Chapter 252

Charles

A satisfied smile played on my lips as I watched Grace navigate the press conference with the grace of a seasoned politician. Now that she wasn't mentally and metaphysically fighting off the werewolf curse as it, she seemed more confident. The harsh, cold sunlight glinted off her determined expression, highlighting the fire in her eyes. She fielded questions with poise and authority, weaving a compelling narrative about Moonlight Phoenix and the hope it offered the werewolf community.

The audience, a sea of expectant faces, hung onto her every word. Even the vultures who had been sent here to discredit her seemed to be stunned by her change.

A collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd when she addressed the timeline for the production. It seemed like Wolfe Medical would be dipping into my investment sooner than Grace initially believed. Good.

It meant this charade of hiding our relationship was crawling to an end. The only thing still hanging in the air was what to do with Sean and Astarte. When she started close the conference, the applause was thunderous and a far cry from all the other times she'd appeared to give an announcement.

I had a feeling that Eason would be more than comfortable leaving her alone sooner rather than later.

Pride swelled in my chest. Grace was taking her seat as alpha seriously and captivating the entire Werewolf States with her earnestness. This was her moment, her chance to start rewriting the narrative of her reign, not just for her in Mooncrest, but for werewolves everywhere and the senator she would become.

As the press conference ended, and Grace was swarmed by reporters for one-on-one interviews. The Enforcers blocked off their approach. She waved and headed back inside under their escort. My own mind drifted towards the next steps. The positive media frenzy was a good start, but the real battle lay in securing materials and volunteers for the clinical trials, navigating the complex web of werewolf politics, and ensuring the safety and efficacy of the treatment. It wouldn't be easy. Fenris and Sean weren't backing down, I was sure of that, but with Grace finally feeling really steady in her position, I knew we had a fighting chance.

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, shattering my focus. A sense of wariness went through me as I recognized the ring tone. It was a secure line, used for communication within the Enforcer Information Network. My brow furrowed as I answered.

"Your Majesty," the voice on the other end crackled, a hint of urgency lacing the official tone. "We have some… interesting developments regarding Mooncrest."

Intrigued, I leaned against the wall, giving my full attention. "What is it?"

"The Alpha President," the voice continued, "has decided to pay Mooncrest an unexpected visit."

My surprise was shortlived. Sean rarely ventured outside the capital to packs who didn't already have a seat on the Senate. Maybe he was considering her a threat and trying for a pre-emptive strike. Or meeting with the liaison to figure out how best to hinder her further progress.

Did Grace know about this? My best guess was that she didn't.

"Do we have any intel on the purpose of this visit?" I inquired, my mind turning with possibilities.

"Not yet, Your Majesty," the voice replied. "We're working on gathering more information. However, there's one other detail you might find… concerning."

My jaw clenched. "What is it?"

"We've identified Jackson, the man who had been staying with Alpha Wolfe for a time, in the crowd attending the press conference."

A jolt of anger surged through me. Jackson's presence here, after his betrayal and lies, reeked of bad intentions. "Is he causing any trouble? Have we managed to connect him to Blood Moon?"

"Not yet, Alpha Thorne," the informant assured me. "But we have our people keeping a close eye on him."

Relief washed over me momentarily. "Good," I growled. "Keep me updated on both the Alpha President's visit and Jackson's activities. And make sure no one gets hurt."

"Consider it done, Your Majesty," the voice replied before the line went dead.

Jackson's presence, coupled with the unexpected visit from the Alpha President, cast a shadow over Grace's moment of triumph. It just meant there was a storm was brewing on the horizon, and it threatened to engulf Mooncrest once more. Another Alpha Shadow rising? Or was Sean just here to menace? I had no idea, but I wouldn't let it derail her progress, not when she was so close to success. With a newfound resolve, I straightened my tie and headed back into the building through the side entrance and headed to the elevator. I could still see the throng of reporters outside clamoring for more answers and making their closing statements about Grace's announcements.

When I reached the top floor, I could hear Grace's laughter with Amira.

"You're kidding! Really? Well enjoy it as much as you can!"

I chuckled. She must be talking about Amira's upcoming mating ceremony and whatever was planned for their honeymoon.

I walked in and smiled. Grace was lounging on her couch with my coat around her. My tie pin and tie gleamed in the light. Each new grey hair twinkled. She looked exhausted, but happy. I glanced at Eason who caught my eye. He glanced back at Grace with a stiff nod, and my stomach sank.

She was getting weaker. The press conference had taken a lot out of her. What did that mean? That the five years would be cut short, or were they always going to just be... agonizing?

I pushed that through away as Grace looked up at me, beaming. Her face was flushed and her eyes were bright. I could see the adrenaline of the press conference still buzzing in her. Amira poured a cup of something on the other side of the room, lifting cups for Eason to make a decision. He pointed at one of them and tilted his head toward Grace. Another dose. I'd have to check in with him about his potion materials stash and where the hell was he brewing in the first place?

"Well, that was quite the show, Alpha Wolfe," I said, stepping forward with a warm smile. "You absolutely nailed it today.

"The States are practically eating out of your hand," Eason said, glancing down at his laptop. He picked up the cup Amira set beside him and took the other to Grace.

She sipped, smiled, flicked her gaze at Eason, and shifted to get cozier on the couch.

A satisfied sigh escaping her lips. "I did my best," she admitted, a hint of nervousness still lingering beneath the surface. "It feels good to finally have it out in the open."

"Fenris or Phoenix?"

She grinned. "Both."

Eason chuckled. "It's more than good, Grace. You've ignited a fire of hope in the werewolf community. We keep this momentum and we'll be pulling people from the other side to your defense and support. Since you're cozy, let's talk about how you want to channel the momentum for your campaign."

She hummed. "I want the best path to clearing my reputation. The drug is a push forward, but I still want to make the past right."

Eason nodded, typing away and spitting out ideas about the next few initiatives and what to release to the press. I sat beside Grace, listening as they bounced ideas around. Amira presented a preliminary analysis of the political landscape, outlining potential allies and adversaries. I added to their notes from my own experience and the leverage I knew she'd get depending on what alliances she forged first.

"You should push for formal documentation," Eason said. "Something people can look up and see, not just a public handshake."

She nodded slowly. "That's a thing?"

"Dad had a few, but they were no longer valid with you taking the seat," Eason said. "I couldn't sign, but they were all at the funeral and willing to answer all my questions."

Grace glanced at me, bobbing her head. "Let's put it on the docket after we fix my relationship with Mooncrest."

I squeezed her leg as she sipped. "Something wrong?" I asked.

"You... weren't up here when I got up here. I thought you might have left."

I smiled. "I was in the crowd. Wanted a front row seat after the way you dealt with Thorne."

She flushed. "Right... thanks."

"And while I was down there, there were a few.... developments."

Eason stopped typing. "You saw Jackson."

I nodded.

"I saw him too. He looked furious. I had no idea he was still in Mooncrest."

I nodded. "I'm having him watched."

"Wait, what?" Grace's eyes widened. "Why?"

"There's more," he revealed, his voice grim. "The Alpha President is paying Mooncrest an unexpected visit. Soon, given his sentiments and the timing, I can't risk just assuming it's a coincidence."

The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging heavy in the air.

"Do we know why?" Amira finally asked, breaking the stunned silence.