Lucas' POV
As I trudged into the Court, the first thing I heard was the sorrowful voice of Lucian.
"With a heart burdened by profound sorrow and overwhelming conflict, I write the obituary of my father, the Lycan King. As his son, I, Lycan Prince Lucian, have been torn apart by his passing. Yet, in the name of truth and honor, I must recount his life in all its reverence and complexity..."
What is he doing? Is he about to reveal the truth of the Lycan King's deeds at his own father's funeral?! Has he lost his mind?!
Upon entering the ceremonial chamber, I saw Jalin Cleary standing beside Lucian.
Why is that bastard still alive and why is he next to Lucian?!
The moment he spotted me, Jalin's eyes narrowed.
I recognized the smug grin on his face. It was the look he wore when he was up to something deceitful.
My mind raced.
Leah. He must have Leah. He must be using her to threaten Lucian.
The instant Leah crossed my mind, a burning void seared through my chest.
Her name no longer brought pleasure; it only left behind... relentless pain.
This is it, isn't it? I thought to myself. This is how I will spend the rest of my life.
Trapped in agony.
Lucian noticed me too. He shot me a dark, meaningful glance and continued, "...The Lycan King was a figure of immense strength and unyielding will, a leader who elevated our pack to unprecedented heights of power and prosperity. The kingdom thrived under his rule, but hidden beneath the surface lay dark, unspeakable secrets that now cast a shadow over his legacy..."
What the hell is he doing? Is he really gonna...?!
"My father's most trusted friend, Jalin, revealed to me the torment he endured at the King's hands. Jalin, my father's illegitimate son, suffered unimaginable abuse, a bitter legacy of my father's unchecked cruelty. The pain of this revelation is indescribable, knowing someone I held dear was subject to such brutality by our shared bloodline. Despite his unfortunate, miserable past, Jalin still chose to stand by me during this time of crisis as my most loyal subject and best friend."
A sadistic, cruel smirk spread across Jalin's face as he laid his eyes on Lucian.
"Werewolves of our Kingdom, our nation is under tremendous crisis right now. Lycan Princess Leah has abandoned all the doctrines and teachings of my father. She was the mastermind behind an unethical werewolf enhancement project, driven by her obsession with eternal life..."
No! That's blatant slander! That's not what happened! I clenched my fists.
Lucian continued, "She also established laboratories in Mediland, where poor werewolves were abducted and subjected to horrific experiments, tearing countless families apart. This relentless pursuit of immortality blinded her to the sanctity of life and the suffering of her own kind..."
Lucian is pinning every heinous deed the Late Lycan King committed on Leah!
On his own daughter Leah!
On my wife and mate Leah!
Jalin looked almost triumphant as he glanced at me. Though he remained still, I could see madness and the flames of revenge burning in his eyes.
Lucian paused, his lips trembling, then continued, "Furthermore, he bestowed unchecked power to his son Lycidas, allowing him to create a slave market in Mediland, where rogues and captured werewolves were traded like commodities. This despicable enterprise has left scars on our world that may never heal."
I looked around and saw soldiers closing in on me from all directions. I immediately turned to Jorah and said, "Walk slowly away from me right now. Do it slowly and casually."
Jorah's face was a mask of horror. "No, Alpha. I can't..."
I interrupted him in a low, urgent voice, "They are coming to arrest me. I need someone outside to protect Leah. Do you understand?"
Jorah instantly grasped the gravity of the situation. He took one last look at me and slipped away into the crowd.
The soldiers encircled me. Everyone was in shock.
Lucian's sorrowful voice announced my fate— "Despite these horrifying truths, my father's death leaves a void that pains me deeply. I mourn not just the King but the father I wished he could have been—a father who nurtured rather than destroyed, who loved rather than manipulated. However, the victims of Princess Leah's deeds yearned for justice, so justice I present to you, the werewolves of our Kingdom. I hereby command the arrest of Alpha Lucas Farrow, husband and mate of Princess Leah."
Two soldiers grabbed my arms and twisted them behind my back.
Jalin walked to my side and whispered, "You didn't see that coming, did you?"
"You'll burn in hell, bastard," I growled as the soldiers prepared to cuff me.
"Let me have the pleasure of doing this," Jalin gloated, taking the cuffs from the soldiers. "You know, I've always wanted to do this," he sneered as he fastened the cuffs on me. "Ever since I saw you for the first time, Farrow."
Then, he pressed my neck, forcing me to bend down. "I will burn in hell. There's no doubt about that," he whispered menacingly next to my ear, "but I'll drag everyone down with me."
"Where is Leah?! What have you done to her?!" I tried to raise my head, but the soldiers pressed me down again.
Jalin bent over and placed a finger to his lips. "Be quiet, Farrow," he hissed. "You don’t want to make a scene at His Majesty's funeral, right?"
"If you dare to hurt her..." I roared.
"What are you going to do? Bite me?" Jalin sneered, leaning closer with a smug expression.
"Well, I'm definitely going to hurt her," he shrugged nonchalantly. "I'll rip every single feather from her, just like I'm going to do to His Highness."
He turned, gazing at Lucian on the podium with twisted admiration. A giddy look spread across his face. "Look at him. Acting like the grieving son and the glamorous Lycan Prince in front of everyone. You have no idea how satisfying it is when he kneels before me, begging for more."
"Why are you doing this to him?! Lucian is the only one who cares about you! You were like a brother to him!" I spat the words out, fury coursing through me.
"And he's like a brother to me," Jalin replied, his face devoid of any emotion. "Let's just say, I've seen people do far worse things in the name of brotherly love."
"You have no proof of your accusations! Leah has never -"
I stopped mid-sentence, my breath catching as I saw Leah's face on the massive screen suspended above us. Her eyes were lifeless, devoid of any emotion.
"What is your name?" Jalin's voice, cold and commanding, came from behind the camera.
"My name is Leah Lewyn," she answered in a low, mechanical tone.
"Confess what you've done, Leah."
"I've set up a lab in Mediland and authorized trials on ordinary werewolves. I was behind the entire enhancement project," Leah stated in a monotone voice.
She had been hypnotized! Jalin must have done this to her while he held her captive!
As I was about to protest, the soldiers moved in, ready to drag me away.
But Jalin held them back. "Oops, almost forgot this," he said, pulling out a gag and securing it over my mouth.
Then, he cupped my head and gently slapped my face. "There you go. You look much better this way," he taunted. "See you later, Farrow. After I'm done with Lucian, you'll be next."