“Should Jaxton ever discover his mate-”
“He will dismiss her,” I retort, discarding the comb and rising from the bed to attire himself. “He will either reject her or he will not assume my title.”
“However, you had a companion-”
“Observe the consequences of my actions: a deceased companion and two deceased children!” I exclaim, breathing heavily as my fury surges within me. “Jaxton ought to heed my errors. No companions. Merely a select few heirs to perpetuate the lineage.” Nellie gazes at me in silence as I don my undergarments. “Attire yourself. We have an audience with the King. Endeavour not to appear promiscuous.”
“I disdain you,” Nellie retorts as I exit the bedroom in a fury.
I discover my blue business suit, all steamed and dressed, in my office and commence dressing. As I complete tying my tie, Rocco enters the room, displaying a concerned expression.
“What is it?” I exhale, aware that he is poised to further diminish my already subdued spirits. When he remains silent, my patience wanes. “If I must reiterate, I will adorn my walls with your blood.”
“Sir, we are unable to locate the boy.”
I halt abruptly to gaze at him. “What?”
“The scouts lost sight of his trail,” Rocco murmurs, intensifying my frustration at his timidity.
“Articulate your thoughts!”
“He was last observed in the company of an adult and a child, en route to King County Airport.”
What could that boy possibly be doing with an adult and a child? I ponder, attempting to synthesise all the information.
“What is the duration since you lost him?” I enquire.
“A week, sir,” Rocco stammers, moving anxiously on his feet. “We traced his flight to San Francisco but subsequently lost him at the airport. He could be anywhere in California, sir.”
I seize Rocco by the collar of his shirt, restraining him against the wall.
“Are you aware of the potential consequences if Stonecold were to find out that-”
“What should Stonecold discover?” Nellie enquires as she enters, adorned in an elegant red bodycon dress, a playful smile gracing her lips.
I disregard her inquiry, taking her hand and guiding her towards the door. “Let us proceed.”
“However, I wish to inquire-”
“I exclaimed, ‘Let’s depart!’” I retorted, propelling her through the doorway.
“Locate the boy,” I communicate telepathically with Rocco while I exit the office behind my wife.
—
We go in quiet to the King’s mansion, although it is evident that Nellie is seething due to my refusal to disclose the situation.
“Release it,” I exhale, arriving at the mansion.
“I am your Luna,” she retorts, crossing her arms over her chest. “You must not conceal anything from me, particularly if it pertains to Stonecold!”
My jaw tightens, my patience waning. I shift the car into park and grasp Nellie’s neck, forcefully pressing her against the headrest.
“I instructed, ‘Release it’,” I hissed between clenched teeth, as Nellie nodded slowly before I relinquished her.
I give her a minute to compose herself before we step out of the car and join hands.. A group of guards meet us at the door of the mansion and lead us to the meeting room. The doors are pulled open, a guard announcing our titles to the King. It appears we are the last pack to arrive, several other Alphas and Lunas already gathered around the table, standing on their feet as they wait for us to take our places.
Upon settling, King Arthur commences the meeting.
“Alpha Richard has a message for you, Alpha Noel,” King Arthur indicated, indicating towards Nellie’s elder brother, Richard, who is seated directly opposite us.
“Indeed. However, my father extends his regards,” Alpha Richard states nonchalantly while instructing his beta to retrieve an item.
Nellie chuckles beside me, and I grip her leg to silence her.
“Glad to hear he’s still alive and kicking,” I smile, but it doesn’t reach my eyes. “Do send him my regards as well, D**k.”
“Certainly,” the Alpha responds with a constrained smile, an uncomfortable hush enveloping the room.
The Beta returns with a box, a disgusting stench emanating from the cardboard. The box is set on the table, Alpha Richard rising to his feet and reaching into it. He carefully lifts out a severed head, the women in the room gasping in shock as blood drips from its torn neck. There’s a note stapled to the man’s eyeball, my face paling when I recognize him as one of the scouts Rocco sent to track Jadi.
“This was discovered on my territory this morning by my guards,” Alpha Richard states. “He belongs to your pack, does he not?” Richard enquires, without pausing for my response before proceeding. “I suspect the note is intended for you.”
He meticulously extracts the letter from the scout’s eye and glides it over the table, leaving a trail of blood on the surface.
