Chapter 76 - Emilio's Reckonings

Things had changed - instead of being the one in charge, it was Madeline that would decide where their relationship would become. 

Of course, he had no idea what being a father entailed so he allowed her to go forth and do so. 

It was a good chance for change, he reckoned. Having someone like her in his life. 

Perhaps… he could even train her and figure out what powers she had.

Did she inherit any of her mother's powers? Would she become just as powerful a sorceress as Cornelia was?

Who knew?

Speaking of change, Emilio had asked Adrian what had happened to his dear pack, to find that nothing much had changed other than the way it was being ruled and its leader. 

Eudora was still one of the strongest and most powerful packs in the whole of Alaric. Technologically, they were also the most advanced. 

Emilio couldn't deny that he was proud to see changes implemented to Eudora.

Xavier had done a… ah, mediocre job at being alpha. In Emilio's eyes at least. 

"At least this place hasn't crumbled to ruin."

Eudora was thriving. 

And tomorrow was supposed to be the hunt. 

Since the leading pair were supposed to be the alpha and his mate… Xavier and Adrian would lead the hunt instead.

Madeline was definitely unprepared when it came to hunting. 

Heck, she had only learnt a couple of hours ago that she had werewolf blood coursing through her veins. 

Her? Leading her very first hunt with no preparation beforehand?

If the other packs were to hear of this, who knew what would happen next?

Eudora's reputation would be tarnished. 

And currently, the other packs were still unaware of Madeline's true lineage, as well as how the line of descendants from the first ever werewolf would continue with Madeline. 

Of course, anyone could tell Madeline was unfit to be the alpha of the pack, even with her being Emilio's daughter. 

It had to do with her not going through the proper preparation and learning even the basics and fundamentals of werewolves. 

In comparison, it took Xavier centuries to become the alpha. 

It took him a long time to learn the ropes, and he had to start from a mere omega. It was impressive that he was able to do it all, and be the very first Eudorian alpha that wasn't a descendant of the first werewolf. 

Eudora was on the verge of crumbling had Emilio stayed as alpha. 

Xavier had done the best he could to keep Eudora floating, and his efforts were rewarded greatly. 

And the thing was, Madeline would've been treated extremely differently had everyone else knew who her parents were. 

She'd be looked down upon. 

There would be those who hated her, and those who feared her. 

Somehow, Indiana and her group of friends had found out about who Madeline was. 

Speaking of Indiana, she was supposed to meet with Xavier to talk about the consequence or consequences she'd have to face. 

A terrified Indiana cowered away from Xavier, shaking and trembling. 

'I didn't think I'd be this nervous, but he'll kill me from the way he's looking at me.' 

'I'm so doomed! Someone save me!' 

"You can calm down, I'm not going to punish you too severely," Xavier said. 

From how she had been acting, he could tell she was nervous.

Looking at the grandclock in his office, Xavier reminded himself that there was about an hour tops before dinner. So he had an hour at most to deal with Indiana and finish up work. 

'I can do that.' 

"R-really?" 

"Are you doubting your alpha?" 

"N-no sir," Indiana stuttered out.

Xavier raised his brow although he seemed unamused by the situation. 

Like Adrian, he was an expert at hiding how he truly felt. 

'How dare she? She's lucky I'm letting her off lightly becaused Madeline didn't take it harshly.'

"Since you violated one of the pack rules, what I'm going to do is demote you from delta to omega, thereby forbidding you from joining the hunt tomorrow as well." 

Indiana looked truly surprised. 

Demote her? Forbid her from joining the hunt?

Whilst she knew she'd face some serious punishment, she didn't think he'd forbid her from joining the hunt! She'd been looking forward to it. 

'It's better than some other punishments I had in mind,' Indiana thought to herself, wondering why was Alpha Xavier being so… considerate to her.

Honestly, she had expected more. Not that she wanted to face any punishments. 

However, she had simply thought… from everything she heard about Xavier that he'd be harsher to her. 

For a second, she panicked, wondering what would she do if Xavier would banish her from Eudora… or get her to starve herself. 

Punishments ranged from the severity of the offences made, however, Indiana had specifically insulted Madeline in Xavier's presence. He had witnessed everything so there was no hiding or denying anything from him. 

Besides, Xavier could easily see through all her lies - that was what also made him an amazing alpha.

Some part of her knew that she deserved this punishment since she had also made him out to be some foolish, mindless lunatic that didn't know what he was doing with Madeline. 

Perhaps she was exaggerating, or perhaps she was trying to think of anything else but her punishment. 

She'd be demoted to an omega. 

All her hard work she put into becoming a delta had perished; she'd return to square one. 

The pain and humiliation she felt was inexplicable. 

All Indiana hoped for was that Xavier wouldn't add any extra punishments. 

Xavier had stayed silent, albeit in reality he had a lot to say to her. 

He was being as considerate as he possibly could.

Out of all the punishments he could've chosen for her, he let her off the hook for this one.

What, other than embarrassment and humiliation, there wasn't much to being demoted.

Sure, you'd be looked down and frowned upon but that wasn't something to fret about too much. 

Caring about what others thought of you would only bring you down with them. There was no use doing so. 

"Do you accept your punishment, or do you think you deserve less?" Xavier questioned, his eyes assessing hers.

"I think it's fair," Indiana answered truthfully, nodding. 

'I can't believe I'm being punished by him… All I wanted to do was to warn Madeline to stay away from him,' she fumed. 

Whilst she felt horrible for actually going through with her decision, she wondered if Madeline had anything to do with her light sentence.

'Why would Madeline want me to be punished less? Shouldn't she have been the one to have suggested me to get a heavier punishment? After everything I told her, there's no way she'd actually side with me.' 

Indiana wanted to ask Xavier how she could've possibly been let off with a slap on the wrist… until she noticed he didn't look pleased either.

He had his hand on the side of his head. 

For someone who was sentencing someone else to a punishment after said person insulted him, Xavier looked like he regretted what he had just said. 

As though he didn't agree with the punishment he had given her. 

Indiana was beginning to be even more convinced that Madeline had something to do with this. And if not her, perhaps Beta Adrian.

'I'm being so foolish, why would Beta Adrian concern himself with whatever punishment I receive?' 

She lowered her head, "I'm truly sorry for what I did."

Indiana could've sworn she heard Xavier mutter something along the lines of 'sure you are sorry for what you did' under his breath before he dismissed her and allowed her to leave his office. 

"You're allowed to leave now. Do not repeat the same mistake twice or there will be dire consequences at the next."

Just as Indiana was about to leave, Xavier stopped her.

"And one last thing."

"If I ever hear of anyone speaking poorly of her, you included, I'll do more than just banish you." 

Indiana bit her lip to stop tears from running down her cheeks - Xavier could be terrifying at times, and this was one of these times. 

She made a mental note to never bring Madeline up in any conversation ever again. 

Alright, she was done badmouthing her. 

Something inside of her told her it was because of Madeline that she was still here. Even after she had trashed her and accuse her of horrible deeds, Madeline had pleaded her case. Indiana was sure of it. It had to have been Madeline. 

In the spur of the moment, Indiana decided to take a visit to Madeline's quarters. 

Perhaps she could offer an apology and be on okay terms with her. 

That'd be better than nothing. 

Indiana gathered up the courage to walk over to Madeline's door.

She knocked, waiting for Madeline to open the door. 

"I'm coming!" Madeline exclaimed, rushing to the door. 

"Who is it?" She asked, opening the door to reveal herself in a stunning green, floral a-line midi dress that reached her knees.