Chapter 152

Charles

As we left the Red House, a bitter taste of frustration lingered on my tongue. George sighed beside me. The night air is cool, but my anger provides its own warmth. The evening air hung heavy with tension as George and I got into the car.

"I should have clawed his face off," I growled.

"Not very diplomatic of you."

"He really thinks I give a damn about his problems," I said. "With any luck, a human will get lucky with a silver bullet."

George chuckled. "You're more bloodthirsty than usual after seeing him. You know that it's just a power play... I was surprised you were so abrupt with it."

I smirked. "Truth be told..."

I clench my jaw, the muscles working as I process the situation. "I had a feeling that I wouldn't be able to control myself for long..."

"Because of the attack?"

"Getting Astarte mixed up in this..." I shook my head. "I know she made her own decision in the matter, but... the challenge circle..."

I sighed. "Astarte doesn't realize it yet, but she will as soon as she can get her grief under control."

"... How likely is that?"

I shook my head. "For now, I made it clear that Mooncrest is protected, whether he likes it or not."

"But this move, declaring non-cooperation between the States and the Lycan Clans, it's a bold one. Are you sure about this?"

I smirked. "He threw the first punch and missed. Not my problem."

George chuckled. "I suppose when you put it that way... What's your plan?"

"Sean?

"Astarte."

I shook my head, remembering the look in her eyes. She was getting closer and closer to the edge with her grief. There had to be a way to reason with her. Something to be done.

"I don't know, George. Her mind is... clouded with grief, as expected. I don't know what path would make her see reason."

"Why keep the connection to Grace and the kids under wraps?" he asked. "You know how Astarte feels about you."

"Had I known it was her before, I would have, but the challenge circle complicates things..." I sighed, considering my response carefully. "Astarte is a wildcard at this point. We've known each other for a long time, but she isn't the woman I knew. She's in there, somewhere, beneath her grief... If I had the power to wake him, to give her some measure of peace, I would... But I don't. Revealing that connection could shift the dynamics in unpredictable ways."

George furrowed his brows. "You think... it won't help? Wouldn't she at least stop focusing on destroying Mooncrest?"

"Maybe, but her sights on Eason are a matter of desperation. She's convinced that he's the key to it, to more time, to whatever she's figured out. I don't know if that hope will be outweighed by the loyalty or love she has for me."

Or, rather, I knew that it wouldn't. Her husband and daughter--her family--was her world, just as my family had been mine. It was cruel to have him alive but not with her. Alive but unable to console her. At least in the finality of their deaths, I had been able to move on...

"I'm still considering it..."

"But?"

"My instincts tell me that might be a potentially simple path, but it would not be the most beneficial. I want Grace to stand on her own merits to forge alliances based on her strength and determination. To see this through so that she can trust herself again."

"... you think the threat of Alpha Shadow is going to make her pursue the senator's seat."

"I think it's enough to scare her into staying and fighting," I said. "And right now, that's all that we can hope for. Besides, I'm not entirely sure how Astarte would react."

A thoughtful silence settled between us as the car rolled on.

"Secrecy is a double-edged sword," George said.

I nodded, a faint smile playing on my lips.

"And sometimes, it's a shield."

"How do you plan to... make that work?"

I shook my head. "I'm still unsure, but... I think the answer is simple: get Grace to develop a cure."

I looked over at George. His eyes widened. They jumped left and right. His brow furrowed, and then they turned thoughtful.

"Eason... Northfall..."

"Selene," I said. He bobbed his head.

"I can see the game you're playing. Shaky, but I see it, and since Eason is so stubborn, I can see him latching on to it... I could see Grace wanting to go through with it. But how are you going to--"

He stopped and blinked. "The party isn't for several months."

"Grace, I need your help...for a friend who has known me since childhood," I smirked. "She's celebrating an anniversary, and I need a proper gift..."

George shook his head. "You're insane... Dastardly even. She's going to blow a gasket."

"Probably, but thoughts?"

"Brilliant. I'm for it. I'll call back to the palace and get a parcel of books together."

"Thank you." I took a breath and looked out the window. "Let's... give Grace a chance to win over Astarte on her terms. Soothe the ache, so to speak. It might even teach her some empathy."

"You're talking about Amy?"

I nodded. "If she can forgive a mourning terrorist, I think she can manage a desperate young woman with few options. Along the way, she'll get herself a powerful ally and be one step closer to proving to herself she's not as helpless as she thinks."

The car's muted hum provided a backdrop as I sighed.

"Playing with fire."

"Bombs even," I said and chuckled as my phone rang.

I answered the phone, not at all surprised to hear Asher's voice on the phone.

"What the fuck?" Asher asked, his voice sounding ragged.

"Grace, Cecil, and Richard are perfectly safe."

"For how long?" Asher asked. "How long before that psycho... I can't believe her... She's..." He sighed. "Just as bold as her mother, I suppose."

I smiled. "I'm making plans to host Cecil's birthday, a tea party, at the castle."

Asher went quiet for a moment.

"Though, I would like to arrange a visit earlier than the Heart Moon."

He let out a rattling breath. "And your son?"

"The little princess has requested his presence, but I'm not worried about that."

There was a pause on the other end, and I could practically feel Asher's frustration. What I couldn't understand was why Asher would not make the trip and go see Grace and the children himself.

"There have been some developments, I think you may want to know."

"You're going to give me a heart attack."

"Likely," I told him about Eason's state and skimmed over the detail, but the tension over the phone made it clear that he could guess.

"How is Grace... adjusting?"

My lips twitched. "One moment at a time."

I heard George's phone chime, and he answered. I put up a silence barrier between us.

"Is Devin giving you problems?"

"No more than usual. Amy, however, is a sweetheart. He's an idiot who doesn't know the worth of the mate he has."

"So many don't," I winced, thinking about Tessa. "So many have no idea."

"... I have a feeling I will know what put that darkness in your voice soon enough."

"Soon. Have you heard anything about the Choosing?"

Asher scoffed. "Whispers that it may be brought up as a means to control you. Why?"

I hesitated before I took a breath. "I'd like you to consider it, Asher."

He said nothing. "Consider it."

"Yes."

"Is she considering it?"

My lips twitched. "I think Cecil has put enough of an idea in her head for her to be at least thinking about it."

"... then, I will as well under conditions."

"I'm sure I can meet them," I chuckled. "Now her conditions, perhaps not."

Asher laughed. "Well, that's your first problem... I'll... I'll talk to my wife about this... About all of it."

"And if you could, ask her about what may be of use for the Noir Coven's situation."

Asher let out a shaky breath. "I'll add it to the list. Is there anything else?"

"No--"

George tapped on the silencing barrier. I lowered it as he gave me a wry grin.

"The Inter-Pack Police are being dispatched. Martial order in Mooncrest."

A wry grin tugged at my lips. Sean Caldwell was trying to play hardball.

"How amusing," I said before putting Asher on speaker. "Tell me, Asher, how would you feel about sending someone to help Mooncrest deal with the Inter-Pack Police? Someone... formidable?"

"Formidable?"

"I'd like the most vicious person you have in your arsenal. A general disdain for werewolf politics and officials would be perfect."

There was a pause, and then Asher's laughter rumbled through the phone, lighter than I expected.

"Luckily for you, Charles, I've got just the person. She's free." His voice grew distant for a moment. "Pack a bag. Your... services are needed."