258

Bernardo

"I found him!"

Hillan called out from one of the rooms in the location that Helaine had told us. I ran towards the room and so did Damien and beta Ryan. We arrived at the same time and saw the pathetic state that Theo was in. He was still out of it.

"She tied him up really well."

Damien commented while inspecting Theo. I could see that. I smiled proudly. Helaine deserved a lot of accolades. Not only did she outsmart him, but she got him in a state that only a strong woman like her could. For someone with a delicate feature, she sure had a lot of stamina.

The Ross triplet really came with everything. One was the reason I found out what has been going on in my pack for decades and she has the special touch. Another became one of the vampires I could trust with my life. Also, is the reason my baby sister has been smiling a lot these days and the last one is a warrior.

I didn't just get a mate, I got two extra family members.

"He is not dead but he may as well be."

Hillan let out and kicked him. I understand his grudge against him and respect it. I want to kick him too but I refrained from doing anything right now.

"We just need to bundle him up and take him back to the dungeon. It's the end of the road for him. It would have been better for him if he had just died. I guess he doesn't want the easy way out."

I let out and bent to inspect him myself. He was in pretty bad shape and wasn't even healing. I could still see where Helaine had bitten him.

It must have been extra lethal because it was a first for her and he posed a danger to her. Serves him right. As the deltas who came with us carried him. I heard him groan in pain. We came in numbers because of the fear that he might have changed and become a lot more dangerous but I guess it's not going to happen.

She might not have killed him but she definitely aimed for a kill and not a change. He is not going to become a vampire. Thankfully.

"Wow, Helaine."

I heard Hillan whisper with so much admiration in his voice and turned to him.

"Will you give my mate a listening ear about her now? She is quite the catch."

I can't believe that I am playing Cupid right now. Harlyn has influenced me and I am not even complaining.

"Not you too! I swear you both are made for each other. You are both annoying."

Hillan let out and went on inspecting the room even though there was not much to be seen. The hotel was owned by his father and that's the only reason he was able to gain access to it even after it was closed down.

I really don't want to think about how he was able to enter the kingdom again unnoticed because that would mean thinking about work and I was in no mood for work.

"Work is what you will still do. There's no escape."

My wolf reminded me. Yeah, as much as I wanted to go back to the palace to cuddle with my mate, I needed to do the work instead of postponing the inevitable. I already made up my mind about the fate of both Theo and his father. They were both class A threats to the kingdom so there's only one right punishment for them and that's what they are going to get.

It will be the second and third time I passed the judgment. The first was on a pack member who took the life of both his mate and their pup.

"Damien, please alert the press team. I am making a public announcement tonight. Let them give a head up so that the people will tune in. The king will address his people in three hours."

I told Damien as we both walked back to the car. He looked at me and opened his mouth to ask a question but must have thought against it as he nodded without voicing out what he had to say. Even though he didn't ask, I knew what he wanted to say and answered anyway.

"I want to put an end to everything by tomorrow. It's long overdue. I will address the kingdom and pass judgment on the traitors immediately. There's no need to prolong the inevitable. The evidence against them is enough to pass immediate judgment on them."

I told him.

"I agree. Now that both of them have been captured, letting the people know what you have been up to is the only right way to go."

Good, he understands me easily. My right-hand man for a reason.

"I have to leave."

I looked at Hillan in confusion. I expected him to stay for a few more days.

"Why?"

I can't believe I asked that.

"What do you mean by why? I was going to leave before you called. I just postponed it a little to answer your call. Now that everything seems to be under control, I don't see the reason to remain here. Did you forget that I am not from this kingdom and I need to go back to my pack where I am alpha."

I didn't forget. I guess I just didn't want to let him go yet.

"The official jet will take you. Whenever you want to come back, you can always request it."

He earned it. Just like he earned my loyalty and a place for himself in the Crimson Moon. I owe him a lot.

"I will be back for the mating ritual and the coronation of the new queen."

He assured me and stretched his hand out for a shake. I ignored his hand and pulled him into a hug instead.

"Thank you for everything. I will see you soon."

I told him.

"Sure, see you around your majesty."

He said in a mocking tone that I chose to overlook because again, he earned it. He wasn't just Hillan anymore. Now, he's my friend and a friend of the Crimson Moon. I waited until he got into the car that would take him to the airport before I turned to Damien.

"Let's go. We have a lot to do tonight."

I told him and we got into the car. Work was set for him but I intend to go back to my mate early so I will finish everything as fast as I can. If everything goes as planned, I can spend the whole of next week with her.