Chapter 107

Eamon’s POV

With anyone else, I would doubt my ears. With this bunch, I can fully believe what I’m hearing. Though, the full agreement of the women among the group surprises me.

Do they really believe it’s impossible for a woman to be a Beta, when they themselves are proud and capable?

They nod along in agreement to Wallace’s words, however, as if he has expounded a great wisdom.

“This is a waste of my time,” I say, no longer attempting to hide my annoyance. “If you will excuse me, I have actual pack matters to attend to.” I gesture toward the door, indicating that they should leave.”

“We demand to be taken seriously,” Wallace says.

“You are insulting my sister and the Beta of this pack before you have even fully seen what she is capable of,” I tell them. “If you truly want to have this conversation with me, return in six months and have detailed examples of her failings. I expect them to include more than, she’s a woman.”

At those final words, I give a flat, judging look to the women of the group. The socialite glares at me defiantly, but the older women look away. I wonder if they actually believe what they are saying or if they are just going along with their husbands to preserve the peace of their homes.

“You don’t want to dismiss us so quickly,” Wallace says. “As nobles, we carry power in the pack, and us gathered here are but a small section of the vast majority who agrees with us. Cara is unqualified.”

“She is perfectly qualified,” I say again. “Your views are incredibly outdated. All of you should be ashamed of yourselves. I trust none of you will actually bring up this matter with Cara herself. Is that clear?”

Maybe they are nobles. Maybe they do have some power. But I am still Alpha King, and for as long as I am Alpha, my word is the one to be obeyed.

A knock sounds at the door. We all turn just as Cara opens it. Seeing us all, she immediately straightens.

“Oh, forgive the intrusion. Eamon, I was just reporting in.”

“That’s alright, Cara,” I say. I weave through the nobles to approach her. “Our meeting was just wrapping up here anyway.”

“Eamon,” Wallace starts, his voice strong.

I turn and look at him. Holding his gaze, I let a threat rise in my eyes, my vision flashing red for a moment.

He should know – they all should – that any more words spoken or action taken against my sister will be seen as a direct challenge to me and the throne.

Wallace swallows hard, and then immediately lowers his head, signaling submission.

Good.

Wallace and the other nobles turn and leave the office then. They don’t say goodbye to me, though some do dip their heads in acknowledgement. None of them pay any attention to Cara at all, though she makes sure to great them each by name.

When they are gone, she looks at me with slight worry in her eyes. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” I’m quick to tell her. “No. You know that bunch. They’re never happy with anything. It’s me they are furious with today.”

Cara looks at me like she doesn’t quite believe me, but she doesn’t press and I’m glad for that.

I wouldn’t know how to tell her the truth. She was so talented and smart and kind, she doesn’t deserve to know that people doubt her just because she is a woman and because she grew up in DuskWood.

She has more than enough to worry about all on her own.

“Come on,” I tell her, rallying. “Plenty of real work to do today without worrying about that bunch.”

Cara nods and refocuses. “I’m ready,” she says.

Cara’s POV

Eamon may say it’s nothing, but I saw the cruel looks those nobles gave me while they filed out of his office. I know they hate me, though I’m not entirely sure why.

Still, it isn’t the first time that I’ve had to work while people dislike me. Lilia hated me the entire time she and Alaric had their farce of an engagement. The nobles here, at least, keep their relative distance. Other than the dirty looks, they don’t come forward to me with their obvious dislike.

I can handle dirty looks. I could handle cutting remarks too, though it’s nice not to have to for a while.

If Eamon wants to protect me from all of this, I’m inclined to let him.

The work itself isn’t bad. I’m used to Beta duties from my time in DuskWood pack, and not having to take on Secret Luna duties means my workload is actually quite a bit lighter.

It’s nice to have something to do. Accomplishing things helps me feel more productive, more in charge of myself and my life. Every other aspect of my life might be fraught with turmoil, but at least this isn’t.

I’m familiar with Beta work, so the day passes quickly. Eventually, everything else is forgotten. While I’m working, I don’t think about Alaric or Noel, or the nobles who hate me.

I’m content and at peace.

Until, while walking along a long narrow corridor in the basement of the Alpha building, I get a strange feeling on the back of my neck. It takes me by surprise, like a sudden chill that runs up the back of my spine.

Stopping abruptly, I turn around, half-expecting someone to be there. My heart thunders and my adrenaline surges.

But no one is there.

I wait a moment, looking around. Most of the rooms down here are empty, their lights turned off. Many of the staff have already headed home, and there is no natural light down here in the basement. This leaves many long shadows and dark corners.

With Lucy in stasis, I lack my usual wolf abilities. I can see, smell, nor sense any more than a typical human. This has inconvenienced me many times, but never have I wished to have those senses more than right now.

What little I can detect tells me there is danger here. Without my wolfly senses, I don’t know where that danger is.

“Hello?” I call out. It’s no secret that I’m there. There doesn’t seem to be any harm in calling out. If someone is down here, perhaps they are being unintentionally creepy. “Is anyone there?”

I wait, but there’s no answer.

Maybe I’m imagining things. After all, who would be down here with negative intent towards me? The nobles who hate me wouldn’t actually dirty their own hands by doing anything about it, and I’m otherwise well-liked in BloodyMoon pack.

I decide I’m being paranoid and turn back towards the stairs. As soon as I do, that terrible feeling claws its way back up my spine. It feels closer this time, like someone is reaching a hand right up to the back of my neck.

Jumping forward, I turn around in a flash, ready to confront whoever is there.

Again, the hallway is empty.

But I could have sworn…

I don’t think I’m alone, but I can’t prove otherwise. Holding my files close to my chest, I slowly back my way to the stairwell, never turning away from the hallway again. When I reach the stairs, I turn and run.