Chapter 67
Gradel
I watched them banter as if I wasn't in their midst. They had so much to talk about after they sensed that I'd marked my mate yesterday.
"Finally, His grace has officially marked our future Luna. Now he will understand what it means to have a mate and when children come... I don't want to imagine how much they'll stress our Prince," Elder Hanson chuckled.
"And maybe we'll have breaks like we did during yesterday's meeting." Lyros, the leader of the Beta rank injected, his lips curved in a smirk.
I cleared my throat, subtly reminding them of my presence. They snapped their lips shut at once, peering at me in anticipation of what I'd say to them.
"It's funny how you're all pretending to be happy about my union with Iris, yet you gave her a hard time yesterday just because I wasn't around." I snarled, clenching my fists in anger.
Everything they said yesterday, I heard it all but I was overwhelmed with the need to mark my mate and that was why I didn't confront them about their misdeeds.
They bowed their heads in shame, silently passing the blame to each other with their eyes. Then I banged the table, causing them to jerk in fear.
"Can't any of you speak up?" I thundered.
Lyros raised his hand. "I'm sorry, Your Grace, but it was Simon who gave her a hard time not us. Elder Hanson only wanted to ensure that the protocols were observed. We are sorry for disrespecting your mate and we promise that it won't happen again. " He pleaded.
I got to my feet, my hands behind me while I strolled towards them. Silas raised his hand as well but one death glare at him made him retrieve his hand.
Seeing the elders trembling in fear was something I didn't revel in, but that was the only way I could get them.
"I'm going to make something very clear to you all. Iris is my mate and when it comes to her, all protocols are broken. I don't care the wrong ideas you might have about her, but she'll be your Luna soon and you'll accord her the respect you deserve. Do you hear me?" I said with an unsmiling face.
"Yes, Your Grace." They chorused and I motioned at the guard by the door to bring the stranger in.
He was dragged in, still looking filthy from yesterday. The sight of him reminded me of the first day I met my mate. She wasn't charming in any way, if anything her tattered clothes and the pungent smell oozing out from her body almost pushed me away, yet I still felt attracted to her.
"Good day, Your Grace," He greeted.
"I hear your name is Elda and I've been briefed on the atrocity you committed while I was away. There's only one question I have for you,"
He lifted his face, his eyes fixed on me expectantly.
"How can you be of importance to this pack?" I questioned.
His eyes bulged in astonishment and slight murmurs erupted from the elders but I blocked them out, training my attention on the young man.
His lips parted slightly, trying to speak but he closed it immediately and swallowed.
"Do you have issues with communication?" I asked, brimming with impatience.
He shook his head. "I... I can be your messenger, Sir."
A scoff flew out of my lips. "Do you know what that implies? Are you sure that you can go on any ridiculous errands I ask you to do?"
"Yes, I can. This is the only to thank you for not passing a sentence on me so I pledge my loyalty to you, Your Grace." He swore, his face lighting up with a smile.
"Very well then, you can leave. I'll send for you when I have a job for you. I'll appoint a servant to get you a room and some change of clothes will be given to you as well." I informed him.
He fell on his feet again, not just kneeling but prostrating in excitement.
"Thank you so much. I'm grateful," He thanked me profusely and left with a wide grin.
Deep down, I knew that they all had something to say concerning what I did so I allowed them.
"You can go on, Simon," I caught him unaware.
He whisked a glance around, then pointed at himself with a quizzical look. "I don't have anything to say," He shook his head but when he noticed that I didn't reply, he gulped and began to talk.
"According to our rules, Your Grace, a thief should be punished for stealing no matter how the size of the item. If word goes around that you set him free after he burgled a pack member's stall, it might motivate other criminals to do whatever they like and that won't be good for our pack," He spoke, carefully.
My lips curved into a small smile. "Thank you for airing your mind, but exposure has taught me that there are several ways to deal with a particular issue if the other method isn't working. We have always sentenced thieves to death, but it doesn't stop other people from committing the same crime. Besides, not everyone is criminally minded, some of them have been pushed to the wall..."
I hadn't completed my statement when the doors of the courtroom flew ajar with my father's guard dashing in.
Beads of sweat gathered on his forehead and with his lips visibly trembling and then he swept a hand across his forehead to get read of the sweat.
"Your Grace, something bad has happened," He announced in a rush, his voice panicky.
A frown crossed my face and I stood up, my heart racing. "What could that be?"
He gulped, avoiding my gaze while my adrenaline spiked due to the suspenseful silence. I wasn't going to like this, I thought.
"Speak! Young man!" I ordered, irritated by his inability to articulate his speech.
Finally, he dropped the bombshell. "The Alpha is dead."