Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 456: A Greater Version ()

~The Eclipse Palace, Heart of the Eclipse Domain.

The throne room of the Eclipse Palace was encased in darkness, again, all windows sealed closed by pitch black curtains, banishing all light.

This had now become an expected sight as the newly crowned monarch willed it to be so.

What did the darkness matter to wolf shifters, they could see through the shadows with ease and so it was no surprise that a council was being held in a throne room where not a single ray of sunlight seeped in.

"My King, word just arrived from the Southern territory. Deposed King Lothaire has begun gathering support from the Eclipse Alphas of the Southern territory to build an army against you." Lado reported.

Alessio sat on his throne, his arm propped up on the arm rest and his head leaned against his closed fist.

His expression was one of deep thought but it was impossible to decipher his train of thought, and his gaze stared straight ahead but it was not fixed on anything in particular.

His gaze was slightly dazed, which was a tell tale sign that his attention was fixed elsewhere... surely far from the council in his presence.

"My King...?" Lado called after a short moment of silence passed and Alessio did not acknowledge his report.

Still, Lado received no response. Alessio still stared out into nothingness as he had been, not even the slightest sign that he had heard anything that had been said.

"My King...? Are you alright?" Lado tried again, in a louder tone this time.

Lado’s second try was more successful, his loud tone earned him a deadly glare from Alessio’s whose attention had finally been attracted.

Alessio’s brows furrowed slightly, a closer look at his appearance revealed a lot had changed since his coronation.

There were dark circles under Alessio’s eyes and those vibrant green orbs were now dull and tired.

"My apologies, what would My King have us do about this situation? The council is greatly unsettled by the news." Lado continued, lowering his head apologetically.

Alessio was quiet for a moment as he sat upright on his throne, his gaze roving over his council as though just noticing the gathering of about twenty of the highest ranked wolves and elders of Eclipse Fang.

The council was considerably smaller than it used to be during Lothaire’s reign, Alessio took note of this fact.

Amongst the dozen members that were noticeably absent, a few had accompanied his father on the tour round the Eclipse Domain and the rest had been unlucky enough to be loyal to his father’s rule, yet left behind.

Alessio had made sure to send them on their own way properly, although the destination of their tour was bidding greetings to the soul reaper.

"Unsettled? Why is that? Did we ever expect my father would sit and do nothing?" Alessio finally spoke, posing a question in a casual tone.

"Your Grace, how can we be certain the Southern Alphas will not pick a side? We have only been rest assured as most of the Eclipse Alphas chose neutrality since..." Mitch, a pack enforcer began to say but trailed off, not daring to complete his words.

"Since I snatched my father’s throne? It is the truth, it is fine to say it." Alessio assured, chuckling quietly to himself.

Mitch cleared his throat slightly, avoiding Alessio’s amused gaze.

"Yes, I can understand your concerns. Lothaire has never failed to get what he wants... that much is proven given how he also acquired this throne."

"Yet, you must fail to realize that Lothaire has never had an enemy quite like his own son. For every move he makes, I will take ten more...it is what he taught me, after all. To be him...a greater version." Alessio murmured, audible enough to the council.

"Lado, what do we have on the Southern Alphas?" Alessio asked.

"There are some complexities we can make use of, land disputes, private grudges, internal discord..." Lado trailed off when Alessio shook his head slightly.

"Alpha Gage of the Southern Eclipse Fur Pack, two of his younger sons have enrolled into the enforcers training a year back, have they not?" Alessio asked.

"That is so, Your Grace. The training is to last three years before the enforcer honors are awarded and the trainees may return to their respective packs. " Lado supplied further information.

"This is to say both sons are still on Eclipse Fang territory?" Alessio asked again.

"Yes, My King." Lado reported.

Alessio smirked, leaning back against his throne.

"I hear Alpha Gage is considered one of the most respected Alphas of the Southern territory and even the domain at large." Alessio stated.

"This is so." An elder agreed with Alessio’s words.

"Very well then, we shall entrust to him the task of reining in the Southern territory. Have a trusted one convey my goodwill to him... of course, courtesy demands we do not go empty handed."

"Sending home a piece of one of his sons would suffice to show my sincerity, will it not? It has after all been quite some time since they were parted. Just a small, meaningful piece...not so large that he is overwhelmed by gratitude." Alessio said with a smile.

"I will get it done immediately." Lado bowed in acceptance of the order and nodded to Mitch who took his leave from the throne room to execute the order.

The council was dismissed, leaving behind just Lado who seemed to have more to discuss with Alessio.

"What is it this time?" Alessio asked with a raised brow, knowing Lado had a separate report to give.

"My King...you should go see him, it seems he has a message for you." Lado relayed.

By ’him’, Alessio immediately understood that Lado referred to the warlock whose release was known only to Alessio and Lado.

"Is it about her?" Alessio asked immediately.

"I believe so...he says you must hear his report for yourself." Lado conveyed to Alessio.

Alessio got up to his feet and strode out without delay.