Chapter Eighty Four

CHRIS

As I got close to Lothar's quarters, I had my doubts about telling him what Cade had told me. It was top secret and should remain the same until I was sure of who to trust. Not that I didn't trust Lothar in any way, as a matter of fact, I did. I trusted Lothar not because he had stood by me but because he was my father's beta and best friend. But things at the pack were getting overboard and I didn't know what to do.

Since Lucy had suggested that I told him, why shouldn't I? I arrived at his door and found it unusually open. So unlike Lothar, I must say, he kept to himself most times and kept his door shut at all times.

I peeped into the dark room and found a shirtless figure standing in the room, his chest was bare and his muscles were taut in tension. At first, I couldn't tell if it was Lothar or someone else.

"Lothar," I said, my voice filled with uncertainty.

The shirtless man turned and it turned out to be Lothar as I expected.

"You're finally here," he said.

I didn't understand what he meant at first but once my eyes set on the mark etched on his left arm, I immediately thought a thought running through my head. He too noticed and glanced at the mark on his arm.

"I see. Cade told you about this mark, didn't he?" Lothar said, his expression fierce, unlike the calm man I used to know.

"What mark?" I asked pretending not to know. "I came to speak to you about this killer that has been terrorising this pack."

Lothar scoffed. "Quit the pretence, Chris. I know you too well."

"I knew it wouldn't be long before I was exposed. I wasn't expecting it to be this soon."

"I wasn't expecting it to be you either. My family trusted you, I trusted you. All these while you've been the enemy within and…"

"You were too damn naive to know," Lothar mocked.

I clenched my fist trying to suppress my anger. I hated it when they all tagged me as naive

I had left mine in my chambers and now had to fight with my bare hands. I teetered backwards while Lothar continued to step forward.

"You know, your father would still be alive if he had listened to me, but he didn't so I killed him," Lothar said calmly.

There it was, the truth I had sought for years. Anger and disappointment surged within me as I realised the depth of Lothar's deceit.

Before I could react, Lothar lunged at me with his sword in a calculated and swift move. I dodged his attack, my mind racing with fury and determination. I rushed out of his quarters and was met by a few of my guards. Thank goodness!

"Seize that traitor!" I commanded.

The guards simply stared at me, without making a move.

"Seize that bastard!!" I yelled again.

Lothar burst into a peal of wicked laughter. Ì stood there confused and wondering if my palace guards were under a spell. Rather than arrest Lothar, they began to surround me.

"They don't answer to you anymore, Christopher Parker, they are mine now," Lothar mocked.

My heart pounded with frustration as I struggled to free myself from the guard's restraining grip.

"I trusted you, how could you betray us like this?" I said.

Lothar's smirk widened into a cold grin as he brandished his sword. "Trust is a luxury, my friend. One that you can only afford," he replied, his tone filled with malice.

"Why? What do you stand to gain from this treachery?" I said, still struggling to free myself.

"Power," he chuckled. "Power, Chris, pure and simple." "The throne belongs to those strong enough to seize it, and I intend to claim what is rightfully mine."

My jaw tightened with resolve and my eyes filled with determination. "You'll never get away with this, I promise you."

Lothar scoffed again. "A promise is a debt, young man. We shall see," he said. "I'll go fetch your little princess to keep you company while you cross to the other side."

Lucy, he was talking about Lucy. I struggled with the guards, my muscles straining against the force that held me captured.

In a desperate attempt to save Lucy, I unleashed my wolf sense. It was a common approach between Alphas and their betas in the werewolf world, a way of passing information or getting the attention of their beta.

There was no sign of Glen so I continued to fight my way out of their grip. They used weapons laced with wolfsbane to torture me, but I kept struggling and fighting back with all the strength I had left.

I was bleeding all over due to the several cuts I had sustained during the fight. My strength was beginning to fail me due to the effect of the wolfsbane used on me. And just when I thought all hope was lost, Glen showed up, his appearance a welcome sight amidst the chaos.

With my beta by my side, we fought against the treacherous guards, blades clashing in a flurry of steel and fury. I was wounded grievously and lost my strength.

After dealing with those guards, I with the help of Glen went in search of Lucy. I prayed silently that she be safe and away from Lothar's terror.

Soon enough, we found Lucy but my worst fears were realised when Lothar stood right behind her. I tried to warn her but she didn't seem to understand. As Lothar got closer, he grabbed her, placing his blade on her neck.

Glen rushed towards him to save her but he was shoved aside by Lothar. More of my guards whom Lothar had won over grabbed I and Glen bounding our hands and feet.

"Stop fighting or your little jewel will be no more," Lothar threatened.

Struggling to push myself upright, my jaw tightened in fury despite the pain coursing through my body. "You won't get away with this," I said.

Lothar simply laughed. "I already have" he sneered. "And there's nothing you can do about it."

With a heavy heart, I surrendered myself to Lothar. It was the least I could do, else he would kill my mate. As I was dragged away by the guards, I could only watch as Lucy remained at the mercy of our enemies.

My heart tore in despair. I had failed to protect my mate, I had failed to protect my pack. Maybe I was naive after all

Maybe I wasn't fit to rule.