Pursuing My Rejected Alpha
Chapter 55

Dane Silverback had a lot of prisoners to supervise, but there was only one who he could interrogate t There was only one problem.

The criminal in question refused to play along.

He confessed to the murder attempt of the Luna of the Infinite Eclipse Pack, Lucien Clearwater, but he

hankfully, Elijah Summertide was also the one who could testify against Lucrethia Woodland.

nied any other person's involvement in this matter.

To stimulate his willingness to speak up, Dane Silverback told him that his son, Erick Summertide, had been removed from the Ironclad Claws pack house and hidden far away. He was safe and sound.

When he heard the news, Elijah's eyes lit up for a split second before they turned dull again. That was the only reaction that Dane could get out of the man.

Elijah maintained his obstinate attitude, refusing to point out any accomplice or perpetrator.

"I did it of my own volition. No one helped me and no one asked me to do it."

.....

"Why?" Dane Silverback demanded. "You were a priest of the Holy Temple of The Moon Goddess. What grudge do you hold toward Lucien Clearwater? Or is it toward the Infinite Eclipse Pack?" Chained at both arms and legs, Elijah sat on the cold prison ground. He lifted his head and looked int

"I already confessed my crime, Mr. Dane Silverback. I am not obliged to share any reason that I might Dane gritted his teeth.

"I don't think that you will have that much of an honor."

Very calmly, Elijah smiled at the angry man who was trying his best to get an answer out of him.

"It's fine. I was born a rogue werewolf. I don't mind dying a rogue werewolf."

Silverback's eyes.

there is any, then I shall carry it to my grave."

"What about your son?" Dane refused to give up. "Do you want him to lose a father? Do you want him to live a life similar to yours?" Elijah almost burst into laughter.

Dane Silverback spoke as if he personally had an experience living as a rogue werewolf. Just what cou

h-born alpha werewolf such as himself know about the life that Elijah had accepted to be his fate, his destiny?

"My son is a grown-up man," Elijah stated. He did not bother making any comment about the sorrowfue of a rogue werewolf's life. "Sooner or later, he must live without me."

At the end of his words, Elijah's voice shook slightly.

It was not as if he had not planned for a better life for Erick. Goddess knew that he had tried returning his son to the werewolf society.

When that original plan was ruined, Elijah quickly switched to the alternative plan.

All he wanted to do was take Erick away and live together in Europe, just as Lucrethia promised.

Unfortunately, his failure in carrying out this last mission turned the alternative plan into an impossible dream.

A nightmare, even.

"I replace it rather interesting that you continue to protect that old woman so persistently. Do you think she is going to save you?"

Elijah scoffed.

Save him?

No, of course not.

The only reason why he shut up about Lucrethia was that he knew the old woman. He did not trust the Werewolf Council. Who knew just how many spies and helpers Lucrethia Woodland had within the council?

It did not matter whether or not Elijah testified against her. She could slip away from the supposedly sharp claws of justice easily.

And when she did, she would go for those who tried to make her pay for her sins. And their family members.

By keeping his mouth shut, Elijah safeguarded his son's life.

His life was about to end, but at least his son would live on.

He could only pray for his son's happiness, until he breathed his last and left this cruel world.

Dane Silverback returned to his office, huffing and puffing in displeasure.

He had barely taken a seat and sipped from his extra strong coffee when his personal attendant came in and informed him that, "Alpha Ronan and Miss Lillian Woodland have come for a visit." Dane almost choked on his drink.

Did he not make it clear to Ronan that he should stay put until the trial invitations were sent out? And why would he even bring the woman with him?

The elder man did not have the patience to wait until the two people arrived at his office. He rushed out to meet them himself.

"Miss Woodland," he said with a grim voice and scary smile before he grabbed his son and dragged him to a deserted chamber.

Slamming the door behind him, he gave his son a look full of bewilderment.

"Ronan, what is wrong with you? Why are you still hanging out with that woman? Did she threaten you with the baby? Don't tell me that you plan to be merciful toward Lucrethia Woodland." Ronan chuckled.

"Dad, if the Werewolf Council allows me to be the executioner, I would be happy to decide Lucrethia Woodland's manner of death."

Dane heaved a sigh of relief. Good, his son had not been bewitched by that woman.

"Maybe it is a good thing that you bring her here. We should talk about her involvement in this whole crime. Naturally, the baby must not be affected..."

"It's not mine," Ronan blurted out in the middle of his father's speech.

Astonished, Dane's mouth dropped open as he stared at his son.

"Why, of course. I would be enraged if the baby were yours."

"

Spoken by the man who had numerous extramarital children, some of which he sired before he took a wife. If he were not his father, Ronan would be tempted to describe Dane with Lucien's favorite word, "shameless". "So why are you bringing her here?"

"To surrender her of course. She is still a Woodland by birth," Ronan pointed out the obvious.

"... Ronan, she is a pregnant woman."

"She wanted it," Ronan quipped. "I think it would be great to put her and Kieran Locksworth close to each other."

"... Ronan, what do you have in mind?"

The Alpha answered with a light shrug.

"If everything goes well, we will have all the facts together by tomorrow evening."

Just in time for the trial.

Other than Lucrethia Woodland who was placed in a special cell with maximum protection, all the others from the Woodland family had to share neighboring cells. Why? Because the Werewolf Council never had to detain so many people at once.

Kieran Locksworth was alone in his cell when a guard came in with Lillian Woodland in a tow. When he saw the woman through the barred window, his eyes grew round. "Lillian!"

Lillian Woodland broke into tears when she saw Kieran.

"Kieran...!!! Oh Goddess, are you alright?!"

When the guard let Lillian in, locked the door right up, and left, Kieran almost lost it.

"HEY!" He shouted. "ARE YOU INSANE??? WHY ARE YOU PUTTING A PREGNANT WOMAN IN PRISON???"

"Kieran, shhh... I asked for it," Lillian put a hand across Kieran's lips.

.....

The man groaned.

"Why are you so stupid? Don't tell me that... Did you tell Ronan Silverback that it is not his baby?"

Lillian chuckled.

"Come on. Do you think he will never replace out?"

Kieran pulled at Lillian's wrist.

"Don't stand. Come and sit. You need to pay attention to your body right now. You are in a delicate condition."

Lillian pressed a hand against her belly as she took a seat next to Kieran on the bed. The mattress was as hard as a wooden board and the cell smelled like piss and blood.

Lillian wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"How can they keep people in this kind of place? How degrading."

"Well, this is why they call it a prison cell and not a hotel suite, Princess."

Kieran's eyes were drawn to Lillian's belly.

"The last time I saw you, your belly was barely showing," he remarked. "He is growing fast and strong."

"Mm..."

Lillian pressed her lips together. She looked restless.

"I asked Dane Silverback to spare you," Kieran said. "Who knew that the Silverback family is so ruthless? In the end, the Ironclad Claws pack members have to help each other. Lillian, listen to me." Kieran grabbed Lillian's hands.

"You have to get out of here. Find the father of your baby and stay with him. You kept telling me that you didn't know who it was, but I know you. You are just trying to protect him, for whatever reason. Now that your family is in dire straits, he should really..." "Kieran, you are the father," Lillian blurted out.

"...help you out, what irresponsible man... Excuse me?"

"You are the father of my baby," Lillian repeated.

""

For some time, they only stared at each other in silence. Kieran opened and shut his mouth a few times, not knowing how to say what he wanted to say.

In the end, he only managed to stutter out some unintelligible phrases, "But you said... Another man after me... You met him a few more times... You said that he was the love of your life..."

Lillian grabbed Kieran's face and cupped it with his hands.

"It's you. You are the love of my life. It had never been anyone else. You were the only person I slept with. There was no one else!"

A wheezing sound escaped Kieran's lips. His legs gave out under him and he slumped to the ground.

Only after his knees hit the concrete floor did he snap back due to the pain.

“Hsss!”

"Kieran! Are you alright???"

Kieran held a hand up.

"No. I mean, yes. I am fine. Lillian, you..."

Trembling from anxiety, Kieran reached out and put both hands on Lillian's belly.

"Am I really? Are you playing with my feelings? Is this really...?"

Lillian was a bundle of tears by then. She nodded fervently while putting her hands on top of Kieran's.

"I swear by the Moon Goddess. The baby is yours and no one else's."

Kieran looked as if he was about to cry and laugh at the same time. He was going to be a father, but this news came out in the most terrible circumstances!

The new Alpha of the Ironclad Claws pack then withdrew his hands and pressed them against his head.

"Oh, Goddess. How terrible. I can't believe what I have done."

Pain flashed across Lillian's eyes. She retreated a few steps while inhaling a deep breath.

"Do you regret it?" She asked. Her heart was laid bare in front of Kieran's eyes. There was no pretense. Only love laced with pain.

"Do you not want the baby?"

Opposite her, the man's mouth dropped open.

"That's not what I meant! Lillian, of course I want the baby! No, I don't regret having s*x with you that day! What I regret is..."

Kieran sighed. He rose to his feet and pulled Lillian into his arms, careful not to press against her belly.

"I was the one who suggested that Madam Lucrethia Woodland send you over to the Infinite Eclipse Pack under the pretense that you are carrying Alpha Ronan's child." Lillian widened her eyes in shock. She shoved Kieran away from her and asked, "Wh... Why?"

Kieran lowered his eyes in regret.

"Your grandmother planned to t*****e you until either you or the baby died. If I had not come up with the idea, either you die or you will forever be scarred."

Kieran grabbed Lillian's shoulders.

"I did it for your sake. If I had known that it was my baby, I... I would have taken you and run away together with you and our baby!"

Lillian shook her head.

"Grandmother would replace us. We would not be able to escape..."

"I am so sorry for everything, Lil... I neglected you and our child. It was all my fault."

"No. No, don't say that. You wanted to protect me. And I... I wanted to protect you. That's why I lied to you. I didn't want Grandmother to throw you into the t*****e chamber as well. I won't be able to take it..." "Oh, sweetheart..."

Kieran bumped their foreheads together.

"I feel so stupid now..."

"Me too..."

Their breaths mingled with each other, and they slowly drew closer.

"I love you," Kieran whispered.

"I love you too," Lillian sobbed.

After being separated for months, the two lovers finally found each other again. As their lips met, so did their hearts.

Just like every other Alpha's daughter in relatively wealthy packs, Lillian Woodland was born and raised with a silver spoon in her mouth.

In her life, there never was a doll, a dress, a pair of shoes, or a bag that was too expensive or too difficult to get.

Whatever she wanted, she got when she wanted it.

The life of a werewolf princess was indeed vastly different from that of a normal pack member.

While Kieran lay on the hard bed with Lillian in his arms, all he could think about was how uncomfortable the woman must be.

"You should go," he softly whispered. "This is not a place for someone like you. Especially not in your condition."

Lillian shook her head.

"There is no other place in this whole wide world I want to be in."

She raised a hand and caressed Kieran's jawline.

"I want to stay with you."

"This cell is too cold," Kieran reasoned. "They don't even bother to give us any blankets..."

The prison cell opened on cue and a guard came in with two heavy, fluffy blankets and two large pillows.

"Courtesy of Alpha Ronan Silverback," he quipped before putting the items on the bed and leaving.

"... He sure is considerate," Kieran said with slight amazement.

Lillian scoffed.

"It is a reminder," she said.

"... Reminder?"

The woman patted her lover on the cheek.

"It has been a long day," she said. "Why don't we just rest for now?"

Kieran pulled Lillian into his arms and kissed her.

"Sure," he said while rubbing Lillian's belly affectionately.

Kieran fell asleep soon while Lillian remained awake for almost an hour. In the darkness, she rehearsed what she wanted to say again and again in her mind, hoping that Kieran would cooperate.

When morning came, Kieran woke up to Lillian who sat on the bed while gazing at him with sad, empty eyes.

"What's wrong?" the man asked, furrowing his brows in confusion. "Lil?"

Lillian swallowed hard.

"Kieran, I need to talk to you about something..."

"What is it?"

Lillian pressed her lips together while holding onto her belly. Looking as pitiful as a discarded cat in a downpour, she started to describe her terrible situation, "When Ronan Silverback found out that this baby wasn't his, he was livid. He threw me out of the pack. I had nowhere else to go, so I asked to come here. He plans to drag me to trial for deception..."

The woman purposefully left her sentence hanging in the air when she broke into a series of heartbreaking sobs.

Blood rushed to Kieran's face when he heard what Lillian had to say.

A while later, the prison inhabitants were woken up by a loud banging sound from Kieran's cell. The latter was hollering and slamming his hand against the metallic cell door repeatedly.

"MR. DANE SILVERBACK!!!" He shouted. "I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!"

He was so loud that he woke the guard in charge from a beautiful dream. Unhappy about the sudden ruckus in the morning, the burly guard rushed into Kieran's cell to give him some beating. "What the hell are you doing, causing unrest like that so early in the morning??"

"I DEMAND TO BE RELEASED!!!"

"Do you think that this prison is a cheap hotel that you can check out from at will???" The guard shouted furiously.

What came next was a punch across Kieran's cheek, followed by Lillian's frightened scream.

"STOP! I BEG YOU, PLEASE STOP!!!"

Kieran fell to the ground, but he then kicked hard at the guard's shin. The latter howled in pain and instinctively pulled his leg up to rub his shin.

Kieran used the chance to rise to his feet and punch the guard in the gut, sending him crashing against the stony floor.

"YOU!!!!" The guard roared angrily like a wounded animal.

The two men exchanged a few more punches before a few more guards came in to separate them.

Kieran was then dragged out of his cell.

"Out, out, lover boy! You are going to meet with Mr. Dane Silverback just as you wanted."

A guard gave Lillian a sharp look.

"You too, Miss."

Lillian stumbled on shaky feet and followed the guards out of the cell.

The two prisoners were led along the corridors until they reached an interrogation room. Inside, Dane Silverback sat before a long desk. His hands were steepled in front of him, resting below his chin.

He was not alone.

His son, the Alpha of the Infinite Eclipse Pack, Ronan Silverback, was also there. He sat opposite his father while scrolling through his phone.

When Kieran saw Dane, he opened his mouth to complain about Ronan's cruel action toward Lillian. When he saw Ronan, the complaints disappeared and his rage bled through instead.

“YOU A*****E!!!" Kieran shouted at the top of his lungs, pouncing at the dark-haired man.

In a split second, Ronan rose to his feet. He stepped to the side just in time to dodge Kieran's attack.

In return, he caught the latter's arm and slammed the man to the ground.

Before Kieran had the chance to get up, Ronan pinned him to the ground and immobilized him.

Casually, he spoke to Kieran as if they were old friends who were about to have breakfast together.

"Nice to meet you, Alpha Kieran. Or should I say Beta Kieran? You have yet to have a crowning ceremony."

Kieran had other pressing matters to think about rather than having a crowning ceremony. Struggling against Ronan's grip, he turned his head to the side to catch a glimpse of his opponent.

"How could you!" He shouted. "Lillian is pregnant! How could you have the heart to drag her to a trial???"

Ronan raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? How is that wrong?"

"How is that not wrong??? You are a heartless piece of shit!!!"

piece

"Let me see, you were the one who put the baby in her belly, but she showed up at my departed mother's memorial service and announced that it was my baby. She caused me and my mate unnecessary stress for months. Now tell me again how am I a heartless of shit?" Kieran gritted his teeth.

"The person who suggested to deceive you was me, not Lillian. Let her go."

Ronan raised an eyebrow. He scoffed while looking at Lillian, who was shivering from head to toe.

"Why, you two are really a match made in heaven," he mocked. "Why don't I just drag you to the trial instead?"

"Gladly," Kieran said in response while Lillian cried "NO!" at the same time.

The woman lunged forward and shoved at Ronan's chest. When Ronan did not move even a millimeter away from his spot, Lillian grew desperate.

"This was not what we agreed on! Get away from Kieran, don't hurt him!"

"That was before I knew that he was the bastard who was responsible for this fraudulent act!" Ronan grabbed Lillian's wrists and hissed at her.

"Who is the heartless piece of shit now, hm?"

.....

"I am sorry!" Lillian wailed. "I am sorry that Lucien had to suffer. I am sorry that you had to suffer!"

"Sorry is not going to cut it."

44"

"Lucien almost died because of you. All of you."

""

And him too.

Ronan closed his eyes as his heart was slowly steeped into the acidic pool called guilt.

Lucien...

He could still remember what it felt like when he had to stab the silver knife into Lucien's heart. How the latter looked at him back then. Aghast from his betrayal.

Ronan might as well stab himself. It would have hurt less.

"Ronan."

Dane, who remained quiet for a long time and watched the fight unfold, rose from his seat and walked around the table.

He pulled Ronan to his feet. The painful squeeze in his upper arm pulled Ronan out of his painful daydreams.

"Don't let your emotions get the best of you. We don't have much time. Let's talk business."

On the other side, Lillian helped Kieran up and clung to his arm like a scared little kitten.

"What business?" Kieran asked.

After being pummeled by guards and brutalized by Ronan, the man could barely stand straight anymore. That did not prevent him from glaring at both Ronan and Dane, though.

"Take a seat, Mr. Locksworth," Dane said.

"No need," Kieran mouthed stubbornly.

Ronan rolled with his eyes. He wordlessly grabbed Kieran from Lillian's arms and pushed him into a chair.

"You too, Lillian, take a seat," Ronan said.

Lillian complied without needing any sort of coercion.

Dane returned to his seat. He cocked his head at Kieran and mused, "You have confessed to a deception. This is a huge crime, considering that you try to install your son as the next Alpha of the Infinite Eclipse Pack."

"I don't care about the Alpha position. I did it to keep both of them alive."

It did nothing to reduce the severity of his crime, but it was in line with what both Dane and Ronan expected to hear.

The father and son exchanged brief glances when they heard Kieran's answer.

"How so?" Dane asked casually, his tone light and relaxed.

"If I didn't do it, then Lillian..."

Color drained from Kieran's face. He stopped abruptly when he realized where he was and who he was talking to.

"Wait," he furrowed his brows. "You can't interrogate me without Elder Kragen. This is against the law."

Dane squared his shoulders and leaned back in his seat. He looked around the room with an astonished expression.

Ronan rubbed at his lips to conceal the smirk on his face.

"That is a surprising allegation, Mr. Locksworth. Now, please remind me of something: did I summon you for interrogation?"

"...No."

"Then why are you here, Kieran Locksworth?"

Ronan chuckled. He shook his head at the man who sat there, scowling at himself. The Alpha crossed his arms and went to stand next to his father.

"Can you remember how you came in here?"

Of course he could. He was not an Alzheimer's patient. He asked to meet Dane Silverback himself because he wanted the elder man to get Lillian out of prison and free her from any upcoming trial.

"..."

"You are free to go, you know," Ronan taunted him. "Take Lillian with you. We will see each other at the trial."

Kieran growled in frustration.

The bitter taste of defeat made him feel as if he just ate a bowl of bile. He heaved a sigh and shook his head many times.

Between defending Lucrethia Woodland and saving Lillian Woodland, which one was more important?

To Kieran's greatest dismay, the answer was pretty clear.

The man lifted his eyes, his gaze drifting between Dane and Ronan.

"What do you want from me?"

Kieran narrowed his eyes at Dane.

"I want you to testify against Lucrethia Woodland," Dane Silverback stated without much fuss.

"Why? Didn't you say that you have adequate witness and evidence?"

Dane merely smiled in response.

Kieran scoffed. Crossing his arms before his chest, he shook his head in disbelief.

"Wow. This is the first time I meet a Werewolf Council member who can lie without batting an eyelid," he remarked cynically. "I wonder what the other council members think about it."

Dane's smile turned into a sneer.

"This is also the first time I meet with a Beta who dares to lay a hand on his Alpha's daughter. I wonder what your pack members think about it."

"Alright, enough!" Kieran snapped although he was the one who tantalized Dane first. "What kind of testimony do you need?"

Dane reached into his coat and took out a folded paper from his chest pocket.

He spread the paper for Kieran and Lillian to see.

"This is a list of allegations that we prepared against Lucrethia Woodland. Take a look and tell us where you can be of help."

Kieran gave Dane and Ronan one last scowl before he flattened the paper in front of him and read from top to bottom.

"Well," he said after a while. "I know where to replace this girl."

He tapped a finger against a particular name.

Shayla Plainheart.

"What about this man?"

Dane took out Elijah Summertide's picture.

"Have you seen him before?"

"Yes," Kieran confirmed. "He came by our pack house a few times."