One by one all the Alphas left, shaking their heads at this whole ordeal. Female Alpha was the last to leave.

"Make sure that both the humans aren't harmed before the council is held. Even a scratch on them and entire blame will fall upon you three," she commented before finally leaving the hotel room.

It was hard to understand whether it was a warning or a threat.

"What the hell is going on?" Nihal asked Hritika in a low voice.

Everything went above his head. The only thing he understood was that his father was not human.

"I am guessing that council is like a court where judgment is passed," Hritika answered unsurely.

Nihal shuddered at the thought of being surrounded by so many werewolves again. 

"Is it necessary for us to come? I mean we are humans so can't you werewolves just take care of the matter by yourselves?" Hritika asked no one in particular.

"No we can't because the main reason behind this council is your cousin's mere existence. Plus the decision of who will take over the pack would also need his presence. I don't know about you but his presence is mandatory," Vivaan answered with a frown.

Nihal rolled his eyes. They didn't even bother asking him if he even wanted to rule over those animals. Moreover, it was next to impossible that Hritika would leave him alone with these creatures.

"Call your mother if it is possible. Her testimony would help reduce your father's punishment," Luna told Nihal, in an emotionless tone.

Turning his mother to face him, Vivaan shouted, "Why the hell are you trying to save him? He deserves hell for ruining our lives, for cheating on you."

"I never cheated on you people. Even though I longed for them, I never went back to them. Not even from far." Alpha Aarjav corrected in a broken voice.

Luna Mahira chuckled sarcastically.

"You didn't meet them physically but they were the only ones in your mind," she countered and then turned towards her son.

"We need to reduce his punishment. Not for us but for our pack. There's still time for you to take over and without an Alpha, our pack would be paralyzed. Let's do this for our pack. We can heal our wounds. It's not like he ever treated me as his mate or you as his son. We were always Luna and future Alpha for him."

Her words were like bullets to Alpha Aarjav. He bowed his head in shame.

Vivaan nodded at his mother, gaining willpower from her words.

"Call your mother," he said to Nihal in a thick voice, hiding his pain.

Nihal shook his head and replied so quietly that they would have missed it if not for their heightened senses.

"She has left this world."

Alpha Aarjav's head shot up in alarm. "Wh..what? You are lying, right? My Kavya…." Aarjav fell down on his knees, crying his heart out.

"Stop making a show. It's been seven years since she died. You weren't there back then when she needed you so you don't have any right to show your concern now," Nihal snapped, turning his face away from his father.

"I wanted to come but I didn't have any choice. Please let me explain," Aarjav pleaded.

Vivaan snorted, looking at Alpha.

"He didn't bother apologizing or giving us any explanation and look at him now. Let's go Mom, we don't need to be here for this," saying that Vivaan held Luna Mahira's hand and took her away from that hotel.

Alpha Aarjav saw them leaving but didn't stop them. He needed to make Nihal understand that he didn't leave  Kavya and him willingly.

"Nihal please…." Alpha Aarjav pleaded again.

"Hritika, tell this man to leave. I don't want to hear any explanation," Nihal spoke indirectly to him and went inside the room.

"Hritika…." Alpha now turned towards his niece.

"Aunt waited for you. Even if we had lost hope, she didn't. She always said that you would come back immediately after solving issues with your father. Uncle, she waited for you till her last breath. I am so glad that she isn't present here to see that the person whom she trusted so much, had another family. 

"Even though you were gone for so many years, she still waited for you. While she was yearning for you, you were busy enjoying life with your family."

Shaking her head at him, Hritika too went inside, leaving Alpha Aarjav alone.

And alone he was. Not only in this room but also in life.