Chapter 90

Charles

"What's wrong?" I asked, on edge at her tense tone.

"I just..." She huffed out a breath. "Jackson."

"What happened?"

She growled and started telling me what had happened. I took note to look into Jackson and his family as a matter of course. The level of entitlement in his words had a threatening tone to it.

"I can't fucking believe him," she growled.

Her frustration and anger were palpable, and I couldn't blame her.

"It's hard to cut childhood bonds, but you made the right decision. Jackson's prejudices would have poisoned you and caused problems later down the line."

There was a heavy sigh on the other end of the line. "I know, Charles, but it's just... infuriating. His specialty is reformulation. He's an asshole, but he would have been a useful asshole, and now, who knows how long it will take to find someone else?"

"I'm not worried."

"Charles!" She laughed. "How can you not be worried?"

"Simple," I said, sending an email to George and the Enforcer team as a report about Jackson's removal from the premises came up. I gave them orders to arrest them if there was enough cause to do so, and part of me said that there would be soon if there wasn't already.

"You and Margaret are worth a hundred of him a piece," I said. "Seraphina is worth at least a hundred and fifty of him, so you'll be perfectly fine."

She chuckled. "A hundred and fifty, huh?"

"In regards to reformulating the drug? Absolutely. Though, I have to ask: how much does he know about the project?"

Grace hesitated for a moment before responding. "Not much, actually. We've kept the details closely guarded. I don't think he's made it through the research, but I'll make sure the necessary precautions are taken."

"I'll have him watched. Get Amira to deactivate his badge and such."

"Shit, you're right," Grace sighed. "I'll send her a text."

She grumbled. "I should have punched him."

"Something tells me you'll have your chance. I'm not sure when, though."

"You think so?"

"Based on what he was saying? Yes. Best not to worry about it."

She chuckled. "I guess so. I'll handle everything on this end to make sure things move forward smoothly."

"That's the spirit, Grace. You'll tell me if you need anything?"

"Like black masks to jump out and scare the crap out of him?"

I grinned. "That can be arranged."

"... put a pin in it."

I threw my head back and laughed. "I will certainly do so... Feel a bit better?"

Her tone softened, and I could hear a hint of gratitude. "Yeah. Thank you, Charles. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I'm sure you'd figure it out. You're a resourceful young woman, Grace."

She snorted. "I don't know if thirty is young, Charles."

"It is. How's Eason?"

I frowned as she sighed and told me about the state of Eason's apartment and her suspicions about what Eason might know about the people who broke into his place.

"Seems like we need more than just a few black masks," I said. "With any luck, I'll be done soon and headed back to you."

"What do you do that takes up so much time?"

I quirked an eyebrow. "You think running the Clans is easy?"

"Can't you just pass a bunch of decrees and swing your sword around if they don't listen?"

I snickered. "Unfortunately, royal decrees and sword-swinging wouldn't expedite things much."

She chuckled softly, the sound like a soothing melody over the phone. "I suppose you're right. I just miss you terribly, and you've only been gone since this morning..."

"I miss you too," I admitted. "Every moment away from you feels too long. But I promise, I'm doing everything I can to return to Mooncrest as soon as possible."

Grace's tone shifted, and she became more playful. "Maybe swinging a sword would help me."

"Have you ever seen someone use a sword, Grace? A real one?"

There was a pause on her end before she responded. "Not outside of old fencing videos I used to watch for practice back in high school."

My interest was piqued. "A fencer. Were you good?"

"I was good enough, I guess. I wasn't competitive. It was just something I wanted to do."

"Well, fencing is quite different from lycan sword techniques. It's funny that you were a fencer, as I happen to favor the sword over other weapons."

"Other weapons?"

I grinned. "Many other weapons. Intrigued?"

"Very."

"Would you like to learn some lycan techniques? Maybe have a bit of a sparring match?"

She almost purred. I smirked, hearing the way her lycan instincts were taking over.

"What do I get if I win our little match?"

I chuckled. "Getting a bit ahead of yourself, aren't you?"

"I like to be motivated."

I smirked. "Whatever you want, my dear, if you manage to beat me."

There was a mischievous quality in her voice as she responded, "Whatever I want, you say? That's quite the offer, Charles. Challenge accepted."

"You sound like you already know what you're going to ask for."

"Are you alone and able to be really distracted?"

"Pick something else," I said. "You don't have to compete for that."

"I think your tongue would be a hell of a prize..."

"And you still don't have to compete for it," I said softly. "I'm splay you out like a banquet any time."

"Charles," she whined. "That's not fair. When are you coming back?"

I laughed. "You started it. I--"

A knock on my office door interrupted us. George's voice came through the door.

"Come in."

George leaned in with a wry smile.

"Your expression spells trouble or mischief."

"Both, maybe," he grinned. "There are lawyers here."

"About?"

"Devin."

I blinked at George and sighed before turning my attention to the phone.

"Grace, there's something that requires my attention, though you may be pleased to know a sword may be involved."

She laughed. "I'll pick out something nice for you to come home to."

I smiled at the thought. "You're earning yourself more and more of whatever you want. I'll see you soon."

I hung up and looked up at George.

"Alright, give it to me straight. What the hell is going on?"

"Lawyers here to talk about his detainment in Stormclaw. Apparently, they've already tried to appeal to Chief Stormclaw with no luck."

I scoffed and nodded. "Well, show them in. I'd like to be heading back at a decent hour."

He coughed into his hand and walked outside to let the group of lawyers inside. I pulled a dagger out and held it in my hand. The one in front, the lead lawyer, a delta lycan with a steely demeanor, spoke first, approaching my desk with a folder containing legal documents. I didn't even glance at them, too busy restraining the urge to actually pull out my sword and cut off an appendage for the offense.

Was this what my father meant when he warned me about the tenuous balance between being a good king and a king they could recognize? Would he have just killed them?

I know my great-grandfather would have.

"We were hired by a concerned party with a vested interest in Devin's well-being. We're here to secure his release from detainment."

The two behind him looked at the dagger in my hand.

"A concerned party," I repeated. "Who thinks they have the right to tell me what to do with members of my family?"

"Well, Mr. Devin isn't exactly a member of your family," the man said.

I cocked an eyebrow at him. Intrigued that the man had no sense of self-preservation to speak to me like that.

"And who is this concerned party? I'd like a name."

The lawyers exchanged uneasy glances before the lead lawyer responded, "I'm afraid I can't disclose that information at this time. Our client values their privacy."

"George," I said lightly. "Is there room in the dungeon for three lycans? Two gammas and a delta?"

The three went stiff. The delta, the leader, lifted his head and tried to play off his nerves. He was probably backed by one of the Elders.

"We have ample room in the dungeon for anyone you see fit, Your Majesty."

I nodded. "Good."

I turned to face them front on, leaning on my desk.

"You have until I get so irritated and decide to throw this knife to explain who hired you and why I should entertain you. At that point, those guards you walked past will come in and haul you off to the dungeon to rot until I deign to care how you irritated me."

"Y-Your Majesty--"

"You should know that I don't guarantee to aim away from vital points, and I tend not to care how people irritate me enough to be imprisoned, just that they do."

The man gulped as I looked at him, and they both stepped back a little.

"Well?" I said, narrowing my eyes. "Get on with it."