Chapter 11 11
Killian's POV
“Are you certain about this?” Gideon asked, hovering behind me as I adjusted the collar of my coat before the mirror.
From his reflection, I could see his brows narrowed with that familiar, overbearing concern he wore far too often for my liking.
“If you don’t wish to follow me.” I drawled, flicking a speck of imaginary lint from my sleeve. “You may stay behind.”
He scoffed. “Of course I will go with you. I’m just saying, do you not think you’re making a hasty decision? You literally stood her up, Killian. And suddenly you wish to go offer a marriage alliance and take her in as your wife?”
I fastened my final cufflink, turned, and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Alpha Gerald is a greedy, ambitious man who would do anything to keep his pack from collapsing. Not because he cares for them, but because his pride could never stomach being seen as weak. If I go there offering alliance, resources, and partnership, Gerald will give me anything.” I lowered my voice. “Even his own wife.”
Gideon sighed loudly, crossing his arms. “Still… aligning yourself with that pack may not bring you anything good. You may end up on the giving end, receiving nothing but a woman.”
“She is not just any woman.” I said sharply. “And you are my Beta, so you are meant to support me.”
He chuckled. “Actually, I’m meant to advise you and call out your rubbish. But to be fair, you are my Alpha, so…” He lifted his hand in surrender. “I will support you.”
I exhaled through my nose, pulled my sword belt from the chair, buckled it around my waist, and ensured my blade sat secure. With that, we left my chambers.
The maids standing along the corridor bowed as we passed and I ignored them as always. Gideon, however, flashed a smile at each one like some gallant prince.
“You need to stop sleeping with my maids.” I muttered.
“You are no different.” He answered lightly.
“I have noblewomen as concubines.” I corrected, coldly. “Not slaves.”
Gideon chuckled. “Any woman willing to warm a bed is the same, noble or not.”
A smirk tugged at my lip despite my irritation.
We stepped out through the great front doors, where the four-horse carriage awaited us. Gideon opened the door for me, I entered first, then he followed, and the coach set off toward Moonveil Pack.
Halfway through, Gideon nudged a small basket toward me. “You should eat something, and have your medicine.”
“I’m not drinking anything.”
“Killian, stop being stubborn.” He sighed. “Healer Kiran specifically said you need rugwort daily to numb the stinging…”
“I will be fully healed by tomorrow.” I cut in sharply. “I am an Alpha.”
“You were stabbed in a vital place.” He said, tone filled with annoyance. “You won’t be healed for at least three days and while your flesh regenerates, it will hurt, so you need painkillers.”
“Gideon.” I said slowly, turning my head toward him. “Can you stop nagging for one second? I’m not taking anything.”
He threw his hands up. “Fine, be miserable.”
The rest of the ride continued in silence and the moment our carriage rolled up to the gates of Moonveil Packhouse, the guards recognized the blue crescent emblem. They opened the gates without hesitation, and the horses trotted us into the courtyard.
The coach stopped in front of the grand doors, and the coachman hurried to open ours. We stepped out, cloaks shifting in the breeze, and walked straight to the entrance.
“Inform your Alpha that Killian Storm of Redshadows Pack is here to see him.” I commanded the guards.
One ran off inside immediately, and the other ushered us into the living area and asked if we required anything.
“No.” I said curtly.
He bowed and returned to his position. And in barely five minutes two Unfamiliar figures entered. A middle-aged woman and a young man, dressed in garments that screamed desperate nobility.
Gideon leaned in, whispering. “Gerald’s Luna, Margaret. And her son, Hunter.”
I gave a nod as Margaret approached with a strained smile. “To what do I owe the visit of the great Killian Storm?”
“You owe me nothing.” I replied. “I am here for Gerald.”
She blinked, her smile faltering. “Ah, well. Shall I send for maids to get you water perhaps?”
“I need nothing, I am waiting for your Alpha.”
Before she could respond, footsteps echoed as Gerald descended the stairs, adjusting his coat.
“My apologies.” He said, grinning widely. “I was asleep and needed to present myself properly for such unexpected,esteemed visitors.”
He sat opposite us. “I admit I am surprised, I thought you’d never step foot in my pack again. What can I do for you?”
Before I could speak, Gideon leaned forward.
“Actually, we didn’t come for you. We came for your daughter, Amelia.”
Gerald’s face tightened as Gideon continued. “Killian is here to offer a marriage alliance. He wishes to take Amelia as his wife. In exchange, he will provide your pack with resources and manpower, strengthening the bond between your packs.”
The silence that followed was suffocating and Gerald’s expression soured so quickly, even I stiffened.
Gideon noticed as well. “Is there a problem?” He asked.
Margaret exhaled shakily. “Your pack and ours are neighbors… I am shocked you haven’t heard the rumors.”
Gideon leaned in. “What rumors?”
Margaret folded her hands. “Amelia eloped with her lover.”
Everything inside me went still and Gideon and I exchanged a glance.
I rose to my feet. “Do you know who this lover is?” I demanded. “Do you have a name? Or a picture?”
“No, we have no idea.” Hunter replied, leaning back. “She left a letter in her chambers saying she had run off with her lover, but she didn’t give his name. We suspect he was a peasant hence the reason she eloped, knowing none of us would approve.”
My fists clenched and unclenched, and before I knew it, I was storming toward the door.
“Killian…” Gideon called after me, quickly bowing to the family before hurrying out.
He caught up with me in the courtyard. “Killian, wait…”
“Send our spies across every Pack, every border, and every small village.” I snapped, not stopping. “They are to find her and the man she ran with and bring them to me.”
I finally stopped, turning to him. “And when they do, I will make her my wife after putting her lover to death, personally.”