Chapter 86

Charles

As I sat at my desk in the dimly lit office, the soft glow of the computer screen casting an eerie blue light across the room, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of anticipation. It was an unusual feeling for me, considering the list of names I was reviewing for the next open court day. These gatherings were typically filled with disputes, grievances, and political maneuvering among the clans, making them a draining affair.

Usually, the thought of it would set me on edge. I knew my people well enough to know that a lot of the conflicts heard in court would be easily resolved if anyone laid down their pride and thought things through.

It had the tendency to make me testy, but I didn't feel that usual tension in my shoulders.

Maybe I had grown more relaxed as I aged, but I doubted it.

It was Grace. It was knowing that at the end of these court hearings and the time I allotted to deal with Clan issues was Grace, Cecil, and Richard back in Mooncrest.

My lips twitched into a smile. Mooncrest had started to feel more like home than the palace these days.

Just as I was finalizing the schedule, an email notification chimed on my computer. Curious, I opened the message to find a report from George, passed through from the Enforcer's intelligence division.

I opened the message to see Gabriel Black's photo and profile and everything they could find on him. I set my jaw as I saw the section on his involvement with Wolfsbane, an anti-werewolf organization that had caused trouble in the past. As far as I was concerned, they were just the radical arm of the WSU and in the back pocket of the Elders. I had been trying to get rid of them and cut the legs from under the Elders for years, but they were more like a hydra.

I cut down one leader, and six more appeared. The question was really why an anti-werewolf half-lycan would be an alpha of a territory. My eyes narrowed as I read through the information. While the report was inconclusive about the extent of Gabriel's involvement, it was enough to raise suspicions.

I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. Gabriel had presented himself as a potential ally to Grace and Mooncrest. She'd been excited and inspired and, I dare say, eager to be in her position and use it to the benefit of her people.

Queenly, even, but now, I wondered if his information and help could be trusted or if, just maybe, it was just a ruse to some unknown ends.

I knew I couldn't ignore the report, nor could I leap to conclusions. I needed to gather more information to delve deeper into Gabriel's past and connections to Wolfsbane.

There was a chance that Gabriel could be useful in cutting into Wolfsbane's plans. It would go a long way to throwing them off kilter, especially with their schemes to initiate the Choosing.

I still hadn't spoken to Asher about it and Grace, let alone Grace.

I replied to George, asking him to dig deeper into Gabriel's background, looking for any solid connections to Wolfsbane or other anti-werewolf groups. Then, I sent another message to Isolde, asking her to look into it.

Moonblood had extensive connections throughout the clans. With any luck, I'd heard something concrete from her or George by the end of the night.

Closing the email, I returned to the court schedule, reading the security reports for each requester. There was nothing out of the ordinary on the surface, so I called it a day and started the long drive back to Mooncrest from the Enforcer base on the border.

Hours had passed. The sun was setting, and I was alone in the house, warming up dinner and unwinding from the day. Cecil and Richard had already eaten, but Grace had yet to come home. Eason should have been here by now, but there had been a small delay with his release that George still hadn't explained. The scent of the food filled the air, mixing with the lingering aromas of herbs and spices. I took a deep breath as I heard a car pulling up outside and Grace's familiar gait. A smile tugged at my lips as she came in.

"Welcome home," I called out.

There was a shuffle, and she hurried down the hall to the kitchen. Her eyes were, but her smile was warm and eager as she reached me and threw her arms around me.

I growled softly, accepting the deep kiss and pulling her closer.

"I'm so glad you're here early," Grace whispered. "Is that dinner?"

"I might even have a plate for you too."

"You're literally the best."

I stole another kiss before nudging her off to get out of her coat and wash up for dinner.

We ate in companionable quiet. Grace seemed ravenous, barely pausing to savor the food before eating more.

"You skipped lunch, didn't you?"

Her face turned bright red. "I... Maybe have forgotten."

I shook my head. "You're lucky you're cute, or I would have to turn you over my knee."

She blinked and bit her lip. Her eyes grew dark with hunger.

"Would you do it anyway?"

I smirked at her. "When I have enough time to turn your ass red."

"And when will that be?"

I chuckled. "Soon."

I got up, taking our empty plates to the kitchen. She joined me, and we made quick work of washing dishes before I took her hand and led her into my office. She wrapped her arms around my neck and lifted up to kiss me. I groaned, taking a firm grip on her ass and pressing her against me.

"Is now soon?"

"No, you little minx." She pouted. Her eyes twinkling. I nipped at her lip. "We need to actually talk, like adults with responsibilities."

She groaned. "I don't want to."

I laughed and led her into a slow waltz around the room. She huffed into my shoulder.

"You don't have to butter me up for bad news."

I trailed my lips across her forehead. "I think you'll like it better if I do."

She let out a soft whimper as our lips met in a tender kiss. I took her mouth slowly, teasing and soothing in turns. I felt her relaxing, melting into me.

When I drew away slowly, she panted.

"Can I have more of that if I'm a responsible adult for a little while?"

"Kisses as bribes, hm? I'll keep that in mind."

She grinned. "I can't be bought, but I can be kissed into cooperation."

"Should have started with that then," I grinned. "Honor is less fun."

She laughed, and her eyes sparkled. "Go on. Tell me what it is."

"I had George look into Gabriel." Her brow furrowed with curiosity as she nodded for me to continue. "He has inconclusive ties to Wolfsbane."

Grace's eyes widened slightly, her lips parting in surprise. I could see the wheels turning in her mind as she processed the information.

"I don't want to jump to conclusions," I continued, my concern evident in my tone. "But I wanted you to know as you're considering a formal alliance with his pack."

She worried her lip. "Inconclusive?"

"I'm looking more into it," I said softly, reaching out to caress her cheek, "I just want you to be safe. I'll gather more information. I just wanted to make you aware."

She nodded, her expression a mix of determination and understanding.

"Thank you for telling me, Charles," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "I'll... deal." She sighed and snuggled into my arms. "Do you think it would be a bad idea just to ask?"

I chuckled. "What's your impression of him?"

She hummed, rocking slowly with me, seemingly taking as much comfort in this as I was. I knew she was wrestling with her trust in him, the desire for a powerful ally battling against the doubt that the information had sown.

"I don't know."

I hesitated at her tone before kissing her head.

"It's a difficult position to be in," I murmured, my voice a gentle reassurance. "Wanting an ally but questioning their sincerity and trustworthiness. That doesn't mean you can't trust your judgment."

She wrapped her arms around me, and we stopped swaying. Her fingers tightened in my suit jacket.

"It's... hitting a little close to home."

I nodded. "Trust is precious, hard to build, and nearly impossible to fix truly. However..."

I pulled back, lifting her face so our gazes met.

"Those you mean to trust should be transparent with you. I have every faith you'll do what makes most sense to you and for Mooncrest."

She looked up at me, her eyes searching for reassurance.

"I want to talk to Gabriel about this," she said firmly. "I need to hear his side of the story."

I smiled. "That's a wise decision."

"You'll tell me if you find anything else?"

"Of course."

Grace let out a groan.

"When will Eason come back? If there's a secret somewhere, he probably knows someone who knows it."

I chuckled in agreement. "He does have a way of getting information, doesn't he? He should be back soon."

Grace nodded and pulled back. "I'm going to call Gabriel before it gets too late there."

I nodded and pulled back. "More dancing? And perhaps more bribes?"

She smiled and lifted up on her toes. "Can I have a kiss for luck?"

I pulled her close and dipped her, pressing our lips together as she let out a cry of delight. I pulled back, leaving her breathless.

"Consider it an incentive to get through the call faster and get a bit more of... whatever excites you most."

She bit her lip. "An hour tops."

"Deal."

I lifted her, twirled her and let her head to the door, hoping for the best.