Chapter 39

Chapter 39: Chapter 39

Chapter 39

KAI’s POV

I exhaled sharply before sipping the last of the alcohol I’d asked Butler Hector to bring to my study.

Hundreds of documents still sat before me. At this point, it was certain the duty of an Alpha King was far more curse than grace.

Even my wolf felt drained, the migraine settling in once again. There were letters from MoonBlade I had to concern myself with, more reports from my councilmen that deserved reading and replies, and a call from my father that needed to be returned. Plus other Pack duties that required attention and proper classification for peace to remain intact.

However, I couldn’t fail to notice that my mind was far more troubled by something else. My sweet peach.

He had already filled the space in my heart, and now he was beastly enough to invade my mind too.

I was more worried about what was going on inside his head than anything else, about how all these problems might affect him. Even before the time I lived with him and Leo, I’d always known Alex to be an overthinker.

And he wasn’t any different now.

The door groaned open, snapping me back to the present with Hector’s arrival.

"Hector. Just in time. I need another bottle of this particular gin, please," I said as I adjusted my glasses, preparing to return to work.

But the tension in his body immediately stole my attention.

"Sire..."

"Speak, Hector."

"Our sensors picked up presences on the common road. Two cars carrying Royal flags. I believe it may be your councilmen."

Two cars? Royal flags?

If the entire council had come in the form of a Jury, there would’ve been far more than two cars. Something felt wrong here.

"Where’s Alex?"

"I haven’t seen him this morning, Master Kai. I believe he may still be asleep."

"Arrange this room for me. I shall have whatever meeting occurs here." I had barely finished speaking when Hector gasped.

"I’m afraid that won’t be possible, Sire. They’ve arrived." He glanced from the screen of the tablet back to me, where my jaw hardened and my teeth ground together behind closed lips.

"Fine. Make sure Alex remains in the room."

Whatever trouble had arrived, it was best if I kept him away from it. That was the only way I’d stop him from worrying himself sick over matters he didn’t need to involve himself in again.

I made my way to the front door. The cars had just parked across from the lake by the time I arrived, my hands clasped behind me as I scrutinized the scene.

Security opened the backseat door of the first car. Count Barry and Count Fenvire stepped out with all the glory of their usual theatrics.

Once they stood before me, I spoke coldly. "I believe there’s still time for you to head back the way you came. You’re not welcome here."

Of course, it was merely a facade, testing whether they’d actually leave even when the chance was as thin as a strand of hair.

"Alpha Kai," Count Barry began, a sharp smile briefly appearing on his face before vanishing just as quickly.

Count Fenvire, on the other hand, maintained a much longer bow.

Yet I could smell the menace radiating from both of them.

"How did you find me? No one knows this place but me."

"We had assistance," Count Barry replied.

"Assistance?"

"Yes. Your father was quite helpful once my cousin provided him with a few tips."

"What’s that supposed to mean?" I asked immediately, taking a single step closer to Count Barry.

He was acting like a little bitch whether he realized it or not. And the essence of my wolf stirred beneath my skin, threatening to surface.

"You’ll see soon enough. Don’t worry..."

My gaze shifted past his shoulder toward the second car as the envoy moved to open its door. My brows furrowed, anticipation building, and then suddenly it hit me.

That scent.

Fuck...

My composure faltered as Father stepped toward us. Count Barry and Count Fenvire instinctively moved aside, giving him space to stand directly before me.

Our eyes met, and my breathing quickened even as I fought to regain control of myself.

"You’ve decided to ignore your duties, not only disappointing me but putting the entire Pack in danger, just to remain here?" Father questioned. He stepped past me, his voice lingering behind me.

I caught the smug satisfaction especially clear on Count Barry’s face.

Father continued. "You’ll answer before the Jury. Every reason and intention will be clarified, and they’ll judge you accordingly. Come."

Father finished speaking and turned toward the cars. When he noticed I hadn’t followed him, he chuckled.

"Did you not hear me, son?"

"Father, I have work I’m handling here. Work that benefits the Pack. I cannot leave it behind to answer to a Jury that’s meant to kneel before me."

Father laughed louder, as though I’d just told the funniest joke of his life.

"I am Alpha King, and the Jury belongs to me. Until they belong to you, you’ll remain silent before them."

Once he’d thoroughly put me back in my place, he continued. "Considering how childish you’ve been, I fear for the future of this Pack under your reign. Perhaps one day we’ll fall easily at MoonBlade’s feet. Now get in here." He snapped his fingers as though speaking to a child.

My hands curled into fists at my sides, but the reality remained obvious. There was very little I could do.

And thankfully, none of them seemed aware of Alex’s presence, which meant they didn’t know he was here.

But how did they even discover this place?

The hours spent in the car beside Father were suffocating, excruciating, and utterly unbearable.

Every possible definition of horror.

As soon as we arrived back in the city, the atmosphere heavy with tension, I was ushered straight into the throne room. I found myself standing in the middle of the six councilmen. The Jury.

And upon the throne sat my father.

Every single one of them focused on only one thing.

Me.

Father cleared his throat before beginning. "The Jury shall begin with their questions, and you’ll answer with complete honesty, Kai. But first, your mate must be present."

"What?" I asked under my breath, nearly inaudible.

The door groaned open, allowing in a familiar presence. Without even turning my head, I seethed internally.

Leo stepped beside me, his scent now one that made my entire being recoil.

"Begin..." Father ordered.