The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 168: Someone To Recall ()

"My King..." Lucas began to say, breathing a sigh of relief as Askel stepped out of Zariah’s quarters to find Lucas awaiting right outside.

Though Lucas’s presence was not surprising since Askel had already heard his call, the sight of him was not at all welcome at this moment.

"One word Lucas... that is all you get, and it had better be worth it." Askel warned in a dark tone, still displeased by the interruption.

There Zariah was, warm and willing in his arms and Askel had been the one to leave her, called away by his duties which never arose at an opportune time.

"Rogues." Was the one word Lucas chose and that one word was good enough to get Askel’s attention.

Askel frowned slightly at that, his gaze narrowed.

Rogues were not an unusual sighting, though it was rare that there would be a report of them close to the Royal Lycan border.

The rogues tended to stay as far away from Royal Lycan border as was possible, especially since Askel ascended the throne.

Long before ascending the throne as Alpha King, Askel was already the feared prince, a terror to the rogues. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"The border patrol?" Askel asked, wondering why the report had come to him with such urgency when affairs like this were easily handled by the border patrol.

"It is not something that can be sorted out without your word, Alpha...it is a complicated situation." Lucas reported.

Askel’s frown deepened as he strode past Lucas and lead the way out of the castle.

"How many? And how far from our borders?" Askel demanded.

"Just a handful My King." Lucas reported.

"And this is the urgency?" Askel asked, passing a look to Lucas.

"The rogues are not the trouble, My King. It is the manner in which they have come." Lucas said.

"What manner do you speak of?" Askel asked with a raised brow.

"Dead, My King...they are already dead." Lucas revealed.

"Dead..." Askel murmured, uncertain if he fully understood Lucas’s meaning.

But Askel did not waste the time to contemplate over it, instead, he broke into a swift dash the moment he emerged from the castle doors, heading for the border he knew Lucas had come from.

Whether it was a matter of urgency or not, Askel would determine it for himself when he saw it.

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A deep frown was set on Askel’s face as he crouched down, inspecting the line of dead, dismembered rogues left a short distance from his borders.

The bodies were recently killed but mutilated beyond recognition, which was enough to show that whatever this was, it had been intentional and brutal.

Rogues were a common enemy in the Ethereal domain, but this level of brutality was far from common.

"The patrol discovered them during a change of shift, they are still fresh and do not appear to have been dead for more than a couple of hours." Lucas reported as he, Dechlan and the patrol warriors awaited Askel’s orders.

"They have all been killed with a number of different methods ranging from decapitation to dismemberment, it is difficult to ascertain the weapon with which the killing blows were dealt." Lucas added.

"Given the number, it would be difficult to have moved bodies of rogues over to our territory without being spotted by patrol."

"It stands within reason to conclude that these rogues were executed in the outskirts of our territory. Yet we cannot determine how, when or why this has happened." Dechlan continued.

Every word said by his subordinates only served to infuriate Askel more. This was Royal Lycan territory, the heart of the Ethereal Domain and the home to the Ethereal palace itself.

How was it possible that Askel currently stared down at ten dead rogues all of which had been killed right at the borders of his territory and somehow his warriors and border patrol both knew nothing of what exactly had happened?

How was it even possible that something like this could occur outside his own home?

"Is that truly the conclusion you wish for me to hear? That you know nothing?!" Askel asked in a dark tone.

"The Royal Lycan warriors will get to the bottom of this at any cost, My King." Dechlan swore, lowering his head to a bow.

Askel rose up to his feet, his hands clenched into tight fists.

"Scout the perimeter for as far as the unclaimed lands go and double border patrol."

"Expand the patrol routes, ensure every ounce of the unclaimed lands are covered and accounted for." Askel instructed Dechlan.

"As you command." Dechlan said with a bow.

"Lucas, send word to neighboring packs. I want this kept under wraps but as we cannot ascertain if this was done by friend or foe, they are to be on high alert at all times. Any irregularity is to be reported to me immediately." Askel continued.

"I understand." Lucas replied with a bow.

"These bodies are to be taken to the High Oracle and carefully inspected, I want to know exactly how each of them died and under what circumstances... anything and everything." Askel added.

Askel was about to say more when he sensed a presence approaching, though still far ahead, Askel could already sense the approach quite clearly.

"There is someone coming." Askel murmured, his brows narrowed slightly as he picked up the sound of rustling far up ahead in the unclaimed lands.

"On standby." Dechlan ordered the Royal Lycan warriors in a low tone as he and Lucas moved to flank Askel on both sides.

Not long after, a young man emerged from the close of trees, hands lifted up to signify he meant no harm.

"At ease." Askel ordered his warriors as he recognized the young man immediately.

"My King, it has been many moons." The young man greeted, lowering his head to a bow.

"Do you recall me?" The young man asked again and Askel nodded.

"I do recall you...Caedmon Grey..." Askel said, a questioning look on his face.