Chapter 36
Staying The Course
LUKE
TWO WEEKS AGO:
Alpha Kings Mansion
“No matter Jessica’s reaction, I need you to stay the course.”
I nod as we walk down the hall toward the conference room.
Three gentlemen at the table stand as we enter.
I immediately recognize Alpha Rhineheart, a tall man with dull chestnut brown hair and a rectangular face.
I haven’t seen him in several years. I remember him as a strapping man, but now he looks beaten down, far too old for his age.
I can’t help but notice the blankness in his eyes.
To his left is Beta DuPont, a short man with thinning brown hair, a round face set in a pale pallor, crooked yellow teeth, and a gut that protrudes over his belt.
To the Alpha’s right is a young man, the spitting image of what the Alpha once looked like. He’s young, maybe around my age. The only difference in comparison to his father is his eye color. They are much lighter, more of a golden brown than the bland, lifeless hue of his father’s.
“Gentlemen,” my father acknowledges as we approach the table.
Alpha Rhineheart shakes our hands with less vigor than I expected of an Alpha, almost as if he functions on autopilot. However, the Beta’s handshake is firm. I glance over to my father, and he nods as he takes his seat. We all follow suit.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with us, Your Majesty,” the Beta says, settling into his chair.
“Yes, well, it appears that I wasn’t given a choice in the matter as you refused to leave,” my father replies bluntly.
“I apologize for the intrusion, but it is of the utmost importance that we meet with you. I have been trying to get your attention for several months. My pack is in a state of crisis, and it’s all due to your daughter.”
My father raises an eyebrow. “My daughter is the sole reason for your pack’s critical state?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. She has been attacking us for years, financially and physically. It seems she has a personal vendetta against us.”
What the fuck is this bullshit?! The Beta wastes no time jumping to his agenda.
“Your Majesty, wine sales have considerably decreased over the past five years, putting our pack in a financial situation. A reliable source informed me that your daughter, through an affair with the world-renowned chef, Jacques Gattefosse, persuaded him to stop purchasing our wines. Because he is popular and sought after, many restaurants follow his trend.”
My father catches my eye and then asks the Beta, “Who is your credible resource linked to the famous chef?”
“Well, uh, Your Majesty, I cannot divulge that information. But I assure you my source is a close friend of the chef and has worked alongside him for many years.”
My father chuckles, and I laugh.
Young Alpha Dimitri snorts, adding, “I didn’t realize that Jacques Gattefosse had any friends. He’s known for being a bit of a loner. The last I heard, the longest employee to work with him lasted six months.”
Beta DuPont’s face reddens. He gnashes his yellowed teeth together. “Whose side are you on, boy?”
He laughs, not intimidated by the Beta. “Just stating a well-known fact to those who work within the restaurant business.”
Beta DuPont leans forward. “Your Majesty, our territory has been attacked repeatedly by rogues. We have requested aid. When the guards came to the territory, they took advantage of our female members, refused to train our young. Most recently, one of your guards attacked our pack members, leaving them no choice but to defend themselves against him. Your daughter crossed our territory lines, attacked and killed two of our pack members! We came here to inform you. I’m sure your daughter has invented lies to gain your favor, but—”
“I hope you have concrete proof and substantial documentation to support these allegations, Beta,” I sneer at DuPont.
“I- I, well, yes. I….”
My father turns toward the Alpha. “Well, do you?” he asks in a commanding voice. The Alpha doesn’t flinch, simply staring straight ahead. Slowly, his gaze shifts to meet my father’s. “Alpha, I asked you a question! Do you or don’t you have substantial proof to support these allegations?”
Alpha Rhineheart opens his mouth but falters.
“Your Majesty, I have several witnesses who can attest to these attacks,” the Beta claims.
“I am asking your Alpha. You better have a damn good reason for wasting my time,” my father growls. “You come into my home unannounced, refuse to leave, and accuse my daughter without proof—”
Beta Dupont stands. “Your Majesty, please, if you will just listen!”
“Is there a reason why your Beta is taking a stance, as if he’s the one in charge of your territory?” my father asks the Alpha. But Alpha Rhineheart doesn’t answer, nor does he look at my father.
The Young Alpha assesses his father, concern overtaking his features.
“Your Majesty, I speak for both the Alpha and Young Alpha because I have been the one in charge of these affairs. The Alpha has not been doing well, and the Young Alpha was away attending school and addressing business afar over the years.”
“I wasn’t made aware of Alpha Rhineheart’s health condition, Beta DuPont,” my father responds, eyeing Alpha Rhineheart as he speaks.
The Young Alpha leans forward to look at Beta DuPont. “Neither was I,” he states pointedly.
Beta DuPont continues to protest and pleads to be heard, but I stop listening.
He and his son are fully responsible for the destruction of their winery and pack business.
Everyone knows this, and all of the LS territory refuses to conduct business with the Ruby Falls Pack.
No formal reports have been filed of rogue attacks on any other territory—only theirs—but as usual, there are no witnesses.
I can safely assume those are lies as well. But why the hell target Jessica?
“Alright! Enough!” my father shouts. “This is all hearsay, Beta. There is no proof to support your accusation without a paper trail, written statements, or actual witness stating my daughter’s direct involvement to sabotage your sales.”
“Your Majesty, what about the attacks? Our territory has been attacked repeatedly by rogues. Just a few weeks ago, your daughter refused to send aid.”
“Where is your report?” my father roared. “My head guard requested your territory report on that incident for several months now, and he has not received one to date.”
“But, Your Majesty, I did send one, not once but twice. I’m sure your daughter intervened in our email communication and destroyed the copy.”
My father turns to the Alpha. “Where is the report?” Alpha Rhineheart swivels toward Beta DuPont.
Beta DuPont continues, “Your Majesty, sir, I told you. I sent the report.”
“Alpha Rhineheart, your Beta is crossing a very fine line with me. I personally sent you an email and a handwritten letter asking for your pack’s account of what took place.
I asked for a detailed report, along with accounts from firsthand witnesses.
You have not responded. Then, you come here accusing my guards and my daughter of personally attacking your pack. How do you answer for this?”
Again, Alpha Rhineheart turns to his Beta. “I am not asking your Beta, Alpha! I am asking you!”
Clearing his throat, Alpha Rhineheart finally answers, “Your Majesty, all of the accounts my Beta relays are true.”
Growling, my father gets to his feet and slams his fist on the table.
Young Alpha Dimitri immediately stands. “Your Majesty, I apologize for their behavior. I didn’t come here to accuse your daughter of anything, and I am quite familiar with how Beta DuPont and his son operate.
” He glances between his father and the Beta.
“While it is true I was away from the territory for some time, finishing my degree and seeking out other business opportunities to sustain our pack financially, I came here for answers, as I am sure there is a reasonable explanation for the princess’s actions behind these allegations. ”
The door suddenly opens, cutting off Young Alpha Dimitri. Joe clears his throat and announces Luna Queen Shakti and Princess Jessica.
Alpha Rhineheart and I rise with the announcement. My father’s face is red with rage, he looks over at my mother as she approaches the table.
She smiles and gently pats his arm. “Gentlemen.” The three men bow their heads in respect. She glances at the table, offering, “I’ll see to the kitchen staff and bring in some refreshments.”
My father glares at Beta DuPont. “Not necessary. They will not be staying much longer.”
The Beta flusters, scowling at the Young Alpha.
“Well, in that case, I will leave you all to it, then.” My mother places a gentle kiss on my father’s cheek and turns to leave.
Taking her cue, Jessica steps out from behind my mother, placing herself between my father and I. “Gentlemen.” She dips her chin in acknowledgement.
I study the men’s reactions to her entrance. Alpha Rhineheart stares blankly. Beta DuPont frowns. But the Young Alpha’s jaw drops. His eyes wide, like he’s seen a ghost. Mouth slightly agape, he pales.
He stammers, “Grit?”
“This is Alpha Princess Jessica Langhlam,” I interject. Jessica turns her smile toward the Young Alpha.
He shakes his head and runs a hand down his face, collecting himself. “I guess the allegations are true, then?”
Schooling her features, Jessica glances at the other two men. Then, giving her full attention again to the Young Alpha, she asks, “Allegations?”