Chapter 9 The Alpha's Fury

Author's POV

Tobias and Lily had just finished their intimate encounter. As Tobias sat on the bed wearing only his shorts, Lily lay beside him, feeling as if she were on top of the world. She couldn't help but giggle to herself, reveling in the fact that she had truly been with Tobias. It felt as if she could continue this forever. However, she sensed that Tobias was filled with regret.

She stood up and began to put her nightdress and jacket back on. Tobias looked at her with a frown. "Why do I have a feeling that something bad is going to happen? Why did you have to force me into this?" he said, his voice tinged with concern.

Lily laughed lightly. "I didn't force you to do anything. This was mutual; we couldn't keep away from each other. Were you really enjoying starving your wolf? Because I certainly wasn't. That's why I had no choice. Besides, I love you too much to stay away. I begged you to claim me, but you refused. So I decided to seal the bond with you. This way, no one else can have me but you."

Tobias scoffed. "Who says that can't happen? If you don't tell anyone, no one will find out. You know what, Lily? Let's keep this discreet. Let it be between us. I don't want to put you in danger, and I don't want any trouble for myself either. You've gotten what you wanted; we've quenched our desires. But I still have to protect you, and the only way to do that is by staying away from you."

Before Lily could respond, the door was flung open aggressively. Despite Tobias having locked it, the guards managed to push it down in one swift motion. They rushed in and quickly surrounded Tobias. One guard came forward with chains, aggressively cuffing him.

Tobias was taken aback. "What exactly is going on? How dare you chain me? I am the head of the warriors' clan! How dare you imprison me?" he yelled. Most of the guards' attention was focused on Lily, who hurriedly put on her jacket. They were amused by what had transpired but remained silent as Tobias was dragged away.

Lily was still in shock but was pulled alongside Tobias as they were taken to the throne room, where the Alpha sat angrily with a few council members and some pack members. The moment Tobias stepped in, he knew he had been caught and that banishment was on the horizon. There was no way to avoid it.

Lily was also brought into the room, trying to act stubborn but ultimately being forced before her brother. "Brother, what is wrong?" she asked as he stood up and slammed his hand on the arm of the chair aggressively.

"How dare you call me brother? It seems I've been too lenient with you. Just because I shower you with love doesn't mean you can take me for granted. How could you look me in the eye and go behind my back to sleep with my Beta? Don't you have any respect?" he scolded, his anger palpable.

Lily's heart sank at her brother's words. How could he disgrace her like this? Tobias was not a slave; he was a human being deserving of respect. The hurt from her brother's remarks cut deeper than his words.

Now the Alpha turned his gaze to Tobias, who could not meet his eyes. "And you, how dare you! I warned you because I see you as a brother. I secretly pleaded with you to protect her and keep her safe. I told you to know your boundaries, but instead, you played with my words. You dare to sleep with my sister? Do you know how disgraceful that is? You think you can sneak around without consequences? I never knew that all this time you were already overstepping your place. You thought I wouldn't catch you? You are in my palace; you can never hide from me. I have spies everywhere. How dare you?" he yelled at Tobias.

Tobias knew he was in the wrong and could not oppose or defend himself. He bowed his head, holding back his emotions. "I am sorry, my Alpha," he uttered, which only fueled the Alpha's anger further.

The Alpha descended from his throne and stormed toward Tobias, lifting him by the collar before delivering a punch that made everyone gasp. "How dare you! Do you know you have defiled my sister? You have made her worthless in the eyes of any Alpha. Do you realize what you were thinking before you did that?" he yelled, as Tobias wiped the blood from his mouth, still silent.

Lily could no longer hold back her emotions. She broke free from the guards' grip and rushed toward her brother, grabbing onto his collar. "How could you say something like that? How can you look me in the eye and say something so cruel? You dare to say that I am now useless to any Alpha? Do you want to know the truth? Tobias is my mate, and that is why we couldn't let go of each other. Don't blame Tobias; I was the one who came to him willingly!" she explained, trying to defend him.

But she did not grasp how furious the Alpha was. He shoved her away aggressively. "I'm still coming to deal with you. It's your turn next. Now stay away before I do something more severe to you. Despite the fact that you're my sister," he warned, trying to contain his rage as he returned to his seat.

The council members gathered around, giving Tobias a chance to kneel before them. While Lily remained at a corner, tears streaming down her cheeks, watching Tobias endure the consequences of their actions. She couldn't shake the memory of Tobias's warning that if anything happened between them, he would be banished. She knew that since the Alpha had called a meeting with the council members, Tobias was in deep trouble.

The Alpha quietly addressed the council members. "What are we going to do now? This must not spread beyond this circle. No one else must find out about this, and at the same time, we have to punish Tobias. I don't care how we do it, but Tobias is not getting out of this."

One council member stood up. "I am sorry to say this, Alpha, and I know you might be offended by my words, but we must punish him according to the way it is supposed to be. Not because it is your sister, but because that's how it must be. Tobias, under normal circumstances, is not meant to be punished severely since they are mates. That is, if we find out they are actually mates, we would be the ones at a loss, Alpha. We know how mate bonds feel and the struggle it is to stay away from one another."

The council member sat down, and the Alpha looked at Tobias, who immediately avoided his gaze, knowing that he would have to face the consequences of his actions. "So what are you trying to tell me exactly? That I should keep Tobias here, knowing my sister is here, knowing they are mates, and let them be together? That cannot happen. You all know a Beta cannot marry a princess. Why does it have to start with my sister? I won't let that happen. She is going to be mated to Alpha Derek, and that is my final decision. Tobias is to be banished," the Alpha declared.

All the council members gasped at the announcement. But Tobias was not surprised; he had been expecting this. The council member turned to Tobias. "Tobias, it is up to you to apologize now and pledge your loyalty to the Alpha. Forget about this mate bond or whatever love you feel for Lily. Let her go to Derek for good and remove her from your heart. Worship the Alpha, and be the head warrior you have always been. All of this will be wiped from history for good. No one will ever find out," the council member advised.

The Alpha waited patiently to hear Tobias's response. Tobias looked at Lily, who had cried until her dress was soaked, and she nodded for him to go ahead. But Tobias couldn't. Memories of Lily's love flooded his mind, of how she had always clung to him.

"I choose Lily over anything," he declared.