Chapter 118

Chapter 118: Chapter 118

Kael’s POV

The messenger from the Great Council arrived just as I was beginning to lose patience.

I had spent most of the afternoon waiting for a response, and the longer the silence dragged on, the more difficult it became to remain seated.

My attention kept returning to the sealed documents on my desk, particularly the request I had sent to Councilman Cedric concerning House Hawthorne.

I had given the Council enough information to understand the seriousness of the allegations, including testimonies from witnesses who had seen people being held in cellars before being transported to the docks.

Yet, despite everything, I was still expected to wait.

A knock sounded against the office door. "Enter."

The door opened, and a messenger stepped inside. He wore the official colours of the Great Council, and the scroll in his hand carried their seal.

"Alpha Kael Stormridge," he greeted, beginning to bow.

I rose before he could finish and held out my hand. "The message."

He straightened and handed it over without argument.

I broke the seal immediately.

The letter was brief, but I read every line carefully. The Council had approved my request for an audience.

A formal meeting had been arranged for six days from now, during which I would have the opportunity to address the allegations made against me concerning my detention of Selena and my refusal to return her to Alpha William.

At least that was one matter I could consider progress.

However, the rest of the letter was less encouraging.

The Council had also acknowledged my request for an official investigation into House Hawthorne’s business ventures.

They promised to examine the allegations and determine whether the activities described in the submitted testimonies violated the laws of the realm.

But they had included a warning.

Since the matter was now officially under the Council’s authority, I was expected to refrain from taking any independent action against House Hawthorne.

Any attempt to interfere with its properties, employees, or business operations could be interpreted as confirmation of the allegations already made against me.

I lowered the letter. "They want me to sit quietly."

Beta Bastian, who had been standing near the window, approached my desk. "What did they say?"

I handed him the scroll.

He read it from beginning to end, his expression remaining composed until he reached the warning.

"They have agreed to investigate," he said.

"After how long?"

"At least they have acknowledged the matter."

"They have acknowledged a matter involving people being locked in cellars and shipped away like livestock, Bastian. Acknowledgement doesn’t rescue anyone."

"I know."

I leaned back against my desk, folding my arms. Six days...

Six days before I could stand before the Council and explain why I had refused to surrender Selena to William.

Six days before I could present the evidence against House Hawthorne without risking accusations that I was abusing my position as Alpha.

I didn’t particularly like the response, but I couldn’t deny that securing an audience was better than being ignored.

Beta Bastian placed the scroll on the desk.

"Waiting is the best course of action now," he said. "If you truly want to keep this pack united, we cannot afford to give the Council another reason to question your judgement."

I looked at him. "Do you think I’m concerned about their opinion of me?"

"No. I think you’re concerned about what happens to Blackbourne if they turn against you."

I said nothing.

He continued, "House Hawthorne supplies food and other necessities to a large portion of this pack. If you attack their properties before the Council has completed its investigation, the people who depend on them may see you as the enemy. The witnesses need protection, and we need to keep the castle calm. We cannot afford a division within our own borders while the vampires remain a threat."

His words were sensible, even if I disliked hearing them.

I nodded once. "We’ll wait for the Council’s investigation. But the witnesses remain under our protection. Nobody from House Hawthorne gets close to them."

"That has already been arranged."

"Good."

Just then, a mindlink opened.

"Alpha." Garrick’s voice came through, and I immediately straightened.

"Speak."

"We’ve spotted a carriage bearing the Nightbane crest moving along the southern roads. It was seen around noon."

My attention sharpened. "Who is inside?"

"We haven’t confirmed that yet. The carriage is heavily escorted, though. Several House Kavanagh carriages are travelling with it, along with their guards."

I stared ahead. Nightbane and House Kavanagh...

There was only one person who would travel under those circumstances, especially after everything that had happened between Alpha William and me.

"Keep watching them, I ordered. Do not approach until I give you further instructions."

"Understood, Alpha." The mindlink closed.

Beta Bastian noticed the change in my expression. "What is it?"

"Alpha William."

His eyebrows drew together. "What about him?"

"He’s here."

"Here where?"

"Inside Blackbourne." I pushed away from the desk and reached for the door.

Beta Bastian moved immediately. "Alpha Kael."

"Move."

"Where are you going?"

"To deal with the trespasser."

He stepped directly into my path, forcing me to stop. "Think this through before you do something reckless."

I looked down at him, my patience already wearing thin. "Get out of my way, Bastian."

"Not until you listen to me."

"My patience is running out."

"And mine will too if you ride out there without considering the consequences."

I clenched my jaw.

Beta Bastian held my gaze, refusing to move. "The Council has just agreed to hear your case in six days. They have also taken responsibility for investigating House Hawthorne. If you confront Alpha William now, especially while the Council is watching your every move, you could undo everything we’ve managed to secure."

"William is a foreign Alpha who has crossed my border in secret."

"Then report his presence and demand an explanation."

"He didn’t ask permission to enter my territory. He brought House Kavanagh guards with him and concealed his movements. A trespasser can be detained without waiting for the Council to grant permission."

Beta Bastian’s expression changed slightly.

I continued, keeping my voice controlled. "He knows Selena is here. He has already demonstrated that he is willing to use other people to get what he wants. I will not sit in this castle while he moves freely through my territory."

"You’re assuming he intends to cause trouble."

"I’m assuming nothing. I’m responding to what he’s already done."

For a moment, Bastian said nothing. His eyes remained fixed on mine, and I could tell he was weighing the argument against the consequences.