23. Death's Lair

It had been a whole hour since Michael's abandonment and almost a half hour of her curious inspection of the property near the garden.

She didn't miss a leaf nor a scratch on the ancient wall as she was dragged deeper into this mystery by her prying thoughts. However, in one way or another, Michael was to be blamed for abandoning her alone with her thoughts; they're her dangerous guide and the most persuasive ones at that.

She was heading towards trouble and misery. She could hear little screams and sobs playing the act of background music as she stealthily dawdled following her feet, going everywhere they took her unconditionally. She was taking sly steps, possibly in attempt to even escape her shadow that clung to her shoulders firmly.

This part of the castle was unlike the rest she'd witnessed. They're so glossy and modern and this part had absolutely no care at all as years went by. It could be contrasted with that plaything which had lost its glory and respect upon the arrival of something better.

Her mind had almost gone numb from the shock she was witnessing here, she wasn't scared although she was much intrigued by the sight in front of her. She was heading into a mystery where the sun's light didn't slide into the dark corners, where illumination had no little existence, a place which seemed to have been accursed with forever abandonment, her feet were carrying her towards such a lane which could only be called as the Death's lair.

She was feeling like that teenage girl who had been selected to play the detective's role. She didn't know the case, nor the victims or the guilty one, she didn't have files to help her or assistants. Nonetheless she carried on, it was like death was calling out to her get in the lair which was just a door apart, nothing but a door apart.

She counted the steps in her mind. She was determined and feeling stubborn regarding this case because when she had neared the door, suspectedly she was hit by a strong beastly aura. It was cold and raw and had a faint smell of blood and flesh. It was alarming.

'Could the person behind the door be in trouble?' She thought.

She thought hard for minutes if she should go inside, what if she got encountered by a demonic side of her mate which she hadn't seen yet—after all, they didn't call him the cruelest alpha for nothing. She thought again if it was one of his dirty butchering lairs.

'Wait! Could he have a butchering lair?' She thought over again but the most disturbing thing about that idea wasn't smelling some rotten flesh and blood. However what would she do if that rotten flesh and blood belonged to one of her . . .

'Should I open it?' She murmured softly to herself, unable to make a decision. What if Michael found out about his mate knowing his darkest secrets and tortured her as well to keep her tongue restrained. Who would save her from his wrath?

'Should I go?' She squealed lightly again in her mind though before she had the time to realize, her hand on the doorknob clumsily twisted it open and the next moment she was lying on her stomach with the carpet below her.

She realized she had been putting much pressure on the door and by the cruel virtue of which she fell losing her balance and came in contact with the furry carpet beneath her skin. However when she looked up, she was engulfed by darkness and the silhouette of a tall bulky man and what more? He wasn't her mate.

It was then she realized with a throbbing headache that the worst was yet to come.

******

Michael growled and was inches away from creating a hole in the wall beside his desk. All the sweetness and calmness in his soul had left the moment Caleb, Lawson and Kyle had reached out to him through a mind-link. They're intelligent to have asked the girls to leave before their alpha burst into the study.

"This better be good." Frustration was clear in his tone and he was acting too much out of ordinary. Sure he was known to lose his temper quick enough but these days he'd been far out of control. His wolf was like an untamed animal, clawing at his skin and gnawing at it from the inside. He'd never been so frustrated before but again, he was a much different person back when he hadn't found his mate, even a better one perhaps.

"We've extended the security along the territory and the wolves will be patrolling twice before midnight just as you've asked." Caleb informed keeping a straight emotionless face with his head held up high, just the posture favourable by Michael.

Michael and his wolf gazed at him as they silently took their seat, avoiding creating another major ruckus out of no good enough reason. He kept staring at them for to continue but seemed like that was all they had to inform.

"If you want to keep your heads don't dare tell me that was all you three needed to discuss." He warned and they suddenly realized his off-putting mood was not good for their health but none moved an inch. There truly was a matter they needed to discuss but had no idea where to start from.

Lawson who'd been quiet all this long abruptly looked up at Michael as if he was struck by a lightening. Michael had been giving them threats since long back when they're not even in their preteens but this time, there was a twist, in his venomous voice it actually felt like he'd keep his promise this time.

"We're upset with your current functioning alpha. It seemed as though you've been sidetracked lately, a lot." Lawson tried to hide his dissatisfaction and kept his tone rigid and professional even when he shouldn't have. At this moment, their alpha didn't need his protector's advice, he rather needed his friends by his side.

"Mind me if I didn't hear you right." Michael snarled at him like a wild animal, standing on the edge of his rage, near to explode from all the anger building up inside his chest.

"Are you questioning my position, my right delta Lawson?" Michael growled as Kyle and Caleb tensed beside Lawson who was surprisingly extremely calmed.

"I'd never dare such a thing in my life alpha." Lawson bowed slowly in respect as a satisfied smirk danced on Michael's lips, probably calculating how powerful he really was with no idea whatsoever of the bomb that was going to fall at him at any moment.

"All I'm trying to say is that you no longer seem keen on bringing hell on the Midnight Crescent pack." Lawson stated ever so calmly that if it hadn't been for Michael following his each and every word suspiciously, he would've totally misjudged the hidden agenda behind Lawson's words.

Michael slammed his balled fists on his desk, causing every slightest object to quiver in fear. Though Lawson was still quite patient and unmoved by his anger issues.

Lawson's eyes didn't meet his alpha's the whole time or else that would've been the end of him. Michael was now shaking with his own anger, his hands firmly balled into fists such that his knuckles went pale, his eyes were red and his elongated claws were causing his own blood to spill out.

Out of every disturbing topic, Lawson chose the most personal one to poke Michael even when his intention was to remind Michael of the reality he was living. He needed to remind Michael of the truth he was avoiding all along, since his mate came in his life. But he'd push Michael too far by mentioning his mate and Xavier wouldn't tolerate anyone putting false accusations on his dear mate.

"Are you trying to accuse me of forgiving the man responsible for spoiling ever blessed thing in my life?" Michael questioned through gritted teeth.

Lawson looked up at Michael with no little space for fear and cowardice in his bright eyes that glowed with nothing but truth and purity of his intentions. "Yes." He confirmed.

Without another thought Michael latched at him, letting Xavier take control and pinned Lawson against the wall with one of his hands strangling him. The panic released in the environment from the two wolves looking at each other for a way out of the Devil's hands.

In spite of the panic and anger running around him, Lawson was calmed even when he was choking on his breaths, as if already had expected this incident to occur. And instead of begging his alpha to have mercy, he decided to play a vicious and spiteful game with the fire, not paying mind if he got burnt in the process.

"Have you forgotten how he killed all our fathers in cold-blood when we needed them the most? How we searched numerous days and nights to put together different pieces of their torn bodies? How he mercilessly beat our pack members to death? How he killed our little brothers and sisters who didn't ever get to see life?" He barked at Michael, finally losing control.

As if all of that wasn't enough to be choked to death, to be punished with the most brutal penalty, he decided to give shelter to the burning flame. "Have you forgotten how he took your mother away by her hair, dragging her amidst all his pack and ours?" That did it.

The next moment Lawson was lying on the cold floor with half his face bruised and bleeding. It was the most disdainful expression he'd ever hold on his face as he stared up at Michael but at some point also expecting it all along. Lawson expected more from him though, to beat him severely and to cause him a major injury but nothing else came.

However much to his and their surprise Michael crouched down to his level and held him up by his collar. Lawson didn't resist as Michael hauled him towards the couch and propelled him so that he fell resting his back on the cushion. Lawson's face surely looked like it'd been clawed by a wild animal, but if only one could guess who the wild animal was.

"I've forgotten nothing." Michael said sternly looking in his eyes. He wasn't calmed and collected, he was just holding his rage and anger for someone else, someone more deserving of it and someone more wretched.

"You guys are not happy with me mating with his daughter?" Michael asked cutting to the chase. He already knew they wanted to talk about his relationship with Evelyn's and Xavier was reluctant to let those wolves on this topic.

They nodded slowly keeping Xavier's temper in mind.

"Me neither." Michael shrugged off his shoulders as Xavier reprimanded his actions.

They looked at him, gaping and stunned. They didn't hope for him to come out this straightforward and so clean. Michael truly had nothing to hide about his feelings. Xavier was now utterly convinced that it was only him who cared for Evelyn.

"You cannot really blame me if my wolf's feelings for her empower my hatred for her father." They avoided using the name 'William' as much as it was possible. His name brought back nothing but horrific memories of their teenage.

There was a long pause before Kyle grew impatient. He'd been thinking about it for a long time and judging by Michael's mood, it was probably the best opportunity to state it. "Mike." Kyle gained the unwavering attention of all three of them, still feeling a bit hesitant.

"Do you think she'll forgive you after you slaughter her entire family?" He asked, worry dripping off his voice. Michael had never been able to forgive William, would his mate forgive him if he snatched her entire family away from her? Xavier was worried and instantly tensed at his question.

"Are you planning on keeping her with you for life?" Lawson almost grimaced at the thought of perceiving her guilty, vicious face everyday for his entire life.

The three of them looked at him as if he was stupid. Michael didn't mind his words anymore knowing better than to feel offended by an unmated wolf. He had no idea what it felt like to be under the spell of a woman. For as much as Lawson was concerned mating was the most absurd thing in the world.

"Wait till you've—" Michael was cut off short at the abrupt knock at the door.

Subsequently two woman came in sliding through the door and Michael frowned at the sight of them. Kyle and Caleb stood to grab their mates before Michael could take another step towards them to retort.

Jasmine skimmed out of her mate's embrace and walked towards Michael in panic. Zoey was well cognizant to her worry but instead of taking her side, cuddled in Kyle's arms.

Michael was frowning deeply. He'd tasked Jasmine and Zoey to bring Evelyn to him and yet there they're, empty ended. What could be more upsetting than that?

"M-Mike . . . I-I couldn't f-find her in the g-garden." The frown on his face deepened, causing a threatening growl to erupt from Xavier.

Without waiting for another reaction he pushed past them and out the door.

'Mate.' Xavier growled recalling Evelyn's fragile smile, hoping she was alright as he felt a growing ache in his heart―it was his mate's.