Chapter 571: Crazy King
For a moment, there was silence. Elijah stared at Dominic intensely, his face so blank and unreadable that Dominic began to question why he had come here in the first place.
The heavy stillness gnawed at him until, just as he was about to speak, Elijah suddenly burst into laughter. It was a long, hysterical sound that needed no explanation, the kind of laughter that told Dominic without words exactly what he was: a fool.
And just like that, it destroyed whatever courage he thought he had brought with him.
"I mean, come on," Elijah said, lounging back and clearly enjoying this, "you’ve been planning this for a while. That means you didn’t need my permission at all."
Dominic’s frown deepened. Elijah’s words were ambiguous, leaving Dominic unsure if the king was mocking him or secretly on his side.
"Your Majesty, I would never dare!" Dominic dropped his head even lower, his voice shaky. "Asher is your heir. I would never make such a move without your explicit order."
"So, in one word..." Elijah said slowly, as if savoring it, "you want me to turn a blind eye while you murder my heir."
Dominic swallowed, but pressed on. "Accidents do happen, Your Majesty," he said carefully, his words laced with meaning. "Undoubtedly, you’d have to investigate the accident to appease the people. All I’m asking is that you ensure it isn’t traced back to me."
Elijah’s expression shifted, the puzzle finally falling into place. His lips curved in dark amusement. "Ah, you want me to provide them with a scapegoat." A chortle slipped past his throat as he fixed Dominic with a predatory stare.
Dominic didn’t speak, but the glint in his eyes was all the confirmation the Alpha king needed.
"You have quite the nerve," Elijah said, his voice dropping to a cold, menacing edge, "coming to me with such a wicked idea, Beta Dominic. I could have you killed on the spot for even suggesting such treachery against my heir."
"A heir that is a thorn in your side," Dominic countered, peering up from his position on the floor. "You know what Alpha Henry was, Your Majesty. And now, his son seeks to rule. Unfortunately, the apple does not fall far from the tree."
He straightened slightly, desperation and defiance in his eyes. "We, the West Pack, do not want him. And that is why we’ve come to you for help."
"And who exactly do the West Pack members want as Alpha? You?" Elijah mocked. "The one who dreams of being crowned Alpha without even putting up a fight?"
Dominic’s face burned with embarrassment, but he forced himself to go on.
"I am confident of winning. However, Asher Nightshade has been known to have a few tricks up his sleeve. We are simply trying to ensure there are no loose ends."
He added, "Besides, there would be far fewer resources spent if father and son were buried on the same day."
"Damn," Elijah said, feigning horror. "I mean, I’m no saint, but I have to admit that is one sinister plan."
"Your Majesty," Dominic said tightly, his tone clipped, inwardly seething at Elijah’s endless taunting. "If I am made Alpha, the West Pack’s resources will be yours. I would never resist your authority, not like Henry did. Together, we could work better. Far better."
"Until you come gunning for my throne next," Elijah said coldly.
"Your Majesty, I would never—"
"Power is addicting, Beta Dominic." Elijah emphasized his title, his fingers brushing the golden lion ring. "You gave me a golden lion for the West Pack. Who’s to say you won’t offer a golden dragon for my throne?"
He leaned forward, his voice now dangerously low. "You think I care for the petty games played in the West Pack, but I don’t. My battlefield is much larger." His eyes were amber now, flashing with the anger of his wolf, "And you dare suggest I sacrifice my greatest ace, Asher Nightshade?"
Dominic’s throat went dry. "No, I... Your Majesty..." he stammered, his words tumbling over each other. In that moment, he realized just how foolish his plan had been.
He had thought Elijah didn’t care about the cardinal alphas. And he was right, Elijah didn’t care about them as people. But he cared about power. The existence of the cardinal alphas infuriated him, yet he needed them.
The wolves were still recovering, their numbers fragile and the bloodlines diluted, while humans grew stronger every year. Elijah wasn’t about to risk losing the only weapons—the cardinal alphas—that could secure the future of the wolves should a second Great War happen.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty!" Dominic was smart enough to back down when the situation called for it. He bowed deeply, his voice trembling. "I must have lost my mind even thinking such a thing."
"Nah," Elijah drawled lazily, waving a hand, "you didn’t lose your mind. You were just greedy. But don’t worry, since you gifted me the lion, which I like, your sins are forgiven."
Dominic’s mouth fell open, speechless.
What kind of king was this?
Still, he swallowed his pride and took the lifeline Elijah had given him.
"Thank you! Thank you, Your Majesty," Dominic gushed, bowing repeatedly. "Since that’s the case, I’ll pretend this conversation never happened. You are truly a magnanimous king!"
Elijah rolled his eyes. "I believe this conversation is over."
"Ah—yes!" Dominic scrambled to his feet. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" he said once more, but Elijah wasn’t even looking at him anymore, fully absorbed in admiring his new ring.
The instant Dominic stepped through the door and it shut behind him, his expression hardened coldly. He was furious.
This was an epic fail. To think he had put his faith in that dumb king!
Dominic had no choice at this point. Tomorrow, he will win by any means necessary. His life was on the line now.
"Keep an eye on him," Elijah instructed Christian. "Cockroaches like him never rest until they meet their ultimate demise."
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Christian replied, bowing his head in obedience.
Then, as if recalling something important, Elijah added, "Ah, yes... now, what were you telling me again about my lovely niece, Violet...?"