52: Another disaster.
**Killian pov**
I was sitting in the leather chair in my office, feet up on the desk, arms stretched behind my head, trying to ignore the persistent headache that refused to leave me be.
Jonathan was in the kitchen humming to himself, or maybe just grumbling at the mess he’d created while attempting to make me lunch. Either way, I knew better than to interrupt him; his focus in the kitchen bordered on violent, and I wasn’t interested in a frying pan related injury today.
The silence in my office, fragile as it was, shattered when the door swung open and Kayson barged in, looking like he’d just survived an ambush, or caused one himself.
“Killian, you’re going to want to sit down for this. I’ve got updates on Milly, and you’re not going to believe how fragile her entire operation has gotten.”
I didn’t bother lowering my feet. “First of all, I’m already sitting down. Also, when you call something fragile, it’s usually either good or terrifying. Which one is it this time, Kayson?”
He ignored my jab and leaned over my desk, tapping a few papers with his finger and let out a frustrated sigh. “Good, terrifying, completely unhinged - take your pick. She’s bankrupt, Killian. Essentially bankrupt. The Council’s holding her hand for now, but she’s pinning every disaster and failure on anyone she can find. And trust me, she’s creative with her blame.”
I raised an eyebrow, letting a smirk tug at the corner of my lips. “Creative with blame? That sounds like someone I know.” I tapped the side of my head. “Right here, Kayson.”
“Funny,” he muttered, brushing back his hair and glaring at me. “Funny is the last thing I feel right now. I’ve been tracking her communications - messengers, letters, every so-called advisor she still bothers to pretend to trust. She’s unraveling and don’t think I’m exaggerating.”
I leaned back and sighed. “Go on, I’m all ears.”
Kayson huffed, pulled a stack of papers from his jacket and spread them on my desk. “She’s panicking, Killian. People she thought were loyal are questioning her - she’s losing funds left and right, her allies are disappearing, either voluntarily or because she’s pushed them away with her insane demands. And the way she’s blaming the pack for everything it’s getting dangerous. At this point, she’s unstable, unpredictable, and she still has some weapons in her arsenal.”
I exhaled and rubbed my temples. “Unstable, unpredictable, dangerous - that’s her in three words. Excellent summary, Kayson. What am I missing here?”
“You’re missing the part where she’s about to explode in some catastrophic way,” Kayson replied, his tone unusually urgent. “I’ve been monitoring her advisors. That one guy, the one with the black hair and ridiculous mustache? He’s trying to cover her ass, but he’s scared out of his mind. And she doesn’t even care. She’s blaming him just as much as anyone else simply because she needs someone to blame.”
“Kayson, I didn’t know you could freak out like this,” I muttered.
“Killian, this is serious. If she acts now, it could put the surrounding packs in danger. Not to mention, she’s still dangerous. She’s resourceful when she wants to be, and even though she’s losing her mind, she’s not completely incompetent. You’ve seen her, you know what she can do when she’s cornered.”
“You sound like you’re about to tell me a bedtime story of Milly’s imaginary power collapse. Do I get a happy ending?” I groaned.
Kayson let out a short, humorless laugh. “Happy ending? You mean for her? No, not likely. Possibly for us, but only if we play this right, which is why I’m here to bring you the reality check.”
I leaned forward and rested my elbows on the desk. “Kayson, do you realize you just walked into my office and dumped the equivalent of a hurricane in my lap?”
“I expect you to pay attention, darn it. I get that you’re recovering, but while you’re sipping tea and thinking about how cute Jonathan is while he burns your toast, Milly is losing her mind and plotting the downfall of everyone she can reach. You’re lucky you’re back from the hospital, otherwise, I’d beat your ass without any hesitation.”
I leaned back again and laughed, shaking my head. “Ah yes, the classic Kayson approach. Drag the Alpha into danger while acting like it’s a friendly chat. You haven’t changed a bit.”
He didn’t answer, just smirked and rolled his eyes. “Some habits die hard.”
I tilted my head and let out a heavy breath. “You’re right, some habits do die hard, yours and mine too. As for everything you found out, I think we need to go over everything to see if we can find anything in the paperwork you brought first, then we plot.”
Kayson grinned at me and leaned over the desk to slap my shoulder, “I knew you would listen.”
Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “I swear, you’re as reckless as ever.”
“Yeah, maybe but at least I’m smart enough not to die, unlike some other reckless idiots I’ve known. Not naming names, but you know, my best friend and occasional liability.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his jab. “You know, one of these days, your own reckless nature is going to be the death of someone.”
“And one of these days, your stubbornness will be the death of a plan. But we balance each other out, don’t we?” Kayson offered and grinned, looking like the same kid I met so many years ago.
“We do, but let’s focus on Milly before Jonathan decides to join us. She’s essentially collapsing financially, emotionally, and politically. Advisors running, debts mounting, power slipping. That’s the reality, correct?” I hummed and reached for the papers.
“Correct,” Kayson nodded.
I glanced at him, then back at the piles of paperwork. “And the advisor with the mustache?”
“Still alive, shaking and trying to keep her from completely imploding. And sadly, still terrifyingly loyal to the wrong person. If she goes completely off the rails, he’ll die in the crossfire, and she won’t care. At this point, I don’t think she cares about anyone but herself.”
I leaned forward and rested my forehead against my hand. “I think it’s best if we work smart with this one. It might take more time, but if we manipulate her and intervene only when necessary, she won’t rush attempting to get into our territory. I’ll need you to sniff around some more, but seriously, no reckless displays of bravado.”
Kayson laughed and mocked innocence. “Me? Reckless? Never. But yes, sir, Alpha, sir, boss, hero, best Alpha forever and always, I’ll pretend to follow protocol. For now.”
I smiled at his over the top words and shook my head. “Try to be serious for once. If Milly catches wind of any of this, it won’t be just her advisors who pay, and I don’t want collateral damage, especially not from a best friend who likes to swing first and think later.”
He leaned against the desk and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Collateral damage is my specialty, Killian. But I suppose for you, I can try something else. Strategy and planning - boring but effective.”
“Boring and effective is exactly what I want, Kayson. And if you want to be useful, you’ll report every movement she makes directly to me. No exceptions, we can’t afford surprises, and frankly, surprises make me want to break things.”
“Direct, precise, terrifyingly intelligent oversight. Got it,” he said, mock-saluting. “You’re very easy to work with, you know.”
“Don’t push it,” I warned but there was no seriousness to my words.
The fact of the matter was that just like I feared, Milly was cracking, and she was dangerous, but she was also predictable enough for us to exploit.
Kayson rolled his eyes. “I’ll behave.. mostly. But if she pulls something stupid, don’t blame me for my reaction. Mate or not, she’s absolutely bonkers and I wouldn’t be sad if she fell and hit a rock or some shit.”
“I’m counting on it.” I grumbled and waved Kayson off just as I heard Jonathan’s footsteps approaching the office door.
I moved like my ass was on fire as I grabbed the documents and shoved them into the drawers before the door opened and Jonathan stepped in, grinning from ear to ear. “Oh, hey, Kayson, I haven’t seen you around for a bit.” Jonathan greeted him happily.
Knowing how Kayson was, I quickly stood up, walked around the desk and spoke over whatever Kayson tried to say, “he’s already leaving - duty calls and all that. How about we have lunch on the terrace instead; the maids said the weather outside is beautiful.” I said too quickly and pushed Jonathan out of my office before another disaster struck.
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