Chapter 53

Caleb

Sometime in the night Ruby had rolled over onto her side and nestled into the crook of my arm. She looked like a kitten, comfortable and at peace with the world.

I had slept for a few hours after we fucked, but it was difficult to stay asleep with a woman in my arms. It wasn’t a secret to Ruby or the rest of the palace that I had shared my bed with plenty of beautiful women, but it had been years since I felt anything for any of them.

Oh? Thor’s voice popped into my head, but I ignored him. I didn’t want anything to touch this night, or the pristine feeling of her body beside me, lying here in the darkness.

My phone buzzed quietly on the nightstand, and I glanced down quickly at Ruby to make sure it didn’t wake her. It went off twice more before I wiggled my hand free from the blankets to reach it.

There was one missed call and two messages from Joseph, all marked urgent.

Caleb?

Caleb, please answer.

I blinked at the phone light, and turned the brightness down to the lowest setting.

Joseph what is it? I’m a little busy at the moment.

Three typing bubbles popped up on the screen, It’s Lucas. He replied, making my breath hitch.

What about Lucas?

He’s sent a message to the palace for you, he’s threatening to bring an army tomorrow to forcefully take the throne.

I sighed, staring at the ceiling. So the Alpha Games are off then? He really would rather go to war than compete against me?

Joseph’s bubbles appeared again. Apparently. His supporters are serious, they want to take you down.

The fact that his people don’t see this as an act of treason is insane. He’s fighting against his own citizens, how could people still want him to be King?

I looked down again at Ruby, still unaware and asleep. There was no use in waking her up at this time of night, she needed the rest after the chaos of the Alpha Ball and everything that had happened between the two of us after.

It was difficult to pull myself out of her hold, but after a bit of maneuvering I managed to roll her over. I brought the edge of the bedding to her chin, and ran a gentle finger over her brow.

Stepping carefully over the echoing marble, I buttoned fresh clothes and tied my shoes before heading out the door.

My car was just the way we had left it only a few hours ago, with the doors wide open and the key still in the ignition. I chuckled as I settled into the driver’s seat and had to adjust it to my height rather than Ruby’s.

Joseph waved me into the palace when I arrived, and clapped me on the back, “It’s time,” he said somberly.

“What are we looking at?” I asked, instantly drawing the professionalism back into my demeanor. The warmth and pleasure I had let myself indulge in the night before was over. If Lucas wanted a fight, he would get a beating.

Joseph opened the door to a hidden office room, stacked floor to ceiling with monitors, maps and war models. Three of my most trusted generals were sitting around the central desk, each deeply engrossed in their strategy tablets.

“This is where he currently is, thanks to the intelligence we have gotten from planted city guards.” Joseph began, pointing to a neighborhood in the south of the Lycan capital. “We don’t know how many people he has, but the note he sent us was clear. He’s going to bring them all.”

“Can I see it?” I asked.

General Gleeson nodded, and retrieved a gilded envelope from the top desk drawer. I flicked away the seal and opened it up to reveal Lucas’s poor handwriting which spelled out, “WE MEET AT DAWN FOR THE LYCAN THRONE.”

I shook my head, glancing between the men in the room. “He’s mad if he thinks this is going to work.”

Gleeson shrugged, and crossed his arms over his chest. “The Alpha Ball helped your image, but you have to understand, sir, you’ve been trailing in some of the polling. It’s not surprising that Lucas thinks he can use his popularity to legitimize violently seizing the throne.”

Joseph nodded, pushing his thick glasses farther up the bridge of his nose. “We’re not expecting a full-scale attack since he hasn’t been preparing for this one very long. More likely, he plans to stage a targeted hit on you or your father.”

“You don’t think he would actually kill the current King and try to claim the succession that way?” I scoffed.

Joseph tilted his head like he wasn’t convinced. “Nothing is off the table. Lucas likely doesn’t know about your father’s recent illness, but it is possible he thinks that makes this the perfect time to make his move.”

I sank into my desk chair, studying the information displayed on the nearest monitor. “In either case, we have to be ready. Have you already prepared our troops and guards?”

Joseph nodded, gesturing to a slowly increasing meter counting the number of stationed men around the palace. “Lucas might have more popular support amongst politicians, but the army and regular Lycan citizens are loyal to you. They responded to the call immediately.”

There was a knock at the door, startling all of us. “Who the hell is that?” I said as Gleeson went to look through the peephole.

“It’s the Bears,” he said, sounding confused.

“Let them in,” I said, beckoning.

Vic entered first, a sword hanging from his belt, followed by Brutus and his other men. “Caleb,” he said cordially, nodding his head to me.

I stood to extend my hand, and Vic took it firmly. “We’re here to tell you we’re on your side,” he said, his gaze straight and intense. “The Bears stand with Caleb over Lucas for control of the Lycan throne.”

I nearly laughed in surprise. “The fight earlier didn’t scare you off?” I asked, grinning.

The joke didn’t seem to land, but Vic gripped my hand harder. “We never back down from a fight, and we never run like Lucas. The relationship between the Bears and the Lycan depends on your people’s future King, and there’s no way we can trust that man now.”

I smiled, pulling Vic in to pat him on the back. This was wartime, and that knowledge alone made those who fought alongside you feel like your brothers.

“Caleb!” Gleeson shouted, “you’re going to have to see this.”

I leaned over the table, squinting at the dark, grainy image from the security camera. There was a single figure standing just outside the main palace gate. He looked like a prisoner behind the wrought-iron bars.

Lucas.