Jade’s pov:
Upon contacting Alpha Ian, he said that he would do his best to assist me in these dire times, just not openly so no doubt for fear of backlash from the Alpha King. And I understood his reasons all too well. He had a pack to protect, and I would be silly to take offense at that.
Alpha Kade, on the other hand, was immediately alarmed by the news of Alex’s imprisonment, and had offered to come visit the pack at once, in the hopes to talk strategy with Luc, Trevor and me. I was currently at the entrance of the pack house as I waited for his and Luna Sherry’s arrival.
His mate, absurdly sweet and supportive, had declared that we would be calling one another at 7 pm tops, everyday, without fail. Our conversations varied, and I could feel that she was doing her best to cheer me up.
Today marked day 7 since Alex was taken from me and his pack, and we had yet to hear any word from the Alpha King, as to when he would be facing trial. The wait was maddening, and it was all I could to keep a routine, and keep smiling at the pack members, whose whispers I sometimes heard.
Considering Alex was accused of treason, there was no way to visit him, but I held onto the hope that the guards would talk, or that the queen would out herself on her own.
Silly hope? Possibly, but holding onto it was all I could do to cling to my sanity.
I was just about ready to start crying when I saw two cars approach the pack house.
Not now, woman, I chided myself, before inhaling deeply and getting my shit back together.
The first car was still slowly on the move when the door opened, and out rushed Sherry. Her mate, albeit frowning, didn’t utter a word of objection.
“Welcome, Luna Sherry,” I let out, as per the traditions, only for her to hug me tightly to her.
“Oh, my sweet Jade,” she cooed softly. And before long, she was shaking as she cried.
I hugged her back as if my life depended on it, feeling how she was hurting for me. And grateful for her support, I told her in a strangled voice, “Thank you for coming.”
“What’s all this decorum for, Jade?” She asked as she stepped out of my embrace, and gave me a look. “We’re friends.”
“We are,” I assured her softly, smiling bleakly at her.
Luc was shaking hands with Alpha Kade, whereas Trevor stood close to me, on alert, as if fearing an attack. Trevor had always been protective, but was even moreso now possibly because I was pregnant, probably because my mate wasn’t here.
Alex’s parents were standing closeby, watching everything unfold with keen interest and sad smiles on. They didn’t want to meddle in pack affairs since they had stepped down from their titles quite some time ago… They were merely here to show support, and to be informed of what was going on.
Once greetings were exchanged, we all headed to the Alpha’s office.
“It’s hard to believe that the Alpha King and his men couldn’t make the guards talk,” Alpha Kade let out the moment we all sat down. “Surely, we’re missing something.”
“I think the queen isn’t without allies,” I hissed as I recalled the woman’s spiteful words, and her desire to talk.
“What do you mean?” Sherry asked in a tone that was only half curious.
“After everything went down, and while the investigation was ongoing, someone claiming to be a healer came to check up on me. If it hadn’t been for the intervention of a young seer, I would have been done for. She had a needle coated with wolfsbane on her.”
“A young seer?” Alpha Kade echoed after me in a slightly confused manner.
“She’s the witch’s daughter, and she can see the future, which makes her overly shy and sometimes awkward,” I smiled almost unconsciously as I recalled the little bundle of joy.
Sherry let out a stunned Oh at that.
“Regardless of the guards and the queen’s pawns, the main issue is we don’t have much time,” Alpha Kade then declared in a grim tone of voice. “We should probably ask for an audience, and try to talk it out with the Alpha King.”
“I tried and failed already,” Luc told him with a wry smile.
“It truly doesn’t add up,” Sherry went on. “If Alex had been proven guilty, how come they let you be free, Jade?”
“I am guessing they value me for what I can bring to the table, but at the same time can’t let the offense go unpunished,” I heaved a sigh as I tipped my head back, trying to avoid the tears.
“How are we supposed to come to Alpha Xander’s aid if the Alpha King won’t even give us an audience?” Alpha Kade grumbled in a rather angry tone of voice.
“For the time being, the pack is growing restless without a leader,” I argued. “Having you over wasn’t just to think of solutions, but also because Alex told me to appoint Luc as Alpha if push comes to shove.”
“We’re not there yet, Luna Jade,” Luc objected at once, eyes wide with what appeared to be panic, “We should wait some more.”
“I agree with Beta Luc,” Alpha Kade nodded. “Maybe you should hold a meeting with all the pack members, in which you explain the situation.”
“The elders have been spewing nonsense,” I heaved yet another sigh.
“We’re here with you, Jade,” Alex’s father let out, nodding as he said so. “Fear not. You and the baby will be protected.”
Didn’t they realize that I knew they would go above and beyond to ensure my safety, but what I feared the most was losing my mate?
** ** ** ** **
Alex’s pov:
I had been assigned to guard the queen’s quarters, to make my mission easier.
I naturally couldn’t approach the queen, but her servants would do. I could bet my life savings on the fact that they knew a lot probably more than they let on. The issue was that they were rather tight-lipped and haughty too. The only way to make them talk was to flirt my way into their good graces.
I hated the very idea, but I knew that it was something that I had to do.
Meredith was the youngest of them, and most importantly unmated at 23. She was my best shot at getting out of this mess.
I went by the name of Alex Monroe, and I had a story ready to tell about my mark and how my mate was undeserving of me, and had left me for someone with more power.
The lies were necessary, and I had thankfully been provided with scent suppressants, which would make my beloved’s scent on me be less potent.
Heavens have mercy, when will this be over?