Chapter 272

272 The Alpha Made A Deal

Dane Silverback had a lot of prisoners to supervise, but there was only one who he could interrogate freely. Thankfully, Elijah Summertide was also the one who could testify against Lucrethia Woodland.

There was only one problem.

The criminal in question refused to play along.

He confessed to the murder attempt of the Luna of the Infinite Eclipse Pack, Lucien Clearwater, but he denied any other person’s involvement in this matter.

To stimulate his willingness to speak up, Dane Silverback told him that his son, Erick Summertide, had been removed from the Ironclad Claws pack house and hidden far away.

He was safe and sound.

When he heard the news, Elijah’s eyes lit up for a split second before they turned dull again. That was the only reaction that Dane could get out of the man.

Elijah maintained his obstinate attitude, refusing to point out any accomplice or perpetrator.

“I did it of my own volition. No one helped me and no one asked me to do it.”

.....

“Why?” Dane Silverback demanded. “You were a priest of the Holy Temple of The Moon Goddess. What grudge do you hold toward Lucien Clearwater? Or is it toward the Infinite Eclipse Pack?”

Chained at both arms and legs, Elijah sat on the cold prison ground. He lifted his head and looked into Dane Silverback’s eyes.

“I already confessed my crime, Mr. Dane Silverback. I am not obliged to share any reason that I might have. If there is any, then I shall carry it to my grave.”

Dane gritted his teeth.

“I don’t think that you will have that much of an honor.”

Very calmly, Elijah smiled at the angry man who was trying his best to get an answer out of him.

“It’s fine. I was born a rogue werewolf. I don’t mind dying a rogue werewolf.”

“What about your son?” Dane refused to give up. “Do you want him to lose a father? Do you want him to live a life similar to yours?”

Elijah almost burst into laughter.

Dane Silverback spoke as if he personally had an experience living as a rogue werewolf. Just what could a high-born alpha werewolf such as himself know about the life that Elijah had accepted to be his fate, his destiny?

“My son is a grown-up man,” Elijah stated. He did not bother making any comment about the sorrowful nature of a rogue werewolf’s life. “Sooner or later, he must live without me.”

At the end of his words, Elijah’s voice shook slightly.

It was not as if he had not planned for a better life for Erick. Goddess knew that he had tried returning his son to the werewolf society.

When that original plan was ruined, Elijah quickly switched to the alternative plan.

All he wanted to do was take Erick away and live together in Europe, just as Lucrethia promised.

Unfortunately, his failure in carrying out this last mission turned the alternative plan into an impossible dream.

A nightmare, even.

“I find it rather interesting that you continue to protect that old woman so persistently. Do you think she is going to save you?”

Elijah scoffed.

Save him?

No, of course not.

The only reason why he shut up about Lucrethia was that he knew the old woman. He did not trust the Werewolf Council. Who knew just how many spies and helpers Lucrethia Woodland had within the council?

It did not matter whether or not Elijah testified against her. She could slip away from the supposedly sharp claws of justice easily.

And when she did, she would go for those who tried to make her pay for her sins. And their family members.

By keeping his mouth shut, Elijah safeguarded his son’s life.

His life was about to end, but at least his son would live on.

He could only pray for his son’s happiness, until he breathed his last and left this cruel world.

Dane Silverback returned to his office, huffing and puffing in displeasure.

He had barely taken a seat and sipped from his extra strong coffee when his personal attendant came in and informed him that, “Alpha Ronan and Miss Lillian Woodland have come for a visit.”

Dane almost choked on his drink.

Did he not make it clear to Ronan that he should stay put until the trial invitations were sent out? And why would he even bring the woman with him?

The elder man did not have the patience to wait until the two people arrived at his office. He rushed out to meet them himself.

“Miss Woodland,” he said with a grim voice and scary smile before he grabbed his son and dragged him to a deserted chamber.

Slamming the door behind him, he gave his son a look full of bewilderment.

“Ronan, what is wrong with you? Why are you still hanging out with that woman? Did she threaten you with the baby? Don’t tell me that you plan to be merciful toward Lucrethia Woodland.”

Ronan chuckled.

“Dad, if the Werewolf Council allows me to be the executioner, I would be happy to decide Lucrethia Woodland’s manner of death.”

Dane heaved a sigh of relief. Good, his son had not been bewitched by that woman.

“Maybe it is a good thing that you bring her here. We should talk about her involvement in this whole crime. Naturally, the baby must not be affected...”

“It’s not mine,” Ronan blurted out in the middle of his father’s speech.

Astonished, Dane’s mouth dropped open as he stared at his son.

“Why, of course. I would be enraged if the baby were yours.”

“...”

Spoken by the man who had numerous extramarital children, some of which he sired before he took a wife. If he were not his father, Ronan would be tempted to describe Dane with Lucien’s favorite word, “shameless”.

“So why are you bringing her here?”

“To surrender her of course. She is still a Woodland by birth,” Ronan pointed out the obvious.

“... Ronan, she is a pregnant woman.”

“She wanted it,” Ronan quipped. “I think it would be great to put her and Kieran Locksworth close to each other.”

“... Ronan, what do you have in mind?”

The Alpha answered with a light shrug.

“If everything goes well, we will have all the facts together by tomorrow evening.”

Just in time for the trial.