True Alpha’s Chosen Mate - Chapter 199

“Or… were you still a slave for what you are born to, you damn daddy’s boy?”

Niall’s expression grew icy as he looked at the taunting pair of crimson eyes. Hugo hit a nerve, was what his expression told the latter.

“You made your choice, Duke. May you not regret it for I always make sure I always have the last laugh,” came out a dark voice with words carrying the weight of its true value. “The next time we meet, your tongue is the first thing I will take from you.”

He snapped his eyes, leaving the rest of his orders to the vampires that were with Hugo. He didn’t even listen to whatever nonsense Hugo would spew, since he was good at aggravating people.

“Your Highness.” Niall glanced at the person who called him. “Two of the Tempest siblings had arrived, interrupting with the ambush.”

Niall, who was casually sitting under a tree, peeled his eyes away from Raphael, his trusted vassal. He looked up at the starless night sky, staring at the lone half-moon.

“Of course, he will send a Tempest to save Azazel.” He breathed out in a calm voice, tapping his fingers against his bent knees simultaneously. “He knew the plan, after all.”

“Your Highness, this is what I’ve been telling you. The Grand Duke of Belcoot cannot be trusted.”

“Who said I trust him?” the side of Niall’s lips curled up into a smirk, casting Raphael a look. “I told him everything because I want him to know everything. Let’s just say… that is to know how much he knew about the lamb, the wolf, and the child of evil.”

“Your Highness…”

“Although I must admit. I underestimated his bond with Daniel, the wolf. Or rather, I underestimate that cursed wolf and the lamb and their will to rewrite their fate.” Nial continued with an amused smile, still calm despite the setback he had foreseen coming. “Well, I guess the lamb was also partially responsible for that. If she didn’t leave Belcoot, things would’ve been different. How troublesome.”

Niall sighed, recalling Rinnie’s change and Hugo’s. It would have been better for him if the lamb stayed with Hugo and silently suffered. There were only two possibilities of the outcome of Rinnie and Hugo’s circumstance, after all.

One was Hugo meeting his death by staying stubborn to be with the person he shouldn’t even dream of. And secondly, was Rinnie losing her mind for the death of her husband. She would totally self-destruct.

However, she left. They called it an act of love, but Niall called him the lamb’s instincts. She might’ve not realized it, but she saved Hugo and herself.

Truly… amusing.

“Be it then or now… the lamb still favors the wolf,” he whispered, narrowing his eyes as a glint flashed across them. “But alas, no matter how they try… the history is slowly repeating itself.”

The corner of her lips curled up into a smirk, laughing with his lips closed. He slowly retracted his back from the trunk, setting them at Raphael, who stood several feet away from him.

“Raphael, shall we meet the lamb?” he asked, slipping his hand inside his coat and taking out a broken wolf mask. He held it in between his index and middle finger, simpering.

“It’ll be better to meet her in person before we return to Hendrik Empire, don’t you think?”

“Your Highness, what are you up to now?” Raphael frowned, knowing that the crown prince was up to something again.

“Raphael,” Niall cajoled and laughed. “I simply want to meet the lamb. Did you think I will come in here just to meet the duke? Obviously, I was expecting to meet the lamb too. It’s been three years, after all.”

Raphael could only stare at the crown prince in silence. Even after many years, he still didn’t know what was going on inside Niall’s head.

“Also, to bid Azazel farewell, since he already made his choice.” Niall slowly placed the mask in front of him, covering a part of his right face. “I’ll show him something amazing as a farewell gift.”

An evil smirk appeared on Niall’s face, sending a chill even at his trusted vassal spine. Hugo was correct. Using someone as a stand-in would never give justice to portray Niall, for his faint aura alone would rattle even a Tempest.

*****

Meanwhile, within the borders of Althea, Azazel studied the two werewolves, bringing two packs with them. Moments ago, on his way out of Althea, his carriage was ambushed by the vampires from Hendrik Empire.

That second, Azazel already realized that returning to the Hendrik Empire was already impossible. Niall already knew, and for sure, the emperor was already aware of his betrayal. They would kill him.

So, Azazel didn’t think of holding back, since he didn’t bring a large group to fight for him. But alas… Niall truly had him on the neck.

The people who ambushed them were Azazel’s people. They were under the crown prince’s ability, acting like puppets, who wouldn’t stop attacking even when they lose a limb or two. They would bear their fangs at him no matter what.

The reason Azazel nearly died and was saved by Silas. Now, here they were, surrounded by the people who supported his vision and purpose, ready to kill him or die in his hands.

“He is cruel, that is for sure.” Alice finally spoke as she looked around, glancing at Azazel being assisted by his aide, Cedrick. The vassal already briefed them on the situation, so they already had a good grasp of everything.

“Prince, as much as I understand your feelings about this, this situation is a matter of who will die.” Silas, the third prince, arrogantly cast the beaten Azazel an indifferent look. “Do you think these mindless puppets will rejoice for your death knowing they killed the man they devoted their lives to protect while they are being controlled? I bet they would slit their own throat once they regained consciousness.”

“They are my people!” Azazel argued through his gritted teeth, revealing the blood smeared on his teeth. “Hugo was aware of this, and yet, he didn’t tell me. I could’ve avoided it.”

“We understand that, but isn’t that the reason we’re here? Nine Tempest in this land solely to save your pathetic life is something to be grateful for.” Alice snorted with a raised brow. “It’s not like you don’t know your enemy more than… us.”

Alice trailed off as she slowly looked up to see a dark veil shrouding the entire Althea. Not just her, but every living being in the county looked up at the already dark night sky. Most were filled with curiosity, but Azazel’s eyes dilated upon sensing and seeing it.

“Do you like it, brother?” he froze as soon as he heard Niall’s voice not far away from them. Azazel slowly set his eyes on the owner of the voice, clenching his teeth at the sight of Niall, strutting his way towards them.

“Alice.” Silas also set his eyes on the man approaching, motioning a protective stance with his arm in front of Alice.

The latter’s eyes glinted, squashing down the sense of dread that was creeping into her heart. “Where the hell is Hugo?” Her eyes darkened, aware that fighting this man wouldn’t be easy.

Fighting this vampire… was akin to fighting Daniel or Hugo in a duel. The chances of winning were…. zero.