Shadows of Destiny

122 Preparations

~Sylvester~

I was glad about how Ighor's questioning had gone. Honestly, I did not have the patience to ask and

wait for him to feel generous enough to answer. Left for me, I would have finished him off at the

warehouse, but since he needed to correspond with Yuri so they would not suspect their meeting had

been compromised, I had no choice but to let him live in the meantime, but Sean and Joan were

definitely going to be hanged.

I did not care if the Claymans were nobles; the fact that Joan could jeopardise lives to hide her shame

was sick, and she did not deserve to live. She was lucky I had abolished the law that punishes an

entire family and clan for the crime of its member. If not, the whole Clayman household would have

been hung.

I decided to not only hang Joan but demote the Claymans from their noble status so they wouldn't have

room to work against me again. They would only be useful to my enemies if they were in the system.

When we were ambushed in the woods, I was worried that we had been compromised and that Yuri

knew we had caught Ighor, but when Melvin told me they were after Erik, it put my mind at ease.

I was also amazed at the wealth of resources and gadgets they had. The devices were courtesy of

Erik, but it was still in their possession regardless, and they were willing to use them. I knew I would

need Erik to tell us everything he had created that could be used against us. Especially things that

were stolen from him. It was essential.

We waited in the lounge for Levi and Wilson to bring the files they got from Larry’s house. Leo's good

news about his beta and the eastern Alphas had put our minds at ease.

I knew Leo wasn't in his full capacity and his mind was divided, but I could see the relief now that

Maxwell had helped solve the problem in the East.

I prayed Kyle would be safe in the West. I could understand why the three of them remained close

despite having nothing in common. They might have been shitty husbands and douchebags to their

mates, driven by the mate bond, but they were loyal friends, and their devotion was true.

Maxwell risked his life over something that did not concern him, and so is Kyle; neither hopes to regain

their packs, yet they are still helping their friend and others preserve theirs.

It was a pity they fucked up their marriages; I hoped fate would give them a second chance because I

knew they would not fuck it up.

While we sat silently, I thought of all Erik had said about the Stepanovs. However, I was still

uncomfortable about using his people. He could not tell who was for him or against him, and most of

them seemed to buy into Yuri's idea.

What would stop them from telling Yuri our plans and attacking us? It was a risky situation.

After using the Agk32 to fight in the woods, I was confident in what the medication could help us

achieve. However, the effect wasn't permanent; it evened the playing field, which was all we needed.

We needed their abilities so they would not use them against us. I was sure we would fare well with our

warriors.

"Erik, I noticed I could not really use my command effectively in the woods, is there a reason for it?"

David asked Erik a crucial question. I realised that question had been dancing in my mind, but too

many things were piled up, and it skipped my mind.

I also noticed my command was almost nonexistent. It was there, and I could use it a bit, but I needed

a lot of effort, and there was a time during the battle I couldn't feel it.

"Did you not feel the weakness, Leo?" I asked, seeing he had unbelievable speed and strength during

the battle. He was the only alpha with Stepanov genes in our midst.

He looked confused and shook his head.

"I did not try to use it, but I did not feel different," he replied, confused. Since he did not try to command

anyone, he would not know.

"Command Dominic," David told Leo, laughing.

Dominic did not find it funny, but besides the Stepanovs in our midst, Dominic was the only one that did

not have alpha genes.

The Stepanov Deltas were also like Alphas, so Dominic's genes were inferior to theirs.

Leo looked at him with an evil grin on his face and smirked.

"I want you to get on all fours," Leo gave a demeaning command, and Dominic did not find it funny. We

all laughed, watching Dominic battle the command with all his might. Beads of sweat formed on his

forehead, and I could see the fear in his eyes. Although Dominic was standing his ground against Leo's

command, his beta wolf was trying to obey.

"Okay, you relax," Leo said, letting it go. We had gotten the point already. There was no point driving it

in.

"So it does not affect Leo,' Erik said as if he was studying us.

Something let me know we are the first to use his medication. I was too afraid to ask. Afraid to learn

that I was a guinea pig used for a drug experiment. Fearful of knowing that the side effects are not fully

documented and that anything could happen to us. Afraid to know that we had been reckless. Leo had

insinuated it, but I had now confirmed it.

"Well, answer the question already," Vino asked, and his tone indicated he was equally tense and

worried. Erik sighed and looked at Vino.

"The drug will affect you like the silver immunity genes affect every Stepanov. The two cannot coexist.

The alpha genes would eradicate the silver immune fighting antibodies introduced into your system.

That is why the rash is present after a few hours. In your case, your alpha genes would win the battle

and regain their full functions, that is why the drug is temporary, but in a Stepanov, it is permanent

because as the antibodies form in a fetus, it stops the alpha genes from forming. Leo's case is different

because he has mutated Alpha genes, and those alpha genes can coexist with the silver-fighting

antibodies. I hope this is clear. It is not permanent, and you have nothing to worry about," Erik told

Vino, and Vino tried to relax a little.

"Erik, I want to know the list of weird devices you created that have found their way to Yuri's hands," I

told him, and everyone agreed.

"We do not need surprises because clearly, silver isn't the only thing we have to compete against," I

said, remembering the feral wolves with collars. Erik nodded, realising the importance of my words.

"You are right, your majesty, but other than the collar, the wolf jamming device that Andrew stole from

me, and the poison Ighor used, there is nothing out there," he said. I looked at Andrew, who looked

away.

"You stole from your uncle?" I asked him, wondering whose side Andrew was really on.

"I can explain,'" Andrew said. His cheeks were red from embarrassment, and I knew he was guilty.

"He stole it for Clay and me," Alexei said quickly, owning up to the crime, and I raised my eyebrow.

"That was what we used to challenge the alphas and jam their wolves with silver radiation. We did not

want to kill anyone; we wanted the defeat to be easy. So we used it to make the work easier," He

explained, and Theodore started laughing.

"No wonder Max went crazy about you cheating, Alexei," Theodore said, and we all laughed because it

was funny how Max narrated his ordeal. Seeing Leo, I knew he already knew what had happened, and

I did not take offence. We did not have to worry about it because Alexei and Clay had the device and

were on my side.

"I also gave something like it to Martha Albert. She is a good friend of mine, " Erik said quickly, and I

nodded. I had heard enough, really.

"Very well, that is good news. So when will you start producing the serum?" I asked, not knowing what

to call the AgK32.

I did not want to call it a drug because it would feel like we were doing something illegal. Serum

sounded more subtle.

"As soon as this meeting is over, I will check in with Nelson and Claudia to see the progress on my lab.

I will also need Leo's sample to make something that would not affect the alpha genes. It is not a

promise but an attempt," He said, and I shook my head.

"You have run enough experiments, Erik. We will settle for what you have already. The rash should be

bearable,” I said, and he shook his head.

"The rash isn't as bearable as it seems. Ask Devin how he felt before we gave him something for the

rash. We should also attempt the one that would tolerate alpha genes. Facing three hundred true

Stepanovs would be challenging. They are swift and strong. You have seen Alexei, Clay, and Amelia in

action. You have also seen me and Andrew. Imagine having to face three hundred of us. You might

stand a chance, but there is no way you will be marching to war with four hundred Alphas. You will

most likely go there with fifty or fewer alphas; the rest will be betas, Gammas, Deltas, and Kappas.

A Stepanov Delta is equivalent to an Alpha without the command, so the beta, Gamma, and Delta you

will be marching with will be outmatched and outclassed. The few alphas with you will need their

command to fare well. The current serum impairs that ability. You need something that would make you

function almost as well as Leo, hence why I need his blood. I honestly mean well, and I hate seeing

any of you die. You may not believe me, but I have become attached. Allow me to help and give my

best," He said, and there was sincerity in his eyes that let me know he was serious. It was more of a

demand, which was a bid to save our lives. Who was I to say no?