Chapter 97

[Third-Person’s POV]

Michael was a man who felt like he’d just hit the lottery.

The morning he was due to head to Kingston Manor, he did it with the most energy he’d felt in months. Hell, he was practically buzzing with eagerness. He couldn’t wait to step into his role as Alpha.

Even if it was only temporary. However, he felt deep in his bones that he had the opportunity to change that. If there was one thing Michael believed himself to be, it was persuasive.

He genuinely believed that by talking to a few of Alexander’s head guards and highest-ranking soldiers, he would be able to convince them why it would be in their best interest if they were to leave Alexander’s pack and join his own. He figured, with the right support system, anything was possible.

The only downside was that he knew Evelyn wasn’t going to be around. She was another prospect that he was eager to sink his claws into and snatch away.

No matter. Michael wasn’t going to harp too much on the loss. Especially when he knew that Evelyn and Alexander weren’t doing well in their own relationship.

Back when they were all in Alexander’s office, he did his best to conceal his sheer enjoyment of watching his Stepbrother’s marriage fall to pieces once more. Truthfully, he hadn’t expected someone as knowingly stoic as Alexander to utterly lose his cool like that—and in public no less.

It had certainly been a victory that he was glad to witness.

As soon as Michael arrived at the manor, he was instantly put off by the fact that no one was really there to greet him. Not even the damn housekeeper!

His brows pulled together and he sneered with indignation. This was no way to treat an Alpha.

Didn’t they realize that they were all going to be working under the new future Alpha of the Kingston family?

He tried not to read too much into it as he made his way through the house with the intention of heading to Alexander's office. However, as soon as he reached out to twist the door handle, he discovered that the room was locked.

What the actual fuck?

Michael knew he shouldn't have been surprised. Alexander had always been a secretive bastard. So, it shouldn’t have come as any great shock that he would lock up his office. Of course, it only made Michael all the more curious as to what could possibly be inside.

Was it that Alexander was working on some kind of top-secret plan? Was he still looking to expand the pack to an even higher number?

It never came as a great shock that the Alpha King found Alexander so threatening. His Stepbrother just had a knack for finding ways to continuously expand his pack and better his own army. Not that he would ever bring up the notion in front of the royal family, but Michael was almost certain that Alexander possessed a larger army than the king himself.

From an outsider’s perspective, it was no wonder why the Royal family silently feared Alexander. There was no end to the man’s ambition. All Michael wanted to do was find out how he made it all happen.

How was it possible for someone so ruthless to essentially win the hearts, minds, and devotion of hundreds?

There has to be some kind of trick...A skill, maybe?

Unfortunately, as much as he wanted to break into Alexander’s office, there was no chance of him getting away with such an act without there being negative repercussions. No, instead, he’d found another plan that held potential.

He forgoed trying to get into the office and decided to head out toward the camps. What better way to find the secrets to Alexander’s success than asking his own pack members directly?

The walk, although somewhat lengthy, provided Michael with an excellent visual as to how large and accomplished his brother’s pack really was. The campgrounds stretched for miles. And everyone looked hard at work.

As he walked down the main trail of the site, only a select few glanced up from what they were doing and gave Michael a slight nod of acknowledgment. But none of them went out of their way to give him much attention.

Michael tried to hold back a spiteful sneer. Surely, they all knew that he’d be filling in for Alexander for a little while. That being the case, why weren’t they showing the proper consideration for his respected title?

Well, it’s obvious that the first thing I’m going to need to do as Alpha is teach everyone the proper mannerisms in how to address their higher-ups.

Michael came upon a small group of guards who all seemed to be enwrapped in their own conversation. He slowly approached them and began to speak with a direct firmness that demanded their immediate attention.

“Tell me, how is it that my brother managed to capture all of your interests to want to remain in his pack?” he questioned.

Initially, everyone remained silent. They all shared a look between themselves that would warrant them all to keep quiet. One of the guards cleared their throat and began to speak.

“My reason for staying is because Alexander promised a secure and prosperous life and he came through on that promise.”

The rest of the group nodded their heads in agreement. Michael seemed hardly convinced.

“Well, what if I said that I’m planning on establishing an even better pack?” he said with a strong hint of arrogance.

Again, the guards shared a look amongst themselves. Unlike before, they all began to chuckle with deep amusement.

“I’d say you’d be biting off far more than you could chew.”

“A pack this size doesn’t just appear overnight.”

“Alexander spent the last two decades making this pack what it is—no one has the ability to replicate that kind of accomplishment. Certainly not any quicker.”

Michael felt his anger rising beneath the surface. He clenched his jaw while his hands curled into tight fists.

“Shouldn’t you all be getting back to work?” he bit out.

None of them moved from their spot. Instead, they all continued to chuckle as though Michael had just told a bad joke. What the hell was going on?

Suddenly, a deep voice spoke out. “Alright, you lot. Get back to your positions.”

Michael glanced over his shoulder to find another man who looked no younger than himself, wearing a dark soldier’s uniform with several medals on the front. Without a word, the guards got up and left.

It was at that moment, that Michael knew it wasn’t actually in charge. All of it had just been a ruse.

He trudged his way back to the house filled with bitter anger. How dare Alexander treat him like a complete fool?!

He was determined to make him pay for humiliating him. Well, unfortunately for Alexander, Michael knew exactly how to get back at him.

Evelyn.

As far as he knew Evelyn was still with her family, taking care of her brother. Last he knew of the situation, Wendy had gone with her. But, Michael was clever—too clever for his own good. He knew how to get the old woman away from Evelyn.

It was obvious that Alexander never needed a replacement Alpha to watch over the place while he was gone on business.

Whatever that business was, it had better be worth it for the shit storm I’m about to cause.

As soon as Michael reached the house, he went toward the nearest phone and reached out to Wendy.

“Hello?”

With his best and fakest concerned tone, Michael spoke. “Oh, Wendy! I’m glad I got a hold of you. Something terrible has happened to Nina.”

Wendy’s voice filled up with genuine worry. “What? Nina? I-Is she alright?”

“I’m not sure. We just had her rushed to the hospital,” he told her. A menacing smile curled his lips. “I think you should head back as soon as possible.”

With that old woman out of the way, there will be nothing in my way to get to Evelyn.