Chapter 47
KARIN POV
One week later
“And now we join Dan live at the town square.”
“Thanks Kate. Here at the town square, the happy bustle of Blue Moon members is a stark contrast from what we’ve seen within the past few years. And why? Well, as one patron said, we can’t wait to vote. Yes, apparently voting fever has struck Blue Moon, and one person seems on everyone’s mind: The Second Prince, Sir Ansel. Many pack members eagerly reveal who they’re voting for. If these preliminary numbers have any sign of how the vote will turn out, then The Great Prince, Sir Edwin, may find himself in a bit of trouble. Back to you, Kate.”
“Thanks Dan. Ross, it appears maybe you were right. This could be a landslide election.”
I grin at the words of the news anchors on the television. Just like everyone thought, Ansel had the title of Alpha in the bag. His favor in Blue Moon extended throughout the land, all but making the election nothing but a formality. I eat a spoonful of my cereal and tune back in.
“Still Kate, this doesn’t mean the royal family is necessary in the clear. There has been talk around Blue Moon about neither Sir Edwin nor Sir Ansel having any children who may inherit the throne.”
“That is true, but do you think that could impact who is crowned?”
“Put it like this; the crown is historically passed down from father to son. If neither has an heir, who will inherit the throne when it’s time to pass the crown again? I don’t know, Kate, with all the good the royal family has done, I would hate to see the crown go to someone else. And if keeping this family as the royal court for Blue Moon lies on an heir, then this could really turn out to be a tossup.”
“You shouldn’t be watching that early in the morning,” the butler says, turning off the television. “Those two can ruin anyone’s day.”
I sigh. “It doesn’t make them wrong.”
“Perhaps, but it also doesn’t make them right.” He smiled softly at me. “Lady Karin, you and I both know Sir Ansel was born for this role. So much so that destiny skipped Sir Edwin and gave its favorites on him. Have faith that the rest of Blue Moon as well, but most importantly, have faith in Sir Ansel. He needs it from you the most.”
“You’re right,” I reply, giving him a warm smile. “I won’t allow them to ruin my day.”
“Good.” I stared at him for a moment. “Is there anything else the matter?”
“Why doesn’t anyone call you Charles? I mean, after all, it is your name.”
He scrunched his face as if in thought. “You know, I’ve never thought about it before. I guess because Alpha David never has and other sort of just followed suit. I suppose I’ve grown used to it.”
“That’s awful.”
“I guess it is.”
“Well, I’m going to call you Charles from now on and if anyone has issue with that in this manor, you tell them it is the request per Lady Karin.”
Charles chuckled. “I will.”
“Good.”
“I think I’ll implement it at the Blue Moon ball.”
My face falls. “Seems like everyone is going but me.”
“Why wouldn’t you be going? I assumed you would be Sir Ansel’s date.”
“Well, you assumed wrong,” I grumbled. “He’s been to fittings for his robes and has complained to me about all the unnecessary time it takes from him being in training with his men, but not once has he mentioned anything about us going together.”
Charles pats my hand. “I wouldn’t worry so much about it. Sir Ansel is full of surprises.”
“Yes, like having me sitting in the manor all alone. Just drape me in a cover since it’s clear I’m furniture.” His face softens, and he folds his lips. “You want to laugh at me, don’t you?”
“I wouldn’t dream of it. He presses his lips tighter into a line, and I nod.
“Okay, I get it. That was dramatic.” I push the bowl of cereal forward. “I should get myself together. Joy is coming over today and since we haven’t spoken in a while, I know her entrance will be more dramatic than mine could ever be.”
“Oh, before you leave, Lady Karin. You have a guest in the corridor.”
I arch my eyebrow. “Who?”
“Your new doctor.”
Curious, I stand and make my way to the corridor. “Hello?” I call out to the man standing by the door with his back turned to me.
He turned around. “Hello, Lady Karin,” Doc says, giving me a bright smile.
“Doc!” I shout and rush to hug him.
He pats me on the back. “It’s nice to see you as well. Apologies for not announcing my return, but Sir Ansel thought it would be a nice surprise.”
“Alright, so from what I can gather, you have returned to living inside the manor.”
“Correct.
Doc peeks at me from the top of his notes. “Are there any other changes I should know about?”
“Like what?” He raises his eyebrow and I know my cheeks are red.
“We have been having sex,” I murmur. “A lot.”
“Good to know. Sir Ansel seemed to have a spring in his step.” I groan loudly and he chuckles as he writes in his notepad.
“My period still came,” I say, and he raised his head to look at me.
“Lady Karin, if every copulation resulted in pregnancy, the werewolf community would not be in such a strain, now, would it? Sex doesn’t guarantee pregnancy even between viable candidates, so try not to overthink it. You and Sir Ansel will be fine.” His words make me feel better instantly. Watching him continue to comb through the paperwork, he suddenly stops. “Hm…”
“What is it?”
“I’m seeing notes from your recovery, but there is only one notion of you being examined or anything else aligned with monitoring your surrogacy. Was Ethan not keeping record of this?” I clear my throat and rub the back of my neck. Doc shook his head. “I warned him, but he wouldn’t listen to reason. No wonder he was so tightlipped about why he was fired. He’s lucky that he escaped these walls with his life.”
Guilt pours through me at the thought of what happened to Ethan. “Is he alright?”
“He’s fine. He’s been moved from Blue Moon, however.” My face crumbled, and he shook his head. “He really is fine. He’s doing well. I talked to him recently.”
“I still feel guilty that he had to give up his home because of me.”
“Ethan had to give up his home because of choices he made.” He clapped his hands together. “Never the matter, what’s done is done and I’m happy to be out of retirement.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I was driving myself nuts. And then I tried to stay with my brothers, but the therapist and I kept getting into arguments.” He exhaled sharply. “For someone who has a career centered on helping people, he sure has a temper on him.” We shared a laugh. “Anyway, when I heard that Sir Ansel was looking for a new doctor for you, I reached out to him, and he rehired me.”
“I’m glad he did.”
“Me too, and how that I’m here. We’re going to get you on track starting with noting when your current period started.”
“I have arrived,” Joy said as she burst into my room. She posed near the bed. “No standing ovations please. I won’t stand for it.”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “Oh bother. I instructed her to knock before she entered, but she insisted on this dramatic interruption.”
Joy sucked her teeth and laid across the bed and kicked her legs back and forth. “So what are you two wearing to the Blue Moon ball? I thought maybe I could borrow something of yours, Lady Karin, because I know for a fact that you have dresses in here that you haven’t worn.”
“Way to rub it in!” I shout and stalk to the bed. Crashing onto it, I speak, muffled through the suffocation of the comforter. “You can wear anything of mine you wish. I’m not going.”
“What, why?”
“Because I haven’t been asked by a certain man who shall not be named.”
“Sir Ansel,” Maggie whispered to Joy, and I leaned up and scowled at her. She stifled her laugh. “Sorry.”
“I don’t see why you’re getting all bent out of shape about it. Who says you need to have a date? I’m going alone. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been asked several times, but they’re all creeps, and I prefer to attend with a gentleman.”
“Wait…” I whip around and see Doc, almost catatonic, in the chair across from us. Red in the face, he stares at Joy as if he’s unable to speak. “Doc?”
“Oh!” he says as he breaks his trance.
Maggie smirked. “Hello Doc. Welcome, back.”
“Oh, thank you, Maggie. It’s nice to be back.” He stands. “I-if you ladies will excuse me; I should really get going. Lady Karin, I will be in touch.”
“Okay…”
Joy rose from the bed. “Wait just a minute,” she said. “Who in the expensive cologne are you?” Approaching him, she looked him up and down. “Tell me, doctor, is that your stethoscope or are you happy to see me?” She extended her hand. “I’m Joy. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
If I thought Doc’s face was red before by now, he was almost purple. “I’m Doc.”
She chuckled. “I know you’re a doctor, but what’s your name?”
“Doc.”
She huffed loudly through her nose and retracted her hand. “If you don’t want to tell me your name, that’s fine, but don’t be condescending.”
I cover my mouth in the attempt to hide my laughter. “Joy. His first name is Doc.”
Joy cocked her head back and scrunched her face. “You’re a doctor named Doc?”
He groaned. “And it begins,” he said.
“Will you leave Doc alone?!” I link to her. “I like him and you’re going to give him a heart attack!”
“What?! I’m not picking on him. I’m flirting. I think he’s handsome.”
“Joy, Doc is almost twice your age.”
She smirked, leaving him and Maggie confused. “Lady Karin, if you knew my real age, you would have me placed in the museum of oddities.”
Turning her attention back to Doc, she placed her hand on his shoulder. “Lady Karin, you should do it leap year style and just ask Sir Ansel to take you if it’s bothering you so much.” She cleared her throat. “Doc, do you have a date for the ball?”
“No…”
She kissed his cheek and his glasses fogged. “You do now. Pick me up at eight.”
