Fated To My Lycan Stepbrothers
Chapter 128

Zeke's

POV

"Let me see what you have in your hands" I asked one of the maids who was shivering for no reason.

She stretched out her hands to reveal an ID card. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I'm sorry."

I collected the card, wondering why she was shivering and apologizing. If she was doing that because I had just come out of a rage rampage, I wouldn't mind. But I knew this was different. She was hiding something that set me off.

I could still feel Naya's warm hands wrapped around me, calming me down earlier. She had said so many things and asked a lot of questions. There were some I could not answer, while some of them, I had answered.

"She's not overreacting, Zeke. You are pushing her away,"

Flame grunted. He was still tired from the exertion of powers earlier, lying down and grooming his fur.

"I agree with you," I simply said, not in the mood to enter into another argument with Flame. Besides that, he was right. I mean, how could I not push her away? It was to protect her feelings. From today, I was going to be extra busy, and Kyle... Kyle would take care of her.

"You don't seem too happy about that. What's with you and Kyle? Are you jealous of him or something?"

I shook my head. "I can never be jealous of my brother.

Fine, I admit I thought he was better than me in some things, but we are twins, we are expected to think that way.

We are made to compete with ourselves forever. Have you thought of how Kyle would feel to see me sit on father's throne? I don't think he is just as happy."

"Contrary to what you think, Kyle is perfectly happy where he is. I know it is normal to be jealous of your brother, but the way you guys are going with this mating thing is very annoying. Don't you want Naya?"

"I want Naya."

"Then take her in."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"I haven't seen three mates before, she is an Omega, and lastly... politics. Naya has knowledge of none. She can't even fight. She is pathetic."

"I know you don't mean that," Flame scoffed. Of course I didn't mean it. "Since you are so eager to point out her problems, let me remind you of this. Mating bonds don't discriminate. In fact, you should be honored to be her mate. Secondly, she has the Elderly blood flowing through her veins; that should count as something. Imagine if she could summon the Elderly One directly. Do you know what that means?"

I rubbed my jaws in thought. He had a good point there.

The whole pack and beyond would obey her. We wouldn't have trouble with rogues for a long while.

"Also, her power can strengthen the border. You don't have to be on your toes all the time."

"But this is only a speculation. We aren't sure she can do all these things."

"***t!" Flame nearly slapped the back of my head. That would have caused me a terrible headache. "Her power is beyond comprehension. I don't think you know what she is capable of; that's why you underestimate her so much. Can't you see how hard Baron Diego is trying to win her over to his side?"

I rolled my eyes at the mention of Baron Diego's name. Over my dead body would he lay his hands on sweet Naya.

"Sweet Naya? You idiot."

"You have been calling me that a lot," I faced the trembling woman.

"That's because you are an idiot," Flame said, slipping back into the darkness. He always managed to have the last say, didn't he?

I eyed the card in my hands. Then I noticed the side was beginning to peel. "What is happening here?" I scraped the already peeling part to replace out it was duplicated. She wasn't supposed to be working here, so why is she here?" I raised my eyes to the bunch, looking for Lily. She was the head chamber maid for now. "Why is she still here?"

Lily came out in an instant. She bowed in shock. "I am sorry, Alpha. I thought she was the owner of the card. She begged me..."

I raised my hand to stop her. "You fool. What if she was a spy?" My mind went to Renée. Then, I had no power to report Renée or stop her. Why didn't I think she might be the spy?

Lily went on her knees immediately. "I am sorry, Alpha." They both began begging instantly.

"Stop!" I yelled before I could stop. They were both making me angry with their whining and pleas. "How long has she been working here and who can testify of her good work? If you have noticed anything suspicious about her, speak up now."

Someone raised their hand. "Mrs. Don has been working hard ever since she got here. She used to wash your bed sheets herself and iron them. On holidays, she brings her children over, so I have seen her family before. She isn't a stranger."

"Mrs. Don has worked here for three years now," another elder staff member mentioned. They must be the ones who worked with my father. "Her work involves laundry, and she has never stopped doing that. She once told me that her youngest child got free surgery from Dr. Ali, so this was her way of paying back."

My gaze softened on her. "Who paid for your surgery? Pack workers are given free hospital check-ups, not family members."

She raised her tear-stricken face. "Alpha Storm. I am sorry for mentioning his name. I didn't mean to do this."

I helped her to get up. "No, don't think about it. You were brave and honest enough to show me the ID card. I see those clean sheets all the time, and it's shocking you have been paying for three years. Do you want to be set free?" I looked at her wrinkled face expectantly. She should go home and stay with her family. "No, Alpha, I am fine with..."

"Take a month off," I urged. "Your salary will be given to you. Go and spend time with your family."

She was on her knees again. "Thank you, Alpha. You know I thought you were going to be worse... I am grateful."

I refused to ask her what she meant by that statement and sent her off. To Lily, I said, "Next time be careful. You are still here because you are loyal to Marley."

She bowed in gratitude. "Thank you, Alpha."

I faced the remaining fifty people, old and young who had worked for my father and mother. "Without ID cards, you cannot enter the manor. Hang your cards around your necks; without it, you cannot enter the manor. Permits will be requested for special quarters like my quarters and family members. However, the Alpha throne is open to everyone." I wanted to call Reid's name to fill them in on important matters, but I remembered I had snapped his neck in the room. Sh**t!

"Beta Brooke?" | called instead.

"Yes, Alpha."

"Please, write down the names of guests that are allowed into the manor and the ones that aren't allowed: If there are new ones, Lily will fill you in." He gave me a nod before asking everyone to gather around. With precision, I watched Lily check the remaining ID cards. The first plan was to fortify the manor. The second was to give new positions to the Z patrol team that just returned.

"Where the hell are the elders?" I bellowed in anger.

"We are here, Alpha..." Elder Freya walked in with determination. "Under the article of the elders' council, you put your pack members in danger. You have to be punished." The other elders were firmly beside her. They all had grim looks on their faces. It seemed like they had just had the meeting and decided on their own. Or rather Elder Freya wanted this to happen.

What? I heard everyone whisper and gasp in shock. Yeah, she had been waiting for this moment, hadn't she?

Two elderly guards walked forward with cuffs. They weren't ordinary cuffs. These ones were infused with magic.

I searched Elder Rosalie's face, moving my hands away from the guards' reach. "Is this what you wanted?"

Elder Rosalie averted her gaze. "She is the leader here.

There is nothing I can do about it."

"You know who made me enter into this rage?"

"Don't be ridiculous. We all know you could not control yourself. That is why a young Alpha shouldn't have been placed on the throne."

I glanced around to see that we had an audience. "Well, this Alpha fought twenty wolves to get to the throne. This is one of the reasons why I accepted the challenge because I knew you were going to act like a witch." I paused as if to think. "Wait. An old witch." She chuckled. Of course my words didn't get to her. "Insult me all you want, it won't change anything. Take him away."

"On what grounds?" Someone yelled from the top floor. We all turned to replace Naya standing, holding the banister for support. She slowly descended.

"This is Alpha and Elder matter. It isn't for insignificant people," Elder Freya cut in sharply. Her words were sharper than a knife.

"I am not insignificant," Naya shrugged, sizing Freya up.

She was closer now, and I feared what Elder Freya would do to her. "I have something much more, and you know it.

You can smell it in waves, coming out of me."

Elder Freya only smirked before kicking Nayas legs. Naya fell with a thud. sh*t, Naya was still weak from using her powers. "So what? You look weak to me. You also seem like someone in need of proper training." Elder Rosalie touched Elder Freya's shoulders. "Please stop doing that. You're provoking her, and it's not a wise idea.

She has told me what she can do, and they are numerous."

"Her power is magnificent, but she does not know how to control it. She doesn't have manners, so leave me to teach her myself."

"The way you are going about it is terrible. Don't, please."

Elder Rosalie pleaded again.

"Step back, Elder Rosalie. I don't want to have to be suspended from the council," Elder Freya snapped in anger.

"Fine." Elder Rosalie stepped back with her hands folded.

It was a heated argument between the both of them, yet they remained composed. It was impressive.