On the other hand, back in the village, the Hunter Squad's rest period had been extended. For the first seven days, the entire village was bustling with activity, people were busy decorating the village, streets were cleaned, and lanterns were hung in celebration. After thirty long years, a new Village Chief was finally being appointed, following the death of the last one. The whole village buzzed with excitement, but no one was happier than Vayu's mother — not because her son was becoming the new chief, but because it meant he would no longer have to risk his life on dangerous hunts anymore.
That night, after the announcement, the Second Elder and Shen sat together in a curtained room. Years earlier the Second Elder had attempted to seize the village and become the village chief, but when that plot failed, he looked for allies and his first target was Shen, but Shen's ideas were different, he truly wanted the village to prosper. The second elder had no way to convince him, so when Vayu challenged Shen for the hunter's duel, the Second Elder saw an opportunity. He deliberately told Shen that Vayu will use a secret technique against him—planting a seed of doubt in Shen's mind. Then, he forbade Shen from using the special technique until Shen himself believed it was his own decision to do so. Later, the Second Elder begged the First Elder to pardon Shen, that was when Shen's loyalty shifted entirely toward him, grateful and blinded by the manipulation the elder had slowly begun to sway him toward darker ambitions against the village. Over the next five years the Second Elder worked quietly, five years ago when he plotted against the village he had only 22 members, their ranks have tripled in five year. Except the Hunter Squad, most young people have largely fallen under their control.
"When do we strike?" asked Shen, in a cold voice, this time there were no schemes, they were ready to spill blood. The Second Elder no longer cared about anything but the chief's seat. He had tried every scheme he could think, over these last 5 years and when Vayu was nominated, the last chain which was restraining him broke. "Let them enjoy, let him become the village chief, they want to play this little game" the elder snarled "The day he become the village chief, will be his last day".
He called for his attendant and ordered him to ready the men. The attendant bowed and slipped into the night to set the plan in motion, leaving Shen and the second elder it the room as they continued talking.
***************
On Soma's side, the Jagirdar of the establishment emerged — a towering figure, nearly Seven feet tall and broader than the guards beside him. When his eyes met Soma's, a flicker of recognition crossed his face, as though he had seen this wolf before.
"Who are you?" he asked sternly.
Soma seemed surprised that the dogman didn't recognize him. Straightening his back, he replied with authority, "I am Soma"
The Jagirdar however, showed no sign of acknowledgment "Show me your pass, and you may enter the city."
"I don't have a pass," Soma said flatly.
"Then you cannot enter" the dogman replied, motioning the guards to aim their spears toward Soma.
"I want to meet the Maharaja of the Wolf Clan" Soma said loudly.
"You will not cross this gate without permission, Leave now" said the dogman his voice filled with anger.
"I am the seventeenth son of the Maharaja!" Soma roared,"How dare a mere Jagirdar of our vassal clan block my way?"
The dogman's expression changed instantly. He turned and called over another guard, whispering something in his ear. The guard sprinted inside. After a few tense moments, he returned — followed by a middle-aged dogman dressed in fine armor, his presence commanding respect. The moment this man saw Soma, a faint look of surprise flickered in his eyes. Then, his expression hardened.
"Guards!" the middle-aged dogman barked "Battle formation!"
At once, the guards formed ranks, weapons gleaming, surrounding Soma from all sides.
Soma only laughed — loud and wild. "Prabhakar, my old friend! How have you been?"
Prabhakar's eyes narrowed. "Friend? I have no friendship with a traitor like you. Amish, come here," he called the younger dogman, who was the jagirdar beside him.
"Father, do you know this man?" Amish asked, confused.
"Stay back" Prabhakar ordered.
"Will you not invite me inside, old friend?" Soma said mockingly.
"Enough, Surrender yourself" Prabhakar commanded.
"Alright, alright" Soma said, raising his hands in a mock surrender. He knelt and two guards quickly cuffed him. The cuffs were strange — thin violet colored lines ran between the cuffs. The moment they clasped around Soma's wrists, his massive wolf form changed and he turned into a man. The cuffs adjusted automatically, shrinking to fit his human wrists.
"Get him some clothes" Prabhakar snapped.
Once Soma was dressed, he was escorted inside the city under heavy guard. As they walked, Soma glanced at Prabhakar and said quietly, "Do me a favor, old friend."
Prabhakar didn't answer, only turned his head slightly toward him.
"I want to meet my father" Soma said, with a hint of sadness in his voice.
After a pause, Prabhakar replied curtly, "Don't worry. It's not my place to judge you. I'll inform the Wolf Clan immediately" and with that, Soma was locked away in the city's underground prison, the faint glow of the violet cuffs flickering against the cold stone walls.
A few hours later, envoys from the Wolf Clan arrived by teleportation. After hearing Amish's report, they examined Soma , to their shock, confirmed he truly was the seventeenth prince. They immediately transported him to the Wolf Clan's stronghold. In the central arena it was announced that the seventeenth prince would be executed tomorrow morning — this type of event drew lots of people, because the royals thought of them as insect so whenever a royal was beheaded a lot of people gathered to watch the beheading.
That evening, Soma was taken before the Maharaja in the royal court, two guards followed behind him silently. He stood int front of his father and said "Father—how have you been?"
The Maharaja's gaze locked on him and an unbearable pressure settled on Soma's chest, he staggered and sank to his knees. The Maharaja's voice was cold as stone. "You are a disgrace to me, drag him out I never want to see his face again"
The guards moved to seize him, but Soma blurted out, desperately, "There's a human village — more than three hundred people live there"
The Maharaja halted the guards mid-motion "Is this another one of your schemes?" he smiled slyly " because if it is, you will not be granted an easy death. I will make you beg for it." The bloodlust in his tone was overwhelming, Soma felt that the air was squeezed out his lungs and as he collapsed on the ground, coughing, until the pressure eased, he could breathe again.
"Where is this village?" the Maharaja asked and Soma rasped, "Promise me — make me a prince again, and I'll tell you." The pressure returned like a hand tightening around his throat, Soma thought for a moment he might die, gathering the last bit of power he had, he said, "I will die anyway, but if I die, you will never become a Maharajadhiraja."
At that, the Maharaja's expression shifted. He looked to his guards, who removed Soma's violet-lined cuffs. "We will discuss this tomorrow," the Maharaja said, and dismissed the court. Only the Maharaja sat alone on his throne inside the royal court.