Noah POV
A strained silence fell over the room as all three of us turned to Conrad in one swift motion.
My heart thudded heavily in my chest as I studied his expression. I was expecting anything from him but this, announcing the death of his brother. We were hoping and banking on him keeping it a secret as one of the tools we could use to exploit him and bend him to our will, so to speak. But him coming out to confess, ant we had to change our plans.
"I don’t understand," I said with a morose expression "King Tanner is dead? Is that even possible, Conrad? Everyone knows are immortal so tell how Tanner is dead except..." I trailed off as the realization hit .
Lycan were immortals no doubt but there was a way to make them ordinary. It was ancient and almost impossible but if it was Kurtis that killed him then it could only an one thing. I shook my head to clear the thoughts as I faced Conrad again.
"Was he sick?" I asked.
"Not exactly," Conrad shook his head, as the smile on his face stretched wider, showing his glinting teeth "His mate died at so point and he stopped seeing anyone. Wouldn’t interact with us and shut off our pack... you know the story," Conrad shrugged "Anyways, he finally did open it and decided to go for a hunt and he died on that trip. The doctor that checked him said he was stabbed severally but he couldn’t identify the herb used on the blade nor did we see the murder weapon at the scene,".
"How about the person that killed him? Was the person caught? What actions have been taken so far and why did you wait up until this mont to announce King Tanner’s death? Not only do I find that suspicious, because you’re supposed to inform us beforehand, it’s the fact that you’re not telling if the person behind his death has been caught. In case you need to be reminded, it was a Lycan King that was killed,".
Conrad chuckled... it was a hollow mocking sound as he waved his hand, brushing off everything I had just said. "To say the truth, we don’t have a killer yet. We’re still looking for him but if you’d like to take up the matter, I’ll be happy to oblige and I think you all are so dramatic. My brother is gone for good, won’t it be better to let him rest in peace,".
I regarded him for a few minutes, fighting the urge to drive my fist into his face. He was annoying . "You didn’t like your brother when he was alive right?" I questioned "And I think Tanner shared similar sentints with you because never did he ntion you. He talked about his mate, his children but never about a brother,".
"So, what are you driving at?" He asked giving an amused smile "That I killed my brother? Nah... I would never do that... I agree we weren’t the best of friends but I am not a murderer. Anyways, the other Kings would be here soon and I want you to help pass on the tragic news to them. Everyone says you were close to him,".
My blood went cold at his brazenness. What gas was he playing to think he could order about? Did he forget his place already or did he think for one bit that he could get angry by making stupid requests?
"You know, Conrad," I gave him an easy, cold smile "You don’t seem to know and what I am capable of. I don’t know if all the stories you’ve heard about painted as accommodating and kind. Of course, I am but those qualities are reserved only for friends. Why on earth would you fix a eting and put the venue in my pack? Is sothing wrong with you? Don’t you have an adviser?"
"Your majesty..." Reid ca closer to "Please mind your words," he said softly.
I turned to Reid, wondering if I was in an alternate Universe or if the moon goddess was using him to test . This wasn’t Reid, no doubt. Whatever, Conrad had done to him seed to be working just fine. Crossing the room to where Conrad was, I let out a feral snarl...
"Listen to well and mark my words, Conrad... whatever manipulations you are doing, it’s none of my business but there’s only one King right here and in this room and that is . So, whatever etings you hold, you had better cut them off because no one is coming here. Call them and ask all of them to return to their ho or maybe to Wild Hunt Pack but here at Moon Whispers, nobody is coming in and just so you know, you have less than a few hours to leave,".
"I think you’re overreacting, your majesty," Conrad sneered "It’s just a eting, I am not asking for your throne. Wait!" he reached for a piece of grape on the coffee table in front of him and picked one of the fruits throwing it into his mouth then started to chew, watching quietly.
"Are you threatened by my presence? Is that it? Are you scared that I may ask you to give up your throne or sothing? Is that why you’re maltreating ?"
My ears buzzed at his accusations and speculations. Fury, instead of blood seed to be rushing through my veins as I again, fought the urge to pin him and give him the beating of his life. For the first ti, I understood that Kurtis had warned against falling victim to this. Did Kurtis know sothing that we didn’t?
"You know what," I gave a small dry laugh "I can’t do this with you anymore, Conrad. So, I’m going to say this for the last ti, no eting will be held in Moon Whisper today or another day. I don’t know how you intend to reach out to them but you should because even if they co, they’d be asked to go back to their various hos, okay,".
I gave him one last look and started walking out when Reid followed . I stopped and turned to him. "I want to be alone, Reid... stop following ,". I said and then resud walking noticing that Selene hadn’t left the room.
As soon as I cleared out of the room, with Reid still hovering behind , Xavier appeared with Kurtis beside him from the room next door, they both looked anxious even Kurtis.
"What’s happening?" Xavier walks up to . "Where is Selene?" he asked peering over my shoulders as he ushered in. I noticed Reid was no longer beside and seed to have run back
"He admitted that his brother is dead," I said with a deep sigh dropping onto an empty sofa "That wasn’t what I was expecting and do you know what else, he had the guts to invite all the Kings for a eting at Moon Whisper. I don’t know what he’s up to now,".
"Really?" Kurtis perked up and ca to stand in front of "Did you also know that those ships we spotted at the Northern seas have suddenly disappeared overnight. It’s either they turned back or sothing else. I think it’s connected in a way,".
"I don’t care," I shook my head rising to my feet "At this point, I’m more concerned for the safety of my pack than of playing politics and honestly, I’m signing off,".
"How about Selene, Uncle?" Xavier asked again "Did you leave her in the room with him? Is that even safe?"
"Don’t fret, Xavier," I said coldly "She’s just playing her part as she should and you should stop worrying about her, she’s fine,".
We fell silent. Kurtis was pacing one corner of the room lost in deep thoughts while Xavier ca to sit beside . My mind flitted to what Conrad had told earlier and my gaze followed Kurtis as he walked up and down the room.
Was it possible? What was his true identity? And when Conrad had ntioned they were still looking for Tanner’s killer... even though it didn’t feel like he was actively doing that I wondered if he had made that statent because he knew Kurtis was here. The statent was about him willing to hand everything to .
Suddenly, he stopped in front of , his eyes glazing with excitent. "Don’t turn the Kings back," he said.
"Don’t turn the king back?" I repeated with slight irritation in my voice "What do you an? These things have processes, Kurtis. I don’t think I have the strength to host Kings from around the regions, not only will it take up a chunk of my ti, but I’ll also slave away and spend unnecessary money and resources. Besides, Conrad must know that things mustn’t go his way,".
"This is a trap, believe , Your Majesty," Kurtis drew closer as he explained "He wants to break the news of his brother’s death to all of you. But I have a strong feeling that he won’t be doing just that and I think the reason why he asked that they convene here is because he knew you won’t agree in the sa place and what other ans to blackmail you than this.?"
"And I might have the perfect idea to go about everything," Xavier suddenly spoke giving us a confident grin.
Reviews
All reviews (0)