True Alpha’s Chosen Mate - Chapter 252

Sometime in the past…

“What is it, child?”

Hugo snapped his eyes, shifting them to his father, the emperor, Deimos, who was sitting on the throne in his private audience room. The latter bore a solemn front, staring back at his son’s sedated look.

“What is it that you want to talk about when you barely reunited with your wife? I wonder how important is this matter for you to leave her in the dinner banquet?” the emperor probed, intrigued by his son’s actions and reactions. “Does this have to do with the prince of vampires?”

“Yes, it is,” came out a stern and unresigned voice.

Deimos rocked his head while tapping his fingers against the armrest. “Speak. What is it?”

“I want to lead the war. By lead, I mean I am requesting for full authority over the entire operation, Your Majesty.”

“Is this about the matter of the crown prince’s deteriorating health?”

“His Highness, the crown prince will not die, Your Majesty.” Hugo’s response was quick, but it was also full of conviction, making Deimos arch a brow. “Rinnie… you already knew about her. If my wife truly wants my brother to die, she would’ve killed him a long time ago.”

There was a long and thick silence that dawned on them. Deimos stared at his son, studying the latter’s demeanor, and he could tell Hugo came not as his son, but as the Grand Duke of Belcoot.

“I agree Daniel will not easily lose his battle against fate. He is my son. My children aren’t anyone to be taken lightly,” the emperor proudly exclaimed, confident in his children’s capabilities. The only reason he let the rumors about Hugo being the next crown prince was for everyone’s peace of mind. Not because he had given up on Daniel.

“However, I need enlightenment on what does the fourth prince of Hendrik Empire had to do with this? You, along with your brothers and sisters, pleaded for his life, welcoming a vampire into the werewolves’ territory with open arms. I trusted your judgment… are you saying I made a mistake?”

“It’s not a mistake, Your Majesty. But it could’ve been.” Hugo looked at him directly in the eye with a straight face. “You trust your children so much and had an open mind for co-existence with the vampires. This humble subject thinks you are a wise ruler. However, as your son, it worries me.”

He lowered his eyes as they glinted. “You are the strongest wolf in our kind, but… your weakness was also very obvious. It was us, your children.”

“Hah!” Deimos laughed dryly, but he couldn’t argue with him. It was obvious, but at the same time, no one pointed it out. After all, his children were all remarkable in everything they do. They all thrived to be their best and took pride in their father’s name. So it couldn’t be called a weakness if his weakness wasn’t easy to deal with.

“What I’m trying to imply here is, our enemy wouldn’t hesitate to do underhand means to exterminate our kind.” Hugo breathed out, raising his eyes once again to meet the emperor. “Prince Azazel… I never trusted him from the beginning. I cannot trust someone who mentioned the crown prince’s name and attempt to instill doubt in my heart.”

“I am guilty of doubting my brother and letting a stranger’s words sway my beliefs and resolution,” he continued calmly, showing he was already done and over it. “However, the more I kept him by my side in the past three years, there were more things that don’t add up to Azazel’s claims.”

Deimos frowned as he furrowed his brows. “Had you been investigating on your own? Even when you wreak havoc in the small wars you took part in?”

“Yes.” — those minor wars were simply his warm-up. Hugo couldn’t take his eyes off of the Hendrik Empire even for a second ever, afraid they would get a step ahead of him.

“Will you elaborate on what pushed you to believe the fourth prince cannot be trusted?”

“He took a lot of claims, painting the crown prince of Hendrik is someone we all should focus on. It could be because he wanted the same. But… if the crown prince, Niall, was truly thorough, keen, and vicious… why did he take this long to make a grand announcement as if he simply wants us to know Azazel didn’t have a place to go anymore?” Hugo mentally listed down everything he had noticed in his interaction with Azazel.

“There were many more reasons that pushed me to believe Niall wasn’t the only person we should be wary about. Azazel cannot be trusted. He could be one of the crown prince’s people or something else, I am not sure. However, with this seemingly inevitable war with the vampires, it is also good to uncover who was our real allies are, and those who were lurking in our shadows waiting for a chance to attack.”

Deimos tapped his fingers against the armrest simultaneously, deep in thought. “And by asking the authority to lead this…?”

“I sent a letter to Victoria.” The emperor raised a brow at the mention of his daughter’s name, who rarely comes home. “She will surely try to take charge and I don’t have the spare energy to put her in her place. Only you, Father, can make her submit with neither of us shedding blood.”

“I see…” Deimos let out a deep exhale while nodding in understanding, sizing up Hugo from head to toe. This son of his seemed he had things planned already even before he came to him and ask his permission.

“Victoria wouldn’t easily listen unless she gives her condition.”

Hugo tilted his head down, sporting an already resolute expression. He had known and also had a vague idea of what would Victoria ask if she would take part in his plan. However, Hugo couldn’t falter now.

“I trust you, Hugo Tempest. However, before I can grant you this request, may I know the reason why you want Elizabeth back?” asked Deimos, watching his son raise his head. The second he locked eyes with Hugo, the latter’s eyes flashed in red.

“A distraction.. If Vic didn’t see through my plan, my prey won’t.”