**He Promised to Give Me the World, Yet the Price Was My Soul by Caden Blake**
**Chapter 263: Bloodline Curtains**
**THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW**
Amidst the crumbling remnants of the ruins, Silas emerged, only to be met by Theo, who was rushing towards him with an expression that radiated urgency.
“Silas, I have something crucial to show you,” Theo exclaimed, his voice tinged with an unmistakable sense of urgency.
“Not now,” Silas replied brusquely, brushing past him with determination. “I’m on my way to Blackpine Forest to meet Seraphina.” His mind was already racing, consumed with thoughts of how he would approach her this time. Winning her trust was paramount; he needed her to return to the ruins with him.
“It’s about the Alpha King,” Theo called out, his tone insistent.
Silas halted abruptly, turning back to face Theo, his brow furrowed in irritation. “I specifically asked for information regarding the Head of the Council, Alpha Finn, not the Alpha King.” Finn was the one who held the key to the answers Silas desperately sought. After discovering that Asher was the one cursed, his focus had shifted entirely to Finn, particularly since Finn appeared to be investigating the Blood Petal as well.
“I tried to dig into Alpha Finn’s background, but it’s as if someone has meticulously erased every trace of him! His birth year, his date of birth—everything is gone! It’s like he never existed,” Theo explained, his voice laced with disbelief.
Frustration coursed through Silas, tightening his muscles. “Damn it, that reeks of danger. Who the hell is this Council Head? I can’t even track him with my powers.” He muttered curses under his breath, his mind racing. “And what were you saying about the Alpha King?” His gaze shifted to the stack of documents Theo clutched tightly.
Theo handed them over, his expression serious and intense. “I found something significant. It pertains to the enigma surrounding Alpha Asher and his father—both of them possessing the same king’s aura.”
“Why is that?” Silas murmured, flipping through the pages with growing intrigue. Suddenly, he froze, his heart racing as he absorbed the information.
“What the…” His jaw clenched tightly. “Alpha Asher returned his king’s throne to Charles before he confronted Seraphina?”
It all began to click into place. No wonder Charles had spiraled into madness, frantically searching for Asher at the Academy and suddenly regaining the aura of a king.
“I delved deeper into Alpha Asher’s history, and what I uncovered is even more astonishing!” Theo handed Silas another sheet of paper. “His mother, Luna Victoria, lost her pack before Asher was born. But she had a brother who harbored a deep hatred for this kingdom due to its downfall. He left this realm, establishing his own kingdom of werewolves, taking Alpha Asher with him when he was merely ten years old. Alpha Asher is, in fact, the Prince and the rightful King of that kingdom.”
Silas felt disbelief wash over him. “Wait, hold on a second,” he stammered, struggling to process the weight of this revelation. “So, Alpha Asher only claimed the throne to eliminate the Blood Petal and deceived his father?” His grip on the documents tightened, knuckles whitening. “But now that Asher is no longer pursuing the Blood Petal, Charles has reclaimed his position as Alpha King!” A dark realization settled over him like a storm cloud. He ripped the papers in frustration. “Doesn’t that mean… Seraphina will aim for the throne, just as she challenged?”
Sighing heavily, Silas felt the weight of the world pressing down on him. Enraged, he tore the papers into shreds, his fists clenched tightly as he strode away. But as he neared the Lupine Academy territory nestled within Blackpine Forest, an unseen force halted him in his tracks.
“What the hell?!” he exclaimed, bewildered.
The territory was ensnared in an invisible barrier, a spell designed to keep intruders out.
“That bastard!” Silas roared, striking the barrier with his fist. “Let me in, Aran!”
After a tense moment, the spell dissipated. Silas stormed into the territory like a bull charging through a china shop, fists still clenched in anger. He was eager to confront Aran for his meddling with spells, but an even more pressing matter weighed heavily on his mind.
In a nearby clearing, Alpha Darious was engaged in conversation with Alpha Gideon and Alpha Hugo.
“Are you certain you wish to leave at this hour, Alpha Darious? Midnight is fast approaching, and you have many women and children with you. We could arrange assistance from the Council,” Alpha Hugo suggested, concern etched on his features.
“I am well aware that the Council is unreachable, Alpha Hugo. Moreover, I am no longer the leader of the pack. They will not extend help to wolves without soulmates. Instead, they will be interrogated about the events that transpired and could find themselves in serious trouble,” Darious replied, his voice steady yet filled with resolve.
Alpha Gideon’s expression hardened, the gravity of the situation sinking in. “Then what do you intend to do?”
“I cannot abandon them simply because their mates are gone. I will return to my pack and my territory. That land is still mine, and we will reside there as before, but this time it will be a pack of she-wolves, where females will nurture, grow, and pursue their dreams,” he articulated passionately.
Surprise flickered across the faces of Alpha Gideon and Alpha Hugo, quickly giving way to smiles. “That’s wonderful! Then we will not hinder your departure, Alpha Darious.”
Darious smiled appreciatively and gestured for the females to proceed. He then turned to Mace.
“Could you please help me deliver this to Seraphina?” Darious asked, handing Mace a small box.
“Of course,” Mace replied with a nod.
Darious expressed his gratitude and ventured into the woods where the she-wolves had disappeared. Mace watched him go, then noticed Spencer hastily leaving the clearing after a brief conversation with Asher.
“DOES THE DREAD LORD NOT KNOW WHO HE IS?!” Silas shouted, his fury palpable in the air.
Aran’s expression twisted in irritation. “How the hell would I know?!” he spat, his voice sharp and defensive.
“Don’t lie to me, Aran!” Silas snarled, tightening his grip. “You possess his bloodline curtain. You knew he had a red aura before I did. How can you not know?!”
“Because I don’t involve myself in matters that could lead to disaster if they’re uncovered, Silas!” Aran yelled, shoving Silas away with enough force to make him stumble back. “I didn’t even know they were the Blood Petal and Dread Lord until the last moment! Why the hell should I tell you anything? You should keep your nose out of affairs that could ruin your peace of mind!”
“Keep your damn advice to yourself!” Silas snapped, stepping forward once more. “I’m not you, running off to live a quiet life.”
Aran’s glare could have burned a hole in the ground. “Then why the hell are you bothering with me? Go do whatever you want!”
Silas closed the distance, his jaw clenched with determination. “I will, but only after you show me the rest of the bloodline curtains.”
Aran’s expression shifted to one of disbelief. “Don’t be insane.”
Silas’s glare intensified. “The day you showed me only the bloodline curtains of Asher and Seraphina. I know about Alpha Ronan. Plus, that day, I caught a glimpse of Alpha Finn’s that seemed oddly concealed. But there’s one more curtain you’re hiding, right? Alpha Ryker Wraithe, isn’t it? Why the hell did you keep it from me?!”
Aran’s demeanor darkened, a cold fury simmering beneath his calm exterior. “I have no obligation to answer you, Silas,” he said, his voice low and threatening. “Don’t forget who we are. We… can’t do anything. You can’t even open your mouth!”
He shoved Silas back again, his voice rising. “So don’t act like you’re superior! Your involvement in this mess will ruin your people’s lives, the Blood Petal’s life!”
“You don’t care about me or my people, Aran!” Silas stood tall, glaring fiercely at him. His eyes burned with anger. “My people, our Goddess, I’ll take care of it. And don’t forget, you owe me. Twice!”
Aran’s face twisted with anger and realization. He understood all too well the consequences of owing Silas.
Silas didn’t back down, his eyes ablaze with resolve. “Now, hand over the bloodline curtain. Of Ryker Wraithe.”

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