Eero's perspective
I watched the strong Alpha King of the Regulus pack take his last breath after unraveling Aelice and Beta Octavio's dark secret.
"Did the Alpha King tell you the truth about Vance and your ex-best friend's evil plan?" Claudius asked. He now stands behind me. I didn't even realize that he got in.
"My best friend, the Aelice that I know, wouldn't be able to do such vile things. I want to think that the Aelice that had become my best friend is dead. My best friend and the Luna Queen are not the same shifter," I said to Claudius with my back still turned against him.
"I'll let them know that the Alpha King has passed, but before that, you must head first to the realm to claim the pack and the throne." I throw a dagger and look at Claudius.
"And here I thought that you care about Codrus, but just like Octavio and Aelice, all that you care about is the pack and his throne—"
"I didn't care about Codrus. I care about you. Suppose you don't do exactly as I told you. You will lose this battle, Eero."
"I believe that Aelice and Octavio have a bit of decency. They will land their first blow after the Alpha King's funeral, and we'll counter them then. For now, don't bring up this topic. I will speak no more about this."
My phone rang out loud, and it startled me, too. I delve my hand inside my bag for my phone. When I got it, I quickly answered Miguel's call.
"Migs, yes, why? Something happened?" I asked him.
I stepped back and walked towards the corner of the hall where no one would disturb us.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'm okay."
"You should have told me you would visit the realm so I could accompany you. I am dead worried about you. I will be there soon. I will pick you up." I was about to tell Miguel the unfortunate news of the Alpha King's passing when I heard a familiar soft voice.
"Eero."
It sounded so familiar that hearing it took the last strand of my strength. Anger washed over me at the same time.
I lowered my hand, holding the cell phone, and slowly looked at her. I took a breath. Tears automatically formed in my eyes caused by the mixed emotions that were draining my system after I discovered Aelice's plan.
My hand was shaking as I grabbed the strap of my bag and stepped back to walk away as if it was natural for me to do that in self-defense.
"Eero, please, with your adoptive's father. Me and Vance are the only family that you have right now." I closed my eyes tightly. I repeatedly shook my head, and when I felt she stepped closer to me, I immediately distanced myself and gave her dagger looks.
"You and Vance were never a family to me, and now that Codrus is dead, there is no need for you to pretend that you can still welcome me in your arms. I know you loathe me, and I do, too," I said, staring straight into her eyes.
"You're not my family. You're a traitor, endangering my claim to the pack and to the throne to give it to your bastard son. I know Vance isn't the Alpha King's pup, and he knew it, too. He was the one who told me."
I turned my back on her and walked out of the realm. Miguel pulled over just in time. His car stopped before me, and I wasted no more time. I got inside, and he quickly drove away.
Except for sobs brought by my stoic crying, no words for questions left both of our mouths. Miguel let me cry, but I could feel him glancing worriedly at me.
"I didn't know that I could be this angry towards the woman whom I once saw and treated as my own sister. Migs, how can she betray me like this? How come she learned to hate me like this?"
Not knowing what to tell me or how to ease the pain that I'm feeling. Miguel held and kissed the back of my hand. It's his way of telling me that he's here.
"You're up against the Luna Queen and Beta Octavio. There is nothing much I can do for you, Eero. Don't you think it's time that you rekindle your bond with Claudius?" Miguel suggested. I pulled my hands from his hold of it, and I looked away.
********
"Eero, I'm worried about you. I can't contact your phone." Diana greeted me as soon as Miguel and I entered the condo. I took my phone out of the bag and tried to open it, but it looked like I had a dead battery.
I smiled at Diana, then I went straight to the living room and tiredly sat down on the sofa.
"Where is Perseus?"
"Your pup fell asleep waiting for you. It's almost midnight," she shouted from the kitchen. Miguel sat on a single-seater couch placed on the opposite side of where I was sitting.
Miguel's eyes were flashing a questioning look at me. Questions that I know I'm not prepared to answer, like the last topic that we talked about in his car.
I immediately turned to Diana when I heard her approaching steps. She handed me a glass of cold water that I badly need now.
"Thank you," I said, then took the glass of water from her.
Diana sat next to me. "So..." she murmured. I smiled weakly at the two of them as I put the empty glass above the coffee table.
I gently patted Diana's shoulder, then stood up to enter the room where Perseus and I were staying.
"I'm going to rest, Diana. I have to go back to the realm for the Alpha King's funeral," I said and left the two of them in the living room.
"Okay, Eero. You deserve a little break. You had a long day," Miguel said.