Chapter 172

I’m not sure how I knew that I’d be able to stop Caleb from hurting anyone just with a simple touch, but in this moment, I suppose I’m not really thinking at all. I just don’t want Caleb to lose himself again.

The Alpha Council is already on the brink of falling apart. If Caleb hurts someone, even if they made a crude comment and deserve reprimand, convincing them to bring their armies to Caleb’s cause would only be more difficult.

Maybe Caleb knows that. Perhaps my touch offered him just enough comfort to relax and think of the consequences of any harsh action here.

Caleb glances at me, and through his eyes, I can see him slowly returning to himself, the red ebbing away from his irises. He doesn’t say thank you, but I can tell with the gentle softening of his gaze that he is grateful.

After a moment, I let my hand fall away.

Caleb looks back to his advisors and Council, continuing as if nothing happened.

“While I could force you to act, for now, I choose not to,” Caleb says. “Understand that this inaction brings me no end to frustration, and if anything nefarious happens due to this inaction, I will personally take vengeance on each and every one of you.”

The threat does its job. A few of the Council pale. Others look away. Only a brave handful continue to meet Caleb’s stare. They are defiant, almost, looking back as if to say, I accept this responsibility.

Defiance like this, I know, backed by confidence, often impresses Caleb. He is not the type of King who wants to surround himself with people who only agree with him all the time. He wants forward thinkers to push back on him, to challenge him.

Even now, he seems impressed by these handful.

“That is all. Dismissed,” Caleb says. As the courtyard starts to empty, he adds, “Except my advisors. I need to discuss something else with you.”

The advisors glance at each other and stay behind.

Looking at me once more, Caleb leans forward and kisses my cheek with affection, showing his favoritism. If any of the other harem members were to see this, they would undoubtedly be jealous. But never have they been allowed in a Council meeting as I have.

By now, I think they’ve all just accepted that Caleb will treat me differently than the rest.

“Go,” he says to me. “Rest. I will handle things and find you later.”

I want to ask him if he’s sure. With his loss of temper earlier, I’m not eager to walk away and leave him alone. But, I can’t undermine him in front of his advisors – not any more than I already have.

So, not seeing any other choice, I say, “Okay,” and head to the door.

Caleb watches as Harper enters back into the palace, already feeling colder without her presence. No matter, he has business to attend to and she, tired as she clearly is with those heavy bags under her eyes, doesn’t need to be present for.

They’ve both run themselves ragged these past few days, chasing after Samuel and the rebellion. That the Council didn’t believe their findings added insult to injury.

But Caleb has his temper under control now. He won’t lose it again.

When all others have left except for Caleb and his advisors, he crosses his arms and tells them, “I’ve decided that we need to bring more commoners into the court.”

The advisors clearly weren’t expecting that. Their eyes all went wide at once.

“Commoners, Alpha King?”

“We’ve been locked behind these palace walls for too long,” Caleb says. “The world outside the capital has become a place I do not recognize, with people whose problems I no longer understand. I will have their voices heard in this place, and be made aware of their problems.”

“Isn’t this why we have the pack Alphas?” one of the advisors asks. “The commoners are to bring their problems to the pack Alphas, who then bring those same problems, if necessary, to you.”

“The pack Alphas, either out of pride or ignorance, have been withholding many of their people’s problems from me, and I tire of it,” Caleb says. “I would know the troubles my people face from their own mouths. Their own perspectives.”

“Forgive me, Alpha King,” says another advisor. “But the pack Alphas won’t be pleased about this. Likely will be the other nobles and members of the court.”

“They will adjust,” Caleb says. “I am not backing down from this idea, nor am I asking your permission. I am telling you that this is how things will be from now on. I’m waiting to hear ideas on how we will implement it. You are my advisors. Advise.”

The advisors still seem skeptical, but one by one, they agree.

“Give us time to consider our options,” the head advisor says.

“You have until tomorrow,” Caleb says. “Then I want answers and ideas.”

“Yes, Alpha King,” the advisors agree.

“Dismissed,” Caleb says and waves them away. While they leave, he moves to a nearby bench and sits down. Closing his eyes, he hopes to rest for just one minute.

“King Caleb?” Annabelle’s voice cuts into his peace.

Forcing open his eyes, he sees her standing in front of him, blocking his light. Peering down at him, she’s wearing a hopeful expression.

“Have you seen the decorations, my King?” she asks. “What do you think so far?”

They are overly decadent, but Caleb knows saying that will only cause unnecessary upset and tears. He’d rather not deal with Annabelle at all right now, let alone her when she’s feeling slighted.

“It’s fine,” Caleb says and closes his eyes again.

Her shadow remains over him, continuing to block the sunshine from reaching his face.

“Just fine…?” she asks.

What does she want from him? A slew of flowery but meaningless compliments.

“Genuinely, do as you wish,” he says. “I do not care how it looks.”

“You… don’t care…?” She sounds even more upset now.

Caleb opens his eyes in time to see her start to cry. Gods damn it. He only wanted a moment’s peace.

“Caleb…” she sobs. “How can you not care? Especially when your mother and I have been putting in so much effort. Do you… not want to marry me?”

I know I should have left Caleb alone, but I secretly waited inside for him to be done with his meeting, just to check and make sure everything went okay. When the advisors returned without Caleb, I grew slightly concerned, so I slipped outside just in time to see Annabelle approach Caleb.

My heart sinks, watching them talk. Caleb at least seems disinterested, though Annabelle is becoming visibly upset.

Maybe I should intervene before things get out of hand. Annabelle is likely playing up being upset about something, in order to manipulate him. It makes my blood boil, seeing someone act that way.

It reminds me too much of Leah.

So, without thinking, I start to walk closer.

“Do you… not want to marry me?” Annabelle asks.

Hearing that, I freeze. My heart starts to pound as I struggle for breath. Every inch of me, every single nerve, sits poised and ready, waiting for his answer.

Finally, he does, “By this time next week, you will be my wife.”