Chapter 69

Charles

As I hung up, I closed my eyes and pictured Grace curled up in my bed in the palace, draped in the fine silks and furs that covered the bed, comforted by my scent lingering in the sheets.

"Is she okay?" George asked from the front seat.

"She's... adjusting." I bit my lip. "I regret leaving her so soon. I hadn't known she would react like this."

It shouldn't have happened so quickly, though the fact that she had started growling at me to communicate and seemed to understand me when we'd been in bed should have tipped me off. It was different for every werewolf with lycan blood, depending on the bloodline and how strongly it presented.

"I'll have to ask Sera's opinion," I said, chuckling. "I was partially surprised she agreed to go."

"I don't think you could ask that side of your family for something that they wouldn't give you."

I nodded. "Probably not. It's nice to be so loved."

I looked out the window. The night was shrouded in an eerie silence as we arrived at the Storm Claw Clan's territory. Moonlight filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting shifting shadows on the forest floor. I had come here for a meeting with Asher and to drop off a few things for Amy.

We parked in front of the Clan House, and I stepped out. The guards bowed to me and ushered me inside. Asher came downstairs, and I was struck at the sight of him. He was a proud, tall man with silver-streaked hair. It was the only thing that betrayed his actual age, but more than that, it was his eyes--Grace's eyes. Asher had to be her ancestor of some sort, and my soon-to-be-in-law...

Again.

I tried not to chuckle at that as he reached the ground floor and nodded his head formally.

"Your Majesty," Asher greeted, meeting my gaze without fear or hesitation.

"Chief Storm Claw," I replied respectfully. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

He waved a hand, dismissing the formality. "I understand the desire to want to look after your children... even if they are wastes of effort. Will you walk with me?"

"At your lead."

I followed him back out of the house and onto the street. Storm Claw was one of the most advanced Clan territories besides Blackwoods. Asher and his predecessors always believed in progress and making things easier for lycans. While they didn't stray from traditions, they weren't bound by them.

We walked through the city, surrounded by the ancient forest. I could still smell the woods despite the buildings. There wasn't a single bit of the city that hadn't been built with natural stone, wood, and metal. For a while, we exchanged pleasantries and discussed the affairs of our respective territories. It was clear that Asher was a seasoned chief dedicated to the well-being of his clan. The people looked to be enjoying themselves even though the Winter Moon Festival was dwindling to the end.

"Will you tell me about the children?" Asher asked. "I can understand if you're wary about it.

I smiled and nodded. "She has your eyes."

Asher glanced at me, and I went on about Cecil first. The look of longing on his face made my chest tight. When I spoke of Richard, he looked wry.

"That girl..." he whispered, shaking his head. "And Eason? How is he?"

I nodded. "Wearing himself out. I haven't gotten a chance to figure out what is draining him so much, but aside from Grace, you will be the first to know."

I glanced at him. "Is there a reason you can't reach out to them directly?"

"After the mess your son caused?" Asher shook his head. "It would be very complicated, and I agreed a long time ago not to burden their lives."

He shook his head. "Even after their father's death... There was no clear or easy way to do it. Tensions between the Clans and the States being what they are and have been. Subtlety is not learned in a day, and it seemed I had no time to learn until most of the damage had already been done."

I nodded. "

His lips twitched. "Is she happy with you?"

I swallowed. "I believe... she will be."

He nodded. "Good. I would like to meet them properly."

"I think they would both appreciate that more than anything."

We walked back to the house, and he led me inside. "Devin should have been returned to his room by now. Amy is likely awake. How you raised such a rude child, I'll never understand."

"I assure you I don't either... Must have been his adoptive mother."

He stopped and eyed me. "I suppose I don't have to say I will want to know more about that."

I smiled. "I'd be happy to tell you over a drink."

He nodded, and the guard by the door knocked and opened the door. Devin turned, growling as he turned toward the door.

The room was small and windowless. His eyes blazed with fury, and his voice trembled with indignation.

"Father," he seethed. "You need to get me out of here right now. They have no right to treat me like some common prisoner. I demand to be released."

Asher smirked. "Take all the time you need. We have a witch healer around."

The guards stationed outside the room had initially chuckled at Devin's outburst, but their laughter quickly faded as they closed the heavy door, leaving us alone.

I remained composed, my gaze steady as I regarded my son.

"I'm not here to take you anywhere."

His eyes widened in disbelief. "What? You're going to let them treat me like this?"

"I came to speak to you, to see if you had any measure of remorse about what you've done--"

Devin's anger flared anew, and he shook with it.

"You're supposed to be my father. Isn't that why you took me in? I--"

"Your parents are the reason I took you in, and my conscience is clear. I have done everything they could have wanted for you. I am your father in all but blood, and I love you. But I will not protect you from your mistakes. Cooperate, don't cause them trouble, and maybe earn a bit of leniency."

He sneered. "Leniency. I don't need leniency. I need you to do what you're supposed to and get me out of here. I have a whole life that I--"

"You're destitute," I said. "And as far as I can tell, you haven't been looking for work. What life?"

He flushed. "If you would just give me the money--"

"You blew through your inheritance."

"When you die, it's all going to be mine, anyway! What's the problem with giving me more now?"

I cocked an eyebrow. "Do you really think I would ever name you my heir?"

His eyes widened. "What?"

"Do you really think you will only ever be my only child?"

He sneered. "Mom says she's never going to have children. She went to the witches to make sure of it."

I tilted my head. I hadn't known that, but it was just another thing to add to the long list of disappointments that Tessa had left me with.

"And just as you had Cecil and Richard with someone other than your mate, it's more than possible for me to as well. I can't leave the throne without an heir."

"You wouldn't dare," he scoffed. "Not the oh-so noble Charles Blackwoods."

"And you've already provided two perfect good heirs to choose from," I smiled. "Cecil is a beta lycan."

His eyes widened. He went still.

"Richard is an alpha."

He shot to his feet. "You're lying."

"I'm not," I said. "And for the record, Grace is at least half-lycan. And she's an alpha."

He paled. He shook his head. "You're just saying that."

"I'm not. Given the situation, you have two options."

He scoffed and glared at me. "Oh, and what's that? I'm not going back to Grace and that stupid pack."

"I wouldn't allow it even if you were inclined," I said. "You can either cooperate with the investigation and all the proceedings to come and hope for some sort of leniency, or you can continue on this way and end up in jail where being my son isn't going to matter, and you'll have to deal with whatever convicts do to gamma lycans."

Devin went pale as I turned and left the room. The anger boiling in me had me clenching my hands at my side.

There was no remorse in his eyes, no acknowledgment of the gravity of his actions, but there was raw, animal fear of where this path would leave him. I couldn't understand how he had been with Grace for years and felt nothing about his betrayal, but his fear would be useful.

Asher was waiting outside. "I trust that your discussion with your son was productive."

I smirked. "We'll see. Where's Amy?"