"Kronos! Your shirt." I pointed out, nervous.

My mate, who had not noticed that his shirt was still off stiffened but then he relaxed.

"It's okay, Rhea."

I blinked in disbelief. "I thought you wanted to hide them? I know pack members have seen you shift before and they know you have scars but... they've never seen you purposely not wear a shirt."

He smiles, his shirt in hand. "Well, I think it's time to change that."

Kronos quickly winked at me, adding on, "Plus, I think it makes me look sexy."

I cringed, "You are already sexy. No need to add to it. Do that, and I'll have more competition. Have you seen your abs?"

Amused, Kronos cocked a brow. "You find me sexy?"

"Beyond. Hot even."

Rain started to pant as if she was in heat.

'Shut up you horny ass wolf. You do too much.'

I scoffed, cutting the link as Rain started to pout. Not noticing Kronos's eyes on me, I felt him grab my side softly.

"I can tell you this. There's no competition. Any women can throw herself on me, but I would reject them. I'll only have eyes on you. There's no other woman for me than you. And only you."

I blushed at his words, looking away.

Just when did he become such a smooth talker?

A laugh left Kronos as he saw my reaction. The guard in front of us cough in awkwardness. Shortly after, we arrived to the pack cell. Several areas had interrogation cells, as well as prison ones.

Ouranos was chained to a table, his hands handcuffed behind him.

Hearing our presence, he tilted his head up. A frown making it's way on his old yet tired features.

"You should be thankful that I went out of my way so we wouldn't go to war. And this is how you thank me?" Ouranos spat, shifting in his chair.

He soon whined as the wolf bane started to burn him. Each movement caused the handcuffs to get tighter. This prevent prisoners from trying to escape. Every time they attempted, the wolfs bane handcuffs would dig deeper into their skin.

Rain found amusement in this, as she started to cackle.

Ouranos glared daggers at the both us, his hatred rolling out in waves. I didn't understand how someone could change so fast in a matter of a day.

From a man we trusted and loved, to someone we hated with every fiber of our being.

I crossed my arms as I sat across from Ouranos. Kronos leaned against the wall, watching our every move. His biceps seemed so good from here...

Ah, shit.

Focus, Rhea! Focus.

'

Whatever.

Clearing my mind, I attempted to focus once more.

"Oh, of course we're thankful. We found out what a traitorous bastard you are. Now we know both sides of the story." I said, clapping my hands together.

Not pleased, Ouranos sat against the chair, leaning back.

"What do you want, Rhea? Don't you see you've got me under your control already? Like how Kronos is? What a simp."

I could hear a growl from Kronos. My anger rose steadily, not liking how he insulted my mate.

Smiling knowingly, I tilted my head. "Wrong, but go off. Don't talk to us like you know how we really are. You're just mad because you were caught."

Ouranos twitched his upper lip. "Is this how it's going to be, son? You'll let a female talk to your father like that? Let her do all the hard work for you? I've raised you to be stronger than that. Now you're just a weak-"

In a matter of seconds, Kronos, who was leaning against the wall behind me, had slammed his hands on the table.

The motion caused the table to rattle. I sat stunned to see the scene unfold before me. Sweat started to form on the old man's forehead. He seemed nervous, but still tried to play a deadly game.

"Don't start something you can't finish, father. If I were to fight you here, you know you'd lose. Now, as we were saying... before you rudely interrupted. I've decided your punishment."

Ouranos, who was sweating in nervousness, tried to play it tough. He huffed, "Yeah, yeah. Forever imprisonment. I can take that."

Kronos grinned, his fangs showing. "We'll give you to Fortrista as an offering. Not sure if it will appease her since she didn't want you, but whatever she does to you is out of my control from there on out. If that doesn't work, I guess we'll go to war. However, you will admit what you've done to the entire pack."

The old man's cocky behavior soon flattered. Almost instantly, he started to shake uncontrollably as he tried to shift.

Growls and snarls escaped from him, "Don't you dare! You heard the whole story from the start. I am not in the wrong! It took me years to build a reputation for this pack, as well as a retired alpha. Do you realize what you're doing?!"

"Guess it was all for nothing huh?" I said, holding in a laugh.

"Shut up, you bitch." He retaliated, struggling against the chains.

Kronos quickly grabbed the old man and threw him into the table, breaking his nose. A groan left Ouranos. His fight leaving him. "Did you need a reminder on how to speak to my Luna? I specifically said to treat her with respect."

Ouranos stayed silent, gritting his teeth.

I stepped in, reaching down and gripped my hands around his jaw. His nose was crooked, blood dripping out of his nostrils.

"Everything that you are and everything that you've built will be nothing, just like you. If you think this is cruel, imagine how we feel. We trusted and adored you. Now you're nothing but a liar to us." I said quietly, gripping his jaw tighter. The hurt that I hid began to show.

I just couldn't wrap my head on why he would do this. Then again, I had to remind myself that people can fake their emotions easily. One can have a face by themselves, around friends, and in the public.

It was disappointing indeed.

His eyes softened just a bit, as I could see his resolve weakening slightly. The man we knew was there but not entirely. As he disappeared again.

Ouranos didn't say another word as he hung his head, looking away from us. We weren't sure if it's because he was ashamed of himself or he felt embarrassed. Either way, he was going to admit what he has done to the entire back.

And it didn't matter if he liked it or not.

***

A guard slammed Ouranos in front of the pedastole, pack members gasped. Many were confused and worried. Others were upset and yelled in protest.

"Alpha! What is the meaning of this?" A pack member said.

"Isn't he your father? Why are you being cruel?"

"What is going on?"

"Someone please explain!"

A lot of chatter rang in the air, the yard filling of noises.

Not a moment after, Kronos stepped in and demanded for silence. Almost instantly, everyone was quiet. Pride swelled within my chest, as my mate was showing others he wasn't the same alpha as he used to be.

However, I could hear some pack members surprised of how shirtless their Alpha was. A tiny part of me was a little embarrassed, but this was normal in the werewolf world.

Many were whispering about his scars. Some stared in pity and awe. However, I was proud of Kronos for embracing for how he looked like.

My mate cleared his throat, getting everyone's attention. "A man who we thought was on our side has betrayed us tonight." Kronos paused, peering behind his back to look at me.

I reassured him with a smile to continue.

He nods and turns back to the crowd. "My father, Ouranos, met with Fortrista in the middle of the night. I know many of you are still angry at Fortrista. However, there's a reason why she is the way she is. What he has told everyone was a lie. There was never a power struggle. Never a crazy ex girlfriend. It was Fortrista, mourning over the loss of her baby."

The pack members were confused, mumbling and whispering.

"A baby?"

"Was it Ouranos's?"

"He wouldn't... would he?"

Ouranos groaned, attempting to throw the guard off of him. The guard fumbled at his strength and let him go momentarily.

Kronos's father soon lifted his head, shouting, "He's lying! Are you going to believe someone who just stopped being a mute coward or are you going to believe someone whose taken care of the pack for years?!"

More voices rang through the air.

"... but sir, you woke up last year. It was Kronos who was taking care of us." A pack member spoke, clearly upset.

The old man glared, "My point still stands. We were in that mess to begin with because Kronos couldn't protect himself."

"That's your job as his father. He was a child." Another pack member chimed in.

One after another, pack members started to voice their opinions. One of them stood out to me, which was the guard holding Ouranos down.

"It's true that you've taken care of us. However, you fell into a coma due to your choices. You don't blame your actions on someone else. You signed up to be a father to protect your offspring. While you were gone, Alpha protected us as well as did the best for the pack. We are thriving now because of him."

Agreements from everyone were heard at this. Outraged, Ouranos threw a fit.

"I will never admit to this! I never did anything wrong."

Seriously? This is going nowhere.

Seeing how irritated I had become, Kronos motions me over to stand next to him. Slowly, I walked over to where Kronos stood. It was almost as if we both had the same thoughts because I leaned over Ouranos and stared at him dead in the eyes once more.

The old man scoffed, "Ain't gonna work on me sweetheart. You would have to try a lot harder than — AAAH!"

A petrified scream escaped from his lips as I squatted down and held his balls in my hands. Kronos cringed, holding his own balls. His hands were blocking his front as if he was worried for his own. For once, my mate seemed terrified of me.

I shrugged at this, smirking at Ouranos.

"Now, let's get down to business."

Ouranos froze, nodding frantically.

"You will admit to all the crimes you've done... or your balls here get it." I said, meaning every word I said.

He swallowed hard, "Rhea... you wouldn't do this. That's a man's pride and joy. They bring happiness to every women."

"Funny, because I don't think Gaia thought the same. They seem small to me." I replied flatly.

The whole pack howled in laugher. Embarrassment flushed over his face as he gritted his teeth.

"Well?" I asked, cocking a brow. Giving a tighter squeeze.

Ouranos shivered, color draining from his face. "Okay! Okay. Just stop..."

I held myself still, waiting.

"... Everything Kronos and Rhea said is true. I killed Fortrista's unborn baby... I killed our baby. In fear that Gaia would reject me and not have my pups. I was an alpha and needed my Luna." He paused, a tear rolling down his old features. "Desperate times call for desperate measures. I had no choice. And that is why Fortrista is attacking. It's why she attacked the pack house back then. Why I fell into a coma. It started with me."

As soon as he finished, I released his jewels. Cleaning my hands as I was disgusted.

Anger soon showed on everyone's faces as many of them tried to shift and throw themselves at Ouranos.

"So you were the reason my son died! You monster!"

"You think Kronos is the monster? Everything started because of you!"

"Go rot in hell!"

Ouranos hung his head, as he started to fall into sobs.

No pity was shown as everyone here hated this man with every fiber of their being.

Kronos nodded to the guard and the guard bowed. He took several other guards with him to imprison Ouranos, getting him ready to be sacrificed to Fortrista.

As the pack members booed and threw things at Ouranos getting taken away, Kronos turned to me and held my hand.

We had finally closed doors on the past, but now we had unfinished work regarding to Fortrista.

He gave me a small smile, hinting that war was coming.

And it was approaching fast.