Draven.
After dinner, we moved to my home office. I led the way, pushing the door open as the coolness of the air conditioning brushed across my face.
The scent of brewed Americano lingered in the air, courtesy of the two cups already set on the low table by the staff. Two more were added shortly after.
We sat around the plush couches in the living area, which were cream and mahogany tones under the soft yellow light.
I took one of the single-seaters, leaving the other beside me vacant. Dennis and Jeffery shared the three-seater across from me, while Wanda took the loveseat to the side, crossing one leg over the other, always polished.
I took a long sip from my mug before I spoke. "We will continue the investigation, but it must remain discreet. No sudden movements that would alert Duskmoor’s council."
All three nodded in agreement.
Then, for the next ten minutes, I revealed the details of our next line of action, which they all supported,, before I moved on to passing a few instructions.
I turned to Jeffery. "Pass word to our people here: no one walks alone anymore, not at odd hours, not through empty streets. They must walk in pairs or groups. No exceptions."
Jeffery nodded solemnly. "Understood, Alpha."
"Also," I continued, "send out a message. Emergency gathering. Friday night. Ten sharp. Same place in the woods at East."
Jeffery gave another firm nod. "I will handle it tonight."
My gaze shifted to Dennis. "I want a complete, detailed list of all our people here. Every name, every address, every movement. I want to know where they sleep and where they hang out."
"I will get right to it," Dennis said.
With the instructions given, I picked a form from my desk and handed it to Jeffery. "Give this to Meredith tonight. I want it back by morning."
Jeffery took it without question and briefly glanced at it before meeting my gaze. "ID registration?"
I nodded. "It’s time she has her Duskmoor pass."
"I will pass it on. Have a good evening, Alpha." He said, then stood and left the office quietly.
Finally, Wanda rose from her seat next. "Good night, Draven. See you at breakfast tomorrow." Her voice was soft and polite. Then she turned to Dennis with a sweet smile. "Good night, Dennis."
Dennis didn’t reply to her as usual. He scoffed and merely watched her leave.
Once the door clicked shut behind her, Dennis scooted closer to me, settling comfortably into the empty side of the three-seater.
"You know, brother," he began, his tone teasing, "you went back to Stormveil for a Lunar Ball... and came back with a wife. Not just any wife. Her. The most hated woman in all of Stormveil. I mean, are we calling this fate now?"
I glanced at him briefly and said, "Yes. That’s fate."
Dennis scoffed. "You don’t expect me to buy that, do you? I’m not like the others."
I didn’t respond.
"Tell me more about her," he said, more seriously now. I knew he had been waiting for this opportunity to get more information about this topic from me. And there was no way he was going to let go after a strong grip.
I leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. "Her name is Meredith Carter. Daughter of Beta Gabriel of the Moonstone Pack. Cursed by the Moon Goddess. No wolf. Her pheromones are unpredictable. Everyone hates her. Even her family. That’s all there is."
Dennis tilted his head, a frown pulling at his lips. "And yet, the Council let you, the future king, marry her?"
"I never asked for their blessing. My life doesn’t need their validation."
He chuckled dryly. "So why her? Of all people. Meredith Carter doesn’t fit your usual standard, and we both know it."
My fingers tapped the armrest once. "What makes you so sure?"
"Because I have known you since I could walk," Dennis said. "You are calculated. Strategic. Everything you do has a reason. You didn’t marry her for love, Draven. So, what’s the motive here?"
He wasn’t wrong. In the end, I caved in because I didn’t want to waste both of our time after he had accurately analysed me.
"She’s a political pawn," I said finally. "Marrying her silenced the discord. The scramble. The Alpha daughters vying for my hand. They see Meredith as beneath them. Useless. That makes her the perfect smokescreen and perfect distraction from the would-have-been war."
Dennis’s smile vanished. "And if they unite? Try to get rid of her?"
"I expect they will," I said coolly. "That’s why I’m using her, though I plan to keep her by my side for a long while."
Dennis shook his head slowly. "You are too cruel."
"I do what’s necessary."
"And when they succeed? What then?" he asked. "Who will be your Queen?"
"I will decide when the time comes."
His silence was heavy. I could feel his disapproval bleeding through the quiet. But I didn’t regret a single word.
He changed the subject after a beat. "Did you see Mother?"
I nodded. "She didn’t recognize me at first. When she finally did, she screamed. Accused me of siding with Father to lock her up. Then she kicked me out."
Dennis’s jaw clenched. "At least she remembers you. I’m a stranger to her now."
I didn’t respond immediately. I had no words to soften the truth. Our mother’s illness had bloomed in the shadows of Dennis’s earliest years. She didn’t remember him—not even his name.
"She loves you," I said finally. "Even if she doesn’t remember how to show it."
Dennis gave a tight nod, but I knew he didn’t believe me.
I shifted the topic again. "Father asked about you. You should call him tomorrow."
"I will," Dennis said, standing.
I stood with him, pulling him into a brief hug, firm and familiar.
"Good night, brother."
"Good night," he said, then walked out of the room, leaving me alone in the silence.
I sank back into the couch and exhaled. There was still a bit of work left for me to handle before retiring for the night.