Sempiterno VI (AlanxJeff)

Determination

For castleKd: as a token of goodwill for the short wait we've had lately, I'd like to offer two chapters a day over the weekend. 💗

Also, I hope you can reconsider any desire for revenge. 😅🤞

Alan

I entered the room, and the atmosphere immediately tensed. Babe's glance told me things weren't going well, and that only added to the weight pressing down on my chest. Everyone stood up when they saw me, a gesture of respect that had to be enforced, even if not everyone shared it silently. Even Babe, my right hand, who treated me like a brother in private, knew when appearances were necessary. But Pum, my cousin, didn't share that sentiment. He stood up slowly, his movement calculated, making it clear that he didn't respect my authority.

The room was filled with men in their fifties, all hardened by this world—men who probably thought I was too young for the role. Their looks, whispers behind my back, and veiled comments had made that clear more than once. But I didn't need their words. My presence had to speak for itself.

"There's a lot to discuss," I said firmly. "We need to strengthen our borders before it's too late. An attack is imminent."

From his place, Pum threw in his disguised criticism. "In your father's time, no one would have dared attack a wedding. There was respect. Weddings and funerals were sacred."

The disdain in his eyes was unmistakable, a poison that hadn't yet run dry since I crushed his brother's throat a year ago. Pum hadn't forgiven the fact that his family had fallen from grace after attempting to betray us. I observed him with the cold calm I had learned to cultivate since taking over. The fire inside me was well-controlled but always ready to consume everything.

"There have been bloody weddings before," I replied softly, letting the implicit threat hang in the air.

"But those weddings turned into battlefields because the guests fought each other, not because of direct attacks. Honor forbade that."

I took a step toward him, slowly moving to the center of the room. I didn't sit down, forcing everyone to lift their heads to look at me. I wanted to make it clear who ruled over them, who had taken my father's mantle and transformed it into something fiercer, something more feared.

"My father died because someone tried to shoot me in the back," I said in a low tone, laced with venom. "What part of that is honorable?"

My words echoed through the room, and I saw more than one head bow in respect. I didn't need everyone's approval, just those who knew what was at stake. My soldiers were loyal, but there were always snakes lurking in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Pum watched me, his eyes filled with hatred, but also fear. He knew what was at stake, yet his pride wouldn't let him back down.

Babe, who had been playing with his knife until that moment, stopped twirling it and fixed his gaze on Pum. He didn't need to say anything for everyone to understand the implicit threat. If anyone dared challenge me, Babe wouldn't hesitate to act.

Pum shot a nervous glance at Babe. The other men looked at me with admiration. They wouldn't have become lieutenants if it weren't for me. It was their loyalty I had to secure, for it was their respect that mattered.

"I've already sent a clear message to those who dared cross our borders," I said, leaning over Pum, forcing him to raise his head until our eyes met. "Did you get the message, Pum? I am your Capo."

The silence in the room was heavy, and for a moment, I wondered if he would challenge me right then. Finally, Pum jumped up, and I let him. He barely reached my nose, so if he thought his height could intimidate me, he was a fool.