Xandros’ P.O.V. I am curious as to why Taliyah whispered Ayden’s name, but I am not sure if I should ask about it. I don’t want her to get upset again. It is as if Grandmother can sense the turmoil in me and guides me out of the room. We walk down the hall and she opens a door to an office, I can tell has not been used in a very long time. Without her having to say it, I know that this office belonged to my Mother and I look around to get an impression of the woman that used this office once. She gestures at a couch near the window and we both sit down. “Xandros, what is going on in that head of yours?” Grandmother asks and I tell her without hesitation. She puts her arm around my shoulder and for the first time in a very long time I feel loved and cared for. I put my head on her shoulder and just enjoy being held by my Grandmother. The door opens and Grandfather walks in with a smile on his face. “Are you enjoying some alone time with our Grandson, my Love.” He says and he sits down on my other side. “Xandros wants to know why Taliyah whispered Ayden’s name earlier.” Grandfather nods his head and tells us that I am not the only one with that question running around my mind. “Alaric wants to ask her that, but I told him to wait until the two of you were there as well.” We all get up and walk back to the office where everyone is still talking about Taliyah’s visit. Alaric’s P.O.V. I see my Grandparents and Xandros walk in to the room and I link Malachay “You better stay close to your Mate. She might not like what I am about to ask.” I sit down next to Anayah and grab hold of her hand, knowing I need her strength if Taliyah is willing to answer my question. I wait for everyone to take a seat before I turn my attention to Taliyah. “Taliyah, why did you whisper Ayden’s name?” I ask and I wait for her to speak. It takes a while before she looks at me and I see a very determent in her eyes. “Ayden was always determent to find his fated Mate, despite the fact that Father would always tell him that she would be his weakness. Six years ago, he found her during a visit to the Pack and I had never seen him that happy. When he told Father about her, he beat the crap out of him and I took him to the infirmary. Father forbade him from going there ever again, he even threatened his life. Ayden used the tunnels to go see her as often as he could, until the day Father told them about the rogue attack. He left in the middle of the night and when he returned I saw that he was covered in blood. He was never the same after that night and now I know why.” Tears are streaming down her face after she is finished. Malachay holds her in his arms and just sits there, restraining Drake from acting out. I can see in his eyes that it is a huge struggle and through the mind-link I command Drake to settle down. Taliyah’s P.O.V. I can feel that Drake is trying to gain control over Malachay and I can’t blame him. If Father is responsible for the annihilation of that Pack, for killing Ayden’s Mate, then I want him punished to the fullest extent of the law. I don’t want to think about what else Father might have done in the past in his search for more power. I hated my Father for what he did to Mother and now I loathe him for what he might have done to Ayden. Don’t get me wrong, my Brother is a jackass and I don’t like him very much, but what Father did to him I don’t wish on my worst enemy. “Alaric, what does the law say on a situation like this? I am afraid Elder Matthew and I haven’t gotten to that part of the law, yet.” I ask and I see Xandros’ jaw drop. I tell him that Elder Matthew taught me a lot more then Father wanted him to and I have a smirk on my face as I tell him I even know all the Pack-rules. “Well, Taliyah.” Grandfather says. “If we can prove that your Father is responsible for the slaughter of that Pack, then he gets a punishment worse than death.” Grandfather explains that a Lycan or a Werewolf will welcome death over certain ways of punishment. Stripping them of their title, breaking their bones time and time again or taking their canines is worse to most than death. He says that if it is proven that Father had anything to do with planning it, he will be stripped of his title and he will lose his canines. If it is proven that he participated in the slaughter, he will also get his bones broken, every other day. Removal of his title has to be done by the holder of the throne or someone appointed by the holder of the throne, the removal of his fangs by someone appointed by the holder of the throne and the breaking of his bones will be done by Guards. “Grandfather, why do you say holder of the throne?” Xandros asks and Grandfather looks at me. “When Grandfather stepped down, Mother was to take over the throne as the first-born Royal. But she wanted her Mate by her side, so she asked her Brother to hold it for her. And that means any punishment given by Law has to be fulfilled by me, as I am her first-born Royal.” I answer. Xandros stares at me and mutters “Holy Fuck.”