Chapter 7 CHAPTER 007
Stone POV:
Leaning back against my seat, I waved my hand towards them. "Speak."
Bellum was the first to rise. "First, I'd like to say that we all at Ricko have heard of a new development in the palace. And since you didn't tell us about it, we decided to come ask you."
It was only fair that Bellum would speak first as he was considered the sacrificial lamb if anything went wrong.
I twitched my lips, my fingers drumming on the arm rest.
"Is that all?"
"Not at all, your grace," Ethan Cook chipped in. He was elderly too, frail and wrinkled. Which was why he stepped down for his son to take over. "We are worried that the girl you brought may be trouble. You said you saw her at the bridge where rejects are often found."
"What are you implying?"
"Rejects can be recruited by enemies to become spies. Go out there in the market and watch how mischievious those little shits are."
"He's right." Kannelle spoke up, his booming voice filling the room and matching his buffed figure. "I'm pretty sure the girl is going to cause problems with her presence. Let her go, your Grace or kill her."
I banged my fist on the armrest, feeling my face redden at their silly discussion.
"You do not tell me what to do!"
"Of course, your Grace," Ethan quickly said. "It's...it's just a suggestion."
"Then, keep it to yourself. Because that girl is my mate and I'll decide what to do with her when I'm ready."
A loud gasp scattered and then indistinct chatter bouncing off the walls of the hall. After a while, I hit the armrest for silence.
Elder Linus rose shakily, hand gripping his cane.
"All hail the Moon Goddess for her wonderful works and miracles. You have been searching for that one mate and now she's here? Wonderful." He laughed heartily, satisfaction settling on his face. He was the oldest among everyone, his age spanning over hundreds.
"What's wonderful about mating with a spy!?" Kanelle asked. "Your Grace, you have to reject her. No matter what. We cannot risk it."
"He can't, Kanelle," Linus spoke again. "Don't you understand what it would mean for an Alpha to reject his mate?"
Everyone shifted and Kanelle glanced at me before speaking up. "He won't find another one? He can always get women on his bed..."
"He'd go blind."
Even I was shocked, a gasp rippling through my windpipe. "What?" We all yelled in unison.
Linus smiled bitterly. "You'll go blind and become powerless if you reject her, Your Grace. Although it may not happen, you can't be willing to take that risk, can you?"
He asked and I was caught in between. I didn't want to keep her but a part of me knew I'd feel lost if I told her to leave. Without rejecting her, I would be safe and empty but if I did, I might lose my throne and my life.
"He doesn't have to reject her, does he?" Bellum asked, looking around as if waiting for an answer.
"You can send her off without rejecting her, your highness. Keeping her here might raise a war we're not ready to fight. The people of Ricko don't want war." Kanelle muttered, his eyes wandering as if he had more to say but just swallowed it.
"I'll call for another meeting when I've thought about it. You all are dismissed."
Everyone dispersed except my Beta, which I expected because he's never spoken throughout the meeting. Not to mention he was the youngest too.
"I have something to tell you, Alpha Stone."
"What is it?" I asked, impatient now as I stared at my second in command. I needed time to myself to think and decide.
"You need to talk to Kanelle about security. It doesn't seem to be doing well these days." Harry was a few inches shorter than I was, five feet eleven inches, maybe. He had dark brown hair that fell over his forehead and hid thick brows. His Hazel eyes could melt the hardest of hearts but I knew it was only a facade as his wolf was strong and brutal. That's why he became my Beta.
Our connection was also closer than anyone who's ever worked for me. We could practically pass as friends but the hierarchy didn't work that way so we were just close to each other.
"Why do you say that?"
He shifted on one leg. "You'll have to see things for yourself."
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Ari POV:
"What punishment was he talking about?" I asked myself continously as I jabbed at the food on the tray.
My mind was no longer in the present. At least, until I heard a knock.
"Hi, Ari." The same voice had returned. "Can I come in?"
I nodded slightly this time, hoping to get some answers through her at least. Not that I was hoping she'd be friendly enough, at least not with how I'd behaved like a brat towards her that morning. But I was going to take a risk.
"We didn't get to introduce each other the other time." She started, sitting on the edge of the bed. "My name is Perri and I'm a healer, doctor, therapist, you name it."
I nodded. "Hi, Perri. I'm Ari."
"Nice to meet you, Ari. So let's start from the beginning. You were suicidal when Alpha Stone saw you. Do you mind telling me why?"
Images of what happened at Shadowfang began to swim in my head and as long as it had been, it was as clear as the day. It's something I will never forget in my life.
The accusatory glances, the looks of disdain, the insults hurled at me and the beating and humiliation that came from being stripped naked.
My eyes began to water but didn't have the chance to drop because I heard my name being called.
"Ari," her voice was less gentle and I knew she was running out of patience.