Chapter 683 – Details of the Alpha code

Chapter 683: Chapter 683 – Details of the Alpha code

Voren went stiff.

The air in the room grew thick, charged with a tension that pressed against everyone present. Clause twenty. He had planned to handle it himself, quietly, without dragging anyone else into the mess.

It couldn’t simply be removed from the Grimroot pack constitution until he dealt with it with his fellow Alphas. He was an Alpha King now, but that title didn’t erase the signature he had appended to the Alpha Code. Ink on paper. Blood on stone. A bond that couldn’t be undone by power alone.

Seraphine’s gaze traveled to the clause, her brow furrowing. Only one thing was written there. ’The Alpha Code.’ Nothing more. The details were known only to those who had signed it.

"Alpha Vladimir, why bring that up?" Voren’s voice came out controlled, measured, and intentionally formal. "We can’t do anything about it until I do the needful with the other Alphas."

Vladimir shook his head, his weathered face grim. "I know. And that’s exactly why it’s dangerous." He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "The Alpha Code is a constitution on its own. A six-clause document. And you appended your signature."

Seraphine’s attention sharpened. "Can I have a look at the details?"

"No need." Voren’s response came quick, almost too quick. "It’s a clause that’s going to be removed sooner or later. At least the new Alpha is already married, so there’s no fear of him falling victim."

"It doesn’t answer my question." Seraphine’s voice carried a sharp edge, her gaze boring into him.

Voren pursed his lips. There was a downside to marrying a smart woman. These were the moments he wished Seraphine would overlook certain things, would let him carry the weight alone.

This time, he went against formalities. "Babe, you’re pregnant. And we had a deal, remember? There are things you should let me handle in your condition."

Seraphine wanted to respect his decision. Wanted to trust him. But Marsha growled in her mind, the sound low and urgent.

’You need to help him.’

The words cut through her thoughts like a blade.

’Your growing pups are sucking up a lot of both me and Bloodfang’s energy. I won’t be able to comfort you if he walks the path of the code alone. Bloodfang says it’s deadly.’

Seraphine’s heart clenched. ’Thanks for telling me.’

Marsha had been quiet mostly, and Seraphine understood. The wolf needed her energy for the pups growing in her womb. That was why she drew from Ravyn’s wolf when there was a need to use strength in a fight. Everything had a price.

"Honey, you won’t get away with this one." Her voice came out sweet, honeyed, but Voren heard the steel beneath it. His heart sank.

He wasn’t ready to say it. But Vladimir was. "The first clause states that Alphas would always support Alphas."

Vladimir’s voice was steady, but there was shame threaded through every word. "The second clause states that no woman should come between Alphas. The third states that if a woman is so bold as to leave her Alpha husband, then Alphas should stand together, irrespective of the woman’s reason, and never date or marry such a woman."

He paused, watching the darkened expression on Voren’s face. But he knew that outside this meeting, he wouldn’t get the chance. Voren would find excuses to brush the matter aside. To bury it beneath duty and honor and all the other chains he wrapped around himself.

Vladimir wasn’t bringing it up to shame his son. He was bringing it up to make Seraphine aware. So she would be able to help Voren when the need arose.

"The fourth clause states that if an Alpha breaks this code, then he’s no longer a part of the brotherhood and must be subjected to any punishment agreed on by fifty-one percent of all Alphas present."

The room held its breath.

"Clause five states that if the Alpha does not accept the punishment agreed, then he has to let go of his position or divorce the said woman."

Seraphine’s hands curled into fists beneath the table, her knuckles bleaching white. ℯℯ𝑙.

"The last clause, clause six, states that if the Alpha refuses all these, then all Alphas must cut ties with him and treat him and his pack as outcasts."

Vladimir expected Seraphine to be upset. Expected tears, or rage, or the kind of quiet devastation that came from learning your future was bound by chains you couldn’t see. Instead, she burst out laughing. The sound was sharp, bitter, completely without humor.

"It seems to me that this Alpha Code was purely designed to put women at their mercy."

Vladimir pursed his lips, shame coloring his features. "I’m ashamed to say that it felt like fun when you knew it wouldn’t affect you. Because you’re already married. Or when you don’t intend to marry."

Seraphine’s expression turned serious, the laughter dying in her throat. "I heard that if the woman in question turns out to be a fated mate, then whoever signed this stupid contract is free. Right?"

Vladimir shook his head, the movement slow and heavy. "There was no mate bond when this code was brought up. After the restoration of the mate bond, that will work. But this was signed before then. So the same rules apply."

Seraphine looked at Voren. The fact that he was quiet meant everything his father was saying was true. Every word. Every chain. Every trap.

"So Voren will be free from the punishment if fifty-one percent of all Alphas disagree, right?"

"That’s true." Vladimir’s voice carried a note of warning. "But we all know that none of the Alphas like Voren. They’re jealous of him. They’ll want him to suffer shame and humiliation."

Seraphine smiled. It was a dangerous thing, that smile. Sharp as a blade, cold as winter frost.

"We don’t know about that." Her voice was calm, almost casual. "Alright. I’ll take care of it."

"No." Voren finally spoke, his voice cutting through the room like thunder. "Sera, please don’t get involved. I can handle it."

"I know." Seraphine’s gaze turned teary, the moisture glistening in her eyes. "You’re a man of honor. You’ll try to do the right thing even if it means taking a bullet to the head."

Her voice cracked, just barely. "But one thing you forget is that you’re more valuable to everyone here alive and in good health." She drew a shaky breath. "Goddess, we already have the Lycans to deal with. So what if they partner with the Alphas who hate you?"

"I was coming to that." Vladimir interrupted, his voice gaining every ounce of attention in the room once more.