Chapter 89: Banquet

After telling the brothers my plan, I went to bed. Exhaustion had taken over me, and I fell asleep far too quickly. I've not seen Kellan, Darius, or even William today.

I woke up alone, had breakfast, and have spent most of my day with Sage now. Later today is Callista's banquet, which I'm not looking forward to. It can't be any worse than Lyra's Ball, though; at least today, there are no masks.

Sage is currently painting her nails. Something which she insists she does herself. Where as Lyra and everyone use the maids, who are trained to do it.

"Are you doing yours?"

"No! My toes won't be on show." We both laugh at that.

"Has May sorted your dress for tonight?"

"She has. It's a very tight-fitting gown. I think she's trying to help me taunt Kellan." It won't help, as I'm not seeing Kellan tonight. Not that anyone knows that.

"Go get ready then." She points to the door. Hugging her, I walk out and bump into Callista.

"What are you wearing?"

I step back away from her, confused. "A dress." I glance down seeing her dress. She's ready, but then again, she plans to greet everyone as they arrive.

"I know a dress. What sort?"

My eyes roll at her. "A dress, why do you care?"

"Because it's a respectful banquet, so you need to ensure it covers your whore mark."

I laugh, which causes her to glare at me.

"I'm sure others will have marks."

"Real marks, ones that aren't from them being a whore."

Nodding I step towards my room. "Whore ones are more fun." Her mouth drops open, and Ash chuckles. Stepping into my room I close the door. She may shut up about it now.

I stay leaning against the door and May looks at me.

"Would you like to pretend to be ill? I can tell the king I heard you being sick so you can't attend."

Laughing, my head shakes. "No, that would please her. So, I plan to go with my mark uncovered. Forget the shawl." I'm going to make Callista cry. I laugh at that thought. Maybe not cry, but at least sulk.

She's ready early, however, so maybe she is going down to check over everything. She seems to be the obsessed type.

"The king has been talking about how to ensure your room is safe." Turning, I look at her. "Sorry, because I come and go he had me, Marcus, Ash and a few others together discussing how to ensure your copycat doesn't sneak in."

"And his answer?"

"Nothing yet; just ensure that you have Ash or one of these other higher guards with you. Turns out Marcus let her in."

"They found out?" I was sure they wouldn't know.

"She came while you were with the prince, apparently. She was in here for half an hour, so they had everything checked."

I look around the room. "So it's safe?" I hadn't considered how long she was in here for. She could have done anything.

"Both the king and prince checked themselves while you were having breakfast." That helps reassure me. Taking my dress, I go through and get ready. I'm not sure how ready I am to face a room full of people who think I shouldn't be here.

Walking down, I enter the room, Darius, Kellan and Callista seem to be arguing, what a great a start to this.

Kellan

William hasn't said much. I don't blame him for it if he says the wrong thing or in the wrong way. Darius may actually kill him.

"I suspected it. There was no way for me to prove anything. I tried, and every lead I found died. I felt like he was purposely letting me get so far before blocking me from getting evidence."

William looks at Darius. He's been avoiding this. So I had to literally drag them both in and force them to sit and talk. All day, Darius has been glaring at him.

"What sort of leads did you get?"

"Well, where she was found had a camera. I went to get footage; it had been recorded. It stopped recording an hour before she died." William looks at his hands.

"I found out which Beta was watching over her. Beta Paul, I went to him and asked him questions. He began to answer them and confirmed she wasn't alone, and he was sent out. Before I could ask who, your father walked in and asked for his assistance, and I've not seen him since."

I laugh. Not because it's funny, but well, it is funny in some ways. "He tormented you. Purposely left evidence for you to follow, just to snatch it away at the very moment you were about to uncover the truth." I laugh more. "You played his game, which gave him pleasure." Foolish, but he loved our mother and wanted the truth.

"I can't say I'm comfortable, but I won't kill you," Darius speaks but it looks like he is just saying it because I said neither of them will leave until he sorts the mess.

"You're acting like he used her for just sex." I chuckle, and he glares at me.

"Don't. Just. No!" He stands, and I laugh. "How is your information coming?" He focuses on me now.

"We have a way in when we're ready. Seems there are a lot of people there who feel trapped and want revenge. We can get her wolf back this week." She will have her wolf.

"We have everything set up and ready, Kellan. It shouldn't be hard to get in and get her wolf and back out."

Smirking, I nod. "Oh, we're not just getting her wolf. We're getting her parents and a few others so they don't realise the robbery was for her wolf."

His eyes widen and I continue to smirk.

"Might I suggest you continue this conversation after the banquet? You're late." William looks between us, and he is right. We're meant to be there before the guests.

"Fine." Darius stands, and we follow him through. Entering the room, I look around. There are three rows of tables. Callista is doing whatever she is doing. Moving, I walk through the tables and stop when I see our names. Of course, Callista has positioned herself between us.

Lyra is on the opposite side of me, and Astrid is next to Darius. Sage appears to be opposite me. I look at the name tags, walking down and up the tables. I stop when I find it.

"Darius." I watch as he walks over.

"Now what?"

Picking up the name tag, I turn it to him. "Why is Elara sat all the over here, away from us. She's not even on our table, and weirdly, she's sitting around Mr Wickham and his associates."

He stands shocked. "It has to be a mistake."

I laugh. "Callista, here." It's not a mistake, although I feel she will say it is. I watch her reach us. "Why do you have Elara positioned entirely away from us and next to someone who runs an escort business?"

"Oh. I originally planned to have us spread out across all three tables. I must have forgotten to put her with us on the final draft."

Laughing, I walk to where her name is, swapping it with Elara's, I place hers back down. "Fixed." She stares at me.

"Kellan, don't start." Darius looks at me.

"What? She thought it was a good idea to sit next to these people, so why not her? I'm sure she will enjoy their conversation." Smirking at her, I watch Darius pick up her name.

"I'm not a fool, Callista. Fix the issue, or I will let Kellan sit you here. Now!" Darius glares at her, and I watch as she rushes off. "Stop taunting, let her fix it."

Sighing, I nod and walk away. I'll behave, seen as I'm in hiding tonight.