Chapter 130

Claudia’s POV
It had taken two weeks for us to be prepared to leave and head to the coven. Campbell was messaging Dorothy over that time, putting our plans to action. Danny, Todd, Oliver, Tim, Rick, Joshua and Liam were moping around the packhouses and castle grounds constantly; which was getting on our nerves. **“Thank Goddess, we’ll be leaving soon”** I tell Amanda as I bring Sophia into our room and Danny’s puppy dog eyes stare at me again.
“It’s only for a few days and then the rest of you will be teleported to the south border” I state to Danny, putting Sophia down in the playpen. Brett, Eli, Jeremy and Simon had scouted the best area to not have a teleportation block. The southern border was the best possible place.
“I know the plan” Danny sighs, taking a seat on the sofa. “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
“You don’t have to like it” I mention, sitting down next to him and taking his hand. “It’s the best way to get to Dorothy. When we arrive with Amelia; we will tell her Campbell killed Oliver and Rodney will be taking over as king.”
“Oli isn’t happy Campbell is taking Milly as his sex slave” Danny laughs and I roll my eyes at him. “How else are we to explain why she is there?” I question him as he shrugs his shoulders. “At the end of the day; it’s only a facade and it gives Rodney and Hunter an excuse to come after her. Bringing the rest of you with them.”
“That’s another thing Oli isn’t happy about” Danny points out as I place my legs over the top of his. “A dead vampire king can’t come with us.”
“Let’s not worry about that now” I tell him as he starts to massage my feet. The sole purpose for today is to spend time with our mates and family. At least that was the plan.
*“Meeting in my office in ten minutes”* Oliver mind links us. *“Bring Sophia with you.”*
I let out a long sigh before standing up from the couch as Danny picks Sophia up from the playpen and we head out the doorway to Oliver’s office. “What do you think he wants to talk to us about?” I ask Danny, who continues to look forward with a frown on his face. “Danny, hello?” I add waving my hand in front of his face.
“Huh?” he says, stopping to turn and face me. “I was discussing with Jesse what Oliver wants to see us about.”
“And?” I question, stepping out the front of the packhouse. “And, nothing. We have nothing except you leaving a day early” he grumbles, walking out behind me.
“Doubt it” I tell him, matter of factually. “He wouldn’t want to send Milly off before he needs to.”
We head into the castle and walk over to Oliver’s office. I gently tap on his door and hear him firmly tell us to ‘come in.’ As we walk through the doorway; everyone is there and he tells us to take a seat before coming over to Danny and taking Sophia from him; saying, “come to Uncle Oli.”
“What is this about?” Danny asks Oliver, shifting in his seat. I can feel his anxiety coming through our bond and place my hand on his knee.
Oliver lets off a small chuckle as he sits down, bouncing Sophia on his lap. “Since I am dying tomorrow, Milly and I have been talking. It’s about time I retire and hand the reigns over to Rodney. From here on out; Rodney will be known as king” Oliver tells us.
“Father, you don’t have to…” “It’s time. I’m officially stepping down and retiring” Oliver states, interrupting Rodney’s protest. “I wanted to let everyone know and have a little retirement party with all my friends.”
“I will be at your service, like I was for your father, grandfather and great grandfather” Jeffrey states, bowing his head towards Rodney and Lacey, his mate.
“Correction” Rodney answers him, getting out of his chair and placing his hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Although this isn’t what normally happens with Vampires; but we have been discussing this together. Hunter and myself will be leading the kingdom together.”
“We took a leaf from the werewolves’ books” Hunter explains, smiling at Danny and myself. “Even though I will be known as King; Hunter will be my Beta and we will be splitting the duties between the two of us. We are keeping up with the changing times” Rodney continues as Oliver gives a proud smile to both his sons.
“Only the werewolves?” Raquel asks with a giggle. It’s a must through all the shifter community to appoint a beta; or second for werebears and werecats. Even the witch covens appoint a second in command.
“I guess not” Rodney chuckles, taking his seat again. “We’ve been watching how all of you have been running your clans, prides, covens and packs and were enlightened on how well it works and wanted to implement it into the kingdom.”
“So, what happens now?” I ask as everyone looks at me confused. “I thought the next king is appointed when the previous one dies. You aren’t really dying and Rodney wasn’t really taking over.”
Oliver shrugs his shoulders. “Rodney will be taking over as of tomorrow…” “When I betray and kill you because Campbell has recruited me” Jeffrey interrupts laughing and giving Amelia a wink. This was one of the provisions of Amelia coming with us; Jeffrey was to come too. This was the only way we could think of to have Oliver killed; having his most trusted advisor kill him.
“We need everyone to feel the new king. I will denounce my position in front of two council members and it so happens we have two in the room. Jeffrey and Campbell. After that; they will tell everyone, I am dead and gracefully slip away with the ladies” Oliver finishes, shaking his head at his oldest and closest friend’s joke. “It may have not happened before; but it sounds to me there are going to be many firsts with our new king.”
“Not really, sir” Jeffrey states as we all turn to glance at him. “You have a Beta or second. I’m just not officially known as one.”
“And I’m your Luna” Amelia laughs, taking Sophia out of Olivers arms.
“In any case;” Rodney states, grinning from ear to ear. “I will have you as my Gamma, instead of Beta; Jeffrey. And I will be honoured if all of you attend my coronation when we are done retrieving mum and everyone else.”
Sariah got out of her chair and walked over to Rodney to give him a hug and tell him ‘Congratulations.’ I followed suit with Raquel, Mum and Phyllis behind me. After I congratulated Rodney, I moved over to Oliver and gave him a hug. *“If I can be blunt; you were a damn good king”* I tell him through a mind link.
*“Only a good one?”* he questions, giving me a smirk.* “Alright. A bloody awesome king”* I answer with a giggle. *“I agree”* Jesse snickers coming forward in Oliver’s mind as Oliver and I start laughing, causing the rest of the room to eye us suspiciously.
“Having Jesse eavesdrop for you?” Oliver questions Danny between chuckles. Danny places his hands up in front of him. “That was all Jesse” he replies, causing the rest of the room to start laughing.
“I’m going to have to talk to Apollo and see if I can get the mind linking thing too” Rodney states as more giggles escape our mouths.
“Dinner is being prepared for everyone” Jeffrey interrupts, giving Oliver and smile. “It will be ready at 6. It is just for us here; one last meal before all hell breaks loose tomorrow. I will see you then” he adds, before leaving Oliver’s office.
“They are prepared” Simon states, glancing between all the women in the office. “I don’t like this anymore than the rest of you. They will be safe and we will go and get them in a few days.”
“We’ll be fine. Sariah is putting the no curse spell on us and Milly has Kingsley” I reintegrate to the men in the room. “And Chels, Jo and I have been practicing with Seth, Carter and Parker. We are ready to face them” Denise adds to the conversation.
“And Laura will be with me. Lex is nervous because this is the first time, she will be without her” Sariah injects giving her a smile. “I’ll be fine. I would prefer Laura to protect Riah; then not have her at all” Alexis remarks to her comment.
“Stop with the gloom about tomorrow” Amelia states, passing Sophia to me. “We have a celebration dinner to look forward to. Let’s deal with tomorrow; tomorrow.” With those words, we all smiled and left the office together.