Mourning mother

The room's silence comes with contempt. Everyone has their eyes fixed on something else. The anger in everyone in the room is something Leowulf could feel. His uncles and aunties are in his father's courtroom. They have come together and need to have a meeting.

The last person they were waiting for came in. The Ultimate Alpha himself. Leowulf saw his father some days ago. He had been here to tell his father about the woman he found. In Asark, there was no need for the Ultimate Alpha and his son to have moments of bonding. They believe it will hinder the ascension process.

"Goodness of the goddess be with you my Lord," they all greeted in unison. They bow before him. Audolf had gone to bring him. He held him and walked him towards his seat. The Ultimate Luna is seated. She sat on a stool beside Elvis. Others stood up to greet him.

"Ah! Mingan. You have come to visit me today. Is it my death day already?" The Ultimate Luna asked.

"It's not my love. We are here on a report about Leowulf,"

"Ah! My prince, what has he done?"

"Leowulf hasn't understood his duties yet. There are lots of condescending actions that he does," Audolf said angrily. He shot his eyes towards Leowulf.

"What exactly did he do?" Adalwolf asked.

"He might have been involved in the death of one of his subjects," Audolf said.

"That's not possible," Leowulf growled in response.

"Then what happened? Why were you at her house?" Audolf asked.

"Last time I checked, you found a perfect woman already, why are you still interested in other women?" One of his aunties shouts at him.

"I can't have female friends because I am supposed to be bound by one person?"

"Yes!" Half of the people in the room screamed back at him. Their unison was overwhelming.

"What happened then? Her mother said you came to their house. Why did you go?"

"You all know she has been my friend since childhood,"

"And since she wasn't the perfect woman, we have warned you to stay off her," Elvis replied.

"It's not that easy. She is the one person I grew up knowing," Leowulf replied.

"Listen, there are so many instances when this particular situation has made packs fall," the same Aunt replied.

"Have you both been having sex with her?" Elvis asked calmly. All eyes were fixed on Leowulf. He could sense the curiosity in their stares. He looked at his mother. She gave a look of disappointment and anger. She particularly had begged him not to ever have anything to do with other ladies anymore. He once told her he stopped speaking with Sassaba.

"Why would you think of such a thing? I know what is right and what isn't?" Leowulf defends himself. All eyes turned back to Elvis.

"Because here is my theory, you went to her place feeling that would be the last time you will see her. Then both of you allowed the heat of the moment to lead you on–"

"Nothing of such happened, and I won't allow you all to blame me for what I didn't do. Fine, I should not have gone to see her. But I went there to tell her of Mara. And I returned Immediately," he said. Leowulf's tone sounds unfazed by the fact that such allegations were out before him. From the moment the corpse was brought in, Sassaba's mother called the attention of everyone. He has been scared of Uncle Elvis and his speculations. Elvis is unarguably the most intelligent among everyone in the Ultimate Pack.

"All of you should leave," Adalwolf said. They looked at him. They had all come to him to lay allegations against Leowulf. Before the general public would request for an investigation on Leowulf, they wanted to clear things out with him. They wanted Adalwolf to use his Void to ask Leowulf all he knows about her. But now that Adalwolf asked them to leave, it's confusing.

"Hurry! Let's go," Audolf gestured his hand to everyone. He patiently walked towards Leowulf. He looked into his eyes. Beowulf looked away. Audolf's eyes in his predator mode are intimidating. It could weaken the resolve of even the strongest werewolf with the strongest resolve.

"Audolf and Leowulf should stay behind. Leave now," they all dispersed within five seconds. Only Elvis and the pregnant Ultimate Luna took more time.

"I could have asked you to leave but your hearing is annoying" Adalwolf smiled at Audolf.

"I can't help it. When I am curious about something, it helps and you know that" Audolf bowed.

"Leowulf, let me teach you one battle tactic the priest and Audolf forgot to teach you," Adalwolf looked at his son. He closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and opened it immediately.

"Kneel," his voice deepened more than usual. His eyes became red. His jugular veins rose. Audolf knows what it is. It's a predatorial skill used in weakening the resolve of weaker opponents. He had fought side by side with his brother. It's another variation of the Void. When Adalwolf does that, it's mostly to make an overwhelming number of enemies feel fear. Their animal instinct of sensing an apex predator will be activated. They would see the power difference between them. And all they have to do is run. It's horrible that it's used against multiple enemies. But being targeted at someone, in particular, can lead to mental health problems. It could forever create low self-esteem for the individual. And now that Leowulf is meant to be the Ultimate Alpha, low self-esteem should be the last thing he should have.

"Brother!" Audolf cried. Despite it not being targeted at him, he could sense a bit of fear. But it's not overwhelming. He went closer to his brother and held his shoulder.

"Brother! Please,"

Adalwolf exhaled. He looks exhausted. Leowulf on his part tried countering the Void with his own. For the first few seconds, it worked. He didn't get affected. But it intensified the more. He could barely hold it. His nostrils itched him of fear. His eyes could see a godly sight and the apex size of his father. It felt like he saw what his father was in his prime.

Adalwolf controlled his breathing.

"They didn't mention the fact that people like Elvis are to be avoided in battle, did they?" Adalwolf smiled, still catching his breath. The gasping he did the moment he stopped has reduced.

"Use your void to heal yourself of the pain," Adalwolf said. Audolf looked at both of them. Now he is sure that Adalwolf knows something they don't. Leowulf tried controlling his ragged breathing. After a minute, he felt relieved. Just like he was earlier on.

"Audolf, this boy had sex with the maiden you all are mourning. He was caught by a servant. He killed the servant. Because of the maiden's first exposure to violence, she couldn't escape the traumatic experience easily. And he killed her,"
Audolf gasped. Leowulf didn't raise his head. He had his head on his knee.

Audolf dashed at Leowulf. Leowulf saw him coming with a kick at his head. He tried to dodge it. Audolf kicked him with the foot of his balance. Leowulf rolled back grunting. Audolf charged forward with a right punch. Leowulf raised his left hand to block. Immediately he blocked it, Audolf swerved and jumped behind Leowulf. Before Leowulf could react to that, Audolf punched him in the spine. He coughed up blood.

"Leave him be,"

Leowulf struggled to stand up. His spines healed and he stood up. Audolf moved closer to him. He held his shoulder. He looked into his eyes. Audolf senses guilt and apologies in his eyes. He went behind a relaxed Leowulf. He kicked him at the diamond-shaped joint behind his knee. He broke Leowulf's knee.

"No one asked you to stand yet," Audolf said.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Even before he was called, Skoll was expecting the Ultimate Alpha's call. In all honesty, he is bored of being in this place. There is no respect for him like he has in his Pack. Here, maids could walk past him without bowing their heads. They might not even look at him because they are not interested in him.

The Ultimate Alpha's court is larger than his father's. It's understandable. This used to be where all the Alphas in Asark met to discuss issues concerning Asark. But that's not the case anymore. It's divided into half of its usual amount of Alphas.

"My Lord, here is the son of Horgan," Audolf said. Skoll didn't bow. The ultimate Alpha isn't what he expected him to be. He was expecting a strong man with a graceful aura all around him. Since his father used to claim that the Ultimate Alpha strength is on par with his. His father always said no one should ever go on a one-on-one fight with the ultimate Alpha. But the man before Skoll is a ragged old man who would barely have the strength of a lower beta. Skoll feels like just a good punch to the spine would end the man's existence.

"Ah! What's your name?" Adalwolf asked

"Skoll,"

"You are Skoll? You used to be so tiny. Now look at you, you are a grown man,"

Skoll wouldn't have any of the trolls of how he used to be small from him. He didn't laugh or smile.

"I am here on behalf of my Father. Some maids were sent to our Pack asking for our presence. My sister is under your abode. My father sends his gratitude and wants me to return with her,"

"Hmm! Is Horgan okay? Does he still get angry after eating pineapple?"

"Eh? What's this old geezer saying?" Skoll wondered. He didn't reply. He does not even know if his father had a problem eating pineapple.

"I know he didn't tell you. He complains that it hurts his tongue. It's usually fun when I force him to eat it back then, tell him I miss him," Adalwolf smiled. He reveled in the little nostalgic feeling that filled him.

"Ah! Good times, right?" He asked, looking at Audolf. Audolf nodded.

"Tell him to come for a discussion. We could take better on what to do about these children's marriage,"

"I am here on his behalf for that too,"

"Good! You are a man now. He is already sharing his responsibilities with you," Adalwolf said.

"He said whatever Rudina used to worth, will be the bride price,"