Chapter 169

Grace

I headed home later than I expected between typing up some loose ends with Wolfe Medical and staying a little longer to get a few assignments for classes done. As I entered the house, I was greeted with the warm family quiet of home.

Then, I felt the tug of the compulsion. Esme's magical compulsion worked like a tether, pulling me away from the stairs to the dining room. I wanted so badly to just lay down and scroll for a while, but there was no getting out of it. The stack of books on Werewolf State Law seemed to mock me from the table, waiting to be delved into.

With a sigh, I settled into my seat, casting a glance at the open doorway. I set my phone beside me as I was still waiting on some messages about the final arrangements. The urgency of helping Duncan lingered in my mind, but with the court case coming up, understanding the intricacies of Werewolf State Law was just as crucial.

I couldn't make my path to the Senate if they cut me down now.

I traced the edge of the thick law book with my fingers, wondering if Esme had ever been in my position, barely interested in the thing that was required when so many other things seemed to be on her mind. Had she struggled to get through law school or whatever schooling she'd had? Her other duties? Had Charles? They both seemed to be masters of making themselves do things, just like Eason.

As I opened one of the books, the words seemed to blur together in a maze of legal jargon. Esme came in and took a seat across from me. She looked at me warmly.

"If you sit down thinking you're going to hate it, you're not going to let yourself try."

"I know, I know," I replied, my eyes reluctantly returning to the text.

It felt like hours had passed. The room was enveloped in the silence of concentrated reading, interrupted only by the occasional turn of a page. Esme's magical nudges kept me on track, preventing my mind from wandering as much as it could, but it didn't last long.

My head was pounding by the time I reached the end of the chapter. Esme closed her book with a soft thud, breaking the silence.

"I think you're at your limit," Esme said, a hint of compassion in her eyes. "You did well. I think you've more than earned whatever Charles has planned for you."

"Thank you."

She shook her head. "Don't get used to it."

I pouted as she left the room. My phone chimed as I felt the compulsion release me. The plane had landed in Mooncrest. Amira's message came shortly after, letting me know she was getting it refueled and getting the paperwork done to account for the donation to Duncan. I chuckled and sent her a thank you. I hadn't thought about claiming it on our taxes for the year or even for the sake of the Senate requirements. Eason was interfacing with the hospital staff and Wolfe Medical's warehouses to get the plane loaded. I got messages from grocery stores, sending in invoices to be paid by the pack and so many other things, but all in all, it looked like we'd have the plane loaded within a few hours and headed to Duncan before dawn.

I walked out of the dining room and found Charles in the kitchen, sitting at the bar.

"I put Cecil and Richard to bed. Hungry?"

My stomach growled. "Starving."

He chuckled and steered me towards a chair. "Take a seat, hm? Eat before your stomach devours you."

I groaned and nodded. "I don't think I have any more space in my head for legal jargon around all the science."

"Give yourself more credit," he said and placed a steaming bowl of something in front of me. He leaned on the counter. "How are things with the plan for Duncan?"

I sighed, rumbling to myself. The scent of whatever he'd put down reached my nose and made my stomach rumble older. I sat up and pulled the bowl to me.

"Is that a language?"

"It's going, but it doesn't feel like enough…"

I twirled the fork, sighing. "Cecil asked for pasta?"

"She did. Even tried to feed some to Richard. It was adorable."

I sighed. I wished I'd been there.

"Pity party part 2, huh?"

I scowled at him. "Why was she asking about swinging a sword?"

"I took her and Richard to a Fair," he said. "She learned how to play a lycan game, made friends… and a battle strategy."

"Really?" I asked. "I would have thought girls weren't allowed to play those kinds of games."

He chuckled. "Werewolves might care about the gender of their warriors, but lycans don't."

I thought back. "I guess… that's why mom was so supportive of me joining the fencing team."

I sighed again. "I feel like everything is backward…"

Devin swore up and down that he wouldn't play with Cecil unless it was catch or something outside, and Cecil wasn't very good at catching. Now, she was talking about playing a sword-fighting game for her birthday… How had she changed so much in such a short amount of time?

"I thought she wanted to be a princess."

He snorted. "Princesses can pick up a sword, too." He settled next to me with a cup of tea. "So, how's the plan for Duncan coming along?"

"It's going, but it doesn't feel like enough," I admitted. "I'm not sure if it's enough to make a real difference."

Charles nodded, understanding my concerns. "It's a start, though. And it's a step in the right direction."

I knew that Charles was right. We had to start somewhere. I just hoped it was enough to help the Duncan Pack through their current crisis.

"You should be proud that you're taking action," Charles said, his voice soft. "It's important to help those in need, especially now."

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. Charles was always so supportive, even when I doubted myself. I knew that I couldn't have made it this far without him.

"Thanks," I said, taking another bite of pasta. "I really appreciate it."

"I don't suppose I could send Esme to help, huh? With the Audit?"

"What are you talking about? She's already packed."

I blinked at him. "What?"

"You didn't think it strange she let you go early tonight?" Charles asked.

I shook my head. "I guess this is part of that learning to delegate thing."

"You're learning." He cupped my cheek. "So, how far have you gotten on the books?"

"Not far enough," I sighed again. "Pity party, part 3, I guess."

"Talk to me."

I glance over at him. The steam rising from his cup danced in the air. I took a deep.

"It's a lot of stuff. I feel out of my element, and I'm not sure if I understand it all. The charges are substantial, and I'm not entirely sure I can fight them. Negligence, as they put it, seems to fit too perfectly."

Charles nodded. "I can see that, and so? What's your plan, Grace?"

I pushed a bit of meat around in the bowl, gathering my thoughts.

"Most of the charges come with penalties that I can't pay right now, but I've been working out a payment plan. Since I could substitute the jail time for more fines, I think I have a shot. If I can manage that and go on probation, I might be able to avoid stepping down with another alpha acting as my probation officer.'"

Charles hummed as I took another bite.

"It's going to be uncomfortable for a while, but I think it'll be okay, especially after the longevity drug comes out." I set my jaw. "I'm not going to let the President manipulate Mooncrest through me. And I damn sure didn't face a terrorist just to let Fenris win anyway."

"That's the spirit," Esme chirped as she skipped into the kitchen. "Glad to hear that you're thinking strategy. A payment plan is a good option. It'll look favorable."

Her eyes twinkled as she looked at Charles. "What do you think Charles?"

He smirked. "I'm not opposed to holding another loan for you."

I scowled. "No. No more loans. You've done enough. If I can do this… even if it's uncomfortable, I want to do this."

He offered me a mock salute. "As you wish, Alpha Wolfe."

Esme filled a thermos and smiled. "Well, I'm heading off. Do get some rest while I'm gone, and try not to slack off just because I'm not here to compel you anymore."

I frowned. "I guess a compulsion isn't a curse…"

She chuckled. "No, it's not."

She headed out, humming.

Charles looked at me. "On the subject of strategy, what about if he makes you step down?"

"It won't be so Fenris takes over," I growled. "I think if I can convince them that a) Fenris is no more qualified than I was and b) Mooncrest would suffer for it, I have a good shot to make them reconsider."

"And if they do and just want someone else?"

"I already have someone in mind," I said, biting my lip. "I'm thinking of asking Gabriel."