Chapter 22 Episode Twenty Two
Chapter 22 Episode Twenty Two
Chapter Twenty Two
Calum’s POV
I leaned back in my chair “The investigation is ongoing, and you’ll know what it’s about ehen the time comes”
“It’s been months when will the…”
“These things take time” I cut in before he cohld finish the sentence
“Agreed, but we at least, deserve to know what’s happening” Another elder spoke up “The crime you’re investigating happened in our pack, I believe, and that means It affects all of us” I scoffed
Sure! The crime happened here rolls eyes
“It affects the victim and her family more than it affects you”
“The victim is dead,” Elder Thomas said bluntly “Or exiled. What does it matter now?”
My hands clenched into fists under the table “It matters because an innocent woman was framed and punished for a crime she didn’t commit”
“You don’t know that for certain”
“Yes, I do” I stood up. My Alpha aura filled the room. Several council members flinched “And I will prove it. Then whoever is responsible will face justice”
“And if someone on this council is responsible?” My father spoke for the first time “What then?”
I looked at him “Then they will be punished like anyone else”
The room went silent, I can’t believe he was asking me that
“You suspect someone here?” Elder Thomas asked carefully.
“I suspect everyone until I have proof otherwise”
More silence
“The investigation continues,” I said firmly “And I will return to that college to finish it. When I have evidence, you will all know. Until then, stay out of my way”
They knew the half truth about the investigation, by not the full thing, I had made sure of that
Then I walked out of the room before anyone could argue
Marcus followed me “That went well”
“Shut up”
He laughed “Your father wants to speak with you privately”
“Of course he does”
We went to my father’s office. He was already there, sitting behind his old desk. The desk that used to be mine
“Close the door,” he said to Marcus
Marcus left and closed the door behind him
My father studied me for a long moment “You’ve changed”
“Have I?”
“Yes, you’re distracted and unfocused ”
“I’m focused on the investigation”
“Are you?” He leaned forward “Or are you focused on something else? Someone else?”
I didn’t answer
“You found your mate,” he said. It wasn’t a question, but a statement
“How did you know?”
“Because I’m your father. And because I recognize that look in your eyes” He smiled slightly “I had the same look when I met your mother”
I sat down “It’s complicated”
“It always is” He poured two glasses of whiskey and handed me one “Tell me about her” I regarded him for moment…well, I needed someone to talk to anyway
“She’s a student at the college. And she works in my household.”
His eyebrows rose “You hired your mate as a maid?”
“I didn’t know she was my mate when I hired her”
“And now?”
“Now everything’s a mess” I drank the whiskey in one gulp “She’s being bullied at school and there are rumors about us. And I’m trying to keep my identity as an Alpha hidden while also protecting her and running an investigation”
“Sounds like you have your hands full”
“That’s an understatement”
He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, “When I met your mother, she was human, you can imagine how that was…the council didn’t approve. They wanted me to choose a wolf from a prominent family”
“I remember”
“But I didn’t care what they wanted. I chose her anyway, because she was mine, my destined soul mate” He looked at me seriously. “And I would do it again. A thousand times over”
“This is different”
“Is it? You’re still an Alpha choosing his mate. The circumstances don’t matter”
“She doesn’t know I’m an Alpha”
“Then tell her”
“I can’t”
“Why not?”
“Because the investigation is kinda linked to her in a way”
My father’s expression changed “You’re sure?”
“Yes, and I’m already so close to finding out who really did it”
“You’re walking a dangerous line, son”
“I know”
“Be careful, the mate bond is powerful. If she finds out you’ve been keeping secrets, it could damage your relationship beyond repair”
“I know that too”
He stood up and put a hand on my shoulder “But I trust your judgment. You’ll figure it out”
I hoped he was right
We talked for another hour about pack business. About the territories. About the alliances with neighboring packs
By the time I left his office, it was past midnight
I went to my old room in the pack house and collapsed on the bed out of exhaustion
But I couldn’t sleep
All I could think about was Diana. Was she safe? Was Kieran trying to get close to her while I was gone?
Arthur growled at the thought
I pulled out my phone and called her
She answered on the third ring “Hello?”
“Hey,” I said “Did I wake you?”
“No, I’m still up, just finished cleaning” past midnight?
“How are you?”
“I’m okay, just missing you”
My chest tightened “I miss you too, mama”
“When are you coming back?”
“Soon. I just have to get through this meeting tomorrow and then I’ll be back”
“Okay”
I heard something in her voice “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing”
“Diana.”
She sighed “Kieran texted me today and he wants to have lunch tomorrow”
My grip on the phone tightened “What did you say?”
“I told him I was busy”
“Good”
“But Calum, he’s really nice. And he’s just trying to be my friend”
“I don’t care how nice he is. I don’t want you around him.”
“You’re being unreasonable again.”
“Maybe, but you’re mine, Diana. And I don’t share, you know that already”
She was quiet for a moment. Then she said softly, “I know, I’m yours”
Arthur purred at her words “Say it again”
“I’m yours, Calum”
“Good girl.” I closed my eyes “I’ll be back soon. And when I get back, we need to talk.”
“About what?”
“We’ll talk when I get back,” I said “Get some sleep, mama
“Okay…. Goodnight”
“Goodnight, Diana”
I hung up and stared at the ceiling
Three more days. Then I would go back to her
Gosh! I will mark and make her mine…certainly