Chapter 135

Caleb hates the Alpha Council, now more than ever before. The last time they convened, the entire capital had been besieged by bears after the betrayal of Caleb’s Gamma. This already painted the council in a negative light for Caleb, even though it had no real fault in what happened.

Now however, with the proceedings underway, the Alphas are bickering and posturing. Everyone is speaking but no one is actually saying anything.

“We need to build up our defenses against the north,” says one of the Alphas. Caleb just barely keeps from rolling his eyes. Of course, they need to build up their defenses. That’s why they are having this Council, to determine the best course of action to do so.

Another says, “We should place more forces along the border,” which is at least the semblance of an idea, even if it’s a faulty one. For one, the bears of the north have already infiltrated once already. Secondly, the northern border is a very long stretch of land, most of it out in desolate, freezing cold locations.

They cannot realistically protect the entire border.

“We just need more soldiers,” argues another Alpha.

Sitting on the throne, Caleb rubs his forehead, aching for relief from this asinine endeavor. He can’t remember why Tristan convinced him this would be a good idea. All of these Alphas seem utterly clueless.

Caleb tries to rally his patience though, remembering at least, that he needs to keep on the good side of some of them. Even if their ideas are terrible, it’s important that they feel heard.

Tristan spots Caleb’s annoyance from across the hall and already starts walking closer.

“My King, perhaps you could grace us with your ideas,” one of the Alphas said.

Then, very quietly under this Alpha’s breath, Caleb hears a whisper. Perhaps, because it was uttered so lightly, they thought an Alpha of Caleb’s caliber would not hear it.

They were severely mistaken.

“If only Evan sat on the throne…”

Caleb saw red. In a flash of muscle and power, he leapt from the throne, careened through the air and collided with the lesser alpha who had dared to utter those words.

The shift threatened, his wolf pulsing under Caleb’s skin, begging for release. The wolf wanted to sink its teeth into this man’s neck and tear out his throat.

Caleb so nearly let it, facing his own bloodlust. Yet still, he fought it back. Not for his sake, or for this lesser alpha’s, but for the sake of his kingdom.

Tearing the throat out of a pack alpha would not be looked upon kindly.

Even if that pack alpha deserved it.

The lesser alpha whimpering, tilted his neck to the side, offering his throat in a sign of reverence and submission.

Such weakness isn’t worth slaughtering.

“Alpha,” Tristan says as he walks closer. Caleb can hear each footstep like it’s a hammer on a drum. Despite the bored expression Tristan wears, his heartbeat races out of control.

He believes Caleb will kill this man. He doesn’t know that Caleb has already convinced himself not to.

“Might I speak with you privately, my king?” Tristan asks, bowing low. He’s offering Caleb a chance to escape this situation without having to explain himself.

Caleb knows he needs to take this offered escape or he’ll only lash out further.

“Very well,” Caleb says, though it’s difficult to form words. His own throat had already began the shift.

Tristan nods and leads Caleb toward a side room. Caleb follows him there. As Tristan closes the door behind them, Caleb walks to one of the chairs and forces himself to sit, forces himself to calm.

“You nearly killed that man,” Tristan says when they are alone.

“Did you hear what he said?” Caleb asks. “He said he wished Evan was on the throne…”

Tristan’s eyes widen slightly. “Did he truly say that?”

“I heard it,” Caleb snaps. He knows what Tristan is thinking. This could be the paranoia again, creating whispers where there were none.

Maybe he had right to worry. Perhaps Caleb had imagined it.

But what if he hadn’t?

“Your brother’s name has not been uttered in this hall in a very long time,” Tristan says. “The older Alphas would know better, and the younger ones should be too young to remember.”

“I heard his name, Beta,” Caleb growls. “I did not imagine it.”

He hopes.

“Yes, my King. Perhaps, for now, we should take a recess from the Alpha Council. Tempers were flaring even before…” Tristan clears his throat. “It might do everyone some good to separate for a time.”

Caleb hates giving in to others ideas, but he can still feel his anger coursing through him. He needs time to collect himself or he might very well lash out a second time. His willpower might not be as strong again.

“Very well,” Caleb pushes himself out of his chair. His muscles flex on their own, his fists clench, open, clench. So much energy, but he has nowhere for it to go. He half wants to take off into a sprint, half wants to break something.

What he needs is Harper, but he hates that he needs anyone.

He can do this alone. Harper is a weakness, a crutch.

As King, he has to be able to stand alone.

When the Alpha Council quits for the day, word reaches me fairly quickly about Caleb lashing out, though no one really knows what the trigger was. Some rumors suggest that Caleb grows more unstable by the day, but no one dares say such things in well-lit hallways or rooms. Those whispers are delegated entirely to shadowy corners and darkened alleyways.

Worried about Caleb’s health and well-being, I leave my room and head to Caleb’s door. Unfortunately, a pair of guards block the way. Worse, I’m not the first one to have arrived there, seeking audience with the King.

Annabelle is also there, speaking with the guards.

“You have to let me in to see him,” she says. “Do you know who I am?”

“Yes, ma’am,” one of the guards says, entirely unaffected.

“I’m not one of the harem,” Annabelle insists, as if there’s been some kind of misunderstanding.

“No, ma’am.”

“I’m the King’s betrothed.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“So you should let me inside!”

“No, ma’am. Sorry, ma’am.”

Annabelle huffs in frustration, her gaze drifting up and down the hallway. When she sees me, she snaps, “What are you doing here?”

“I’ve come to see King Caleb,” I said. “I heard about what happened.”

“He doesn’t want to see anyone,” Annabelle says. “That includes you.”

“I would prefer if I heard that from the guards themselves,” I say.

Annabelle narrows her eyes. “Harper. This is one of those times where you need to learn to step aside. Have I not already made our positions clear? Whatever you once were to King Caleb, you are no longer. I am to be his one and only. His support and his strength. And his Luna. Do I make myself clear?”

“Until he dismisses me, I am in my King’s service,” I say. I’m not thrilled about being at Caleb’s beck and call. I’d rather he let me go and focus on Annabelle or whoever else he intended to marry instead. But that’s not the hand I’ve been dealt.

Caleb still wants me here, and no one is going to tell me to leave but him.

“Well, I wouldn’t get too comfortable if I were you,” Annabelle says. “I’m sure he’ll ask you to leave sooner, rather than later.”