CHAPTER 282: _WHEN A WOLF IS CORNERED...

"Alpha King Kaelos, what was the meaning of that stunt you pulled out there?" Elder Harkan, one of the five Elders of the pack, barked at me when I walked back into my office.

I glanced over my shoulder while taking off my red suit. "Are you going to talk to me with your inside voice or do you wish to use the door?"

My tone was cold and left no room for any arguments. I neither had the time nor the patience.

"You’ve... You’ve gone power drunk." Elder Harkan shook his head but I ignored, turning my gaze away from him. "Don’t you see it? First, you went against the wishes of the people and brought in a witch as your wife. Then she became a hybrid and you made her your Luna Queen and—"

"Are you seriously trying to lecture me about Odessa right now?" I sniggered, shaking my head.

The old bastard hadn’t even knocked before he followed me into the office, and I was guessing the other elders sent him to be their mouthpiece.

But it was clear to me that he was blowing the whole thing out of proportion.

"I’m saying that what you did there is going against the right of free speech." Elder Harkan growled. "You’re an Alpha King, not a warlord. I—"

"And who said I can’t be both?" I queried, unbuttoning the top part of my inner shirt before grabbing a bottle of whiskey on my desk.

I poured myself a glass, turning around to face Harkan without bothering to sit, instead leaning against the desk.

He clenched his jaw, shaking his head. "Elder Davina... She’ll not be pleased with this if she were alive."

At the mention of that name, I dropped the bottle of whiskey on the desk with a bang, not caring if it broke. I waltzed forward, ignoring the fear that shot through the old man.

"You don’t get to talk about Davina or try to use her name to guilt trip me." I sneered coldly, bringing my face close to his until I could hear every beat of his pulse. "I did what any rational ruler would do... I gave the people a choice. They either choose peace or agree with the words of someone who seeks the annihilation of an entire race."

He stiffened, his eyes still blazing with a hint of defiance.

I sighed, stepping away from him. "Leave my office. I’ve talked with the other Alpha Kings earlier this morning and I’ve given a statement like you asked. I need to focus on picking new members of my council now."

I turned away, walking back to my desk and sitting behind it, grabbing the bottle of whiskey again.

Fortunately, he didn’t linger long and harrumphed, his ceremonial red robe sweeping the ground behind him.

"I hope this doesn’t blow up in your face, Alpha King. When a wolf is cornered... It bites." He said finally, but I merely spared him a glance before I began pouring myself a glass of whiskey.

He stepped out and shut the door behind him with a bang, leaving me in silence.

’If you ask me, you underreacted.’ Damon echoed in my head, sounding displeased. ’I still think we should’ve burnt down Blue Ridge.’

I shook my head, letting the burn from the whiskey linger in my throat. ’That would’ve been rash and you know it. The wolves who killed Alpha Deveraux weren’t even from the pack. Most definitely rogues from the Lord of the North.’

’But still... If truly the Lord of the North is sending his spies to different packs across the continent don’t you think it’s a little suspicious that they were able to gain access in the first place?’ Damon asked, causing my eyebrows to furrow into a deep frown.

"Are you suggesting... There are also traitors within Blue Ridge and possibly any other pack out there with these spies?" I asked out loud but before he could make a response, my soul pulsed with a familiar warmth.

A smile settled on my face when a small knock sounded at the other end of the door.

So much for alone time...

"Come in."

The door swung open and Odessa peeked her head inside, her eyes immediately locking on me. She walked in, parting aside strands of her hair.

She had changed from her red gown and now wore a bohemian-style black shirt with sleeves that flared at the end, as well as white jean pants that hugged her curves.

"Hi." She whispered, closing the door with a soft click and smiling wryly.

The walls around my heart didn’t crack. They collapsed the moment she smiled.

My smile widened in return. "Hi."

I then grabbed the whiskey bottle, jiggling it teasingly. "Care for a drink too?"

She rolled her eyes, walking closer and folding her arms in front of her chest. "I’m pregnant, remember?"

Of course, I knew that. But still...

"Anything to ease the tension, I guess." I chuckled dryly as she finally got in front of the desk, sliding her hand slowly across its smooth surface.

When her hand touched mine, I stiffened at first, blinking before my eyes went to her face. But then when I saw the genuine warmth in her eyes instead of the fear and uncertainty after all the chaos from yesterday... My shoulders relaxed.

I set the bottle of whiskey aside and stood up, walking around the desk. Meanwhile, she stuttered.

"K–Kaelos, I’m sorry for how I reacted to that video yesterday. And then the dreams we had... I should’ve been there to comfort you during your distress but instead I... I silently judged you." She lowered her head when I stood in front of her.

Slowly, I stretched my right hand forward, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look into my eyes.

"You don’t have to be sorry about anything, Mon Ami," I said reassuringly. "You were still by my side through it all. That’s more than enough for me."

She blinked, her lips parting. But then she smiled, shaking her head before stepping closer and pressing her body against mine.

When our lips locked, I felt all my troubles melt away. My right hand left her hand and trailed to her back, pushing her closer to me until our bodies were almost one.

Our hearts beat in sync and her soft moans only pulled me closer to her like a moth to a flame.

I didn’t care if the Lord of the North could see this moment right now. Let him watch.

Let them all watch.

I didn’t mind an audience.