Chapter 266
“Kaelos Odessa called out from beside me, forcing me to swerve to face her.
She had a concerned expression on her face and held a pair of skinny jeans in both hands and a shopping bag.
But that concern she felt seemed small compared to the absolute horror that went through me when I recognised the clip that was being played on the TV screen.
That dimly lit throne room… was mine. Or rather, what used to be my father’s.
This setting. This scene… It haunted me for years and put me on edge.
A day I did something which I felt was necessary while also being eaten with guilt about it.
And I didn’t know what was happening or who managed to get their hands on this clip but I definitely didn’t want to rewatch it.
’What the fuck do you mean you don’t know who managed to get their… Dude, it’s that bitch! Madame Greyheart.’ Damon growled in my mind. ’She’s always said her little birdies or whatever will sound the alarm about what we did if we ever kill her.’
’And I didn’t fucking kill her so what the heck is this?’ I asked mentally, staring at the screen.
My father seemed to be yelling at someone who wasn’t visible to the camera.
Balthazar Bloodoak.
One of the most ruthless men to walk the planet. He makes all the things Damon and I have done look like child’s play in comparison.
“Useless! You have such a powerful bloodline and yet you chose to let it go to waste?!” He yelled on the screen, the camera and the throne room trembling with his voice. “I made you who you are, boy. You will obey ME.”
My jaw clenched when I heard that aggravating voice. Even more so when I saw all the people in the store watching the televisions as if it were a soap opera.
“Isn’t that the late Alpha King Balthazar?” A male voice asked with astonishment.
“By the goddess, it is him!”
“Is this a tribute video of him?”
“It’s been thirteen years. And no one mentioned anything about a tribute or memorial.”
I turned my gaze to Odessa and saw how glued to the screen she was already. I knew what was coming next. I knew what was going to happen next in that clip and I didn’t want her to see it.
“Your father looks so much like you she whispered with a complicated glint in her eyes. “You never talked much about him. Like… at all. Why—”
“Because there’s nothing to talk about.” I interrupted quickly, grabbing her hand before giving her maid a look. “Let’s go. Now.”
Odessa blinked at me with confusion but I ignored that, pulling up the hood of the atrocious pink hoodie still clung to my body and then dragging my mate along with me.
“Kaelos, what the heck is happening?” Odessa tried pulling her hand out of my grip but I ignored her, drawing out my phone. “We haven’t even paid for the clothes. What gives—”
“Just listen for the moon’s sake!” I roared, my body shaking with rage.
My voice boomed around the store, shaking the shelves and clothes racks and causing cracks to spread on the glass window beside us. Find the newest release on.net
The customers… My subjects blinked at me with shock and fear, some gasping while others murmured amongst themselves.
I clicked my tongue, dialling Layla’s number and ignoring the stares and whispers.
“Layla, contact the World Alliance Television network now and tell them to stop the broadcast,” I spoke immediately, pulling Odessa with me.
She followed willingly this time but I could feel her broken spirit after I yelled at her.
Goddess, have mercy…
“S–Sir, I already contacted them. They said they have no idea what is happening and believe it’s the doing of the Lord of the North.” Layla reported solemnly. “After that first broadcast, it seems his minions left behind fail-safe spells that will allow them to easily—”
“I don’t care about any of this, Layla.” I growled as Odessa and I got out of the store. “All I want is for that broadcast to be taken down n—”
“I don’t care what you think of me, Father.” A familiar voice echoed around the mall’s plaza, causing me to pause.
A cold shiver ran down my spine as I turned to my left only to see a large TV screen projecting the broadcast for all to watch.
And this was being broadcast around the world, too.
That familiar voice… was me. Thirteen years ago.
“No I muttered at the same moment that Odessa yanked her hand out of my grip again, this time successfully.
“I don’t know about you but I’m not about to get cancelled for shoplifting on top of all the other things this pack already blames me for.” She snapped, glaring at me. “What is your problem? Do you hate your father so much that a televised clip is so… so… triggering?”
Silence.
My mind was silent as I stared at the television screen, watching as my father slowly stood from his throne with anger blazing in his silver eyes.
I wasn’t in the frame yet—but I remembered this moment all too well.
’Kaelos, please, talk to me.’ Odessa’s voice suddenly echoed in my mind, forcing me to turn my head to her.
Her violet eyes glinted with worry as she continued. ’Did I do something wrong? Is there something you’re noticing? If you don’t want to see your father we can go home but at least, tell me what’s happening. The mate bond doesn’t exactly let me read your mind unless you let me.’
And I doubt I’ll ever let her.
If she knew about my violent tendencies, knew that it was worse than what I even showed her, or knew about all the stuff I’ve done throughout my years?
She might hate me forever.
“How dare you?!” Balthazar’s voice on the screen was so powerful that the speakers in the plaza seemed like they were going to shatter from the force.
A man long dead still held so much power. And it made my fingers twitch.
“If you don’t lead that mission in Canada, I’ll do it myself. But as for you?” My father lunged with a growl, his claws drawing out. “You deserve discipline. Next time you’ll learn not to defy—”
“NO!” A ghastly roar shook the throne room and I knew who it came from.
Younger me.
“Kaelos?” Odessa pulled at my arm, her voice shaking. “Let’s go. We don’t have to watch this. He’s a terrible man and he—”
Suddenly, before she could even finish, a dark red beast swooshed past the screen frame, tackling my father and slamming him on his own throne.
Horrified gasps filled the mall as people pointed while others brought out their phones, recording or scrolling through social media.
My hands balled into fists because I knew…
That video clip was far from over.