Chapter 73

73 Visiting Dane Silverback

Ronan’s memory about the day remained vivid even after a long time had passed.

He still remembered what a great summer day it was. Not too hot and not too dry. It was a good day for a picnic. Or a date.

He never thought that it would turn into something else instead.

Something so devastating.

“Breakup? But why?”

The eighteen-year-old Ronan Silverback back then could barely believe his ears.

“Why, Lulu, why?”

He grabbed the youth in front of him and shook his shoulders in exasperation.

Lucien’s expression was so cold, devoid of the slightest emotion. His lips were pulled into a thin, hard line.

Best

.....

In the few weeks that they spent together as a couple — no, even before they started dating — Ronan had never seen Lucien look at him like that. As if Ronan was a nuisance. As if Lucien could not wait to be done with him.

“I want to become the Alpha of my pack,” he said. “And you will be the Alpha of yours. Our paths were set in stone years ago before we were even born.”

“But... But we are...”

We are fated mates.

We are supposed to be together.

Lucien, don’t you love me anymore?

Thinking back, maybe he should have said all that. Then maybe Lucien’s resolution would crumble and they would stay together instead of breaking up.

But no, Ronan did not have the confidence that Lucien loved him.

The boy that he loved so much spoke so casually about breaking up at their secret dating spot. Ronan thought that maybe he was wrong all along. Maybe Lucien did not love him that much. Maybe it was all his wishful thinking.

One sentence of rejection was all it took to break Ronan’s heart. Lucien on the other side did not look affected at all. The last thing that Ronan remembered about Lucien was the relief on the latter’s face before he turned around and left Ronan to deal with his broken heart on his own.

“Mr. Silverback, we are here.”

Ronan opened his eyes in the present time and glanced at the Werewolf Council Headquarters that towered high in the middle of North Ridge Forest.

It was the highest building in the middle of a small werewolf settlement, but it did not immediately draw attention.

Why?

Because there was a huge Moon Goddess statue that was even higher than the building right behind it. The Moon Goddess was the goddess of all werewolves. The statue had her eyes cast down with a gentle smile lacing her lips.

Ronan stepped into the building and marched toward the reception table. Two young she-wolves stood up to greet him right away.

“Alpha Ronan,” they greeted politely. “May we inquire about the reason for your visit this time around?”

Ronan took his sunglasses off and smiled at both ladies.

The two she-wolves swallowed hard. The smile on the Alpha’s face was beyond mesmerizing. It could render any women powerless, and force them into submission. But then they would quickly sober up once they looked into Alpha Ronan’s deep-set, hooded hunter eyes. There was no warmth within.

A few years ago, Dane Silverback literally had to force the Alpha position onto his hedonistic son while the latter was busy living the best part of his life. Society had split opinions about Dane Silverback’s sudden decision to step back. It might just mean the doom of the Infinite Eclipse Pack.

He should have passed the Alpha position to another alpha in his pack. Someone who was a lot more responsible.

The werewolf community waited nervously for something big to happen after Ronan ascended the throne.

Their wait was ultimately proved to be futile.

There was nothing worth licking their paws for.

Ronan continued enjoying his life but at the same time was able to manage the pack well.

That was not even the most surprising thing.

After being saddled with the unwanted responsibility, Ronan never once came to the council to seek his father’s counsel.

Some would claim that Ronan Silverback was such a capable Alpha that he did not need to rely on his father to rule over a big pack. After all the Infinite Eclipse Pack remained standing even after months had passed. Dane Silverback must be proud.

Some others would whisper about the dysfunctional father-son relationship between Dane and Ronan Silverback. They never saw eye to eye. Everyone knew that.

And yet there Ronan was, visiting his father for the first time since the latter joined the Werewolf Council.

The Alpha was led to one of the elevators by an attendant. Another attendant already waited in front of the elevator when they reached the floor.

“Alpha Ronan Silverback, please follow me,” the second attendant said while bowing deeply.

Ronan was taken to one of the council’s private meeting rooms. Four cream-colored single couches were laid around a circular tea table. A bookshelf was built into one of the walls. There was even a small window that overlooked the small werewolf community that resided in the North Ridge Forest.

Ronan leaned against the window frame and stared out of the window.

He did not need to wait long before Dane arrived.

“Fancy seeing you here,” Dane’s voice was heard behind Ronan’s back. Ronan turned around and met his father’s gaze.

Dane gestured toward the couches. They each took a seat across from each other. “What a surprise.”

Ronan leaned back on his couch and gave his father a diplomatic smile.

“Can a son not visit his father?”

Dane raised an eyebrow.

“Most certainly. Then again when did you become so attached to this old man?”

Ronan chuckled.

Indeed, there was no use putting up performance when there were just the two of them.

Ronan placed some papers on the tea table between them and pushed them toward Dane.

Dane had his arms crossed in front of his chest. He did not look as if he planned to take a look at the papers on the table.