Chapter 23
Phillip's POV
I felt my stomach drop watching my mates walk away. I knew that I wouldn't be welcomed at the celebration but I still wanted to be close to them. The Magistrate had instructed me to stay in the guard tower, a place I had become all too familiar with over my years visiting the capital. Merrick had never liked coming here but with his new title, came all of the responsibility.
I made my way toward the tattered guard tower. It was the only thing on the King's property that looked old and out of place. It was intentional, werewolves were lowly and unless you had saved the king's life you weren't fit to lick his boots. No matter, I had business while I was here and I wouldn't let that distract me from the task at hand. When I entered the courtyard, I see some familiar faces of the people I had met on my many trips here. Most said "Hi" while shaking my hand while others just nod. When I reached my normal quarters, everything looked as I had left it just a few months before. I was last here after the passing of the late duke. I sat on the cot that had been freshly made probably by one of the ladies I had entertained here before.
I waited in my room for word from Merrick or Ella. I just wanted to make sure they were safe. I sent Merrick a text but it had been hours and he still didn't answer. I knew the king didn't let them have their phones in the Grand Hall but I figured by now the ceremony was over. Around 8 pm I heard a knock at the door and a thump on the ground before footsteps walked away from my door. When I open the door there is a tray of food. Good to know there were at least willing to feed the 'wrenched mutts.' It was nothing special but under the bowl of soup was a small piece of paper. Looks like I had caught the attention of the person I was looking for.
Meet me in the east wing at midnight.
Your master in is danger.
T
My heart almost stopped. My mates were in danger and I was powerless to stop them. The guards would never let me in and my informant was my only way in. I waited until 11:45 to make my way to the east wing of the quarters. It was our normal spot so I knew where to go. After a few moments, I hear the familiar footsteps of my old friend.
"Brother!" he said hugging me tightly.
"Tis good to see you back at th' castle again. Tis been many moons since I last saw that ugly face of yours." he jests.
"Tristram, if anyone her is ugly here we both know it's you." we laugh at each other.
He sits on a barrel and takes out a splif, lighting it a taking a long drag.
"What is going on with the Duke?" I ask impatiently
"Right to th' point I see, no much has changed Phil and you would think after serving th' prick many years you'd care less" He raises an eyebrow.
I growl rips from my throat and I feel my eyes start to glow. Anger rages through me as I hold back my body from punching him in the face.
"Woah, Woah big loon... What's yer problem? I ken he is yer master but you don't have to get your panties in a wad. Geez," he sneers taking another long drag.
"Tristram, just tell me what is going on. You wouldn't just send me a message if it wasn't important!" I growl
"Alright, ye jobby bastard. While I was in the king's chamber, I saw the Duke and his new wife. Th' Magistrate was accusing them of somethin'. Like they were on trial or something. Before long I saw Luca Baros enter the room. I got out of there at that point. If he saw me, I would be a dead man. I'm not sure what's going on but it cannae be good if he is here." His face was serious and I could tell he wasn't messing with me.
"Shit! He tried to kill them in Rhodes! I need to get to them. Can you take me....." I take his arm trying to drag him with me
"Phil, you ken I cannae do that. Your master or no, we would both be shot if step a foot in that castle without the King's permission. Plus, we ken that Luca is in there and after what I did to his pack he would kill me on sight. No matter how good I have been to the King, I am just an omega." I can see the pain in his eyes.
"Fine, at least tell me how to get in and where they will have Merrick and Ella. I have to get to them and help. I am the only other witness and if the King won't listen to them, I need to give the proof I have." I tell him, running my fingers thru my hair.
"What's the rush? If the king needs evidence he will send for ye. He is not just going to kill his nephew and his new bride. If you get caught sneaking into the castle you will get caught and they will kill you. They might think your duke is a spy and hurt him...is that what you want?" he smirks and pats the barrel next to him. "Come on, have a seat and tell me what's going on."
"I can't..." I look down at the floor.
Tristram and I had been friends from the old days in Taobh gorm na beinne, the mountain town we grew up in. Our fathers had worked together as spies for the late duke and when I moved to Greenvine we stayed with his dad at the castle. He became a soldier in the King's army before being awarded as the King's groom. He was a loyal soldier but his loyalty cost him much more in the end. I would see him now and again on my visits to the capital and we remained close for many years. Aside from Merrick, he was my best friend. It felt wrong to keep the fact that Ella and Merrick were my mates from him but I needed to protect them at all costs.
"You cannae or you willnae? We tell each other everything Phillip. What do you not trust me now?" I could see the sadness in his eyes as he took one final drag and threw the butt on the ground.
"Look I can't give you details but I found my mate." I blurt out. "and they are in danger. The longer I stay here the likelihood of them getting hurt increases. So if I can help the Duke and Duchess leave more quickly the sooner I can get back to my mate" I tell him lying through my teeth. I hated to do this to him but I needed to make sure that no one knew. It was bad enough Miriam already knew but she was loyal and not someone I worried about. Besides who would listen to a lowly werewolf chambermaid.
"I need to get back to my chamber in case I'm called for a witness. I wish I could tell you more, brother and one day I hope to." I touch my forehead his forehead tapping his shoulder a few times.
"Me too, Brother, Me too" he taps my shoulder back before slipping something into my hand.
"Watch your back out there you never know who's out there to get you", he smiles giving me a quick wink before taking his leave.
Looking in the palm of my hand I see a small black thumb drive labeled with the initials "S.S." this must be the Intel I was looking for last time I was here. I make my way back to my chamber making sure to lock the door behind me before pulling out my laptop and plugging in the thumb drive. On it were pictures of the villages that the king had massacred. hundreds of species had been massacred and the King's name all wearing the Silver Spears Crest. Men, women, and children were slaughtered all by the king at his command. Tears streamed down my face as I scrolled through the photos on the drive until I reached a folder entitled "Rhodes pack plans."
Inside was a detailed plan of how the Silver Spears planned to take down the monarchy starting with the king and all the heirs next in line, Merrick and Ella being third on the list. suddenly there was a knock on my door and I ripped the thumb drive from my laptop tossing it in my favorite hiding spot at the top of the closet.
"Phillip DePointe, the King wishes an audience with you at once. Open the door and come with us."