherwise. Call it tyranny, I don’t care. But I will not let anyone destroy the peace in this continent."

Let them call it tyranny. I call it necessary...