Chapter 74 Revenge
Chapter 74 Revenge
Theon.
Kellin’s tone is purposefully even as he utters that name. His tone only gets even when he has really, really bad news to deliver. Considering how the name Edwin Kane doesn’t ring any bells, I can only assume that what he’s going to say next is going to be my next headache.
“And he has promised the pack revenge.”
Bingo, right on the bullseye.
I curse. “That’s rich, coming from the pack that made the first move. If they kept their hands off one of my wolves, nothing like this would have happened.”
“The situation is delicate considering Callista’s status in our own pack. Technically, she was never initiated into the Rexellen pack.” Kellin reminds me.
I hate politics.
“We need to get that issue fixed, then. In the meantime, keep a heavy lookout on everything.” I order him. “Close off and monitor the pack borders closely, control the number of people going outside. Trade routes need to be monitored very, very closely. If anyone wants to commute, glamour them.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“And keep your ear to the ground. Does he know who attacked them?”
They must have an idea, because we were the only pack in the same neighborhood with them. Hopefully, the idea that the royal pack had come after them would dissuade them from any avenging notions.
The bears did not have royalty. They were more pack-oriented than wolves, more individual. So, if one pack was slighted, they would have to deal with it on their own. They had no king to mobilize every bear under one crest, so to speak. That would be a point of advantage to them.
Not that I’m going to use any other pack to pay for my mistakes. This situation is going to be resolved with the least force and casualties as possible. I had no interest in participating in a war.
“I don’t think so. Nothing regarding the Rexellen pack had come up in the information.”
I nod. “That’s good. All they know is that wolves attacked them. I don’t think they’d go to the supernatural council regarding this, not when they have a functioning Chamber of Despair in their pack. They’ve got more to lose than we do.”
And given Callista is my mate, harming her would be considered a direct attack on me. Every wolf in North America is going to take offense to that, regardless of whether Callista is the stealer or not. She would be my mate and a werewolf first and foremost.
However, if the fact that Callista ran away from the pack in the first place to get caught by the bears comes up, we might face another issue. While I would not hesitate to answer for my own actions regarding my own conduct with her, I do not want anyone else to pay for them. Especially not my pack who had no idea what was going on.
If my parents were alive, they were going to be so disappointed in me. I wish I had exercised more wit since the start, rather than follow my impulses. This is why I told Elias I wasn’t the one suited for this whole King gig like him.
Elias would never have been as stupid as I was about this. He was the better-taught one between the two of us. I was called a prodigy yes, and I did things that were beyond my age. But Elias was always the most sensible one.
I miss my brother at that moment, much more than words can say. I pray for him to have lucidity once more so I can talk with him and get some much-needed advice.
“I’ll keep my ears open for any news, Theon,” Kellin promises, bringing me back from my self-pity spiral. “I feel like they’re going to attack us directly rather than go to the council if they find who we are.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Without even realizing it, both of us had made it to the castle, and coincidentally my office. I hadn’t been in here in a hot minute, dealing with all the affairs of the pack remotely. I really need to be more responsible, now that Callista is awake for better or for worse.
I need to freshen up, and there is a bathroom joined to the office. It’s smart planning on my father’s part, along with putting a couch in the antechamber. I still have sand in my ears, and my breath is atrocious.
Wincing at everything that had already gone wrong with today, along with the thought of all the loads of paperwork that must definitely be overflowing my desk at the moment, I unlock the door to the office.
And come to an abrupt stop.
Someone is already in my office. She is tall, only a hair or two shorter than I am, dressed in black and orange, cutting an intimidating figure with her straight back and her regal posture. The sword she wears at her side, scabbard polished to perfection and gleaming of good workmanship, the king that would only rival that of the sword it keeps hidden, does not help things.
Her fire-red hair is pinned in an elaborate hairstyle on the top of her head, tight and orderly, and her blue eyes pierce through me, as they’d done before, a long time ago. She is all grace and elegance, born and bred to be poised but deadly at the same time.
I don’t just know this about her from her image alone. No, I have intimate knowledge about who and what exactly the intruder in my office is.
“Hello, Theon, it’s been a while. I hoped that we would never have to meet on such a sad occasion.” Valencia Everheart’s raspy, but melodious voice brings back a slew of memories that still manage to affect and conflict me.
“Valencia.” My voice cracks to my great frustration. “Why are you here?”
I could be less callous, but at that moment, I am too shocked to care. Her appearance on top of everything just makes me feel utterly exhausted but fully alert at the same damn time.
“Why, Theon,” Valencia shoots me a brittle, sorry smile. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look like that. “Of course, I’ve come to convey to you my condolences for the unfortunate passing of your mate.”