Luther POV
Luther and Elias sat across from Alpha Edmund, their bodies taut with barely restrained fury. Every fiber of them ached with the memory of their parents' screams, of the years of torment that followed.
Luther could still taste the fear of that day as a child, watching Alpha Edmund drive his sword into his mother's swollen belly while laughing.
Watching his smug face brought memories of their father's head hanging on the pack's walls as they were herded off to a life of slavery.
Like the coward Edmund was, he had returned with the king's brother.
Otherwise, he would have already been lying on the floor, his blood soaking the walls like a testament to his crimes.
And even after he had died, his skull and bones would be hung over the hall as a reminder to everyone about what happened to men like him.
Every muscle in Elias and Luther's bodies itched to leap across the table, to tear Edmund apart with his bare hands, and yet the presence of Lord Aster kept them from indulging in the satisfaction of immediate revenge.
"Lord Aster," Elias said, his voice hot, passionate, dripping with menace, "it is only thanks to your presence that the scum beside you still draws breath."
His stomach curled at the memory of Edmund and his troops advancing on the pack. His wolf wanted to pounce out and rip him apart.
Unlike Luther, Elias never bothered with careful words. He preferred action.
Edmund rose, fists shaking with fury, his green eyes flashing a predatory light. But even in his rage, there was something darker, something twisted and self-satisfied. "How dare you?" he barked, his voice laced with venom. "Do you understand who you speak to?"
Luther leaned forward, deliberately slow, letting each word land like a hammer. "We understand perfectly, Edmund. We understand exactly what you are. And we know exactly what you've done."
Edmund's glare shifted to Lord Aster as though pleading for intervention. "They killed my warriors and sacked my pack," he hissed. "I barely survived. And you… you dare defy me?"
"You butchered our parents," Luther spat, venom sharp on his tongue. "You sold us. You left us to rot in slavery. And now you sit there like a king, daring to call yourself Alpha?"
"I should have had you join them." Edmund's grin was tight, predatory, and dangerous. "My methods ensure loyalty. My blood ensures survival. My power is absolute. And if you think you have suffered, you know nothing of the lengths I will go to maintain control."
Elias's fists clenched so tightly his knuckles whitened and his claws pushed out. Every breath, every heartbeat, reminded him of their parents' screams. The cruelty Edmund had inflicted didn't just linger, it had defined them, shaped them into the deadly weapons they had become.
Luther's voice dropped, cold and lethal. "We are here to claim the birthright from our father, we will have our revenge."
"Our soldiers fill your hall," Elias added, "What can you do?"
"They King's envoy is here to ensure that my pack is handed back to me." Edmund spat. "Your heads will be hanging on the walls by sunset."
"It is an unfortunate situation and I do sympathize with you." Lord Aster studied the brothers. "However, Alpha Edmund is right. You simply can't claim the pack for your own when the Alpha remains alive."
Lord Aster did not want to be there, supporting vermin like Edmund but it was the King's command so he had to enforce the law.
Letting the twins get away with attacking Stormfang without any repercussions would set a bad precedent.
"The law is the law." He glanced at Edmund in distaste and added, "You should have killed him when you had the chance."
"Lord Aster." a vexed Edmund exclaimed.
"And if we refuse to yield?" Elias asked through gritted teeth.
"You would openly oppose the King?" Lord Aster asked diplomatically. "You don't seem like men who would lead their warriors to their certain deaths."
"The law that favours men like him?" Elias spat then countered, "How are you sure we would lose?"
Lord Aster felt a chill run through him at the killing intent in Elias' eyes.
"I would hate to be on his opposing side." Lord Aster thought.
"If you succeed in killing this set of troops." Lord Aster continued, "Be sure that the King would send more. Are you ready for war?"
Elias and Luther glared at Edmund impotently and imagined the satisfaction from pulling out one limb from his body one after the other until he was nothing but a headless stump.
Edmund's lips curled into a smile, slow and deliberate, but it did not reach his eyes. "You tried so hard too," he said. "But it would take far more superior men than you to usurp me.
He got to his feet, then he leaned close to the twins and whispered.
"Not even your father could."
The words hit like ice. The twins felt a sick, twisting fury bubble within them and Elias struggled with his wolf that wanted to come out and rip Edmund to pieces.
To be denied the very thing they craved most—the opportunity to take Edmund's life—was a torment that no amount of restitution could ease.
Elias lunged at Edmund but Luther held him back and stared into his eyes, willing him to back down.
Edmund sat back in his chair, exuding a calm malice, the kind that only came from years of domination and cruelty. "You are impatient. You think that your suffering grants you the right to decide when I die. I am older, stronger, wiser. I will not let go of what I have worked so hard for."
Elias laughed bitterly, a sound that was almost a sob. "Worked hard for?" he repeated, disbelief and hatred in every syllable. "You mean by raping, murdering and pillaging? You ruined us for nothing but your advancement, and now you lecture us on patience?"
The Alpha's grin widened. "Perhaps," Edmund said smoothly, "but patience is a virtue you will need. Because while you may have gotten a small win, you do not have me. You do not have the satisfaction of my death. Your mother must be turning in his grave."
Elias' fists shook with barely restrained rage. He had imagined this moment countless times: holding Edmund's throat, seeing the life drain from his eyes, feeling the weight of justice settle at last. And now, with the pack technically within their grasp, none of it mattered. The victory was hollow.
his jaw tightened. "You… you're nothing but a coward hiding behind walls, pawns, and fear. You've taken everything from us, and now you deny us the only thing that would make it right."
Edmund's eyes gleamed with cold amusement. "Perhaps," he said softly. "Or perhaps I am simply ensuring that the world remembers why the Alpha of Stormfang commands respect. You will never have power. You will never have a legacy. And the hunger, the fire of revenge… that is yours alone to bear."
"Since that will be all, I will escort you and your soldiers back to the capital with me." Lord Aster pronounced and got to his feet, "There you will be tried for your crimes."
Edmund jumped out of his chair, smug satisfaction written across his face.
The law had saved him.
The King had saved him.
He thought of how much he would enjoy watching the twins die, then he would take their warriors.
"Except, We will not be going with you Lord Aster." Luther said quietly.
Lord Aster's brow furrowed in frustration. He was not ready to deal with the mess of a war and it seemed the twins were suicidal.
"If we can't have his head," He said and looked Edmund square in the face. "Surely we can have his heir."
Edmund's smug face fell the next instant and his knees, weakened by the implication of Luther's words had him falling back into the seat he had just triumphantly risen out of.
Lord Aster's eyebrow rose.
"Well, that certainly changes things."