Chapter 221: _Branded At The Gates

Words : 1129 Updated : Oct 8th, 2025

Chapter 221: _Branded At The Gates "Excuse me?" Kaelos’ voice lost its former warmth after the male witch’s statement. I could feel the slight spike of aggression in his emotions through the mate bond and gently placed my right hand in front of his chest, glancing back at him. He brings his gaze to me and I nod once before speaking mentally. ’Please, let me handle this.’ He shows hesitation but then complies, his expression becoming completely stoic as the male witch continues speaking. "Yes, you heard me right, Alpha King." He said, shrugging as he clasped his hands together, his tone plain. "I know who you are. I’ve seen all the reports about you... Including how you once slaughtered thousands of Mexican human soldiers back in your glory days during the war." Kaelos scoffed, sounding more amused than angry. "Really? Did you also see in those reports that I did that after the humans massacred hundreds of wolves? Innocent civilians if I may add." I sighed lightly, speaking before the male witch could. "The Alpha King has worked hard to keep the peace in this continent with the peace treaty signed with the high covens of North America. Isn’t that enough to... Pardon his—" "War crimes?" The male witch interrupted, folding his arms in front of his chest. "I don’t know, you tell me. Also, the self-proclaimed ’Lord of the North’ and his broadcast begs to differ with your statement about... Peace." Goddess, have mercy. This guy is difficult. "So, let me get this straight..." Kaelos chuckled, but it was humourless and dry. "Me taking down thousands of soldiers in retaliation is a war crime, but those same soldiers massacring hundreds of innocent wolf civilians isn’t?" He paused, shaking his head. "How quaint..." There was an awkward silence after that was said. I scratched the back of my head, contemplating what to do next when one of the human guards standing behind the male witch suddenly stepped forward and whispered something into the latter’s ears. "Oh, they did?" The witch remarked, nodding before he brought his gaze back to us. "It seems the governor and the coven head of the city are expecting you. Your assistant already called them." Oh... Layla. A relieved smile formed on my lips but before I could say anything, the witch drew out something from his back pocket. It seemed like a... Wand? "This is a sigil marker." The witch revealed casually, staring directly at Kaelos. "We don’t let werewolves in, especially Alpha Class wolves. Talk less of an Alpha King." I swallowed, glancing back at Kaelos who had his head tilted slightly. But he didn’t seem bothered as he nodded at the witch to continue. "I’ll brand you temporarily with a sigil that will monitor you and make sure you don’t have an erratic transformation that would... Endanger the people." As soon as I heard those words, I knew shit had hit the fan. Kaelos’ anger suddenly spiked... And it wasn’t the searing hot kind. It was cold and predatory. "Now listen here, mister whatever you call yourself." Kaelos walked past me, pointing at the witch. The human guards behind him grabbed their guns in preparation, alert expressions present in their faces. The witch tried staying composed but I could see the fear in his eyes as Kaelos continued sharply. "You began by keeping me and my wife out here as if you weren’t aware of our status. You proceeded to accuse me of being a war criminal and now you want to ’brand’ me? Have you—" "As a student of high priestess Althea, I promise that the Alpha King will not pose any threat while inside the city." I interrupted hastily, causing all eyes to turn to me. The witch’s eyes widened slightly before he squinted. "A student of High priestess Althea. You?" I nodded slowly. I knew how much power that name held among the witches of North America and the world at large. It was my final ace card in this. "If High priestess Althea herself taught her, then how wasn’t she able to control herself during the charity Ball incident?" A human soldier whispered to his comrade, causing my eyes to shake. Not with anger. But with shame. "That’s to tell you how unpredictable a hybrid is. And we’re letting one and an Alpha King class wolf into the city." Another added with disdain. Gods, I was getting exhausted already. "I’ll take your word for it, Odessa Pierce." The male witch finally spoke, nodding at me. "But your husband will still have to wear the sigil." I glanced at Kaelos and saw how his jaw tightened beside me. I grabbed his wrist, forcing him to bring his gaze to me. ’It’s only temporary. Please, Kaelos.’ I whispered in his mind through the mate bond. After a few seconds of hesitation, he let out a sigh and nodded, bringing his gaze back to the male witch. "Do it." He blurted, stretching out his right hand and raising his sleeve. . . Once that was taken care of and we got inside the city, I was a bit stunned. I got to realise quickly why Mexico City was seen as one of the most powerful joint settlements of humans and witches in the world. The roads and buildings were not only intact and untouched from the war, but they were even magically reinforced with protection runes that pulsed with power. Cars drove in an orderly manner, women and children walked around market stalls, most of them even having smiles on their faces. Magic vines even curled around some high skyscrapers, breathing out enriching oxygen. It was a far cry from the pitiful situation we saw in the Iron Fang pack. "They said an Uber would pick us up from this bus stop and take us to the city’s leaders directly," Kaelos mumbled just then as we stopped in front of a bus stop. A few people were waiting at the bus stop as well... All humans and witches. They stared at me and Kaelos wearily, although two girls in particular gawked at my husband in awe. "That’s... That’s the Alpha King." One pointed out with a whisper, placing her hand in front of her mouth. The other said something in Mexican that caused both of them to giggle with flushed expressions. "Ignore them." Kaelos suddenly muttered, causing me to bring my gaze back to him. His expression was stoic and he had his arms folded in front of his chest as we waited. Finally, a black SUV stopped in front of us and the back doors were opened. Kaelos and I glanced at each other before nodding and hopping in. It’s time to see the leaders of Mexico City.

Chapter 221: _Branded At The Gates

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