Chapter 35

Duncan lay in bed with Adira in his arms, guarding her like a dragon with a favorite jewel. The doctors were sure that no actual harm came to her, except a minor bump on the head and some bruises. The sleeping powder that was used was all herbal and had no ill effects on the mother or pup. They told him that she would wake up in the morning.
After bringing her back to their room, Duncan moved their bed into a corner; he put Adira on the enclosed side of the bed and then wrapped himself around her, with his back to the world as their shield.
When a servant came in to give them some early breakfast, she was greeted with a very low, angry growl and promptly left the room running. Anyone that came to that door that night and early morning was welcomed similarly.
Finally, the King stepped in and told everyone to stay away until they came out independently. Jack wasn't setting so much as a toe in that room, though he was sure that Duncan would let him in. He just wasn't sure of the reason why he would. He checked on them right after returning from the hospital; he found the bed was moved into a position that could be easily defended.
On the bed next to a sleeping Adira was a giant golden wolf that meant nothing but business; it didn't matter if you were a friend or foe. It was a kill then all and asked questions later kind of situation.
Jack didn't blame Duncan one little bit; he agreed to the plan if Adira wasn't a part of it. Of course, none of them knew that the informer was Alfred; had they known that Adira would have been locked in her chambers with a dozen guards inside and a dozen more outside.
When dealing with evil, you sometimes can't fathom how deep its roots go. In this case, it was prejudice: the oldest and easiest sin to get into the hearts of all species. No exceptions.
The King wasn't much better to deal with; not only did he feel terrible that Lady Adira was put in danger, but also about his lifelong-trusted servant Alfred.
He ordered that Alfred be put in the darkest dungeon hole they had. Then he appointed the guard captain to question him in any means he saw fit to get the whole story out of him.
When they were done, Alfred had done what he did because he felt Adira was not worthy of anything. That her birth was to lowly to be considered anything at all and he was afraid that she would get a higher standing than just a lady.
The King ordered Alfred to be left in that dungeon hole to rot, with no food, no water. He must be left there to deteriorate when he dies until nothing is left but his bones. When he is nothing but bones, they were to gather them up and toss them willy nilly in the forest.
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As for Lily, the King decided that she would become an advocate for abused and exploited pups and human children. She would travel from pack to pack, giving information and making speeches on the subject. She would relate to everyone that she met, what happened to her, the things she did under the influence of the Alpha's voice, and her actions fueled by her anger.
A guard would accompany her for her safety. Just in case she met up with a former abuser, which would be reported to the King personally and investigated. She will do this for ten months out of the year. She will return to her room for intensive therapy for the other two.
She will continue to do this until her therapist feels that she is in control of her emotions and has forgiven herself.
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Duncan didn't care if his behavior was rude or that he was scaring people. He, too, blamed himself for what happened; he should have been with her so that none of it would have happened.
It wasn't till around noon that Adira started to wake up. She tried to move, but a hot and heavy male wolf was mainly lying on her. She gave out a sigh wondering why it was Apollo, and when she started to move, he let out a small whimper and started to lick her face.
"EwWwee...lick...Apollooo...lick...stop it....lick,lick....Apollo.....lick...Stop please!"
"I love you too, Apollo, but now I need a shower. Where is Duncan? Is he hiding? I don't remember anything from last night; I think I was drugged, though, and Artemis confirms it."
When she rolled over to look at Apollo, A very naked Duncan waited for her.
"Why was Apollo out and about?"
"He was so worried about you, little wolf; I was just a bit too agitated to be allowed out unchecked. So Apollo took over."
"How are you feeling, little wolf?"
"I feel a little sore in places, and my head hurts a little. Other than that, I am ok. Now, will you tell me what went on last night?"
"I will tell all after we have some breakfast or lunch; I am not sure of the time."
Duncan stuck his head out the door and caught a terrified servant girl; he very carefully told her that they needed some food and something to drink and would she please relay his message to the kitchen staff. She ran off in a hurry. Duncan watched her go; the grass didn’t grow under her feet.
He figured that they had about half an hour or so before the food would come time to get his mate in the shower. Mind linking Apollo; wow, dude, you are a slobber puss. He looked at their mate's hair, sticking to the side of her face; she tried to move it away.
He started laughing, but when his mate looked at him, he could see that it was Artemis; she looked back at him like she would rip him a new one.
Duncan thought that it was wise at that moment to hold back any laughter, at least till after the shower. What was the old saying, happy wife, happy life?
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Alfred sat in a filthy cell; there weren't any windows, bed, toilet, bucket, floor, just dirt and cold mildewy walls. The only light came in from a small slit under the door.
He couldn't hear anything; he didn't even think mice had found their way here. He had been here now for two days. When the door opened with an ominous creeky squeal.
The captain of the guards stood before him; it took his eyes some time to adjust to the light.
Alfred Marvin Thomas Harrington, third-generation personal servant to the Royal Family. You are, at this moment, sentenced to death. You will remain in this cell until you are dead. Alfred looked on in shock.
"He can't do this to me; I am a high servant."
"YOU ARE A TRAITOR, AND THE PUNISHMENT FOR THIS CRIME IS DEATH."
After the guard yelled at him, Alfred sat back down in the dirt. The guard came in and sat something down beside him: a blanket, pillow, a bucket, one loaf of bread, and a paper cup of water.
"Listen carefully; once this door is shut, you will not come out again till you are nothing but bones."
The guard then shut the door leaving Alfred crying in the dark. He hated that stupid low-life she-wolf; she should have never been allowed to even sit at his feet or be called a Lady. He curled up in a ball on the blanket and stared into the darkness.
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The King pondered on what he was going to do with his life. He had lost his will to rule anymore. He missed his mate and his son. He'd found out that those you thought were your friends suddenly turned out to be traitors and for the stupidest reasons.
He had to face it; he was tired. Tired inside and out, his wolf was just as tired as he, maybe more. The King decided that it was time for him to redefine his life. Since he no longer had an heir, he would have to find another who would survive the right of rule test, or he would have to find his true mate; he didn’t think that that was ever going to happen, though.
He knew the one he wanted it to be, but he knew Duncan would pass the test. That is, if he will accept the offer. Duncan was the right man for the job; his pack was proof of that. Adira would make a perfect queen. The only question is will they want to do it. If not, then who will he choose.
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Jack was on his way to say goodbye; it was time for him to get back to his clan. He and his bear were getting restless from being around too many people. He couldn't wait for the cool green of the forest to surround him again.
His first stop was the King to ask permission. Then he is off to say goodbye to Duncan and Adira. After that, he would pick up the medical supplies the King promised and the food.
It bugged him that he had to tow his bike back and drive home, but he was going home, which was all that mattered to him right now. As long as his destination was home for good, he could suffer driving the delivery truck there.
Jack was starting to feel that restless feeling again; it was his bear shifters need to be out in the wide-open spaces; it may also be that he doesn’t have a mate yet. It didn’t matter when he got home, and things were settled down. He was going on a walkabout.