Chapter 112

Chapter 112: Chapter 112

Kael

I hadn’t slept all night. Not that I had expected to.

My study was littered with parchments, maps and several unfinished plans.

I had spent hours moving between my desk and the windows, trying to find a way to bring Selena home without alerting the Hawthornes or the Kavanaghs to my intentions.

Every possible approach came with a risk.

House Hawthorne had enough influence to turn half the pack against me if I moved against them openly.

They controlled a significant portion of the food supply and provided employment, shelter and other necessities to thousands of people.

Many pack members depended on their businesses to survive. If I suddenly sent warriors to raid their properties, the Hawthornes would have an opportunity to present themselves as victims of an unreasonable Alpha.

And the Kavanaghs were another problem.

I didn’t know how much Lord Kavanagh had discovered about Selena, but I knew he was dangerous.

His involvement with House Hawthorne suggested that the arrangement between them was much bigger than I had initially imagined.

They already suspected there was something between Selena and me.

Whatever the reason, they were holding her for a purpose, and I couldn’t shake the suspicion that they intended to use her to get to me.

I didn’t know what they would do if they discovered their suspicion was correct.

My jaw tightened.

They could try to threaten me with her life. They could demand concessions, attempt to manipulate my decisions or use her as leverage against Blackbourne.

But they had made one mistake. They had assumed I would allow them to keep her.

I returned to my desk and looked at the letter I had sent to the Great Council.

By midmorning, I had gone over my response in my head so many times that I was beginning to question whether admitting the allegations had been wise.

I had acknowledged detaining Selena and refusing to return her to Alpha William. I had also requested an audience with the concerned parties, hoping to make the Council curious about what Alpha William had failed to disclose.

It was a calculated decision, but that didn’t mean I was entirely comfortable with it.

There was no going back now.

The Great Council had received my response, and whatever happened next would determine how much freedom I had to act.

A knock sounded at the door. "Come in."

Beta Bastian entered, followed by Eion Black.

I looked up from the parchment. "What’s the update?"

Beta Bastian approached my desk before speaking. "The revolution group has been conducting mass interrogations throughout the lower belt. They’ve spoken to several former workers and people who have dealt with House Hawthorne’s businesses."

"And?"

"Three people have finally agreed to speak openly about their treatment."

I leaned back. "Go on."

Eion stepped forward. "They confirmed that the labourers purchased by the Hawthornes are usually kept in cellars around some of their properties and business establishments before being transported elsewhere."

My fingers stopped moving. "Transported where?"

"To the docks, according to what they know."

I stared at him. "You’re telling me they’re keeping people in cellars before shipping them out?"

"Yes, Alpha."

For several seconds, I didn’t speak. Anger slowly rose through my chest.

So that was what they had been doing.

They weren’t simply exploiting workers by withholding wages and forcing them into employment.

They were buying people, keeping them confined and moving them through their properties until they were ready to transport them.

They were shipping members of my pack away like slaves.

My skin crawled.

Then I remembered Selena. She must have been kept in a cellar too.

I had no idea what condition she was in, whether she had been given food or water, or how long she had been confined there.

The thought of her sitting in some filthy underground room while those people continued their business made my wolf restless.

I pressed my palm against the desk. "How many people have confirmed this?"

"Three so far," Eion replied. "There may be more, but most are afraid to speak. Some have families who still depend on House Hawthorne for employment."

I understood their fear.

The Hawthornes had spent years building a system that made people dependent on them.

Anyone who spoke against them risked losing their livelihood, their shelter or even their freedom.

Beta Bastian cleared his throat. "There’s something else."

I looked at him as he added. "Sally still hasn’t been seen by anyone."

My expression hardened. "Nothing?"

"Nothing. The group has searched the places she usually visits, but nobody has been able to find her."

I lowered my gaze briefly. Selena and Sally were both missing.

And the longer they remained out of reach, the more dangerous the situation became.

"Some of the members are also becoming restless," Beta Bastian continued. "They are anxious about Selena and Sally. A few have started questioning whether you’re truly on their side."

I looked up. "What?"

"They believe you’ve been keeping information from them. Some are beginning to wonder whether your support for the movement is genuine or whether you’re simply waiting for an opportunity to control it."

I gave a humourless laugh. "Let them wonder."

Beta Bastian raised an eyebrow. "They’re frightened, Alpha Kael. Selena was the one who brought many of them together. With her missing, they don’t know what to expect."

"Then they should focus on finding her instead of questioning my intentions."

Eion glanced at Beta Bastian before looking back at me. "They are trying, Alpha."

"I know." I stood and walked toward the window. "Bring the three witnesses into the castle. Discreetly. I want to hear their statements myself."

Beta Bastian didn’t move immediately. "Alpha Kael, think this through."

I turned. "What is there to think about?"

"House Hawthorne feeds half this pack. Their businesses provide employment and essential supplies. If you make the wrong move, the people who depend on them may turn against you. They could convince the pack that you’re attacking the very household keeping them alive."

"I am aware of that."

"Then you should understand why I am asking you to be careful."

I stared at him. "That’s precisely why I won’t touch the Hawthornes myself."

His brows rose.

For a moment, he seemed to be waiting for me to explain but I didn’t.

Instead, I returned to my desk, pulled out a fresh parchment and reached for my quill.

Beta Bastian watched as I dipped the tip into the ink. "Who are you writing to?"

"Councilman Cedric."

I began drafting the letter.

If the Great Council was already investigating allegations against me, I could use that attention to my advantage.

Rather than sending my own warriors into House Hawthorne’s properties, I would request an official search conducted under the authority of the Council.

I would give them the testimonies of the witnesses and allow them to investigate the allegations themselves.

That way, nobody could claim I was using my position as Alpha to settle a personal grudge against the Hawthornes.

They would have to answer to the Council.

And if the evidence was as substantial as the witnesses suggested, the matter would become much bigger than a disagreement between two powerful households and their Alpha.

I wrote carefully, explaining the allegations and requesting an official search of all House Hawthorne’s properties and business ventures.

I also included the information Beta Bastian and Eion had gathered, particularly the testimonies concerning the confinement and transportation of purchased labourers.

When I finished, I read the letter once before folding it.