Alpha Prime: Her Retribution

Chapter Twenty Two

JACOB

I got out of my car, Tony stood outside, waiting. I slammed the door shut and brushed past him into the house.

“The Daily Howl is currently a smoking rubble and Zachary Ernest is down in the cell.” He informed me. I said nothing, taking off my wrist watch and tossing it onto the table together with my jacket.

“And the other newspaper houses?” I inquired, unbuttoning my shirt.

“All the chief editors are waiting in your conference room.” He replied.

“Good.” I muttered. “I am not to be disturbed"

“Yes Prime.”

I took the elevator to the underground cell, I rarely used it, no one was stupid enough to f**k with me. The elevator opened and I stepped out and made my way down the hall to the heavy metal door. I opened it and stared at the man chained to the ground in a kneeling position, his head lolled to the side, unconsciousness.

I had to resist the urge to beat him to a bloody pulp. Calling my mate a conniving w***e, the thought had my blood boiling, I could feel the familiar itch at the back of my throat and the uncomfortable pressure in my gums. Ignoring them, I picked up the silver cow prod, pressing the button, the sound of electricity crackling echoed around us before pressing it onto his abdomen.

He let out a scream, his eyes snapped open, the front of his trousers dampened as the smell of urine permeated the air making me curl my lip in disgust. His eyes widened at the sight of me.

“P…prime” He stuttered. I tossed the prod aside and grabbed a chair before sitting opposite him.

“I'm a very simple man Ernest, I don't interfere in anyone's business as long as they don't interfere in mine. Have I ever led a smear campaign against any of those who challenge me?”

He shook his head, his terrified eyes on me as his body shook with unbridled fear.

“N-no Prime, We all look up to and respect you.” He whispered.

“Then explain this” I said, tossing the paper on the floor. He swallowed hard, looking at the paper before glancing at me. I desperately wanted to rip him apart but I needed to remain in control.

“I… we… it… we were just trying to sensationalise the headlines…something our readers would read.” He stuttered.

I stared at him, getting to my feet, a humourless chuckle escaped my lips.

“Sensationalise…”

“P… please Prime!!!”

“How about this for sensationalising? Editor in Chief of The Daily Howl ends up in a psychiatric ward.” I asked, glancing at him. "I think your readers will eat it up."

His eyes went even wider, his lips trembled.

“P… please Alpha Prime, I have a mate and two beautiful daughters.” He cried out.

“Yet you have the audacity to call another woman a conniving whore.” I growled, my voice becoming more beast-like than man. I reeled back the animal within and approached him. He whimpered, trying to move away but he was secured by heavy chains. I grabbed his hair, forcing his head up so he could look into my eyes.

"Mercy, please!!!"

“Better to ask the devil for mercy than a Mont Blanc.” I whispered, watching as his eyes glazed over as I delved into his mind, manipulating memories until I had achieved what I had set out to do. By the time I was done, he was a drooling bleeding mess.

I let go of his hair and his head drooped to the side. I walked over to the table, picked up a dagger and made a cut across my palm. I let my blood drip into a cup of water, the cut healed before I took the cup and walked over to the catatonic man. I forced him to drink, my diluted blood bringing him back from the depths of insanity, just enough.

Tony

Yes Prime?

Get this piece of s**t out of my house, I'm done with him. I instructed.

What would you like me to do with him?

Leave him tied up in the rubble of his newspaper house. I replied, walking over to the basin and washing my hand before leaving the room. Ernest would wake up and for the rest of his life would experience unimaginable terror with no clue as to why.

I made my way back up to my conference room, I could feel the nervous energy emanating from the people waiting for me which added to the mounting bloodlust that was coursing through me. The guards bowed, opening the door as I approached them. The editors stumbled to their feet, each a nervous wreck.

“Alpha Prime” they greeted. I ignored them and took my place at the head of the table. I didn't bother sitting as I planned on making this as short as possible.

“As you all know, I have never once censored whatever you chose to write because I also believe in the freedom of the press but I would like to make one thing clear. My mate, your Luna Prime is off limits. Anyone who writes anything that puts her in a negative light will incur my wrath. You will all retract your statements and offer her a public apology in all your papers. Do I make myself clear?”

“Y ...yes Prime.” They stuttered.

“Good, that will be all.”

I didn't bother waiting for them to leave before heading into my main office, massaging my throat and jaw as the pressure and itch became worse. A growl escaped my lips. I opened my cabinet, making myself a drink.

“Prime, it's getting late, should I send a car to get the Luna Prime?” Tony asked. I stared at the red liquid sloshing in my glass, taking a sip, my eyes drooped closed as the bloodlust abated.

“No, let her be, she's been through enough today, she needs to be with her family.”

ADELAIDE

I woke up to an empty bed, looking up at the bed's canopy, wanting nothing more than to roll over and forget about yesterday. Unfortunately that wasn't possible. I groaned, rolling out of bed. I sat there, staring at nothing as I mentally prepared myself for the day ahead.

Staying in bed isn't going to solve anything Adelaide

Sighing, I got up, resisting the urge to peep through the curtains. I walked to the bathroom instead. Once I was done freshening up, I made my way out of the suite, looking for Liam when I bumped into a maid. Her eyes widened at the sight of me before she scurried off.

Great… even the staff is avoiding me.

“You're up, I was about to come check on you.”

I turned to see Liam walking towards me. He handed me a cup of tea.

“Thank you, you have no idea how much I need this.” I mumbled.

“How are you feeling?” He inquired, as we settled down on a window seat. I shrugged, placing the cup on my lap.

“I feel like shit.” I whispered, taking a sip of the tea. “It's like I'm having an out of body experience, like I'll wake up and realise this is all a bad dream and I'm back in Ridgeway Valley, away from all this madness. Have you spoken to Uncle Pete?”

“No but from what I'm seeing on the news, some packs have been able to cull the riots while others are still struggling to. Silverstone is under complete lock down.” He relayed. I kept quiet, sipping my tea and letting the heat from the cup seep into my cold palms.

“This is all his f*****g fault.” Liam added.

“I wonder if this was his end goal… a punishment for what my father did. Isolate me, make everyone hate me.” I whispered. “He's right you know…” I trailed off.

“Right about what?” He asked.

“About him being in control. From the moment I stepped into his consulate back home, I thought I was in control but he had taken it right under my nose, I became nothing but a powerless participant in his twisted games.”

My eyes widened as the words left my lips.

“What's wrong?” Liam asked, worried at my expression. I turned to him, a grin on my lips.

“I know how to fix this.” I whispered, finishing off my tea and getting to my feet. “Tell Magnus to call for a press conference.” I headed in the direction of my room.

“W-what? At least tell me your plan.” He called out. I turned to him, smirking.

“Don't worry, you'll find out pretty soon.” I replied, making my way to my room. I walked into the bathroom, looking at myself in the mirror, satisfied with the pale, splotchy faced woman that stared back at me. I pulled my hair into a ponytail before heading back into my room.

Magnus? I mindlinked him.

Yes Adelaide?

I need a change of clothes, something formal, modest and in black please.

"I'll have that done immediately." Liam said you want to hold a press conference.

"Yes, the world deserves to know the truth." I replied, I could tell he was curious and wanted to know what I had planned but they would all have to wait till the press conference.

You made the world hate me Jacob, get ready to watch them love me again.

******* ********* *********

“Everything's ready, are you sure you don't want my daughter or wife to help you with your makeup?” Magnus asked.

“No.” I replied, looking down at the group of reporters all gathered in the courtyard of the consulate.

“Very well then, the reporters are waiting.”

I smiled and made my way down stairs to the courtyard, Liam and Magnus behind me. The whispers and murmurs of the reporters lessened as I stepped into the courtyard and up the makeshift stage. I sat on the chair, Magnus sitting next to me. I took a deep breath, facing them with a soft, sad smile gracing my face.

“Good morning wolves of the press.” I greeted “thank you for honouring my invitation.”

Several hands shot up from the crowd. I turned to one of the reporters.

“Yes?”

“What do you have to say about the accusations levied against you?” He asked, I swallowed hard, pretending to think over what I was going to say.

“It saddens me and breaks my heart that wolves all around the world are jumping to such conclusions without hearing my side of the story.” I answered.

“And what's your side of the story?” another inquired. I looked down at my hands, brows knitted together before looking over at the person who had asked the question.

“I’m nothing but a victim” I whispered, “who had her family and pack cruelly ripped away from her.”

“If that's the case then where have you been for the past nine years?”

“Hiding” I replied “Wouldn't you do the same if a killer targeted your family and friends? I was terrified for my life so I stayed hidden, I know people expected me to be brave and try to avenge my family but what could an orphaned 18 year old do against someone as powerful as Jacob Mont Blanc?”

The reporters were quiet and I knew they were thinking over my statements.

“So where were you for the past nine years?”

“I was at Ridgeway Valley under the protection of Peter Lark, my uncle and Alpha of the pack.” I replied.

“Then how did you end up here, in the arms of the Mont Blanc Alpha Prime as his mate and Luna?”

Oh this is perfect.

I stood up, willing the tears to well up in my eyes.

“Your question alludes that I am here of my own volition.” I cried out. “I have no choice in this matter, I am nothing but a glorified prisoner, do you think I would gladly stand with the person who took my family away from me.” I choked out, the tears rolled down my cheeks and I wiped them away, sniffling and demurely averting my gave to the floor.

“I apologise for my outbursts.” I whispered, taking a seat. Magnus reached over and squeezed my hand. I blinked away the tears, staring at the reporters.

“I agreed to be his Luna for peace to reign, my happiness is secondary to that of the people around me. It is what my father taught me and it is what I continue to live by.” I continued.

“What's stopping you from getting the support from the other Alpha Primes?”

“Jacob Mont Blanc doesn't recognize or respect their authority, besides, what help could they be if they didn't bring him to justice years back? Most importantly the life of my cousin was on the line.” I confessed, glancing at Liam, he stared back at me. “I would never have forgiven myself if anything happened to him.”

Everyone was quiet.

“Any more questions?” Magnus inquired.

“So what plans do you have?”

I shrugged, looking at my hands.

“None, I'm just a powerless pawn in his game but I assure the European wolves that I will do everything I can to be a good Alpha Prime to my continent. It's the least I can do after everything that has happened.” I replied as I looked up, giving the woman who had asked the question a small smile, she smiled back.

“If that's all, I'd like to thank you all for coming here on such short notice.” I got to my feet, forcing a smile before heading into the consulate. Liam and I walked back to my office in silence.

“Do you think they bought it?”

“Oh they definitely bought it” I replied, sitting down.

“What if Mont Blanc decides to tell them what Uncle Charles did?” He asked. I glanced at him.

“Who do you think they'll believe? The terrified 27 year old who lost everything and is being forced to become a killer's Luna or the person responsible for all that?”

JACOB

I watched as Adelaide got up and headed into the consulate before the scene changed to the news anchor.

That smart manipulative little minx.

She had perfectly played the part of the victim, complete with tears and large innocent doe eyes, the press didn't stand a chance. Tony stood next to me as I toyed with the remote control, a smirk creeping up my lips.

“Well I certainly didn't see this coming.” He uttered. “She's literally making you out to be the bad guy here.”

“She is, it's a smart move.” I conceded. “The world turned against her so she twists the truth to fit her narrative.”

“What are you going to do about this?” He asked. I switched off the TV, turning to him.

“Nothing.”

“What? Why?! What if the people…” He trailed off when I raised a brow at him.

“The European wolves can call for the release of their precious Alpha Prime all they want, they'll get tired eventually. As for Adelaide, she knows I’m never letting her go, she just wants the heat off her and on someone else, who else if not the evil Prime who took everything from her?”

“And you're okay being the fiend of the werewolf and Lycan community?” He asked.

“Every story needs a villain, Tony, and I don't mind being one.”