Chapter 137 - No Remorse, No Mercy.
Chapter 137 – No Remorse, No Mercy.
Hugo simply wanted to finish the inspection faster. That was why they didn't rest and kept moving throughout the day and night. But he never thought he would regret it. Because of it, it took them longer to return to the castle. By the time they returned, it was already closed to dawn.
After meeting the wolf that rushed to them as if his life were on the line, everyone's mind went blank. They didn't even realize they already arrived at the castle until Hugo roared as soon as he kicked the door open.
"Who did it?!"
Hugo's eyes glowered, gazing at everyone who was waiting for him in the castle. Seeing him on the flesh and in such a state, everyone lowered their head. His eyes veered towards Toby, who approached his feet, barking like a dog. Unlike the werewolves present, a bear like him was unaffected by the presence of the Alpha.
'Some creatures abducted Mama, Papa!' Toby barked, almost whimpering desperately since he was the only witness. 'Bowie went after them, but we're slower!'
Hugo watched the bear talk to him. He didn't understand him, but he knew Toby was worried. His hand balled into a fist, squatting down to pick up the bear he never held before.
"Did she tell you to ask for help?" he asked. His tone was still imposing, but Toby nuzzled its nose against him as an answer. "Did the bears hear about it?"
Again, Toby used any means to answer him. Fortunately, Hugo seemed to understand his actions.
"I encountered the bears, Alpha. It seems they came after our Luna." To help Toby, the werewolf who encountered the bear, affirmed in a solemn tone. "I don't know… but I think they were telling us to come after them since bears weren't as fast as us."
Hugo's eyes flickered as he raised them to everyone around. The ones who were in front of him were the head butler, some warriors left to guard the castle, and others he trusted.
"Alpha Hugo, shall we start a search?" Suddenly, Nathan, who shifted into a human form after someone threw a blanket on him, queried. The rest were still in their wolf form, although some were missing to execute the orders Hugo gave out on their way back.
"No." To their surprise, Hugo's answer not to come after Rinnie and her abductors startled them. "Edge is with her. What is important right now is to know who let those bastards in here." he seethed, gazing at everyone while stretching his neck.
Everyone went silent. That was right. If the bears weren't the ones who harmed Rinnie, then it was an outside force. Belcoot was an impregnable fortress for generations. It solidified and became even more unbreakable when Hugo took charge.
For people with malicious intent to enter the castle and the restricted forest with no one knowing, it only meant one thing. Someone let them in. They looked at each other, wide-eyed. The word traitor terrified them.
Who did it?
The question didn't stay unanswered for a long time when Ivo and Reks suddenly arrived in the castle in their wolf form. All eyes shifted on them except Hugo.
'Alpha Hugo, we found the traitor.' Ivo's voice was heard in their heads, eyes on Hugo's back.
The latter glanced over his shoulder. "Who?" came out a menacing hiss.
Ivo gazed at Reks before setting his eyes back on the Alpha of the pack. His eyes glinted, showing no hesitation.
"Adelia."
Hugo let out a dry and dark laugh of ridicule. This piece of information startled everyone. Adelia? Emily, who was standing with everyone, slumped to her knees, eyes blank. She slowly raised her eyes and held her breath upon meeting Hugo's brooding eyes.
"Summon Balthazar and his sons from the border. Drag Adelia to me… I will tear her limb to limb." Hugo's orders sounded like a clap in Emily's ear. This time, she knew they were dead. Adelia finally did it. Mercy… would never fall on them.
*****
Hugo sat on his throne in the throne hall, listening to Ivo, who stood on his side. His eyes were on the pale complexion of Balthazar, his wife Emily, and his sons, who were utterly shaken up by the news. Kneeling with them was Adelia in the middle. But unlike them, Adelia had her brows furrowed, a bit confused about what was going on.
"I see…" He nodded after Ivo explained how he knew it was Adelia in his quick investigation and how the vampires got in. Slowly, Hugo pushed himself up from his seat. His every step as he approached the Talon Family sounded overly loud, making everyone's heart race in fear.
When he stopped three feet away from Adelia, the latter looked up. "Alpha Hugo, what is going on? Why did you summon us like this?" she inquired with a confused smile and longing in her eyes.
"Adelia, don't you know the crime you just committed?" Since Hugo was keeping his silence, Ivo spoke coldly. "How dare you endanger the luna of this pack?"
"Hah…! She deserved it!" Adelia scoffed without regard to what could happen with her proud answer. "That wench manipulates people and deceives everyone with that angel-like face of her! She seduced Alpha Hugo and got everyone's trust with an ulterior motive! I won't let that human, who doesn't belong in this place, blind everyone! She must die without mercy! Once she's dead, everyone will wake up!"
Silence. Everyone was rendered speechless hearing her ridiculous confession while she panted and huffed. Emily, Balthazar, and their sons could only look at Adelia, wide-eyed. They couldn't believe the words that came out of Adelia's mouth. If not for the echo resonating across the silent throne hall, they would think what they heard wasn't true.
"What did I do so wrong to be treated like this? You should be thanking me instead!"
"Adelia!"
Adelia frowned when Emily yelled, gazing at her mother with furrowed brows. Emily looked at her with disbelief, but her daughter couldn't understand the fear that was dominating her mother's face. Despite that, it wasn't important for Adelia. So, she gazed up at Hugo, since she was certain Hugo would understand.
However, as soon as her eyes landed on Hugo's face, her heart sank. His eyes were cold and distant, unsmiling as if he was looking at something insignificant.
"Adelia, since when did you call the shots and decide for this pack?" came out a chill voice, making all the hairs on the back of her neck raise.