Chapter 24
Luca's POV
In the afternoon, after meeting with the council, I landed in Dashpointe to my surprise it looked like any traces of the Duke and Duchess were gone. Only the manor and then servants were left. When I snuck around to the back, I see two maids chatting while tending to the garden.
"Oh my God did you hear them last night?" the younger brunette says.
"Oh, hush Mary! They are married, they are allowed to make noise in their own home..." the older one giggles.
"I know Miriam, but the guard was in there too! I heard them all three going at it" the one named Mary slightly quieter this time.
"MARY!" the woman named Miriam screams. "What they do behind closed doors with whomever they chose is their business. But I suggest you keep that to yourself... If anyone heard that the duke could get into serious trouble. As well as the duchess and she is the first mistress of this place I actually liked. So shut your mouth." Miriam throws a bucket of dead flower petals on Mary's head before walking inside.
Were they talking about Phillip? Was he alive? Was he sleeping with the Duke and the Duchess?
Questions were running through my mind and anger built up with each one. It didn't make sense why I couldn't feel him, up until the incident at the hotel and even after I had rejected him, I still had a tether to him. I could often feel him sad, happy, or even horny. Now I couldn't feel anything and there was driving me crazy. After a bit of investigating and eavesdropping, I found out that the Duke and Duchess were in the Kingdom to speak with the king. I took out my phone tapping on the screen to send Theo a message.
Duke and Duchess are alive.
Going to the kings, James made
Meeting with the king, be there in
A few hours.
LB
I didn't wait for him to respond and met my beta there back at the boat.
"Looks like we get a two for one James, the Duke and Duchess are with the king now. Is it all set up for us to be there tonight?" I ask my beta.
"Of course, Alpha I told the magistrate that is tried to whore herself out at the den because her mate couldn't satisfy her..." he laughs.
I just shake my head after hearing what the maids talk about seems like there was no issue at all. But I didn't tell him. Instead, we take off heading towards Kern. I needed them all in one place so I could get this job down and prove that I could play double agent.
When we arrive, we are greeted by a magistrate. He tells us that the festivities we're still in full swing and the king needs to speak with his nephew alone. He told us that we could wait on the grounds until the king was ready. I knew we wouldn't be invited to the grand hall, Alpha or not. That's the way it was in the monarchy, if you weren't in their circle, you simply didn't exist to them. Not until they needed you for something and all the king needed was a reason to invade the duchess's homeland. I had known for some while that her father had helped many creatures including our brothers and sisters in the Silver Spears. It wasn't until a few radicals took it upon themselves to kill the young bride's mate when he stood up for her family. That's when we lost our greatest ally.
After an hour or so I received a message to head to the King's chamber of course escorted by the Lycan guard. I knew this would be my only chance so I had to make it count. Making our way down the corridor I see the exuberance this monarchy takes. On my small island alone, there were creatures struggling to make ends meet and children going hungry, while here plates were still piled high with food being tossed into the garbage. It made my blood boil. My pack helped when they could and even resorted to the black market trade to keep our families alive. We often sent aid all over the Mediterranean, but little could be done when the king was always watching.
We arrived at the King's door, James nudged me before gripping my shoulder. "Please take care of my children if something happens to me. You're the only person I trust", I tell him. James truly loved Iris and if I died at least, she would have my beta to fall back on. Pushing in the door it opens to reveal the king the magistrate and the Duke and Duchess. This was my shot, I will not fail.
I bow, checking in to make sure the liquid silver is secured to my arm before looking at the Duke and Duchess and nodding.
"My King. Magistrate. Your graces" I acknowledge them all.
Before I am able to get another word out I feel the sharp claws of the duke wrapped around my neck.
"Explain yourself Mutt! Why are you telling lies about my mate?! She was with me the whole time in Rhodes and you know that! Or was this after you tried to poison us and it failed? I'm going to rip you apart!" The duke growled fiercely. I felt his grip tighten
"My boy, let him go... we must get to the bottom of this and I can't do that if you kill him. Besides he must pay for killing your guard", the king tells him calmly.
I feel his grip loosen but not completely let go as he steps in from of me looking me dead in the eye. "One day very soon Luca, I will kill you for what you have done to my mate." He let go and I gasp for air when they aren't looking. Can't show weakness. Not now.
"Your Grace, I swear I can explain", I do my best to sound sincere.
"Well then Alpha, by all mean.", the king gave me the floor.
"My wife made the call. She asked for this meeting to get me into trouble. While the duke and duchess were in Rhodes, we had the pleasure of making their acutance and we invited them to our pack house to have dinner. Their grace declined and my mate was rather hurt. I told her I would personally go and talk to them myself and try to resolve the issue. I left for the night and spent some time with a friend of mine. When I got home the next morning, she smelled another female on me and assumed it was the duchess."
"Well, that is quite a store Alpha." the king's eyebrows raise. Looking at the duke I see his face is unchanged.
"Your majesty, I know how this all looks but I am a loyal subject here to protect and uphold your laws. I am sorry my mate intervened. Believe me, she is being punished as we speak." I tell him.
"Ok, what about this I hear you attempting to poison the duke and duchess and instead of poisoning their guard?" the king asks.
"I swear, my king. It must have come from the shop that way. We were informed that day Theodore Tawney was spotted on the island. It could have been him" I tell the king.
"Bullshit! He hasn't been seen in years and the last time he was spotted it was entering your car!" the duke says looking me straight in the eye. I jump and try to play it off.
"I have never met the man in my life! How dare you accuse me of consorting with that butcher! I exclaim.
He just smiles... "I thought you would say that and I have proof. That is why I brought your mate. Your true mate!" he screams
The blood rushes from my face and I feel I am as white as ghost the shock clearly written all over my face. I never expected the Duke to be this clever.
"You brought his wife?" the king asked the duke.
A wicked smile spread to his face.
"No, I brought my guard. Magistrate, send for Phillip please."