You Rejected A Silver Wolf
Prepare Again

Chapter Twenty-Four - Prepare Again

Chris's POV

Beta Gaius glanced from me to Jake and then at Ray. "What allegations? What have I been accused of?"

I threw the scroll at his feet so he could take a look. He hurriedly picked it up, and his eyes widened as he read each line.

He fell to his knees. "You had a spy in our pack, didn't you, Jake?!" he snapped, turning his head toward Jake.

"That's a poor way to deflect an accusation, Gaius," Ray smirked. "It seems you are guilty. And yes, Black Rose has spies everywhere." Jake nodded proudly. "Our specialty."

My forehead creased. Shouldn't Ray be alarmed that Black Rose had spies in every pack? He seemed oddly calm about it.

I reminded myself that I should feel the same. It wasn't like I had anything to hide. "Very well. Guards!"

Two guards rushed into the hall and saluted.

Ray hurried in front of me. "My King, I think we should settle the matter of the Lycan before throwing Gaius into prison!" Gaius glared at him.

I hadn't intended to imprison Gaius, only to banish him from my palace and restrict his access until his Alpha arrived to decide his punishment. However, given the severity of threatening a Delta's life, he deserved far worse. "Yes, the Lycan," I replied. "Sorry, Gaius, but I'll inform your Alpha that I refuse the trade. However, you may handle your Silver as you see fit." I smiled at him.

He got to his feet dejectedly and bowed.

"Fair judgment, my King," Delta Jonah said, bowing. I noticed the smirk playing on his lips as he did so.

He had every reason to be pleased. Now that business was concluded, I could return to bed.

"But Alpha, I believe we shouldn't take the silver wolf lightly," Ray said. "You know that silver wolves are part of prophecy."

"If they are, why are they destroying our lands? I believe your Silver has plans to take over our kingdom!" Gaius barked at Ray.

I shuddered at that realization. Could that be the plan? Was he gathering slaves to overthrow me?

Suddenly, there was a shout of pain. I looked down and saw Gaius clutching his left arm. Three claw marks had been slashed across it, oozing blood.

"Don't ever bark at me again!" Ray growled. His eyes flashed orange as he flexed his fingers, ready to strike again if Gaius dared to speak.

Gaius nodded, lowering his gaze. Even I found it hard to deal with Ray when he was enraged.

The only time Ray had ever directed his anger at me was after Rihanna's death, and I had no intention of provoking him further.

"Take him away!" I ordered the guards, who dragged Gaius out. Ray calmly returned to his place at my side.

Jake and his Delta smiled, clearly satisfied. I decided to take the opportunity to make an unusual request.

"While we handle Red Moon's offenses, would you stay in my palace?"

It was important to get to know Jonah personally. I hoped he would prove as easygoing as his Alpha, though hopefully with fewer delays.

Although I wasn't thrilled to host Jake, it might allow him to bond with Vanessa. She had made it clear she wanted him as her mate, even though it wasn't entirely her choice to make.

I noticed the two of them go silent, likely mind-linking. Jonah then stepped forward and bowed. "It would be my pleasure, My King."

"Hmm, the pleasure is all mine. I'll make sure you enjoy your stay and have something to bring back to your mate and Alpha."

Jonah chuckled. "I don't have a mate yet."

"Pray you don't find one here, or you might never leave," Ray joked, and Jake laughed.

There was likely more meaning behind Ray's words, but I chose to ignore it. If Jonah found a mate here, it would be a cherished memory.

I excused myself to inform my sobbing Luna to prepare two rooms for our guests. This time, she needed to get it right.

However, she wasn't at the door where I had left her. I didn't expect her to be, but she should have stayed nearby.

I headed toward my sister's room and overheard her gossiping with Sasha. Rolling my eyes, I pushed the door open.

They sprang to their feet-Sasha looking down, while Vanessa gave me a hateful glare. I bet her best friend had tattled on me again.

"Jake Justin of Black Rose and Delta Jonah will be staying here for a while. Prepare some rooms," I instructed.

Neither of them moved. Instead, they glanced over my shoulder.

"Since Sasha isn't your wife, why not ask a maid to do that? Why are you ordering her around if she's only a ceremonial Luna?"

I recognized the voice and sighed. "Father, are you saying I can't give orders to my Luna?"

"You should do so with respect," he replied, stepping in front of me.

He gestured for Vanessa and Sasha to leave and carry out my orders. They scurried away, heads bowed.

"Noted. I'll do it with respect next time," I said, turning to leave.

"One more thing," he continued, making me stop. "I just saw the guards taking Gaius away for falsifying records?"

I sighed.

"He and his Alpha should be ashamed. I had no idea the records were falsified. Even the price of Grandfather's staff..."

"I knew," my father interrupted.

I tilted my head in confusion. He knew they were fake? Why hadn't he done anything about it?

"You know your mother is from the Red Moon Pack. She wanted..."

"Wanted what?" I interrupted.

He sighed. "She wanted Red Moon to be second in command after Black Hills. But I couldn't grant her that because Black Rose held more power." "And so, you turned a blind eye to Red Moon's crimes to appease her? What about the other packs that were cheated?" I asked quietly.

He remained silent, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Well, I am no longer the Alpha. Handle it however you see fit."

"I will correct this," I replied, turning to leave again.

"And don't be swayed by your mother," he added, stopping me once more.

"If she asks you to pity Red Moon, don't. Black Rose brought this matter to you, and you must deal with it. They are more powerful."

It annoyed me to hear my father advise me to disregard my mother's wishes, but he made sense.

I wasn't going to favor Black Rose because of their power but because it was the right thing to do.

Over the past three years, I had learned to make decisions independently. My mother wouldn't sway me this time.

"Alright, Father," I said, walking away.