Chapter 88

Autumn

“Then if you can’t do that, at least let me talk to them.” I said looking down.

“I will not allow you to get stabbed in the back.” Said the King.

“Your majesty they’re kids. We can free them…” I tried thinking of what the witches did. “They could erase their memories and adopt them out.” I said with a small frown. He smiled.

“You have a good heart, but Oliver you should not have brought her. Remove her.” He demanded, and my mate stiffened. He looked as if he debated on doing it. I stopped this before he said something he would regret.

“Please King Saiyatok… I know they’re a threat to your grandsons’ babies… but they’re babies themselves.” His eyes were so cold….

“Very well…. I will not leave until I am satisfied then. Bring them here, summon your witches, and bring me some napkins.” He demanded with authority in his voice that honestly almost made me get up and go do it… I don’t know why either. But what bothered me was the last thing he ordered. “You must understand the life I have lived little one. Death becomes meaningless to one who cannot die, not when it pertains to enemies. No matter the age, mortals with Hunter blood are a threat.” He sneered.

We all waited silently in the office for Warriors to come with the old woman in handcuffs. She needed help standing, as another warrior held her cane. The children with her looked 13, 3 and the youngest had to be no older than 2…

“Oh my god… they’re so small…” I mumbled. The little ones were confused as to what was happening and where were their parents. The oldest boy stood in front of them, willing to try and defend his family from Lords and a King. Oliver, spoke up.

“Hand me the cane, and bring her one without silver.” He commanded gently. The other lords looked at him with contempt… he was showing weakness to side with me.

“I didn’t even smell it.” Said Saiyatok, though now his face became scaled. They became scared but the old woman stood tall. She had to hold on the Warrior Guard that brought them here.

“The cane is from my great grandmother. Inside is a small blade to protect herself when she walked home. It’s the only thing I have left other than my grandsons.” She said proudly. “I’m not afraid of you lizard. The only thing you can do is kill me.”

He snorted hot ash through his nose. “Oh there is so much more that I can do.” He warned getting up, and I did too.

“She’s only saying that so the children won’t feel so scared. Your highness look at them.” I demanded, he looked at the small toddlers, who were on the verge of tears. I was actually surprised that they weren’t. “We could let them go.” I said quietly.

“She speaks the truth… let them go. Keep me if you must.” she said looking at the kids, who tried their best to be near her even though giant warriors were guarding them closely.

“Silence mortal. I agree with Lord Saiyatok. Remove Lady Autumn.” Said Reginald.

“I am proud of my heritage… We are weak. We are small, but we are many. We were given gifts by the Light to protect us from the darkness and what crawls in it… but she is right. You shouldn’t reprimand her for having a conscious.” She glared at Saiyatok, though he was unphased.

Reginald’s claws were at her throat in the blink of an eye, and she became a little fearful now that she knew she’d pressed a button.

“Your filthy husband attacked my mate, killed my people even though we I ordered eating free range to a minimum, and you have the Nerve to be Proud of that?” he snarled. “It is because of You we no longer care. Why I lifted my own words, eating them, losing face among my fellow lords.”

“Mrs. Smith. Know your words will determine the fate of the last of your line.” Said Oliver.

“…. Lord Reginald… children stay close to me.” She said quietly. She looked so frightened….

“Don’t worry woman, you’ll die last if I have my way.” He sneered, taking a seat leisurely crossing his legs.

“Grandma!” Said one of the little ones running to her, hugging her legs.

“I won’t let you harm them!” I said angrily, about to get up, but Oliver gently held my arm.

“I see now that you only want them for sustenance. I’ll take them as slaves.” Said Oliver. And I slapped him. I did it without thinking. His eyes were his wolf, but the room was quiet. “You did this to yourself.” Said Oliver, linking someone.

“Oliver no! You can’t!” I yelled shaking his arm, but he ignored me completely. I didn’t understand why he would order such a thing.

“You’re new…” Oliver paused.

“I transferred two months ago sir.” He said with a bow. Oliver linked someone else, then adjusted himself in his seat.

“Then you should know David. He’s downstairs. Have him take her home. I wouldn’t normally entrust my mate with someone I don’t know personally, but I trust Tim’s judgment to send you.” He commanded the warrior that came through the door.

“Our families have been friends for years. Thank you for the opportunity.” He said taking my hand gently, but something felt off.

“Let Me GO!” I demanded like a Luna, but it held no bite. Winter wasn’t helping me, she was too scared by what I’d done to help. She was also scared of Oliver’s actions. I didn’t understand but I needed to save those poor people.

We are out of our place. She whined, and I glared at my mate, and at the warrior, who seemed hesitant to touch me. Place be damned.

“Please come with me Luna, Alpha is busy.” He said linking Oliver, then he picked me up. He held me under my armpits as far away from himself as possible, but Oliver still growled at him.

“Be careful.” He snarled.

------Oliver-------

I watched my mate stare at me as if I betrayed her, and I did… I wasn’t proud of it, but if she wanted her way, I Couldn’t have her in the room…. And making a show of it all like I was on their side did help.

East growled. Oliver, I trust you, but I do not like this. He snapped. I shushed him; we needed to play this discreetly.

She had a really good point, but she can’t hide her thoughts. She’s so sweet I couldn’t let her stay in here if I had to be a monster… I couldn’t sit there knowing full well once Reggie had them, he would drain all those small children dry before he would be able to turn them. It was also against their ways to turn anyone under 21 So unless he made children forced thralls, they would live in misery as the spoils of war…. I knew damn well he wasn’t planning on turning the old human either. He wanted information. Vampires don’t have the same compassion as anyone still warm…

The King seemed very surprised I would say that just as much to Autumn, but that was part of my plan as well. Ultimately, I could deal with Reggie, but I knew I wouldn’t be able to do anything about him if he was dissatisfied. By his order my pack’s lives could be in danger in moments, and I wouldn’t risk that for strangers. He burned down their packhouse regardless of the civilians living there; I don’t doubt he’d do the same to me if he was motivated.

“As long as they are neutralized, I don’t care what you do.” He said getting up., though Reginald was beyond livid at me. He clinched his fists in a ball so tight his claws caused him to bleed.

“I know what you’re up to Oliver, and I won’t let you.” He sneered.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. As it stands these mortals are too small to turn, or too old. You just want to kill them. There’s no real reason to be this violent in this situation.” I stood in case I needed to block him, because I wasn’t sure if he would try and overturn this or not.

“He intends on getting them adopted out I assume. I don’t mind since your confidence is so high, you must have done this before.” The King shook my wrist, and the deal was struck. Reginald could do nothing but watch, as even though we were all lords in the room, Saiyatok was a King. A force of nature more trouble than it would be worth to anger.

“Oliver for peace’s sake I have no choice but to allow this…. But if I see ANY of these future hunters again, I don’t care how old they are, I’m draining them dry. I never understood how you wolves can be so sentimental.” He snarled leaving.

“I’ll take my leave now; the eggs will need to be warmed soon. Oh, and the bronze egg needs electricity.” He said quietly.

“Ooo, that sounds eggsiting.” I smiled, shaking his wrist one last time before he gave me a look and left. He walked past the old woman, honestly towering over her. Now that I thought of it, I did too. They were so short.

I closed the door, and motioned for them to sit, and I ran out of chairs, so the little ones sat on the floor. “I suppose I should be ready to go into some old mine to break big rocks into small ones?” She asked completely serious, but I wouldn’t do something like that to anyone.