The Crown's Entrapment

At Cordon Castle

Once everything was said and done, Darius decided to hold a serious meeting with all of his trusted officials to discuss his plans alongside the reshuffling of the various tasks that would be left open due to Bartos's sudden absence.

"Till when will Bartos stay at Ebodia?" Gideon inquired.

"We're not sure yet. But for the time being, Calypso will be taking over his duties while you give him the assistance he might require to do them adequately," Darius replied. While it wasn't unknown to Darius that there was a brewing tension between Gideon and Calypso, he still had to take the welfare of the kingdom into account, which meant that these two should act professionally should they want to be useful to him.

With his instructions set, he then looked at Osman. "Sephiro will be going with them, including the others in this castle that harbors any dark energy," he remarked. "Bartos will also need a helping hand, so I'll ask you to lead the convoy escorting them to safety, Osman."

"I understand," Osman nodded in understanding.

Darius sighed deeply as he then looked at Zardo. "As for you, you've been on the battlefield for far too long, Zandro," he began. "I would like for you to rest, but only if the situation permits it… I apologize in advance for putting you back to work again so soon, but duty calls for your expertise."

Instead of complaining, Zandro's loud chuckle echoed throughout the room, and Darius couldn't help but chuckle at his own worries. Zandro was the one who led the Moonlight Cavalry in Ebodia Encampment, and he was the Alpha of the Storm Riders Pack: the fifth major pack of Cordon. For him to take this order in stride should've been known to him. Truly, he was only surrounded by loyal men that might even take offense to him asking them to take a rest.

"That's the one! I missed that annoying style of laughter!" Gideon joyously commented.

"We should celebrate your victorious return, my friend," Bartos quickly added. "But maybe that will have to wait until after everything is back to normal."

"That's right," Darius nodded. "For now, those are your orders."

With a shared nod, everyone in the room slowly filtered out one by one. However, just as Calypso was about to leave…

"Calypso, do you have a moment?"

Calypso blinked as he turned to face the king. "Yes? What do you want to talk about?"

"What're your thoughts about the possibility of taking over the Midnight Pack?" Darius directly asked.

Calypso's face quickly scrunched up in thought, and Darius kept a level expression even as he waited for a response. He had expected this, of course. After all, Calypso's mother came from that very same pack, and his cousin still held a deep grudge against the woman for what she did to him and his father.

"Well?"

"I'm more than fine with it," Calypso replied after a bit of thinking. "When do I start?"

Darius raised an eyebrow at his cousin's nonchalant reply, and Calypso probably noticed his expression as he then further explained himself. "Well, I would love to be the Alpha of Midnight Pack, seeing as that's where she came from," he casually remarked. "I do plan on banning her from completely coming back to that territory though…"

Darius shook his head. "I am being serious about this, Calypso. Clara picked you as her successor, but I want to make sure that you know the full weight and responsibility that comes with being an Alpha," he stressed. "This isn't a game, Calypso. Nor is it a tool for you to vent your personal vendetta towards your mother if ever she decides to return."

Calypso shrugged. "I'm just kidding, Darius. Don't worry, I fully know the responsibilities that come with it," he chuckled as he reassured his king. "I'll make sure to be a good and just Alpha of the pack. Besides, you can just replace me whenever you're not too satisfied with how I manage things. And to add to that, I'm also sure that Clara will monitor me closely as well."

"Well, with that, you're correct," Darius lightly scoffed as he nodded. "I will trust you with the Midnight pack then. You and Clara will have a formal meeting tomorrow about it. I will also send word to her this instant that you've already accepted the role and have received my approval as well. That way, she can bring her pack's officials with her tomorrow to formally meet you as well.".

"Got it," Calypso nodded.

"Also, it's best to get ready since we're not sure how the pack will react to this," Darius further reminded him. "Some members may challenge you for this position."

"I understand, Cousin. I will prepare myself," Calypso firmly answered.

Satisfied, Darius hummed before then adding, "Also, make sure you won't be late to join us for dinner."

"Of course, I won't," Calypso chuckled. "Aurelia will be there to introduce me to her parents, so I know I should at least give them a good impression."

"Hah! I bet you already made an impression on them without even knowing," Darius scoffed. "I don't exactly know what is going on between you and Aurelia, but she is Gideon's sister…"

Calypso suddenly raised his arms in defeat and said, "Cousin, please spare me from any more scolding. Aurelia's my mate, and as I said to her and Gideon, I'll treat her right. I even promised them that I won't ever look at any other woman except for her."

Darius chuckled at his cousin's antics. "Reaping what you sow, huh? Anyway, it's not in my character to meddle in your affairs," he teased. "I just hope that you can have a good life with your fated one, Cousin."

Calypso sighed deeply, and Darius understood his expression somehow. His cousin might be afraid of having a serious relationship, but he was still glad that he was one of the fortunate werewolves who was blessed to experience the Mate Pull. Then again, it wasn't mutual since Aurelia seemed more human than not. He could only hope that things worked out between the two of them.

Letting out a small smile, Darius patted Calypso's shoulder. "Leave the past behind, Cousin. What matters now is your present and future," he seriously advised. "Don't let the past deprive you of experiencing real happiness and love. Open your heart, and don't let fear reign over it…"

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