“I- uh,” Natalie’s brows tugged together slightly, “Let me confer with my mate, and we will guide you there.”
“Make it quick.” Caspien let out some of his aura and Natalie nodded, scrambling to get away.
“I didn’t come here for lunch,” Caspien explained.
“Added bonus,” Holden said, taking a long sip of his water.
Finally, after a mostly silent lunch, Hugo reutred with his mate in tow.
“We can address the pack outside the packhouse if you wish,” Huge wrung his hands, I had never seen him anything less than confident.
I wondered if that was because of the situation or if it was because of how I grew as a person. He didn’t intimidate me anymore. I didn’t feel small or insignificant next to him.
“Give them enough time to congregate, don’t force them there, but anyone that wants to come should have the opportunity,” Caspien said.
“For what?” Hugo said, his voice sounding small.
“For them to know the truth,” Caspien’s voice was resolute, “This pack has been living with an Alpha that fed them nothing but lies and deceit, and I intend to change that.” He stood up and adjusted his sleeves. “Will, I mean, is this for a punishment?” Hugo paled.
“It isn’t up to me, and not for your son, not like that,” Caspien said and Hugo let out a breath some color returning to his face.
“I don’t care what happens; all I ask is that Theo is not to blame. Nolan’s son is a good kid. It’s not his fault.””
“I don’t believe in taking the actions of parents out on their children.” I stood up next to Caspien, “No child should be held responsible for the actions, or lack thereof of their parents. If you think he will make a good and fair leader, then I will take that into account.” “Thank you, Willa, er-Luna.” Hugo bowed his head.
“Let’s get this over with.” Caspien wrapped my arm in his and walked out, knowing that everyone would follow.
Pack members gathered around the front steps of the packhouse, there was nervous and excited chatter between them.
When I stepped out on Caspiens’s arm, the audience quieted.
There were about as many as I expected, not a huge crowd, but I saw some of them mindlinking, and I knew that there would be more coming.
“Where is your Alpha?” Caspien addressed them, turning to Hugo.
“Give him a moment.”
We studied the crowd from our perch on the steps and waited.
The door opened slowly behind us, but none of us looked back.
Nolan stumbled out finding his feet. His Beta and Gamma, Jack, and Issac were behind him. Jack looked at us his eyes wide, and I was worried for a second that I would ruin our friendship over this.
Which one is Nolan? – Rachel linked me, panic lacing her voice
I studied them. Nolan was wearing a fresh shirt, but his hair was in disarray, and his wide eyes were red-rimmed.
He didn’t look good, but it didn’t make me feel any better; in the same way, it didn’t make me feel better seeing Camilla in a cell.
The one in the white, brunette – I said glancing at her.
Rachel seemed to loosen up a bit but she started playing with her hair; glancing down, it seemed unnatural for her, but I didn’t have time to analyze it.
Nolan snorted, seeing us here. Isaac held him up by the back of his shirt.
“You weren’t expecting us?” Caspien asked, his voice booming as he let some of his aura out.
“What do you want?” Nolan asked looking over the crowd and frowning, “It wasn’t enough to steal my mate, your Luna,” He turned to the pack, and there were a few gasps.
None of us said anything waiting for him to go on.
“I sent you advance notice, thankfully your parents were here to receive us,” Caspien said when Nolan stopped.
Nolan scoffed, rolling his eyes. He seemed so childish.
Was he always like this? I internally winced, he definitely was, and I was embarrassed to have ever found him attractive.
“We are here to discuss the future of Blue Ridge, the line of succession,” Caspien said to the crowd.
They were silent now, I noted that the crowd had almost doubled at this point.
“The line goes on with my son, my heir, Theo.” Nolan addressed the crowd confidently, finding his voice.
“Just because you gave up your rights to your first legal heir, doesn’t mean that he isn’t the rightful heir of Blue Ridge.”
The crowd collectively gasped before going completely and utterly silent.
Nolan’s brown eyes widened slightly, “My heir is Theo.”
“Did you not produce an heir with your first mate?”
“I- uh,” Nolan looked at me, and I kept my face impassive.
“Did you not know that she was pregnant when you rejected her?”
Everyone held their breath, Nolan’s eyes widened looking between me and Caspien.
“Answer me.” Caspien growled.
(Willa)
Nolan’s mouth hung open, but his shock was quickly replaced by anger.
“So that’s really why you’re here?” He spat, his fiery eyes turned to Caspien, “To get revenge for Willa?” He laughed once it was dry and grating.
I fought the urge to roll my eyes, but I was sure Cali didn’t.
“Answer the question, Nolan.” Caspien sounded bored.
“It doesn’t matter-“
“For the line of succession, it does.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“The truth.” Caspien pinned him with a hard stare, “From your mouth, You Coward.”
Nolan swallowed, crossing his arms, his lips in a hard line.
“Did you reject Willa knowing she was pregnant with a potential heir?” Caspien asked again.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.