Chapter Thirty-three
Case closed
As we waited for travel documents for the girls, we roomed at a hotel on the mountain peak with a breathtaking view of the valley.
I was relieved to see that legend held true and the dance of the Calusari healed my father’s deformed figure.
When I asked my mother about why the ladies are afraid of the dance and the horse, she assured me she didn’t know. Yet there are some who believe it is because the men mimic them and the black horse resembles the one their father used in battle. Either way, I was glad it worked.
I enjoyed a cup of steaming coffee on the balcony as the sun kissed the earth good morning. I had collected Seth’s camera from Detective Lupescu but I was hesitant to look at the contents. As I slowly scanned through the dozens of pictures, his face haunted me. Each one ripping through my soul. He will never be my Seth again. He will never be mine again. Every inch of my heart ached with the sour realization. His voice, his scent, and that perfectly crooked smile would always be a bittersweet memory. As budding tears began to flow, I took a deep breath to compose myself.
“May I join?” Adrian’s voice cut through my thoughts.
I put down my cup on the small round table, wiped my tears, and nodded.
He walked over and was wearing a white t-shirt, light jeans, and dark aviator sunglasses.
The wolf in me weakened at the sight of him and the promise of strength in those biceps.
“What’s up?” I asked, refocusing my energy on the horizon.
“I wanted to see how you were holding up?” He took a seat across from me. “My flight is in two hours so I wanted to see you before leaving.”
I sighed deeply. “I’m not great, but I’ll get there.”
He smiled. “Yes, you will.” He agreed and then he sat up straighter and leaned his elbows on the table. “Jade, I wanted to ask if…” He thought for a moment and rubbed his stubbly jaw. “I would like to take you out on a real date when we get home.”
My lips twitched in a smile. “You want to take me out, Officer Kincaid?”
“Yes. I think maybe this connection between us should be explored. Perhaps,” he took my hand and the energy raised goosebumps on my arms, “it could lead to something great.”
His fingers brushed my knuckles gently.
“Dare to dream, mutt,” Stephan said from the door. He was dressed in a black button up shirt and gray jeans.
Adrian let go of my hand.
“She is not yours to keep. It’s not the way this works. Lucian will not allow it.” Stephan stated as he casually leaned against the railing.
Adrian’s brows narrowed over his glasses. “How does it work? You get dibs because you’re her father’s puppet and the two of you live happily ever after?” Adrian asked with obvious annoyance.
I stood up.
“Stop it, both of you.” I snapped. “I decide, not you.”
Stephan gave me careful eyes.
“Actually, Duchess, as princess to this pack, you are but a pawn in werewolf politics. Your father has the authority to marry you off as he chooses and…you’re already promised.”
My eyes bulged. “What?”
“I thought he would have mentioned it by now,” Stephan said. “I’m sorry.”
“Sure you are.” I hissed. “I can’t fucking believe either one of you.” I declared, slamming the door in their face.
Adrian and Stephan followed.
Moments later, I burst through the door to my parent’s hotel room.
They were laughing over the breakfast table as my mother fed Lucian ripe strawberries.
“Jade.” She greeted.
“When were you going to tell me about marrying me off for your convenience?” I gritted.
My father wiped his mouth and stood up. He was shirtless and wearing a pair of loose black pants.
The laughter in my mother’s brown eyes dimmed.
“It is not for my conveniences, Jade.” My father began. “It is a way to keep the peace between packs.”
“I refuse.”
“You cannot. If I break this agreement, it will give Vladimir the right to attack and take over. My people will suffer.”
“Your people are not my problem.” I argued.
“Perhaps not, but I will not appear weak by being disobeyed by my own daughter––”
“I’m your daughter now?” I asked.
“Jade.” My mother tried to reason, but I scowled at her.
“It is our way, child,” Lucian said, firmly. “You will do as you’re told.”
“I will not.”
“Yes, you will.” My father ordered.
Two of his minions came into the room and took hold of Adrian. He struggled in their grip, but he couldn’t resist them both, and before long they had him on his knees.
“I didn’t want to resort to this, Jade.” My father frowned as he paced casually around Adrian.
“How can you live with yourself if you force me into this?” I asked. “Let him go.”
“Lucian.” My mother stood up and walked over to him. “Isn’t there another way?”
He touched her chin. “Not one without bloodshed,” he answered.
“Take him.” He commanded and the two goons picked up Adrian by the arms and carried him out.
“Stop!” I yelled. “Stop!”
“He will not be harmed, Jade. Not if you obey me.” My father announced. “You have my word, but I can’t risk allowing you to close the bond you created with him. It will cost us everything.”
Anger caused tears to spill down my face.
“You don’t get a say in my life.” I cried.
“As long as I am alpha, I do.” Lucian assured me.
“No.” I erupted as I flipped their table over. “You don’t!”
Furiously, I stormed out of the room and headed back to my own. If they could not respect me and allow me to make my own choices, I would leave. I could disappear.
Stephan followed me into my own hotel room and leaned against the door with both hands behind his back as I paced.
“I won’t lose my freedom,” I said. “He will not own my life.”
Stephan remained silent.
“I will disappear.” I warned.
“He will find you, Jade. Besides, what do you think will happen to Kincaid if you go missing?” He walked over to me and took my hands. “Don’t underestimate your father, Duchess.”
Tears ran down my face.
How did everything go so wrong?
Adrian’s life was in danger if I refused to do my father’s bidding.
Did I care enough to obey?
Yes. I did.
“There has to be a way around this, Stephan.” I cried.
He didn’t respond, but something in his eyes sparked.
“There is, isn’t there?” I asked.
He was silent.
“Please, tell me.” I grabbed his face and made him look at me. “You know how much I value my freedom. I’ve endured so much on my own, and it has shaped me into the person I am. I won’t compromise that to accommodate my father. Please, don’t make me.”
His gentle eyes scanned my face and then he sighed.
With his thumbs, he wiped my cheeks. “If your virginity is compromised the treaty is void and you don’t have to get married, but…it can backfire and lead us down a dark path anyway.”
“Is that it?” I quizzed.
“As the bride, you are allowed to request a tournament to ensure that the strongest male will be your suitor. It will give the other packs a chance to compete and forge an alliance with your father.”
“And if no one wins?”
“If no one wins, it is within your right to refuse a mate. But someone will win, Duchess. Some of these men are ruthless fighters. You may end up with someone much worse than the intended.”
I thought about that.
“Is Adrian allowed to compete?”
He narrowed eyes at me.
“Is he?”
“No, only alphas can compete and since he doesn’t belong to the pack, he doesn’t have a rank. If he would, it would be beta. He would need to fight his way up the ranks.”
Well, he would have to because I was about to put my future in his hands.
I kissed Stephan and headed back to my father’s room, with Stephan following behind me.
My father was on the balcony when I burst through the doors. “I request a tournament.” I demanded.
He turned to meet my eyes. “What?”
“Pack rules say I’m allowed to request a tournament for the strongest suitor for my hand.”
My father then gave Stephan grave eyes and turned back to me. “How interesting that you came across this information.”
Stephan bowed his head.
“It’s either that, or I will run away, and we could play cat and mouse until I get tired, and I’m quite good at hide and seek, Daddy.” I spat.
“A tournament. That’s what you want, Jade?”
“It is,” I answered defiantly. “And I want Adrian to compete.”
“That’s not possible. He is not a beta.”
“But he can become one if he fights his way up.”
A crude smile formed on his lips. “If I allow it.” He corrected.
“Allow it, Lucian.” My mother urged firmly. “You will allow her this.”
My father pursed his lips. “Carmen…”
“Grant her this, Lucian, or I will help her play hide and seek.”
My father sighed and cupped my mother’s cheek.
“Fine, Jade. As you wish, but he has to defeat my beta first.”
“Which is?”
“Me.” Stephan stepped forward dutifully.
My heart sank. “No,” I whispered.
“It is the only compromise I will allow, Jade,” Lucian said. “Take it or not.”
I looked at Stephan. “I’m sorry, Stephan. I should have…wait, you knew he’d do this, didn’t you?”
He gave me a wicked smile. “Don’t worry, Duchess. I’ll be gentle.”