Chapter 173

I touched Theo’s hand. “Let’s go for a walk,” I suggested.

Theo had been with me long enough that he caught my meaning and just nodded. The two of us walked, and I directed us out into the center of a grassy field. At this time of year, no one was utilizing the lawn space, and there were no buildings, bushes, or anything around us where anyone could slyly overhear what we were talking about.

Still, when I spoke, I used a low voice. “I’ve been looking over everything, not just about Anthony, but from the corruption I uncovered at the very beginning. I’ve been trying to add the pieces together, and there is one frightening truth that I can find hints at but can’t find proof of.”

“And that is?” Theo asked, his voice wary.

“It would make sense, seeing how all the pieces lay and how the power is being thrown around, if the person pulling all the strings was actually…the king.”

A hiss of fear slid between Theo’s teeth. “You realize what saying that constitutes?”

I nodded slowly. “It’s the only thing that makes sense. I mean, let’s think about this realistically. The king is just another werewolf, an alpha like Charles, though the most powerful one. But that being the case, if he’s corrupt enough to let all of this stuff happen, is that really who we want ruling us?”

Another hiss from Theo. “And who would you have replace him?” he asked in an angry whisper. “It’s not that I don’t want life to improve in Orlune, but the king doesn’t have an heir.”

“I’m aware. But what if this were a golden opportunity for werewolf kind? If the alphas were to replace the king as a whole group, then we could have a democracy. They could set themselves up as a parliament or a governing body. I know I could get Charles to lead that. And from what I’ve heard him talk about other alphas, they might be on board with it as well. Wouldn’t it be nice if the people could have a say in the running of their country?”

“I don’t know that we could make that work.” Hesitation rang through Theo’s tone. “The alphas have a drive to dominate. I’m not sure they could put that aside and rule as a group. Historically, the void left by an empty alpha throne leads to bloodshed as they all make a play for it.”

“I don’t think we’re any more violent or argumentative than humans. They do that over their seats of power, yet many of them make democracy in some form work.”

I gave my hands an exasperated flap. “Look, I understand my idea is not perfect, and I don’t have all the answers. Figuring out a cohesive government would be for people who know far more about that kind of stuff than I do to hash out. What I see is an opportunity to get rid of someone who doesn’t appear to be caring for their people properly, to give us a chance to start fresh, or better, or do something different.”

Theo let out a sigh. “I won’t stop you from publishing the article about Anthony because he needs to go down. If this does all eventually wrap back around to the palace and the king…” He wilted, looking defeated. “I don’t know that I can protect you from that sort of backlash. The only way I can think of to save you at that point would be to take you, leave behind those you care about, and go into hiding in a nation that the king wouldn’t dare mess with.”

“What do you mean?”

“For example, to go into hiding amongst the humans. Enough werewolves can detect your scent that hiding elsewhere in Orlune won’t work. Not to mention, you’re well too well known at this point to hide in plain sight. The vampires will know you for exactly who you are and send you back to avoid trouble. And just about every other kind of supernatural society is the same.

“But human society is neutral territory. None of the supernatural societies mess with them for the sake of their preservation since they’re at such a disadvantage to the rest of us. So, humans would have no idea who or what you are, and the king would start an international incident if he hurt a bunch of humans trying to get to you.”

“How about we worry about that when we get there,” I said. “I’ll let you plan that sort of stuff out as a backup plan. In the meantime, let’s get home and write this story before I lose the willpower. Because the last thing I want to do is let you or your sister down.”

After I finished writing the story, I sent it to Theo, who sent it on to his contact at the other news agency. Then, I sat back and braced myself for the backlash.

I fully expected guards to show up and arrest me yet again. I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t even make love to Charles, which frustrated me even further. Because if I was going to be arrested, or worse, I would love to have said goodbye in a more passionate manner.

Instead, I just curled against him in the bed and watched while he absent-mindedly scrolled through business reports on his laptop.

At some point, I must have fallen asleep because the door to the bedroom burst open, waking me. David rushed in, waving his phone around like a madman.

“You won’t believe it!” he cried.

Charles and I shared a terrified glance.

“All right. I’m ready,” I said. “What am I facing?”

“You’re being hailed a hero, yet again. By no less than the palace!”

Charles and I both jerked up right into sitting positions.

“What?” I yelped.

He turned his phone to face me. “Look. Right there. They’ve arrested Anthony Bellweather’s father and a bunch of the executives who run their family businesses. They have an arrest warrant out for Anthony, too. And you’re being commended as the voice of truth.”

Charles got up on his hands and knees and snatched the phone from David’s hand, scanning the article’s title and then scrolling through it. He sat back on the bed, a stunned look on his face.

“I can’t believe it,” he gasped. “David’s right.”

All I could think was that I must have been gravely wrong about the king if the palace was hailing me as a hero. Maybe it wasn’t so much that the king was devious or wicked. Maybe he was just oblivious to what was going on. That still didn’t make him a good ruler, but at least it didn’t make him an evil one.

“I have another story I need to write,” I inform the two of them. “So I’m kicking you both out.”

“What are you writing this time?” Charles asked.

“I’m writing a story that’s going to name all of Anthony’s victims, including your father and Theo’s sister. I want them exonerated as soon as possible.”

Charles tackled me, pressing kisses all over my face and sending David hurrying from the room. I giggled and pushed him off of me.

“Not yet,” I said. “We can celebrate like that later. But first, let me get the article written and out there.”

He scrambled off the bed, face aglow like a child promised a party later. “I’ll stay out of your hair. I swear.” And he disappeared out the door.

I smiled and pulled out my laptop, happy to be writing good news for once. When I finished the article, I sent it to three places. I sent it to my editor at the Palace Press. I also sent it to Theo so that he could pass it on to his contact, and I sent it to Charles so that he could have it published on every Rafe Media outlet.

When I came out into the living room, the whole thing was decked out in roses. Candles were on the table, and romantic music played in the background.

“What’s all this?” I asked.

“Just a little something to say thank you,” Charles said.

“Well, before we get started on that, I need you to get the story that I sent to you put out on all of the Rafe Media platforms. While you do that, I’m going to go have Theo send it to his contact, as well.”

Charles nodded and hurried off to do that, and I went and knocked on the door between the two apartments. Theo answered, and with all the good news, he caught me up in a wild hug before setting me down and staring me earnestly in the eyes.

“Thank you,” he said with such sincerity that it actually drew up a knot in my throat.

“I’m happy I could help,” I said. I looked behind me. “I think Charles has some romance planned, so just be warned.”

Theo and David blushed and looked elsewhere.

David cleared his throat. “It’s to be expected, I suppose. We’ll stay out of your hair.”

I blushed as well. “I just wanted you to know so there was no awkwardness if you came looking for us.”

While I was talking to them, the doorbell rang, and Charles answered. A moment later, the smell of food filled the apartment, and my stomach grumbled. We’d gone all the way to lunch, and I’d completely forgotten about breakfast. I said goodbye to David and Theo and shut the door between the rooms, turning.

Charles stared at me, his face alight with love, happiness, and peace. In fact, it might have been the best mood I had ever seen him in.

He crossed the apartment, scooped me up, and kissed me in such a desperate way that I knew that dinner was going to have to wait.