Chapter 95

Nathan POV

“They’re all ready for you, sir.”

I looked up at Beta Evan standing in the doorway of my office.

“Excellent,” I said, rising to put on my suit jacket and straightening my tie.

It was time to do something I should have done a while ago.

Time to undo something I should never have done at all.

At the top of the step to Silverfang headquarters, I stepped up to a podium where clusters of microphones had been set up. Below me, on the steps and spilling out onto the sidewalk, were the waiting reporters.

Cameras flashed, and TV crews focused their lenses on me as I waited for the crowd to settle down and get quiet.

“I’d like to start with thanking you all for coming here today, and at such short notice.”

I looked out over the crowd, making eye contact with press people I recognized.

The Star reporter who ambushed me during our live interview was there, and smiled up at me sweetly.

Good.

I wanted her here.

I wanted all of them to hear me, loud and clear.

“This has been a confusing and trying time for the realm at large, and for the members of Silverfang pack in particular. I know you all have questions - ”

At this a sea of hands shot up, and voices called out, everyone shouting their questions at once.

Holding up my hands, I continued. “And they will all be answered in due time. My office will be issuing press releases and scheduling interviews with many of you over the next few weeks.

“Today I wanted to speak on a specific topic: The false princess Sabrina.”

The crowd went silent at the mention of her name.

“The false princess has been exiled from the Royal pack by decree from Princess Claire, part of the terms of surrender for the enemies that were secretly working to so viciously attack the Royal territory.”

A smattering of applause rose. There were pack members as well as the press in the crowd, and they approved of the way Claire had handled the attacks on her kingdom.

Just like I did.

“I’ve heard some of you are wondering if Sabrina will be allowed to come here, to take refuge or possibly even be granted pack membership.”

This was greeted with boos from the group.

Sabrina had some friends and allies throughout my territory, but for the most part people had realized that her plotting and scheming only ever served to benefit herself.

She would do whatever she needed to get her way, no matter what it cost the people around her.

“And I want to assure you that this will not happen!” I called out over the noise.

The boos changed to cheers, which only grew louder with my next words:

“Today I am officially ending my marriage agreement with the false princess. Further - ”

I had to wait for the cheering to calm down a bit.

“Further, I rescind any previous invitation to Sabrina from the Silverfang pack. The false princess is no longer welcomed inside our borders!”

Cheers rose up again, but this time also questions from the crowd of reporters.

“But what of the rumors of Sabrina’s pregnancy?? Alpha Nathan, isn’t she carrying your child?!”

“Absolutely not. It is impossible - nothing ever happened between Sabrina and myself. Our marriage agreement was nothing more than a political alliance.”

“What about a paternity test? Would you be willing to take one?”

“I would, yes,” I answered. “But let me be clear, I don’t even believe the false princess is actually pregnant. I believe this is yet one more of her schemes.

“Her scheming knows no end,” I said, wrapping up the press conference. “Nothing she says can be trusted.”

I stepped away from the podium, letting Beta Evan take over to answer remaining questions and set aside times for further interviews.

It was going to take a while to undo the damage that Sabrina had done to my pack, to put down the rumors and worries that still lingered.

I was determined to see that every trace of her poisonous infection inside Silverfang was cut out and healed completely.

But right now I had to travel to the Royal pack headquarters, for a summit meeting of all the packs in the realm.

A meeting called by the Royal Princess herself.

As I traveled to the Royal territory, I tried not to hope too hard to get some time alone with Claire.

No doubt she would be busy greeting all of the leaders and delegates that were descending on her headquarters, and getting ready for the meeting.

And still, when I walked into the large conference space and saw her, my heart leapt.

It was as if I’d been moving underwater, and now at last my head had come up above the surface.

I felt like I could breathe easier just by being closer to her.

And yet…

“Princess,” I said, extending my hand.

“Alpha,” she said. The feel of her hand in mine was so warm, so immediately electric, I struggled not to pull her closer.

Just that simple contact, and already I struggled for control.

“Thank you for coming, Nathan. I…I know the last time we met, it was…”

Exciting.

Intense.

Erotic.

“Awkward,” she finished, looking down and away from me for a moment.

No word could have shocked me more.

She thought that had been awkward??

It had ended abruptly, yes, but it had also been an incredible moment.

One I’d replayed in my mind over and over again since it happened.

I stepped closer to her. “Claire - ”

She looked up at me, for a moment the look in her eyes was one of such sadness that I lost what I’d been about to say.

Why did thinking of our kiss give her that look??

“Excuse me, Alpha, may I cut in?”

A voice to my right pulled my gaze away from Claire.

Another Alpha stood waiting in line to greet Claire, a man I hadn’t met before.

“I - Yes, of course,” I said, standing to the side.

“Alpha Gavin!” Claire’s entire face changed when she saw the stocky, broad-shouldered man. “How lovely to see you again.”

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine,” he said, taking the hand she offered and kissing it lavishly and making her laugh.

I gritted my teeth.

Who did the man think he was??

Burying my irritation as best as I could, I walked away from Claire and the long line of guests waiting to greet her.

Walking away was better than tearing that man’s throat out.

But he had touched her - kissed her - and all I wanted was to rip him apart.

Calming myself took effort, but I was feeling a little more balanced as the summit began.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” Claire said from her own podium up on the stage.

“I’ve gathered you all here to thank you for your support in ending the horrible attacks on my territory.

“You’ve saved my kingdom,” she said, her eyes filling for a moment with tears. “And for that I will be eternally grateful.”

As she spoke, I was reminded of the press conference I gave this morning, where I had stood in front of a large group of people, all eyes on me.

For me, that was a natural and easy thing to deal with.

I was used to commanding attention and respect.

Watching Claire speak up on the stage, so confidently in charge, I realized she had come to expect and command attention and respect as well.

When did that happen?

Suddenly I was amazed all over again at her strength, and the way she continued to step up to face every challenge that was thrown at her.

“Furthermore, I’d like to firm up relationships between all of our packs, and get the realm back on track.

“This includes resuming the campaigns for Alpha President.”

The rogue attacks had delayed the election, derailing everyone’s carefully planned campaigns.

“At this time, I’d like all candidates to stand up and be acknowledged.”

The crowd began to politely applaud as Alpha after Alpha stood up, myself included.

I knew all of my fellow candidates, and exchanged respectful nods with each of them.

And then a new candidate stood up, startling me and sending a surprised shock through the crowd:

It was Gavin, the new Alpha of the Ice River pack.