Chapter 260

Charles

The familiar weight of paperwork pressed against my chest as I leaned back in my chair, scanning the documents spread across my desk. The waning light of the day filtered through the high windows of my office and cast long shadows across the room, a stark contrast to the flurry of activity that had dominated the past few days.

The fallout of the trials had rippled through the Clans. The Greenvalleys were still undergoing interrogation and more and more atrocities were popping up. It was only a matter of time before someone implicated my uncle and I could chop his fucking head off.

I wished it could have been Cecil's birthday for a little longer. I grinned remembering how happy she was. Blackwoods Castle had felt alive in a way that it hadn't in so long.

With them gone, it felt cold in a way it hadn't felt since the coup. With a decisive sigh, I began gathering the last of my belongings. Documents were filed, orders relayed, and farewells issued to the loyal guards who maintained the castle's security. Blackwoods, for the time being, would be left in the capable hands of the staff.

Mooncrest beckoned me and I thought of Elara's words. They were heavy and cutting, but too true to ignore. The lure of family was.... overwhelming. The weight of the crown was finally starting to feel more like a burden than an honor.

I headed to the nursery and Amy's suite. She was sitting by the fire, rocking the twins, a wave of tenderness washed over me.

"Your Majesty," she greeted me, a tired but grateful smile gracing her lips. "You've come to see them, hm?"

"And you." I nodded. "It's been a long time since I've held a baby. Let me, hm?"

I knelt beside her, taking them out of her arms gently. They slept peacefully.

"They're beautiful, Amy," I murmured. "They, and you, will be safe and well cared for. Devin's… situation has been addressed. He'll face the consequences of his actions, but you won't have to worry about him harassing you or interfering with the children's future.... Hopefully, by the time he's paid his debts, he'll be ready to try and be in their lives."

Relief flickered in her eyes, a flicker quickly replaced by a flicker of apprehension. "And if not?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"Then, I'll have four grandchildren to spoil rotten--more rotten than before," I said.

"And... the Greenvalleys?"

"Exile is too nice," I said. "The interrogations are ongoing. It's more likely death or... Asylum." I glanced at her. "What are your thoughts?"

She looked away. "I... have none."

"Nonsense," I said. "Tell me."

"I don't wish them well," she said, her eyes growing dark. "And I... I don't wish them mercy."

I rocked the twins. "Seems like we'll have to talk more about your experience."

She nodded, a flicker of vulnerability flitting across her features. Exhaustion finally seemed to win over her anxieties, her eyelids drooping.

"You're exhausted."

"They've had a busy morning," she murmured, gesturing towards the twins. "Perhaps you could help me put them down for a nap, and then I can grab some much-needed rest?"

The following hour was a peaceful blur of rocking chairs, soft lullabies, and the sweet scent of baby powder. As the exhausted twins finally drifted off to sleep, a sense of contentment settled over me. Had I ever had a chance to have children of my own, when I was old enough to really enjoy it, I would have wished for a thousand moments like this.

As it stood, it likely wouldn't happen until...

I turned away from that thought. I kissed Amy's forehead and tucked her in. Just as I was about to slip out of the nursery, a piercing summons resonated through the castle. I set my jaw. My heart stuttered in my chest, the familiar chill of foreboding creeping up my spine. It was the Elders' call. Not an emergency, but one that concerned the entire Council of Elders.

There was only a handful of things they could want to talk to me about.

The Elder's chamber was steeped in an air of hushed anticipation. Most of them were solemn. Others in the room looked outright disgruntled. As I entered, their gazes focused on me, their silence heavy with unspoken words.

"Lycan King Charles," Theodore, the oldest and most respected of the council, began his voice raspy but firm. "We have convened this meeting to address a matter of paramount importance to the future of the Clans."

I knew exactly where this was going.

"Let me gues... the Choosing?"

Theodore's lips stretched into a thin smile, devoid of warmth. "Indeed. Given the recent events – the upheaval within the Greenvalley pack, the uncertainty surrounding the king's bloodline – have necessitated a… proactive approach to ensure the pack's continued strength and prosperity."

"The Choosing is such an old tradition," I countered, my voice laced with apprehension. "There's no guarantee it will produce a good king. It has a pretty bad track record, doesn't it? The will of the Goddess--"

"Has not solved this problem, or you simply do not heed it, " Beatrice said. She ws known for her unwavering adherence to tradition, chimed in, her voice sharp as a whip. "Old as it may be, it is better than what shall happen if you die before an heir is produced."

I set my jaw. Arguing with the Elders would be futile and a waste of time. The Choosing was little more than a bridal parade, a forced sort of mating. It would fail so long as Tessa and I were bound, but it would also force my hand on that front.

"Very well," I said. "I'll expect the list of candidates soon."

I turned, catching the surprise on their face. They must have expected me to argue. Frustration clawed at my throat as I exited the Elder's chamber.

My heart ached for Grace, Cecil, Richard and the twins. This political storm would threaten the peace I was building, and Grace...

Grace was no longer a viable candidate in the way that they wanted one. Reaching my office, I slammed the door shut, the sound echoing through the empty room. I needed a moment to breathe and plan.

The crackling fire in the hearth offered little comfort as I paced the room, thoughts swirling in my head. A knock sounded on the door.

I opened it to see Ascher and a few other chiefs who had been allies of my father, their faces etched with concern mirroring my own.

"To do this, is madness," Ascher said, his voice laced with anger. "It is not as though your mark has faded, even if we do not know who your mate is."

"She's not an option." I growled. "Or rather, she should not be an option."

"We have a month," one of the chieftains offered, a sliver of hope creeping into his voice. "That's the timeframe the Elders have set."

A month. It wasn't much, but it was enough. They were going to try and make me sweat this out and cave. A flicker of determination ignited in my chest.

"Thank you," I declared, my voice gaining strength. "I will use the time wisely."

"If you need us," a chieftain said. "We will make ourselves availble to you."

"Thank you... Ascher, please stay behind."

He shook hands with them. As the last chieftain shuffled out of the room, the weight of the situation settled on my shoulders. I turned to Ascher.

"Grace..."

He shook his head. My gaze drifted towards the window, where the first hints of dusk painted the sky in hues of orange and purple. A pang of worry gnawed at me.

"Your mate is... trouble?"

"She is a lady of the clans and a traitor."

He bobbed his head.

I clenched my jaw, frustration simmering beneath the surface.

"There has to be another way," he growled. "A way to circumvent this. It's... it's not her fault she can't swear the oath."

"Have you considered... a surrogate?"

I snarled at the idea.

"It's not palatable, but what other choice is there?"

I shook my head. "I will think of something."

"Esme suggests blood adoption."

I laughed. "The Elders would never go for it."

"Kill them."

"What a loophole."

He pat my shoulder. "The Stormclaws stand with you... even against the Elders. You have done right by my granddaughter and great grandchildren."

I nodded. "I appreciate that."

I stood. "I'm heading back tonight. Staying in this castle... is likely to get me killed or... murderous."

He chuckled and walked out with me. The castle gates creaked open, and I climbed into the car. As I was driven away and Blackwoods Castle faded into the distance, my stomach and mood sank.

There was really only one path out of this, but what was down that path, I didn't know.

Goddess, if ever I have served your will... Please...

I swallowed. My eyes pricked with tears.

Please.