Chapter 829 – Hidden Desires of the Werewolf King Novel

Filed To Story: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel

“Edward!” Luna Layla hissed while tugging on his sleeve. “What are you doing?”

“Let me handle this,” he said to Luna Layla and then turned to speak to the people present. “I ask you to witness this challenge between two packs. As per ancient rules, one won’t have an unfair advantage. If one doesn’t have a weapon, the other can’t use it either.” Alpha Edward turned to Dayson. “Is that fair?”

Dayson confirmed, wondering if it would be this easy. Did Alpha Edward get a boost in strength or in stupidity? Surely, the old guy knew that he had no chance in a duel against Dayson.

Alpha Edward continued, “Ancient rules also say that an Alpha can name a champion, per blood relation or ability.”

Dayson’s brows came together. “You want to name someone to fight in your place?”

“Per ancient rules, that’s an option.”

“It is,” Dayson had to agree with this. Sure, it was an option, but no respectable Alpha ever went for it.

Dayson realized what Alpha Edward’s game was. The old guy didn’t want to do it himself. But who could fight in his place?

‘Can you ask Sandy to check if there are Guardians nearby?’ Dayson asked Talia.

‘She is doing that the whole evening,’ Talia confirmed. ‘There are no Guardians in attendance.’ But that didn’t mean that some won’t appear suddenly.

James and Cornelia entered the event hall. Cornelia’s baby-blue dress was wrinkled, and James was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt he picked up from one of the clothes stashes next to the packhouse. It was not a secret that those two were rolling in the grass (there was grass in Cornelia’s hair).

George was frantically mind-linking James to get his ass back from the moment Alpha Edward called for Owen, Dawn, and Zina to go there. George told James what was happening, and James couldn’t believe his father openly challenged Dayson. Something was off.

“James, my boy,” Alpha Edward called. “You are back in time to see the monumental fight between two packs. Ancient rules apply; the winner takes it all.”

Dayson had to clarify. “All is… when I win, I get your pack?”

“The one who survives takes it all,” Alpha Edward doubled down, and his eyes moved to Talia.

Dayson released a low growl. “My mate is not for taking.” How dares that lecherous bastard look at Talia like that?

Alpha Edward raised his hands. “Did the day come when Alpha Dayson is not confident in his victory? I only wanted to confirm that your mate won’t interfere with the fight. After all, she is an Alpha.”

“My mate will stay on the side,” Dayson said stiffly.

Alpha Edward nodded. “Good to know. If one submits, he can keep his life, but he will live in shame forever. It will be up to the losing pack members to decide if they want to follow the winner or become rogues. How does that sound?”

Dayson narrowed his eyes while scrutinizing Alpha William and Alpha Richard. The two stood behind Alpha Edward, and Dayson didn’t miss them exchanging nervous glances. This was not part of the plan. What was Alpha Edward thinking?

A few years ago, there was a scheme for several packs to attack the Shadow Fang pack and to share spoils. Was that what Alpha Edward was after?

‘Keith!’ Dayson called through the pack link. ‘Contact Jaeden and Maya and confirm that things are fine there.’

Keith stepped to the side while reaching for his phone.

‘He will try to sabotage you,’ Talia spoke to Dayson through their mind-link.

Dayson had to agree on how that was a possibility. ‘Maybe. But… this is a fantastic opportunity to get rid of Alpha Edward. I can’t pass on this. Help me keep an eye on him, kitten. Together, we can do this.’

Talia smiled. How could she say no to that?

“I assume you have the fighting area ready,” Dayson said. “Let us go there without delay.”

Maddox, and Tony were by Dayson’s side already.

Other than Alpha Richard and Alpha William, present were also Alpha Adam from the Silverfur pack, Alpha Peter from the Evenfang pack, Alpha Robert, Alpha Patrick, as well as Alphas from a few smaller packs. Most of them stood neutral, not daring to pick a side. After all, Dayson was a powerhouse, and Alpha Edward was the host. If Dayson wins, wouldn’t they all be stuck in the middle of a headless pack that’s thirsty for revenge? They regretted not leaving sooner.

Dayson and Talia followed Alpha Edward to the training area that was only a few minutes away. There was a large square etched into the ground. Numerous footprints in that square were proof that was the sparring grounds.

“This will do,” Alpha Edward said. “Let’s try to keep the fight contained to this area.”

Dayson looked around to see people taking spots around the border. Other than Alphas, their pack members were also there, and quite a number of warriors from the Red Moon pack. The non-Alpha people stood a bit further away to avoid getting caught in the surge of aura from people fighting.

The air was getting heavier by the minute as everyone was tense.

Talia closed her eyes and sensed the surroundings. ‘I don’t find anything out of place, Dayson.’

‘Stay on your toes,’ Dayson responded.

“Do you plan to use a Champion?” Alpha Edward asked Dayson.

Dayson was about to refuse. Since he became the Alpha of the Shadow Fang pack, Dayson took part in many Alpha challenges, never via proxy. However, if one Alpha decided someone else to fight in his stead, it was expected for the other one to do the same.

If Jaeden were here, he would be a good candidate to fight as Dayson’s representative. With the rule of no advantageous weapons used, if one of the opponents was not an Alpha, using the Alpha aura was not allowed. But Jaeden was not present, and the only warrior whose abilities Dayson knew was Keith.

Dayson decided to ask first, “How about you?”

“I choose as my Champion…” Alpha Edward made a dramatic pause. “Commander George.”

Dayson needed a moment to process this. What the hell?

Alpha Edward smirked at Dayson. “Don’t tell me you don’t have a suitable warrior to match my Commander. If not, you can always fight yourself or forfeit.”

Dayson’s mind was working a million thoughts a second. Keith was capable, but was he on George’s level? Even without an Alpha aura, George was an Alpha with strength and speed above others. On the other hand, if Dayson fought against Commander George, even if he won, it wouldn’t be considered honorable. After all, ancient rules were about power and honor. Was that what Alpha Edward was after? Damn it!

“Wait!” James exclaimed, making everyone look at him.

“What are you doing?” Alpha Edward growled.

“Before Alpha Dayson decides on his proxy, we should confirm that everyone understands the rules,” James said. “The rules say a champion can be chosen, and he needs to be willing to represent the party in an Alpha challenge.”

Dayson realized that James had just helped him out. “I see. What else do the rules say?”

“The Champion can be an achieved warrior or a blood relative. If willing, he will represent the Alpha, and it’s an honorable thing that the other party picks a champion as well.”

Alpha Edward smirked at James’ words. “That’s what I was thinking. George!” Alpha Edward waved at George, who still didn’t move from his spot. “You get the honor of representing your pack in this challenge.”

Dayson raised his hand. “Just a moment. Before Commander George accepts, I want to name my Champion as well.”

Alpha Edward gestured to Dayson to go ahead.

Talia rolled her shoulders. She was ready for this.

Can she fight against George? She can knock him down with Liseli’s help, and people will not notice that Talia used glowing abilities.

Dayson noticed that Talia was warming up to something, and he asked her through the mind-link, ‘What are you doing?’

‘Getting ready to fight,’ Talia responded matter-of-factly.

Dayson looked at her helplessly. ‘Do you think I will send my pregnant mate to fight in my place?’

Talia was a bit disappointed. Other than being unable to shift, she could do everything else, much more than other Alphas! ‘I know George is a friend, but if he is fighting for Alpha Edward, we can’t take this lightly. Besides, I can knock him out without harming him. Who will you send? Max? Tony?’

“George!” Dayson called. “I want you to be my Champion.”

Alpha Edward stared at Dayson in disbelief. “Are you so afraid that you are giving up?”

Dayson raised his hand, indicating to Alpha Edward to stop talking.

“Rules are that the Champion needs to be an achieved warrior and that he is willing. There is nothing to say he needs to be from my pack. What do you say, Commander George? Will you represent me as my Champion?”

George smirked and walked into the fighting area. He turned to Dayson and put his hand over his chest. “It will be my honor, Alpha Dayson.”

Alpha Edward couldn’t believe this. “George! What are you doing!?”

“Alpha Dayson and I trained together. I know his moves, and he knows mine. Like this… it will be more interesting.”

“The rules are clear!” Maddox exclaimed from the side. “Commander George accepted to represent Alpha Dayson. Are you going to break the rules, Alpha Edward?”

Dayson chuckled. “Don’t be a sourpuss, Edward! Pick another one!”

Alpha Edward gritted his teeth. What other one? George was the best! Picking any other warrior from the Red Moon pack would be giving up! And he didn’t have anyone from another pack to pick. Could he pick Alpha William or Alpha Richard or their Betas? But all those people avoided his gaze, and he didn’t want to embarrass himself with another rejection. What about Beta Raymond? Where the hell did that guy go?

Alpha Edward looked around frantically, and his eyes landed on one person that couldn’t say no. “James, my boy. You get to…”

“No,” James refused before Alpha Edward could finish.

‘James,’ Alpha Edward called thorough their mind-link. ‘George is your mentor. He won’t harm you. You only need to put on a show so I can cause a commotion and shoot Alpha Dayson. I have a gun with…’

‘No!’ James said. ‘A gun? Look how many Alphas are watching. What honor will we have left?’

‘Screw honor!’ Alpha Edward was livid. ‘Who cares about honor if we lose the pack!?’

‘You should have thought about it before you challenged Alpha Dayson.’

‘This will be your pack one day!’

‘I don’t need it,’ James responded.

“James,” Alpha Edward called with his voice for everyone to hear. “As my son and the future Alpha of the Red Moon pack, you must represent the pack. Don’t tell me that the female by your side made you lose your reasoning. Did she cast a spell on you? You are still young, and you will meet many…”

James tuned out his father. He turned to look at Cornelia, whose hand he held, and she smiled at him with a smile that chased away everything bad in the world. That was his chocolate-colored Goddess, she was pregnant with his pup, and the future was bright as long as Alpha Edward was not nearby.

Did Cornelia cast a spell on him? Maybe she did, but if that was the case, he wanted to stay in that enchantment forever.

“JAMES REDMAYNE!” Alpha Edward roared, not caring about their audience.

James cringed. “Stop yelling.” This was not about representing the pack; it was about satisfying his father’s greed. “I won’t fight in your place because I refuse to fight my Alpha.”

Alpha Edward was sure that his ears malfunctioned. “Your WHAT!?”

“I, James Redmayne, denounce the Red Moon…”

---