55

55

Adrien POV

We drove home after capturing Ray and Diane. I instructed my men to lock them in a dungeon reserved for disobedient and unruly wolves.

The dungeon was located a few miles away from my own house. The Alpha’s base was what it was called.

However, I hadn’t been staying over there for a while. Cause the place felt more like bricks than the home it was supposed to be.

Esmeralda's house, however, had become a home. Though smaller in comparison to mine. It had laughter, and it had life.

“I have texted the elders about the meeting,” Logan told me as soon as we returned from the motel where we captured Ray and Diane.

“What did they say?” I asked. Esmeralda was standing close to me.

And I held her hands like I have been doing throughout today.

It was my way of assuring that she was safe and that nothing terrible would happen to her.

Logan's eyes kept drifting to our hands. I knew he had questions. But he didn’t ask them.

“They would be available for the meeting tomorrow. At your house.”

“Did you schedule the time too?”

“No. What time should it be?”

“Twelve. And do not tell them what the meeting is about.”

“Yes.” He typed on his phone.

Since Ray had betrayed me, he had taken on the role of Ray. Although he wasn’t a wolf, he couldn’t be my beta.

But he sure got the part better than Ray ever would.

“Wouldn’t you like to stay back? It’s pretty late.” Esmeralda offered.

He gave her a tender smile.

“Thanks, dear. But I do like the comfort of my home. Not that yours isn’t.”

“Your loss, there’s all the comfort right here,” I said, looking at Esmeralda. I held her hands tightly.

I felt exhilarated over the new development of our relationship.

Esmeralda's cheeks reddened. And it only made my heart warmer.

“So it’s official. You two lovebirds are back together?”

“Yes. I decided to take you up on that advice of yours.” Esmeralda chipped.

“I’m glad I could be a part of this happy reunion.

She blushed even more.

“Well, I must take my leave now. The night is quite dark.”

I nodded, waving him off. He hopped into his car and then drove off.

Leaving Esmeralda and I standing in the driveway of her home.

“I’m glad you have someone like him, someone you can trust.”

I’m glad about that, too.

We walked back inside the house.

Unfortunately, since it was late, it meant the kids were already sleeping.

So we just had to return to our separate rooms and call it a night.

Except I didn’t wish for the night to end so suddenly.

But I didn’t wish to push it by asking. I have been walking carefully around her with my words and actions.

All So that she wouldn’t suddenly change her mind.

When we highlighted the stairs, Esmeralda stopped moving. She turned to me.

“Would you like to come back down and have a drink of celebration with me?”

My heart leapt in excitement.

“Celebration of what?”

Wait! What sort of questions was that? It sounded like I was telling her to give me a good reason so we could spend time.

When they didn’t even have to be a reason!

“You know. Capturing Ray and Diane. Who is soon off to be shipped to receive their punishment? It’s just fresh air to get rid of them. And I just wished to celebrate that.”

Thank the goddess for not reading too much into my question.

“That indeed is a cause to celebrate.” I smiled. Feeling a sense of excitement and relief.

“Great. Let’s freshen up a bit and get back down here.”

“Sure thing.”

I went to my room. Freshened up and changed into more comfortable wear. Put on some cologne. Then I went back downstairs.

I was out before Esmeralda. And so I had to wait for her to come back downstairs.

Since we were having a drink in the home bar, I went there. It was just at the edge of the living room.

I sat on the bar stool and poured drinks for both of us while I waited for her.

She eventually came. And she looked breathtaking. She was wearing a pink off-the-shoulder sweater with a small black pair of shorts.

Her hair was packed up in a ponytail. Accenting her beautiful nape line.

I stared at her. I was lost for words.

“Hey.” She said in a tender voice. I didn’t know how she had managed to pull comfy clothes to make them look sexy.

“You look- exquisite,” I said. Finally, I was able to find my voice.

She blushed.

“You don’t look bad yourself.” She proceeded to hop on the bar stool next to mine.

“Please, I don’t look anything good. Now I’m offended at myself for not putting more effort.”

She laughed. “It’s just clothing besides, even if you are dressed in rags. You’d still make them look sexy. It’s not about the clothing. It’s about you. And you wear the clothing well.”

This had me smiling. “I’m beyond flattered.”

We set on to the drinks—and little small talk.

When we were satisfied and done with the drinks.

I walked Esmeralda back into her room.

On getting to her door. She leaned and kissed me on my cheeks.

And even though it was a harmless kiss. It still made me erect.

“Good night,” I said, strained, even though I wanted to hold her by the waist and kiss her crazily.

She entered her room while I walked towards mine.

There would still be time for all that—no need to take things too fast.

The next day. We all sat down at breakfast. Today was a Saturday, so the kids didn’t have to go to school.

But they did feel Esmeralda and me about their beautiful tales of school and friends.

“I am having a ballet dance next weekend. Are you both going to be there?”

“Yes, darling, we wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I told her.

Then they talked more. It was so beautiful to spend time with them in this manner.

After the breakfast.

I played with them and helped them with their assignment.

And when it was time. I drove off to my house for the meeting.

On getting there. I realised that Logan was already there.

“They are seated in the meeting hall.”

“Did you bring Ray and Diane in?”

“Yes. But they are not inside the meeting hall yet.”

“That’s good. I’ll signal you when to bring them in.”

He nodded. I walked towards the meeting hall.

When I got inside, the elders all stood as a sign of respect.

I sat at the head of the table. And they sat down afterwards.

Then, the meeting proceeded.

“I know we don’t have much of this meeting. But I called you all here for a very urgent matter.”

Their eyes were all keen on me. They were twelve in number.

“I have a very unruly case that I would like you all to judge.”

“Before we get onto that. Can you explain why there is a human amongst us?” Elder Marcus asked.

They were referring to Logan.

“He is my assistant.”

“That is for your office. This is the pack affairs. And he shouldn’t be involved in it. The person who should be is your beta. So where is he?”

I frowned. “He is just here to assist with the meeting. No need to make a big deal about it.”

Marcus opened his mouth to talk. But I raised my hands against it. Marcus had always never liked the fact that I was the alpha. He never liked that my family had held the alpha positions for years.

And he and his family had been trying to overthrow me as the rulers of this pack.

“Save it. We are not here for your criticism.”

I turned to Logan. “Share the paper amongst them,” I told him.

He nodded before going forward to share the paper that contained the DNA report of Kiela and me.

After he was done sharing it.

They all scanned through it. And I watched the shock spread through their face as they read it.

“As you are all reading. That is a report of my wife and my beta betrayal.”

Then there was gasping and murmurs.

“Now I have brought this matter cause I trust that you all shall serve the required justice to it.”

They looked at their selves.

“Send for them.” Elder Ester said in a severe tone.

“With pleasure.” I motioned for Logan to bring them in.

He went away. And came back shortly with a tied-up Ray and Diane.

Who looked tattered and bloodied.

More gasps followed in the room when they saw their state.

“Beta Ray?”

“Good day, esteemed elders of this park.” He greeted surly.

“What have you done to my son!” Elder Marcus retorted. Hitting his hands on the table.

Oh. Yes. I always forgot that these two are related. Well, Ray hated his father. So they didn’t even act like they knew each other.

But it seemed Marcus' fatherly instinct had kicked in. Who knew all it had to take was to see his son being degraded and mocked in front of everyone?

“Don’t act like you care.” Ray seethed.

While Marcus was still glaring at me.

The meeting had just taken an intense turn.

“Your son here slept with my wife. Then he tried to kill my ex-wife and her children.”

“You mean Esmeralda? She has children for you?” Lord Ester asked.

“Yes.”

They all gave me a sceptical look. And I knew the reason was that Esmeralda had been unable to have children for the eight years of our marriage. So her having them. And their not being aware of it made them question it.

I could only hope that I would be able to turn this whole thing in my favour.