I pivot on one foot and deliver a roundhouse kick to his face, causing Jaxton to collapse onto the blood-stained pavement with a groan. Nellie hurries to his side, but Jaxton angrily pushes her away. I squat beside him, observing intently as he wipes the blood from his mouth.
“You have debased yourself through your weakness,” I hiss. “A genuine Alpha exhibits no frailty… and you did.”
Exasperated with my son and Luna, I exit the dungeon, Rocco trailing closely behind. Upon returning to the solace of my office, I settle at my desk and massage my temples as a headache begins to manifest.
Rocco stands motionless by the entrance, however it is evident that he is preoccupied with a thought. Since Olivia’s demise, he has been my most loyal companion, overseeing Jadi when I was unable to face him. The youngster evoked memories of the woman I lost, and I could not permit myself to exhibit vulnerability during wartime.
“What is it?” I exhale as Rocco adjusts his stance.
“Nothing, Alpha,” Rocco replies. “The boy is secure, should you be concerned,” he states softly. “My associates informed me that he has arrived safely in Liberty Bay, thus evading Stonecold’s surveillance. I provided him with the funds you requested and the photograph of his mother.”
Relief permeates my lungs, prompting a subtle sigh. I shut my eyes and compress the bridge of my nose. “You likely perceive me as a hypocrite for exhibiting vulnerability with that boy.”
“I am not in a position to judge you, Alpha. I merely execute commands,” he states with a shrug. “Moreover, he is your son; it is entirely natural for you to be concerned about him.”
I open my eyes to scowl at him. “To clarify: Although he shares my blood, he is not my son. That silent fool bears no relation to me.”
Rocco’s expression becomes stern. “Although mute, he is not an imbecile. You have heard from the guards and Jaxton himself that the boy remained silent during his t*****e and did not plead for mercy when he was expelled from his own pack, a pack he was destined to lead. He did not even flinch when you seized what belonged to him!” he exclaims, gesturing emphatically. “He possesses the potential to become an exceptional Alpha, as you are aware. Although he faces challenges with his speech, with adequate support and training, he could compete with you.”
Noel’s Perspective (Jadi’s Father)
Blood seeps from my knuckles as I fixate on the man suspended from a chain on the ceiling, his eyes swollen shut and his visage distorted. Despite enduring t*****e for the previous two days, the traitor remains silent, and my patience is waning.
“Please,” I deride, well aware that Jadi lacks the capability to lead effectively. “An Alpha must exhibit fearlessness, yet that boy cannot even meet my gaze! Stonecold would annihilate us with him as Alpha. They have already taken two Alphas from us; what would prevent them from taking him? His silence?”
Rocco bows his head, aware that this subject is one I address with difficulty. “Alpha… Jadi is neither Cyrus nor Duncan.”
“Enough! Weakness has already cost this clan dearly. Jadi will not assume the title because he lacks the fortitude to confront his adversary and command his troops in battle.”
“What does Jaxton do?”
Jaxton is youthful and foolish. He still have the opportunity to acquire knowledge. Jadi, conversely, is an adult male. One cannot instruct an elderly dog in novel skills. He will perpetually exhibit weakness. With Jaxton, I still have the opportunity to instruct him on leveraging his gift to his benefit. We are unaware of the nature of Jadi’s gift. He is ineffectual. I granted him pardon as a favour to Olivia. He was her son, yet he was never mine.
“Acknowledged, Alpha,” Rocco exhales. “Pardon my inquiry into your judgement.”
He excuses himself, leaving me to contemplate the prudence of entrusting my pack’s fate to Jaxton.
I exhale in resignation as I recall the young kid I lost in a conflict instigated by my elder brother, Cyrus. John Stonecold was a former ally, and together, Stonecold and Blue Sky constituted the most formidable Moonlit Wolf clans in the West, until my brother’s treachery against John.
To fortify our packs, John wed Bre Hilton from the Crescent Mane kingdom, the king’s daughter and Cyrus’s destined mate. Yielding to his bond, Cyrus clandestinely pursued Bre for months until they were discovered. Enraged, John murdered Princess Bre. Subsequently, Cyrus and King Arthur waged war, resulting in Cyrus’s demise in battle. I assumed the title shortly thereafter.
John’s insatiable thirst for vengeance remained unquenched. He yearned to witness the destruction of Blue Sky as retribution for my brother’s treachery. He abducted my son Duncan before he could even take his first steps and subsequently seized Olivia from me. Had he discovered Jadi’s identity, he would have taken him as well. Thus, I could not permit the emergence of a feeble heir. John would go to any lengths to ensure our downfall, and Jadi lacked the fortitude to confront him.
I have meticulously trained Jaxton from a young age to become a formidable wolf; but, he remains inexperienced. He has much to learn if he aspires to confront John directly and conclude this wretched battle definitively.
