The Dark Side of Fate

138 Meet The Stepanovs

~Sylvester~

I arrived in the small conference room in the mansion, and true to Marcel’s words, the visitors did not look like Stepanovs. They had extremely fair skin, but their dark hair and brown eyes made them look ordinary.

Alexei and Clay were there. They stood up when I entered the room, acknowledging my presence. They all bowed their heads, and the room was utterly silent.

“Please be at ease and sit down. Thank you for coming,” I thanked them and went to sit at the head of the table.

Marcel and Theodore were there. I linked Leo and Devin to join us. I also linked Gezel to come. She was very much a part of this meeting.

Hearing that Erik had already seen them, I didn’t bother to link him to join us.

“To what do I owe this visit?:” I said, and one of them sitting closest to me on my left cleared his throat to speak.

“I am Peter Zelenski,” He said, introducing the nine people he was with. It was surprising that none of them used Stepanov as their last name. I had to ask.

“Why are you not using your last name? I know you all are pure Stepanov family members, direct descendants of Adrian Stepanov, not just part of the clan,” I asked, and Peter sighed.

“With your pronouncement at the King’s hall, we can now publicly bear our names and stop disguising ourselves in public,” he said, and some of them smiled with relief.

“It is good to hear that. I am genuinely sorry for what my great-grandfather and grandfather did,” I said, and he shook his head.

“It is not your cross to bear, your majesty. We are just happy we could find common grounds,” He said, and it seemed he was the leader because no one else was speaking except for him.

“You have done right by Adrik and given him what he fought for,” He said, looking at Alexei and Clay.

“His grandchildren have been given the honour that was rightfully theirs. We are grateful for this.” He said, and I nodded.

“Thank you for showing your gratitude,” I said.

Devin and David arrived and greeted the Stepanovs. Peter stood up to greet Leo. I could easily tell it was

to ask you what you all think of Yuri’s behaviour,” I said, pointing

asked, and Peter shook

what Yuri did to the Corrigans?” I asked, and Peter

He said and looked at the others. They were

are extreme. We have let him continue pursuing his madness as long as it does affect one of our own. Still, recently, we found out he had been behind significant Stepanov deaths. We even learned that he is after Erik. His own cousin. This has made us conclude that Yuri is mad, and we must stop him before he ruins everything. Installing himself as King of the South is outrageous, and we want you to know that we do not share the same views with him. We are content with what has been given to us and hope to serve diligently.” He said, and Leo

Leo asked, seeming impatient. I couldn’t blame him, really. We were all tired. Peter

us you will need our help. We have brought Twenty-five able-bodied pure Stepanov warriors each for you to command as you wish, after which we will leave them to serve Alex in the West,” Peter said. Based on my calculations, the total number

we do not know where Yuri is, and because of that, we do not know how to mobilise your group,” I told him, and he was

did not want to leave room for Yuri to figure out our plan. Six days allowed him to make last-minute changes; I

you suggest, your majesty?” Peter

the West. Most of the packs have been taken over by Yuri’s men. I would like to start by taking back those packs and placing your people in charge. Even though Stepanovs do not have Alpha, Beta and Gamma breeds, a Delta Stepanov can rule just as well. We will

the development of our world,” I

to note that most of the pack members are

there will be casualties,” Devin said, helping

see Peter’s take on the matter. Coming from me would make me seem like a heartless bastard, and it might make

would mean he was hurt by what Yuri did to him and want to pay him back by all

looked at me after hearing what

evil,” he started, and his peers

because we did not want bloodshed. Too many people have died for nothing. We would prefer a safer way to end this. Although we are willing to fight if necessary, we will feel better if our

this. If you avenge

children…” he said, and Peter stood up. He raised his hands to plead with him to calm down. One fact remained certain:

mercy. What happened in Pridewood is unforgivable. Wiping out an entire settlement just to gain grounds was cruel. What the others did in the West to the pack’s sharing borders with the South, too, was wrong. Those alphas did not deserve to die like that. But all

sent Mikhail, his cousin, to murder Luis, his first cousin, so he could be the heir. He robbed the

would walk in when he talked about

Peter said, and Gezel wiped away her tears. She was surprised to

low tone, and he left his seat and went to