Chapter 39

ANSEL POV

“Nice of you and your men to join us, Ansel,” King David said with a huff. “At your convenience, nonetheless.”

“Apologies, father, there was a pressing issue that I needed to handle.”

King David rolled his eyes. “Let me guess. This pressing issue had something to do with Karin.”

“Yes, but she remedied it as well, so all is forgiven.” Ansel heard muffled laughter from his men, and he covered his mouth to hide his own.

“I would have never guessed you would become one of those men who lets a woman impede him conducting business,” Edwin said. “Perhaps you should rethink accepting the role of Alpha if you’re so distracted.”

“You somehow always find yourself in affairs that don’t belong to you, don’t you Edwin?” Ansel replied.

Edwin raised his hands. “No need to get defensive. I’m only pointing out the difference between you and I. Anyone who has met me knows that when something comes up, I handle it with speed and ensure things are done to my satisfaction.”

“So I’ve been told. Your reputation of your swift arrival even at the displeasure of others does proceed you.” Multiple of Ansel’s gammas snickered, and he smirked.

“You two are going to send me to an early grave,” King David said, rubbing his temples. “I called you here for something important. I’ve decided that Blue Moon will hold an election to determine which of you they want to ascend to the throne.”

“Excuse me?!” Ansel shouted as his nostrils flared. He glared at Edwin. “This has you written all over it.”

Edwin shrugged. “I merely pointed out to father that if we really want to show that the monarch has changed, then we have to grow from some traditions. We need to show our people that we value their opinions and that we’re able to be impartial.”

“You know what?” Ansel said after a moment. “You’re right.”

“I am?” Edwin asked, raising his eyebrow.

“Mhm. I think it is a great idea. The people of Blue Moon deserve the right to an opinion.”

“Eh, yeah. I’m glad I suggested it,” Edwin replied, scratching his head. Ansel could see the confusion plastered all over his face and he smiled politely at him.

“Father, who will have control over the ballots? We need someone who is impartial.”

King David scratched his chin. “Hm, that’s a fair point. How about one man from your camp and one from Edwin’s? We can make this an entire production. We will broadcast updates on polling as we go along, but the votes will be placed in a custom box. One man will guard the key, the other the box, and each will be stored in an undisclosed location of their choice. Then we will meet in the square and announce the winner.”

“You’ve really thought this out,” Ansel said.

“Ansel, it’s no secret I’ve selected you to step into the role, but since you have yet to conceive an heir, my hands are tied. I also think this election will make regaining the trust of the pack a lot easier.”

“I agree.”

“Good. Now how about you two select your person?”

“Of course,” Edwin said, and turned to his gammas. “I select Turner.”

Turner stood and Ansel faced his men. “Henry,” he said, and Henry nodded. He stood and both Turner and Edwin’s eyes bulged from their head as they peered at the man who looked like two gammas in one.

Henry’s deep voice rose from his bulking frame. “No tricks,” he said to Turner. “I get a little angry when things aren’t handled with honesty.”

“Unfair advantage. You said one man from each camp and Henry is two people at the very minimum,” Edwin said. Henry cracked his knuckles, and Edwin almost fused into Ansel to escape his grasp.

“Edwin, be mature,” King David said. “I’ve already allowed you to break tradition and have your own group of gammas instead of the one collective group it’s supposed to be. It’s your responsibility to train them and ensure they’re able to truly protect you.” He stood and wobbled slightly, and Ansel caught him.

“Are you alright? Here, let me help you to your room.”

“Don’t fuss over me,” he said, pulling away. “I’m tired, not frail. I can get to my room on my own. That’s all for today. I will let you both know when everything is set.”

Ansel watched his father move slowly through the room, and he felt pain in his heart. Though they had their differences, his father still was the only parent he had left. Seeing him as a shell of himself was something Ansel never thought he would bear witness to.

“Seems like you’re losing your golden touch with dad,” Edwin said, pulling him from his thoughts.

Ignoring him, Ansel nodded to his men, and they silently rose and stood behind him. With his back turned to his brother, he spoke. “Whatever you have planned, I want you to know, Edwin, this will not end well for you.”

The Next Day

KARIN POV

“So you’re moving back here?” Maggie asked me as we stood in my new room.

“Yes. That’s why he had my items packed up. The conversation went interestingly, though.”

“You mean because you burst into his office, and yelled at him in front of his men?”

My face reddens. “I wasn’t talking about that, but thanks for the reminder of my embarrassment. It was mortifying. I declared to the entire room that we’d had sex. I didn’t mean to shout in front of them, but he has a way of getting under my skin, unlike anyone else.”

“Henry could hardly tell me the story because he was laughing so hard. I’m sure you drive Sir Ansel just as crazy.” She smirked. “You know, he also told me that when they left, they heard some interesting sounds coming from the office. Apparently, they carried all the way down the hall.”

I cover my mouth, and she belts a laugh. “It’s not funny! I KNEW they heard us. I told him they would, and he didn’t care! In fact, I think he wanted them to.”

“I would take it as a compliment. The man can’t keep his hands off you.” She folds my clothes and puts them in the dresser. “So what did you mean when you said the conversation went a different way?”

“Oh, yes. Originally, when he revealed I would live in the manor, he told me, but it was like a switch went off, and he asked my preference instead. He even allowed me to pick my room.”

“Is that a bad thing?”

“No, I just wasn’t expecting it is all. He usually demands that I do things, but I appreciated that this time around he asked. It made me feel as though he cared about my comfort.”

“Maybe because he does,” Maggie said. “Joy and I have told you many times, but for some reason you refuse to listen. Sir Ansel is in love with you as much as you are with him. Why can’t you accept that?”

“Because I’ve hurt him, Maggie, a lot. I’m trying to fix things, but it feels impossible.”

“But why?”

I avert my eyes. “There are things, Maggie, that rot me from the inside every time he looks at me. Things that won’t leave my lips, no matter how much I wish they would.”

Maggie grabs my hands and makes me look at her. The concern on her face makes tears well in my eyes. “Lady Karin, what is it you aren’t telling?” she asks.