Chapter 9 9: A Leader Must Also Punish

Chapter

"The great Alpha Leader..." one of them began, a venomous smile on his lips. "Is he really worthy of that title, dear ministers?" another asked.

I watched as the crowd glanced around at one another, suspicion thickening in the air. I kept my imposing stance, eyes cold, showing no emotion. Those three should already know there's nothing they can do to shake me. I only submit to other authorities to avoid disturbing the balance of the entire pack.

"Our great and immaculate leader might not even deserve a place in this world where we have strict rules regarding scandal. Why, then, is he one of the first to break them?"

"What are you insinuating?" My voice came out firm, laced with a veiled threat and hiding a cruel smile.

The triplets exchanged glances before one of them delivered the final blow.

"That you betrayed your own Luna-not long ago!" they declared the accusation.

The impact of those words was immediate. Silence fell. I simply kept watching. I felt Maya's gaze on me, surprised. Unfortunately, I felt guilty about that too.

The silence was broken by murmurs spreading through the crowd as the guests processed the accusation.

I, Samuel Kan, Supreme Alpha-the one meant to be a model of honor and loyalty-was being accused of betrayal.

I saw everyone's eyes turn to Maya. The pain on her face was so intense that some nearby wolves instinctively stepped back, as if they could feel her anguish.

"I... I can't believe it..." she murmured, her voice trembling. Then she turned and ran upstairs, as if her heart had been shattered.

"So, Kan, you know this is strictly forbidden. You, a millennial wolf who waited to find his Luna, betrayed her before the wedding?" one of them mocked, twisting the knife, but it wasn't time to speak yet.

"So tell me, does Kan truly deserve to lead? Shouldn't he be banished from our pack?"

"What are you doing?!" I heard my father shout, but I looked at him and he lowered his head, retreating-as did everyone else.

"Are you all really afraid of him just because he's descended from a god of war? He's still just a wolf!"

I remained still, analyzing the situation. The triplets smiled, convinced they had destroyed my reputation. But before chaos could fully erupt, Mon de Filtigal-my loyal right-hand-stepped forward as he entered the hall. All attention shifted toward him.

Like me, he was an imposing man. Years ago, he had been a great general who fought by my side.

"This is a misunderstanding," his voice rang out with authority. "And I will prove it, even though I don't need to. As you all know, Samuel Kan is the only true superior leader here. Or is there someone better suited to lead all the wolves in this world?"

As he spoke, the wolves continued to back away in fear. They knew exactly what Mon was implying.

With a nod, he signaled to one of the attendants, and a man-no older than me-was shoved into the center of the hall. Pale and trembling, the man could barely stand. The moment his eyes met mine, he dropped to his knees.

"Please, Alpha!" he begged, voice desperate. "I had no choice!"

The entire hall held its breath. I crossed my arms, my eyes burning with restrained fury.

"Explain. Now." I ordered-not because I cared, but because everyone needed to hear the truth.

The servant lowered his head, shaking.

"The triplets... they bought the potion from me. I'm just a young potion vendor. I had no idea what they were planning. They used it on you. The betrayal... it was a trap!"

A roar erupted through the hall. Expressions of shock and outrage were immediate. But no one reacted faster than the triplets themselves.

"He's lying!" one of them shouted. "This is nonsense-the plan was his from the start!"

"What are those triplets talking about? Everyone knows they've always tried to steal the leadership of the pack." I heard whispers and saw disapproving glances from the guests. It was exactly what I wanted. After all, they're my brothers, and I still had to act justly. I couldn't punish them based on suspicions that only I knew to be true.

"You're going to believe this trash?" one of them asked me. I smirked mockingly. Had they forgotten everything? This whole performance just to fool our father... It only enraged me more.

I didn't bother to respond. My face was a mask of cold fury.

"Take them to the gates of the Underworld," I ordered with icy calm.

The triplets fought, trying to escape their cruel fate, but the guards were relentless. Screams of despair echoed as they were dragged out, and a deadly silence fell over the hall.

"Kan!" my father shouted, looking at me with concern. As much as he supported me, he was still the father of those three mutts. "You can't be so harsh with your brothers. You know they just want a bit of your attention. Ever since they were born, you've never given them a rightful place in our family... They don't want to take your throne-it's impossible anyway. You need to yield a little. They are the weaker ones."

Those words only fueled my fury further.

He really wanted to victimize them in front of everyone?

Turn me into the villain?