How's she doing?
Saying that caused a maddening frenzy. The uproar hit the roof with no hope of it getting quiet in the next few minutes.
A lot of questions flew at me at the same damn time.
“Is that even possible, Alpha Vince?! For all we know, she's still mated to your son!”
“And isn't she Alpha Richard's daughter?! Are you saying you've always been attracted to her?!”
“Why does this sound like a lame excuse to cover up the fact that you both betrayed Alpha Trent's trust?!” That one came from a reporter from my Pack. Trent's salty fans!
“I have no reason to justify my relationship with Elena. Especially since Trent isn't such a saint either.”
“What do you mean by that, Alpha Vince?!” Another random voice asked.
“Before Elena and I ever became a thing, Trent was already cheating on her with Tracy Peters, Elena's step-sister.”
Massive gasps filled the hall. The camera flashlights became more aggressive.
“Elena found out and was devastated. And I was such an opportunist who saw a chance with her and took it. I couldn't help it; the mate bond was already driving me nuts. And no, I didn't groom her. She was already legal when I started having these feelings…”
“So you're gonna be divorcing Luna Vanessa?!”
“That's the plan.” I shot back. “I don't wanna go into more details about what I have with Elena. But the bottom line is, she's the victim in all this. She went from enduring a cheating and abusive mate to a sister who betrayed her, and then she ended up going against her morals for an older man who wouldn't take no for an answer and who'd do anything for her. Anything.”
The mild uproar and exchanging of glances was a depiction that my subtle warning was clearly understood.
“Now I wanna tell y'all my reason for arranging this meeting,” I paused a bit. “I intend on retaking the Alpha throne from my wayward son!”
This part broke the roof. There was no silencing them. There was no kinda coordination, and I just continued speaking amidst the chaos.
“I know the confliction and mixed reception this announcement is gonna get from y'all but honestly, I really don't give a lot of fucks. Taking back my throne is more vital for my people and my Pack.”
“Or it's just an act to punish Trent?!” A reporter threw the question at me.
“Yeah, are you doing this to make him more miserable? First, you take his mate, you kicked him out of your company, and now the Pack?” Another reporter, a female, seconded.
“Trent hasn't done a single, beneficial thing since he became Alpha. He's been a complete disaster! First, he embezzled the funds of the Pack and blamed it on Elena…”
“What??!” The screams were way more than deafening. It grew more chaotic here. I was feeling a migraine settling in my head from their aggressive yells. I should round this up and get the fuck out of here.
“...and he's endangered the wealth of our pack by involving in countless, sicky businesses that sink him and the funds. And I didn't wanna mention this, but he also had an alignment with rogues. That's the most unforgivable shit he's done.”
Another round of chaos.
“He's been reckless and shitty. And I was always there to rescue him. Also, I don't need to state the fucking obvious that he hasn't done any memorable thing to help the financial situation of our Pack since he became Alpha. We used to be in the top 3 in the region when it came to wealth, but right now, you've tanked so bad, not even in the top 10. If I let Trent continue being Alpha, we'll be dead and buried. And I'm never gonna let that happen."
They yelled a million questions at me but I dodged all of them. I was done answering questions. All they gotta do from hereon is listen.
“Again, I'd love it if y'all criticize Luna Elena a little less. She's just a victim in this very messy situation. If you're so bitter and insist on taking out your frustration on someone, you can aim at me. I promise I'll suck it all up good. Thank you.”
I walked down the podium and headed for the door. Leo and Luke joined me as we stepped out of the building.
The crowd outside threatened to eat us up but our men were quite determined in holding them back.
We got into our car and left with our entourage.
“I need to go to the hospital.” I said with a note of urgency and desperation.
“Sure, we'll drop you off there. Don't worry.” Leo said.
I tried hard to seem less agitated during the drive until we arrived at the hospital.
“Adieu, Monsieur, Until next time. You did great today.” Luke waved with a sheepish smile.
“Shut up.” I groaned, getting out of the car. “But…thank you. And don't forget, we're meeting tomorrow.”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Go see your princess.” He laughed alongside Leo.
I rolled my eyes, refusing to indulge their silliness. They could be a pretty unreasonable duo sometimes. I'd never loved hanging out with both when I'm cranky. They drive me nuts. Richard has always been my go-to when I'm cranky. He's always more reasonable.
They drove away and I rushed into the hospital. I was headed for Dr. Drake's office but then I bumped into him on the second floor.
He was exiting a VIP room.
“Dr. Drake,” I called half breathlessly. I glanced at the door. “Is she in there?”
“Do you see your men out here?” He shot back, irritated. Then he began walking.
I followed him, quietly.
“You didn't have to send a whole army to guard her, you know. This is a hospital, not some circus. They're making us a little tense and that's not good for the patients..”
“Yeah, I know. I'm sorry,” I sighed, massaging my temple. “I was just so scared. Trent's gone missing…”
“What?” He gave me a sharp look.
“Yeah, after he left her to bleed to death in the damn basement.” My jaw clenched.
We got into an elevator and he punched in the 4th floor button.
“Oh, no. He's insane. How could he?”
“He's a lunatic. But now you get why I was paranoid. The thought of him showing up here and sneaking her away…” I paused for a deep breath. Discussing it was heightening my anxiety. “It was the only way I'd be assured that she's safe.”
“I understand.”
“How's she doing? She's still breathing, isn't she?” I asked with an unsettling fear.