Chapter 257
Once again, Andrew sat in the dreaded meeting room surrounded by his advisors and the members of the Werewolf Council. The reason behind this joint meeting was no mystery. They would have all heard about the disaster that was his wedding ceremony by this point, and he was sure that at least Head Wolf Antoine and his head advisor, Michael, had heard about the phone call with King Frederick.
As soon as everyone took their seats, Andrew called the meeting to order.
“Good afternoon, everyone,” he said. “Thank you for joining me here today. Head Wolf Antoine, since you called for this meeting, I believe that you should start us off.”
Head Wolf Antoine inclined his head at Andrew.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” he said. “As we all know, Alpha King Andrew and Princess Aurora’s wedding was disrupted by a vampiric attack. Many werewolves and hybrids, including Princess Aurora, were severely injured, but fortunately, no one died.”
Head Wolf Antoine paused to let the information sink in.
“Unfortunately, several vampires escaped,” he continued. “We have been unable to track them down. They have probably fled back to their territory up north, but we cannot know for certain.”
Disturbed looks crossed several of the gathered werewolves’ faces. The idea of vampires on the loose in werewolf territory, unaccounted for, was enough to send a chill down any werewolf’s or hybrid’s spine.
“On the human front, we have heard that Princess Aurora is set to make a full recovery. The incident will likely traumatize her, but physically, she will be just fine. We also have reports that King Frederick has called off the engagement and is threatening to pull the plug on the trade agreement between humans and werewolves.”
Murmuring broke out among the advisors and council members. Only Bob did not act surprised, instead leaning back in his chair and smirking. Andrew narrowed his eyes at the man but did not draw unnecessary attention to him.
“Our top priority will be to repair the relationship between humans and werewolves,” Head Wolf Antoine continued. “This will require some concessions on our part—”
The murmuring reached a fever pitch. No one could imagine what kinds of concessions the werewolf world could possibly endure when so many important exports came from the human world.
Andrew cleared his throat and raised his hands, effectively silencing the whispers and concerns, for the moment.
“As I was saying,” Head Wolf Antoine continued, “this will require some concessions on our part, including providing more goods to the human world than we have in the past.”
“Goods like what?” Bob demanded. “We already have a 1-for-1 trade system with them.”
“We will have to think of something,” Head Wolf Antoine replied. “King Frederick is rightfully sore over what happened—”
“Because Alpha King Andrew did not protect his daughter,” Bob pointed out.
Andrew did his best to not react to Bob’s words. He did not want anyone to know how close he had gotten to the truth.
“Over the entire incident,” Head Wolf Antoine countered. “Hopefully, it will not be too painful on our part. However, we have more pressing matters to address before we discuss acceptable concessions.”
Andrew’s brows furrowed.
“What could be more important than that?”
Head Wolf Antoine glanced at Michael, who nodded.
“Your Highness,” Michael began, “Head Wolf Antoine has revealed to us—your advisors and the council members—that you have an elite guard that you have been keeping secret from the public and from us. He said that they are called the Special Guard.”
Andrew’s eyes narrowed at Head Wolf Antoine, but he did not interrupt Michael.
“He also has reason to believe that you used this highly specialized unit on Crystal Blanchard, rather than yourself and Princess Aurora. Is that true?”
Andrew’s hand curled into a fist under the table. Otherwise, he did not physically react to Michael’s accusations.
“Yes,” he replied.
Several people at the table exchanged glances. No one dared to say a word.
“Head Wolf Antoine also believes that this unit could have prevented the attack at your wedding. Is that true?”
Andrew breathed in and out deeply through his nostrils.
“I doubt that they could have prevented it completely,” he replied. “However, they could have reduced the number of victims and escaped vampires drastically and possibly…”
Andrew hesitated.
“And possibly what, Your Highness?” Michael prompted.
“And possibly helped prevent Princess Aurora’s injuries,” Andrew finished.
“So, don’t you see the problem, Your Highness?” Michael asked.
Andrew rubbed his temples.
“I had my reasons for sending them where I did,” he argued, “and no way of knowing that vampires would get this far south. I only use the Special Guard when there is a tremendous known threat to someone I care about, and there was no such threat to Princess Aurora and me, only to Crystal.”
Head Wolf Antoine slammed his fist on the table.
“It was a waste of resources!” he exclaimed.
Andrew’s jaw clenched. His neck muscles tightened. His eyes landed on Head Wolf Antoine’s, staring down his Beta.
“Are you saying that protecting someone’s life is a waste of resources?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
“It is when those resources could—and should—be used to protect other lives, more important lives.”
Andrew snarled at Head Wolf Antoine and jumped to his feet.
“How dare you insinuate that Crystal’s life means less than—”
“See, everyone?” Head Wolf Antoine said, standing as well. “I warned you that he was still caught on Crystal. I warned you!”
Andrew tore his gaze away from Head Wolf Antoine long enough to look at the other council members and his advisors. They all seemed to nod in agreement. Bob appeared smugger than ever, his arms crossed over his chest as we watched the chaos unfold.
“Yes, I am still in love with Crystal Blanchard,” Andrew declared confidently. “Is that what you all wanted to hear?”
“Of course, not!” Head Wolf Antoine replied. “Your love for her is clouding your judgment, just like it did back when you were dating. I thought that Princess Aurora would be enough to get your mind off of her, but apparently, she has you under some sort of spell.”
“I cannot help who I love.”
“Maybe not, but you could at least think of the good of the werewolf world.”
“I am thinking of the good of the werewolf world!”
“Clearly not, or else you would have kept the Special Guard close to you and Princess Aurora, not some woman who you shouldn’t even have anything to do with anymore!”
Andrew stood straighter, pulled his shoulders back, and held his head high.
“I love Crystal. That is all there is to it. And I will always protect the women that I love, no matter what you think of me.”
Andrew stormed towards the door, stopping by Bob to glare at the back of the man’s head. No matter how much he willed it to happen, Bob would not turn around to face him, so he addressed the rest of the assembled instead.
“Contact me when you are ready for input on the trade agreement between humans and werewolves,” he said, “or when you have information on this latest vampiric intrusion. Otherwise, think twice before you reach out to me.”
With one last lingering glare at Head Wolf Antoine and Michael, Andrew turned his back on his advisors and the Werewolf Council and charged out of the room. He might have been mistaken, but he could have sworn that he had heard Bob chuckle upon his exit.
