Chapter 116
Chapter 116
Dante’s POV
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The hall plunged into a chilling silence, a suffocating kind of stillness that only ever followed a blatant act of disrespect.
Every Alpha in the room, every Beta, every elder–it didn’t matter their status–all eyes were locked on Jaxon.
Even a fool would know better than to brush off Alpha Selene’s command.
Jaxon, however, was not just any fool. His ego, larger than his head, hardened his features as he met Alpha Selene’s icy gaze. “He is a slave,” Jaxon said, his tone deliberately dismissive.
Roman, his father, turned sharply to glare at him, his voice sharp as a whip. “Insolence! If the Commanding Alpha expects something of you, then you will deliver. Apologize this instant for your mishap.”
A mishap? I almost laughed at the absurdity of it. Roman, with all his grandeur and airs, was nothing more than a strategist trying to protect his reckless son.
He knew, just as well as everyone here did, that if Alpha Selene deemed it necessary, she could sentence Jaxon to his death without blinking–and no one, not even Roman, could challenge her authority.
So he was trying to protect his son while also claiming that his purposeful misdeed was a ‘mistake‘.
My eyes shifted to Valencia, who sat with her shoulders tense, her gaze darting between Jaxon and Seven. I could feel her unease like a pulse through our bond, her anger and concern vibrating faintly against my chest. Seven had been laid out on a makeshift row of chairs by Aiden, his pale face streaked with blood.
Jaxon’s jaw tightened visibly, the tendons in his neck standing out as he ground his teeth. Finally, he dipped his head ever so slightly. “My apologies,” he said, his voice taut and devoid of sincerity. Then, grudgingly, he asked, “How shall I make amends?”
Alpha Selene’s expression didn’t change, but the weight of her presence seemed to intensify. She turned her attention to Aiden, who still stood over Seven’s limp form. “How is the child?”
Aiden’s silver eyes met hers, his face impassive. “He’s got a deep gash,” he said evenly. “I’ve already called for a doctor.” Alpha Selene nodded once, her gaze flickering briefly to the blood seeping into Seven’s silk white shirt before returning to Jaxon. “Since the child is indisposed, I shall accept the apology in his stead,” she declared, her voice cool and authoritative.
Her Beta, seated beside her, leaned in to whisper something in her ear. She listened briefly, her lips pressing into a thin line before she spoke again. “As for how you will make amends…” She paused, her sharp eyes boring into Jaxon. “The law is clear. In cases of inhumane punishment, the slave’s freedom price is to be reduced to one–tenth of its original amount.”
The crowd murmured faintly, the weight of her words spreading like ripples through water.
Selene continued, her tone unyielding. “This slave’s original price was $185,000. After the deduction, it amounts to $18,500. At that price, he will be able to pay for his freedom within three years. When the time comes, you will let him go.”
My brows furrowed at the figure she’d mentioned. $185,000? That was extraordinarily high for a slave. Most expensive slaves I’d encountered were priced between fifty and a hundred thousand. Seven, with his striking appearance and mysterious origins, must have been considered… rare.
So my initial idea that he was a mere human completely dissolved.
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11:33 Sun, 9 Feb
Chapter 116
Valencia tugged lightly at my sleeve, drawing my attention. I glanced down to find her wide, hopeful eyes gauge
“Can we buy him?” she asked softly, her voice trembling with earnestness.
Her question caught me off guard. I blinked at her, searching her face for answers. I’d already known her concem for the boy wasn’t jealousy–inducing, but hearing her say this so directly surprised me.
“Buy him?” I echoed, unsure if she understood the implications.
“Please, isn’t there anyway?” she whispered, her grip tightening on my sleeve.
My heart thrummed, realizing this might be the first time she had requested anything of me related to money,
And I was happy to oblige.
Before I could respond, Jaxon interjected, his lips curling into a sardonic grin. “You must be joking” he said, his tone dripping with condescension. “This was a gift given to me. If the price is reduced so significantly, then doesn’t the gift lose its
value?”
Valencia’s spine straightened, and for a moment, I saw the fire in her that I adored so much.
“Gifts are meant to be prized and kept safe,” she said firmly, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. “Not tormented and abused.”
Jaxon’s smirk faltered, his eyes narrowing dangerously. “Gifts,” he sneered, “are meant to be used”
The tension in the room crackled like a storm about to break. Alpha Selene’s gaze flicked to Valencia, her expression unreadable, before turning to me.
I sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of Valencia’s earlier request pressing against my resolve. I couldn’t deny her, not after the way her emotions radiated concern and determination.
I stepped forward. “I’m willing to buy him off you,” I said, my voice calm but firm. “At his original price.
Valencia froze beside me, her head snapping up to look at me in shock. Her wide eyes searched mine, and I reached out to rub gentle circles on her back, silently reassuring her.
Jaxon scoffed, glancing at Alpha Selene as if expecting her to dismiss my offer.
Selene, however, merely inclined her head. “That is acceptable,” she said. “But the choice is yours.”
The room fell silent again as all eyes turned to Jaxon.
I already knew what his answer would be. The Wolfe pack, for all its posturing, was far from wealthy. They couldn’t afford to turn down a deal this lucrative.
Considering the only other option was to keep a male slave of almost no value.
But then again, Jaxon’s pride might get in the way.
Before he could speak, Roman stepped in. “We accept,” he said smoothly, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Jaxon’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing, his icy eyes burning with barely–concealed rage.
I didn’t smile. I simply nodded in acknowledgment as Selene’s gaze shifted to Valencia.
11:33 Sun, 9 Feb
Chapter 116
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“Are you alright?” Selene asked her softly.
To my surprise, Valencia smiled–a genuine, warm smile. She nodded, her voice steady as she replied, “Yes. Thank you.”
My chest tightened at the sight of her. Even in the midst of chaos, she carried herself with a quiet strength that I found both endearing and awe–inspiring.
But my focus didn’t waver from Jaxon. His smug expression had been wiped clean, replaced by a simmering frustration that barely concealed the storm brewing beneath.
I tightened my grip on Valencia’s waist, the anger still churning in my chest like a beast waiting to be unleashed.
But I needed to be patient.
This was only the beginning.
My plan was already in motion, and one by one, I would dismantle the Wolfe pack from within.
They wouldn’t even see it coming.
And when the time came, I would rebuild it anew, with a leader worthy of its name.
Not that I was a fan of Aiden, but he was significantly more bearable then the current Wolfe leader or heir.
At the end of the day, if Aiden became a liability I could just as easily take him out.
However I was sure that Aiden himself was aware of that fact and wouldn’t be stepping out of line any time soon.
For now, I had to wait and accomplish my goals without bringing suspicion or harm to my own pack.
