6
Sagan
I ignored the range of looks as I arrived at the training grounds and focused on the one wolf I would always recognize in her shifted form. I raised an eyebrow at her. “This pushed you over the edge?”
Davian, the head of her security, cleared his throat. “The princess needed a better run and figured she could keep up with you this way. Also, she asked for a real conversation about aides.”
“They are here or getting tossed out,” I purred, gesturing to the mating candidates.
We had thought to bring in Treena’s actual aides from her country, Bodach, but people shut that down at every turn because of the optics. And we were being sent such talented people after all. The Alphas wanted to have their female family members help us too. So we wouldn’t need the wolves.
Except not one of the female family members panned out.
They thought they were fun positions or whatever, and the two that actually wanted the job for real, Myriam couldn’t even get through a phone call with them before basically declaring she would quit if she had to deal with the idiots on a regular basis.
“I’m done protecting everyone else’s reputation when no one keeps their promises to help mine,” I said sweetly before smirking out at the candidates.
“Step up or get left behind. I’m not being mated to a fucking dud because you think I’m stuck with any of you.
” I snorted. “I can take all your Alphas on. I tried to be nice for peace.
“But I won’t be forced into being mated to—I control the military.
Your family controls one area.” I glanced at them in turn.
“At best, any of you can gather three areas to your side for any real battle.” I snorted when several frowned.
“You all piss each other off more than anyone else. That’s why none of you have ever been able to usurp the throne.
“So pull your heads out of your asses. I’m not trapped with any of you.
I’m not being forced into anything. This was the path of least resistance and fine, I have to mate, so it was a viable option.
” I gave them each another look. “But it also gave me time to come up with a better plan while you all burned out. Most of your Alphas think this plan is stupid now.”
I chuckled as they started to realize I’d played them.
Had I?
No. I’d been trapped, but I’d had time to retreat and reassess so I could come up with a new strategy and reframe it all. Darren realized what I was doing first and winked at me.
I did a double take when I saw him, Fraser, and Maple there.
Maple snorted. “I’m not missing you educating these fools.” She elbowed Fraser. “Plus, he’s been stepping up his training and I’m competitive. It’s an area that I’ve always…”
Felt lacking. I knew Grandfather didn’t allow her to do much of it—none of the princesses because it wasn’t regal or whatever. I saw Belinda there and shot her a glance, glad when she nodded she would handle it.
“Good, then let’s get started.” I took off at a jog to warm up. “Ayao, where are we with everything?”
He moved up next to me. “You know the runway is already done, third inspection finished, and perfect scores.”
I received a lot of crap in the media when someone leaked I was having not just a second, but a third inspection done of the new runway and fuel tanks.
It was Ayao—and even his uncle and Alpha, Dray—who pushed back that neglect in that area had killed my parents and I’d be an idiot not to take it seriously.
June’s station had actually aired an interview with a trauma counselor who said it was a healthy way for me to process my grief and showed I was an effective leader.
That the loyal and dedicated castle staff had to be shaken up by what happened as well—certainly the Queen’s Guards given two lost their lives in the crash.
And my willingness to go so far in matters of safety showed that I took important things seriously and would pay attention to details.
He’d also said having Benson work with outside and more seasoned security professionals showed growth for him, and again, my effective leadership. People responded well to it.
I couldn’t prove it and June had dodged me, but I knew it had been her somehow. She’d gotten more clout at her station given how big her interviews with me had become and I was pretty sure she was using it.
From what Toni had said, it worked because that report got massive views unlike the other stations that ran the same crap over and over again.
“Repairs on both hangars are finished and inspections are Monday,” he continued.
“That’s ahead of schedule.”
He was quiet a few moments. “I don’t have proof, but I think someone tried to fuck with what was going on. The owner said something about a big, lucrative job offer and wanted it done. Asked for the clearance to extend working hours without charging overtime on your end.”
I glanced at him and his jaw was tight. “Or you? People know you were doing it. They might not like Jade Creek getting along with the royal family.”
He let out a heavy breath, evidently not having thought of it.
“Could be. He just seemed nervous. A lot of companies would have pulled people to jump on such a big deal—it sucks, but that’s normal.
What’s a few more days for a job they’re ahead on or already secured to get more work that they need?
It feels slimy for the people paying but… ”
“It’s the way of the world, and businesses need to survive too,” I accepted. “Except the companies that don’t do things like that are the ones people call again and refer.”
“Yes, but if you’re a smaller fish, you’re just trying to not get eaten,” he countered.
Fair. “Give him some sort of comparable bonus. He did right by us and wasn’t slimy. That should be rewarded. Make it clear to the Alphas he was honorable.”
He nodded, giving me an impressed glance. “And find out who was behind it?”
“Talk to the tiger and stay out of it,” I said quieter so not everyone heard.
“Good deal.” He cleared his throat and then let out a slow breath. “After getting all the bids and comparing specs, plane options have been narrowed down to three. I don’t feel comfortable recommending past that.”
“Well done,” I praised, nodding that I wasn’t kidding. There was nothing wrong with saying that.
Things fell apart because people took on more than they could handle or pretended they knew more than they did. We all needed to be a bit quicker to ask for help.
We all needed to be more willing to help as well, but that was a whole different conversation.
I almost took off but then realized something, shooting Ayao a look. “Don’t get offended. It’s my process.”
“What does that mean?” he asked… But I was already gone.
I shot off and sprinted way in front, Treena racing to keep up with me and barking happily as only Davian kept pace with us.
Then I did an aerial flip and raced right back to the group, slowing down this time to not startle them.
I ignored the looks, only catching Fraser smiling brightly as I focused on Benson as I jogged backwards.
“You have a favorite?”
“Yes,” he confirmed.
“Have you flown all three?” I checked.
“No,” he answered with a smirk, impressed I’d gone there…
And also probably thinking of the same memory I was and the time he’d thrown down with my father about getting trained as a pilot.
It was one of the only times I’d disagreed with Father around others and it wasn’t even because I’d been in love with Benson.
It made sense that the head of security knew how to fucking fly.
He was normally at Father’s side when he traveled and a backup pilot was smart.
We had pilots and planes. Yes, fuel was expensive—and now I understood that might have been one of the reasons Father hadn’t wanted to do it—but cross-training people was smart.
And I’d said so in a meeting, disagreeing with Father when he’d dismissed Benson. He’d been furious later and I’d stood my ground, saying he was being silly and outdated. He was the one who taught me to never become lax on security and always be ready for potential problems.
That he had a blind spot when it came to Benson and it looked bad on Benson when he dismissed him, especially in meetings. Either he was a capable head of security or he saw him as still the kid of the head of security who had died.
Father hadn’t been thrilled, but he knew I was right and had agreed to let Benson train and get his pilot’s license.
It was the one thing Benson’s mother had brought up when she’d gotten sick and couldn’t be saved.
That she knew I would always stand up for him and protect him as he would me.
That she could go be with her mate knowing we would be there for each other.
It had broken my heart, but also I was glad that had given her peace.
“Have you flown the one you want?” I checked, waving him to give me information.
“No. I’ve flown one—the one your uncle purchased. I test-flew it at his request before they purchased them,” he elaborated. “My second choice. I think the security features on my first choice are better.”
“Agreed, but I didn’t think they were worth the price or needed for my company executives,” Darren added. “If they’re as good as they say and he likes it—that would be my pick too. The third one was my second choice since we didn’t need the security features.”
“You should now as her advisor,” Fraser argued. “We should all step up security.”
“Get test flights of the top two and make sure Ayao’s on it,” I ordered Benson. “Let him see this through and learn. It shouldn’t be that hard to arrange.”
“Done,” Benson accepted.
“If it’s worth the extra security features and price, let’s get a detailed plan to add a plane now and another beginning of next year—every six months to replace the others as well. Those can become backup evacuation planes.”
His eyes flashed worry at the huge price tag, but he nodded.