Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Chapter 68

Chapter 68

KAI’s POV

Though the night glistened beneath the moon, an uneasiness lingered in the atmosphere it created.

I crouched at the edge of a shipping container at the harbour, my eyes fixed on the ocean ahead, where the darkened clouds drifted across the sky and their reflection rippled over the water.

Awakening the bond with my men, I mind-linked Clawface, who was stationed at a different terminal.

"Get the men prepared," I ordered as the ominousness of the night heightened, my senses becoming increasingly alert.

"They’re in their assigned positions. We’re waiting for your orders." He sharply returned.

I shifted my focus to the far stretch of the ocean where the moon’s reflection vanished beyond the waters. Raising the telescope, I drew out the tube and began my inspection.

Ten minutes passed, yet I kept my attention unwavering.

I was watching... waiting... intentional.

Then the mist carried by the night broke apart at the arrival of a ship. Small and hideous, much like the night itself. My senses sharpened fully, and I returned to the mind link.

"The pirates are here," I said.

The days of my Pack being vulnerable were one night closer to ending.

"On my count of three, attack. Leave no one unharmed, but don’t kill them either. I want them disabled for interrogation." And I planned to conduct that interrogation myself.

I would be the one to uncover the roots of this matter.

Narrowing my eyes as the telescope enhanced my vision, I began the count.

"One..."

The ship drew nearer, the mist fading behind it.

"Two..."

Now I no longer needed the spyglass. My sharp vision settled upon the vessel as I waited for the final count.

Several moments passed, my breathing steady as I waited for the perfect opportunity. At the same time, my ears caught the sound of the ship striking the shore for unloading. Three black SUVs arrived to meet the pirates.

Below, their hushed movements carried an unmistakable air of suspicion. The men shook hands and exchanged words I couldn’t hear from the distance, but it was obvious they had chosen the cover of night for their dealings.

"Three..."

It was time.

I flipped from the edge, landing with a precise, soft thud. My hair swept across my face as I raised my head and sprinted toward the ship.

"Get the men in the cars. Disable them. Leave the pirates to me."

Seven men unloaded crates secured behind wooden cargo. Their attention shifted the moment I slid to a stop before them.

"Gentlemen, today seems to be your last delivery." I flashed them a bright smile. "You’ve just been caught."

"Who the fuck are you?" One of them asked.

Another gasped.

"Isn’t that... shit, it’s Alpha Kai." He raised the alarm.

Oh, so they weren’t all illiterates after all.

A shame they were still meeting me with hostility. A gunshot split the air as one of the men fired in my direction.

My wolf surged to the surface. My eyes glowed a shade of crystal red as my nails lengthened into claws.

I swerved aside, avoiding the stray bullets, before dragging one of the men in front of me. The bullets tore through his legs, leaving multiple flesh wounds.

Using the opportunity to close the distance, my claws sank into the gunman’s trigger finger, severing it.

The weapon nearly hit the ground, but I caught it with my foot and used the butt of the gun to strike his face.

As he staggered, I moved on to my next victim. In no time, I was done with the men. When I turned back, I saw that Clawface and the others had already captured the remaining smugglers.

They cried out in pain, but they were alive. And that was exactly what I needed.

"Have them all thrown into cages in the dungeon."

My task here was complete.

Clawface stayed behind to ensure my men finished the job properly, while I made the long and exhausting journey back to the castle.

I headed for a shower without delay. As the water cascaded over me, washing away the blood that drenched my skin, my thoughts wandered. Though I was disappointed we hadn’t caught Count Barry in the act, I remained certain he was behind the entire operation.

It was only a matter of time before one of those men talked. After enough torture, and I’d make sure I was the one delivering it, the last face they saw before their deaths.

Anyone responsible for threatening my reign, Alex’s reign, or the future of my family would meet the same fate.

I sighed as I rested upon the bed, the towel loosely wrapped around my waist. I wished Alex were here to help ease the weariness weighing on me. We’d been apart for what felt too long, and it hadn’t even been three days.

"Fuck me..." I groaned into the night.

∆∆∆

It’s been six days since Alex and I were apart, and the longing tugged at my gut, urging me to leave SilverFang, ride into MoonBlade, and drag him out of there just to feel his embrace.

Instead, we resorted to a video call.

"You look like crap." That was the first thing Alex said when he picked up on the third ring.

"It took you long enough to answer. Are you cheating on me?"

I maintained a long stare while suppressing the laugh beneath my carefully crafted cold expression.

Alex shifted his gaze to the left.

"If cheating means catching plums with Marcellan because I’ve failed countless times to open the doorway to the One Tree, then yes, I admit my treasonous act, Your Highness."

"Oh, please." I waved him off and leaned back. "How is it you’re unable to open the doorway?"

"I genuinely don’t know, and I fear Alpha Frederick’s patience might run thin if this keeps happening."

"You know you’re getting good at speaking formally, like the royal lifestyle demands?" I chuckled as Alex picked yet another fresh plum to devour.

"Fuck me, you’re such a disastrous influence."

"You’re absolutely right. I want you so badly my dick’s been hard all night."

"For goodness’ sake, Kai. I’m on loudspeaker." He groaned and facepalmed.

"Yeah, he’s on loudspeaker!" Marcellan yelled, though I still couldn’t see him.

He sounded close enough.

The laughter burst from me before I could hold it back.

"Well, a single man shouldn’t be eavesdropping on a couple’s conversation."

When the laughter faded, Alex’s expression darkened slightly.

"How are things going over there?"

"Apart from endlessly interrogating the prisoners to no meaningful end, I wish to see you and the twin."

"Aw, sorry, love." Alex’s cooing tone shifted into shock. "What twin?"

"The twin..."

"I’m so not carrying twins. It’s already hard enough preparing to be a parent to one. And you want two at once?" Alex widened his eyes at me, earning a scowl in return.

Then Marcellan finally stepped into view.

"You two are having a very disturbing conversation, and if you’ll excuse us, we have more attempts to make, just as you have work to do. Shoo. Shoo."

Alex and I finally ended the call under the complaints of our single friend. Just as I set the phone aside, Clawface appeared.

"Sire, there seems to be trouble."

I raised a brow.

"A sudden meeting in the courtroom."

"Shit, does this ever end?" I exhaled in exasperation before rising to my feet.

Well, let’s go see what this trouble might be.