Page 78 of Unclaimed Bonds
He cocks his head to the side and narrows his eyes. “When you talk about what happened to you in the classroom, you took down two trained recruits. It seems you gained more confidence. But now, you sit here, letting your parents fight with the producers. You always appear so nervous. You looked like you might have a panic attack when we started.”
I sigh. “I did have more confidence for a period of time. Losing my best friend, Emily, brought back the panic attacks, feeling insecure, hiding. She wasn’t supposed to die. It should have been me.”
He looks at me thoughtfully and exhales. “How about we resume with what happened two weeks ago? You were getting ready for the unannounced guests who demanded to be seen.”
Chapter 36
Staying The Course
LUKE
TWO WEEKS AGO:
March 14, 2025: 12:30 p.m.
Alpha Kings Mansion
“No matter Jessica’s reaction, I needyouto 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 myage. 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.
