Chapter 193

[Third-Person’s POV]

The King was spiraling.

The palace was in chaos.

The very empire that his own bloodline had built for the last century felt like it was beginning to tumble to the ground.

When he initially called for that meeting with Alexander, he wasn’t prepared for the unforeseen backlash that had been thrown in his direction. Since when has Alexander been able to gain any intel on him?

As far as he knew, he’d been conducting himself with the utmost discretion. Clearly, not discreet enough it would seem.

Granted he wasn’t entirely certain what kind of proof Alexander had on him, he wasn’t in the mood to find out. However, it also wasn’t about to simply step down as King either.

To make matters all the more frustrating, one of the staff must have overheard their conversation. Word had to have spread around the palace like wildfire. People everywhere were moving their belongings and taking their leave without so much as a single word of goodbye.

They were now somewhat aware of the growing tensions between the Royal Family and the Kingstons. Under any other circumstances, Gregory would have calmly addressed the court and eased everyone’s minds.

But there was no possible chance of that. Things were bad. They were bad and held the potential of getting much worse. What would be the point in lying now?

Gregory never claimed to be a saint. His own father, grandfather, and several other previous relatives had all been a part of some illegal handlings in the past.

So why was he the one being called out on it?

It was infuriating.

Alexander and his self-righteous behavior had gotten on the King’s nerves for the last time. Something had to be done. He was an Alpha that needed to be reminded about his rightful place in the region.

He needed advice, desperately.

Gregory yelled for one of the staff to send word out to Caroline.

Within the hour, she was standing back in his office wearing a similar look of unsettled panic as the rest of the palace residents.

“You called for me, Your Majesty.”

Gregory instantly sensed that something was off about the woman. For someone like Caroline whose demeanor was naturally composed at all times, it was strange to see her so easily flustered.

“What happened?”

“What do you mean?”

His expression tightened into a firm scowl. “Since the last time we’ve spoken you didn’t look half as unnerved as you do right now...What happened? Tell me.”

She shuffled uncomfortably where she stood and dropped her eyes to the floor. Suddenly, it seemed that the intricate patterns in the rug were far more fascinating than their current conversation.

“I think it’s just the fact of seeing everyone else so worried that has me feeling rather concerned,” she explained.

The King narrowed his eyes at her in skepticism.

“Well, I called you here because I’m in need of a new course of action.”

“I see.”

Gregory waited nearly half a minute for Caroline to come out and something of value. Yet, the woman remained stoic in her position.

“And...?” he pressed. “Are you actually going to give me anything insightful or have I just wasted both of our time by calling you here?”

She let out an unsteady breath. “Gregory...Have you, perhaps, considered the possibility of actually stepping down from the throne?”

He sat back in his chair, feeling as though Caroline had physically slapped her across the face.

A flare of anger sparked through him. “What?”

Was she seriously telling him that he ought to just surrender everything over to Alexander right then and there?

He was utterly seething. He spoke through clenched teeth. “You expect me to just leave behind my entire life because some rogue Alpha doesn’t like my side hustles? Is that what I’m being told?”

The mere idea was completely ridiculous.

“You and I both know that Alexander has been growing his pack for decades now. His army is not only well-trained but highly loyal to him. If you wait too long to make the decision, there’s a very good chance that he may end up making it for you,” she explained.

“And just how the fuck would you know that?” he questioned harshly. “Unless...You’ve been talking to Alexander too, haven’t you?”

Caroline swiftly shook her head.

“You have,” he insisted. His tone filled with malice. “The guilt is practically written across your face. What the hell could have possibly gone to talk to him about I wonder?”

“I merely went there to tell him that he should be wary of you and the power you possess,” she said shakily.

“Oh, really? And how well did he take that?” he spat.

Again, he watched her fidget. Her silence was answer enough.

The King sneered and shook his head. “Fucking fool.”

He buried his face in his hands and let out a long irritated breath. Meanwhile, Caroline began to carefully inch her way toward the doors. She wanted out of that office and out of the palace as soon as possible.

She ultimately knew that there was no chance of winning if she continued to stay by the King’s side. Caroline was going to do what she’d done her whole life—look out for herself and her own interests.

Gregory was becoming more and more unhinged by the second. The longer she stayed there, the more she was putting herself at risk.

Just as her hand had reached the door handle, she froze.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” he snarled.

“I—”

“You’re the reason it’s all come to this,” he said. “You and your stupid plans that kept on failing from the very beginning!”

Her heart jumped in her throat.

“First the failed car crash, then the damn marriage contract, and now the asshole has managed to instill fear in my own house!”

“How was I supposed to know that he had avoided the car crash?” she questioned back. “Their marriage was friggin’ hoax from the beginning. You’re the one who picked the Silverwood family! You could have gone to any other small pack family and they would have happily married off any of their dumb daughters!”

“You are the only person who knows anything about my side handlings. If I let you walk out of this place, there’s no telling who you’ll spill your guts to.”

“Why the hell would I do that when my reputation is just as much on the line as your own?” she threw back.

Gregory tilted his head. “Well, at the very least, I can’t have you returning to Alexander.”

The moment he called for the guards, Caroline felt her vision grow tunneled. Her heart rate picked and the palms of her hands were starting to sweat.

A few seconds later, two large men barreled through the doors and stood on either side of her.

“What are you doing?”

“Take this traitor to one of the holding cells,” he ordered. “She’ll be joining her son in prison very soon.”

Caroline choked back a cry. “What? You can’t do this!”

Gregory snorted. “I’m the goddamn King.”

He watched the two guards drag an unwilling Caroline out of the room. She looked as undignified as when Isabella had been hauled out of the courtroom. She shouted and kicked, anything to try and free herself from the fate she’s ultimately sealed in her own doing.

The Alpha King felt as though his own fate was vastly approaching, but there was still one last card he wanted to play.

He reached for his phone and pulled up a number that he hadn’t touched in months. It only took two rings for the receiver to pick up.

“Your Majesty?”

“I may have one last job for you.”