Chapter74
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. This was no longer
just about Isaac’s greed or jealousy. He had tapped into
something far darker, far more dangerous than we could have
imagined.
“But how did Isaac even get the bloom in the first place?” Asher
asked, his tone edged with frustration. “If your pack has been
guarding it for generations, how did he get past you?”
Charlotte’s expression darkened. “I don’t know,” she admitted.
“The bloom is kept under constant watch. No one outside the
pack should have access to it. But if Isaac managed to take it, it
means someone here betrayed us.”
Her words hung in the air, heavy and damning. The magical
flower, the betrayal Charlotte’s side, and the mysterious
decedent that Isaac had gotten hold of.
Looks like now he had all the leverage and we had none.
Asher’s POV
“Then how do we stop Isaac and get Mia back?”
Violet looked at Charlotte with desperation in her eyes, her
voice trembling. “We’re running out of time, and we still don’t
have any real leads.”
“There is one possibility,” Charlotte said carefully. “The Royal
Council. They may know secrets even I don’t. There are…
rumors of another plant that could weaken the magic.”
I glanced at Charlotte, skepticism bubbling up inside me.
“Another plant? Like the Celestine Bloom?”
“Yes,” she said, nodding. “The Royal Council is deeply tied to the
roots of magical knowledge. If anyone knows how to counter
Isaac, it’s them.”
Violet’s face twisted with frustration. “And you’re just telling us
this now? That’s another half an hour we wasted!” she snapped.
Charlotte met her gaze evenly. “Because the Royal Council
won’t be eager to help. The existence of magic is supposed to be
a secret. The Royal Council is very discreet about it. They are
reluctant to share any knowledge about magic to outsiders like
you, and you know how stubborn they can be.”
Her words only fueled my anger. I had let things come to this
because I had underestimated Isaac. I had underestimated his
rage, his determination to ruin my life. This must stop. I
wouldn’t let that goddamn council stop me from getting my
daughter back. I’d had enough of those old men’s lectures and
principles anyway.
“I don’t care what it takes,” I said, my deep voice echoing across
the room. “If the Council has answers, I’ll get them.”
Charlotte shook her head slightly, her expression filled with
doubt, “It might not be as easy as it seems, Asher. Magic is a
dangerous thing that requires sacrifice. The Royal Council kept
those knowledges as a secret for a reason.”
I sneered. I didn’t care their fucking reason. All I knew was I
didn’t want Violet to stay in pain anymore and I wasn’t about to
let a group of old wolves dictate how far I could go for my
daughter.
“They’ll help. Or they’ll regret it.”
Philip joined me on the trip to meet with the Royal Council.
And these people were just as insufferable as I remembered,
with their self–importance, the smug face, the high–backed
chairs they sat in, and that indifferent look they gave us when
we walked in.
“King Asher,” one of the elders said in a voice like gravel. “To
what do we owe the pleasure?”
I was in no mood for wordplay and chit–chat. Mia was waiting.
Every minute counted.
“You know why I’m here. So let’s cut the crap,” I said roughly,
glancing around the room. “Isaac has taken my daughter. He’s
using magic–dangerous magic–and I need to know how to stop
him.”
The elder raised an eyebrow. “And you assume we can help?”
“I don’t assume,” I snapped. “I know you can. Alpha Charlotte
mentioned a way to weaken magic. A plant, perhaps. Tell me
what it is because your King has spoken.”
There were murmurings in the room. Then a female elder
leaned forward, saying in a drawling voice, “Alpha Charlotte
had said more than she should have. Magic is a dangerous
power. Abusing it will endanger all the packs, you and your
family included.”
I clenched my fists, anger bubbling just below the surface. “You
think I’m the one abusing magic? What about Isaac and the
rogues then? They are vanishing into thin airs and making it
impossible for us do nothing?”
Their expression remained indifferent. “Saying more may worsen the situation. We are sorry for your loss, King Asher.
But the rules are rule-”
“Fuck the rules!”
I barked, my voice echoing through the chamber.
“You’re hiding behind excuses while a child–my daughter–is in danger. You want rules? Well, here’s a new rule: Either you help me bring Mia back unharmed, or I’ll burn this Council to
the ground!”
