Chapter 62
Kael
The moment Selena’s words settled in my mind, I realized she had been right.
Keeping her hidden behind walls and guards would only delay the inevitable. Those searching for her weren’t fools. They would keep digging until they either found proof she was here or convinced themselves she was somewhere else.
If I wanted her safe, I had to give them no reason to keep searching. That was the only way.
As I strode through the corridor toward my study, my boots echoed against the polished stone floor while servants hurried out of my path.
Every passing noble and soldier lowered their heads respectfully, but I barely noticed them.
My mind remained fixed on the upcoming Ball.
Earlier that morning, I had already instructed the decorators to abandon the usual dark banners and crimson draperies that had long represented Blackborne. Instead, the fortress would be dressed in bright colors and warm lights.
An atmosphere that felt welcoming rather than intimidating.
Anyone walking into the fortress should think of celebration, not secrets.
Still… It wasn’t enough.
The more I considered it, the more flaws I found in my own plans.
If influential Alphas attended and discovered Selena’s scent… If rumors somehow reached the vampire territories… If one careless servant spoke too much… Everything could collapse.
“No,” I muttered beneath my breath. I needed more. Far more.
I reached my study and pushed the heavy oak doors open before walking inside.
Maps covered one side of the room while stacks of reports occupied my desk. Rolls of architectural plans lay scattered across another table, each detailing the expansion of Blackborne defenses.
Before I could even sit down, another knock came. “Enter p>
The door opened carefully and Beta Bastian stepped inside. His expression alone told me this wasn’t another routine report.
“What is it p>
“My Alpha,” he began carefully, “the patriarch of House Kavanagh has arrived p>
I looked up as I asked. “William Kavanagh p>
“Yes p>
“What does he want p>
“He insists he needs an urgent audience p>
I leaned back slowly. “At this hour p>
Beta Bastian nodded. “He claims the matter cannot wait until morning p>
My patience instantly faded. “I’ve been dealing with council meetings since dawn… I’ve reviewed troop reports p>
“Yes p>
“I’ve approved supply routes.” He remained silent as I added. “I’ve spent the last hour reorganizing preparations for the Ball p>
“I understand my Alpha p>
I folded my hands together. “So tell me why I should entertain a noble who suddenly decides he cannot wait until tomorrow p>
Beta Bastian hesitated. “It may concern the border lands… the farms”
My gaze narrowed in anger already knowing why he was there.
“What exactly is the issue?” I asked, tiredly.
“He refused to explain.” Beta Bastian said.
Of course he had.
“He merely said it concerns the fertile lands under House Kavanagh.” He added.
I sighed.
“And because House Kavanagh is one of the oldest families in Blackborne, you believe I should abandon everything tonight p>
“I believe, My Alpha,” Beta Bastian answered carefully, “that William Kavanagh carries considerable influence. Refusing him might worsen whatever grievance he has p>
I rose from my chair then slowly, I walked toward the window overlooking the fortress courtyard.
Torches flickered below as some workers continued decorating despite the late hour. Preparations couldn’t stop and neither could I.
“I am the Alpha.” I started.
Beta Bastian lowered his head. “Yes, Alpha Kael. We do know this very well p>
“If every noble demands an audience whenever he wishes… They’ll stop respecting my authority p>
I turned to face him. “If William wishes to see me, he can wait until I decide I am available p>
Beta Bastian remained silent as I added. “Tell him exactly that p>
“My Alpha he tried to say but I cut him off.
“No! Just go tell him that and stop trying to question everything p>
His shoulders stiffened. “As you command, my Alpha.” He bowed before quietly leaving.
The study became silent once more. For several moments I simply stood there staring out across the pack.
The fortress had weathered wars, famines and betrayals so definitely, It would survive this as well.
Eventually I returned to my desk as a fresh stack of purchase contracts waited for my approval.
There were Timber, Stone, Steel reinforcements, Iron spike and Construction equipment. They were everything required for the new watchpits along the eastern borders.
One after another, I reviewed every figure, every supplier, every seal and every signature because carelessness was expensive, especially where security was involved.
I dipped my quill into ink before signing another contract then another and another.
Hours slipped by unnoticed and the outside darkness deepened until the fortress quieted.
Only the occasional footsteps of night patrols disturbed the silence.
I rubbed my temples before reaching for the final document. Instead of reading it immediately, another thought crept into my mind.
The thought of Selena. Specifically… it’s the thought of her revolution.
A faint frown crossed my face.
She had spoken about it with surprising conviction earlier.
Until then, I had regarded her little organization as little more than an emotional effort by a handful of determined servants.
I hadn’t expected her to dedicate so much of herself to it… Nor had I expected others to follow her yet they had.
Enough people believed in her cause that she spoke of it without hesitation.
“What exactly were they planning on the ball day?” The question lingered.
The Ball was approaching rapidly and Hundreds of influential guests would soon fill Blackborne.
Werewolves, Merchants, Noble families, Foreign delegates… Some who supported me and others who secretly wished for my failure.
If Selena’s group intended to act during the celebration… Even with noble intentions… It could become disastrous.
The slightest disturbance could ignite panic and one frightened rumor of vampires invasion would become ten then ten would become a hundred.
By sunrise, every kingdom would be whispering that Blackborne had become the birthplace of a vampire rebellion.
That was something I simply could not allow. Not inside my own fortress and definitely not while hosting the largest gathering of allied packs in years.
I wasn’t against what Selena hoped to accomplish. This was far from it.
I know she wanted justice, she wanted change and I respected both but revolutions required timing.
The ball was not the right time for them to do anything stupid!
Whatever she and her group intended… I would have to learn it before events slipped beyond anyone’s control.
The final contract received my signature so I sealed the documents together before extinguishing the last candle on my desk.
Tomorrow would be another exhausting day.
Morning arrived with far less peace than I expected. Even before I had finished dressing, Beta Bastian entered without his usual composure. “My Alpha p>
“What is it now?” I asked grumpily.
His expression hardened. “William Kavanagh had returned p>
I fastened the cuffs of my tunic. “I expected as much p>
“He did not wait outside… He forced his way through the entrance p>
A dangerous silence settled between us. “He what p>
“He pushed past the guards.” My jaw tightened as he continued. “They attempted to stop him, but he ignored every warning p>
“And where is he now?” I asked with a barely refrained groan.
“In your throne room.” Beta Bastien quickly said.
I grabbed my cloak as I said through gritted it. “He stormed into my fortress, and without an invitation, he stormed into my throne room p>
Without another word, I strode through the halls as guards scrambled aside as I approached.
Every step echoed with growing irritation. Blackborne had rules… No one, noble or otherwise, ignored them p>
Least of all one of my own subjects!
The throne room doors swung open and William Kavanagh stood in the center.
He was every bit as imposing as I remembered. Tall enough to tower over most wolves, and very broad.
His expensive robes strained across his large frame while his gray beard trembled with restrained fury.
Several guards remained nearby, watching him cautiously. The instant he saw me, his expression darkened further.
I walked calmly toward my throne before taking my seat. No emotion crossed my face and there was no greeting either.
Finally I spoke. “You forced your way into my throne room p>
William didn’t bow, he didn’t apologize and didn’t even acknowledge my words.
Instead, he stepped forward. “Why are you planning to burn my fertile lands at the border p>
The accusation echoed throughout the chamber as several guards exchanged confused glances.
I stared at him. “What did you say p>
“You heard me.” His voice grew louder. “My workers saw your surveyors, They marked the fields, They measured everything and they carried royal documents p>
He pointed an accusing finger toward me. “You intend to destroy generations of farmland p>
His voice became increasingly heated. “My family has cultivated those lands for decades and now you intend to reduce them to ash p>
Each sentence came faster, louder and more disrespectful.
The guards shifted uneasily while Beta Bastian remained perfectly still beside my throne.
Inside me, irritation slowly transformed into anger as my fingers curled against the armrest while William continued ranting as though I wasn’t even his Alpha.
Every accusation sharpened the tension in the room! Every disrespectful word chipped away at the patience I had fought to maintain.
My fists tightened against the throne… My anger rose as my patience thinned then I snapped my eyes at the older wolf.