Chapter 97
It took another twenty-five minutes before Governor Kruck finally opened the door and entered the room, wearing a very satisfied smile. He crossed to the table and sat directly across from Charles, folding his hands on the expanse of wood in front of him.
“I do hope I didn’t keep you too long,” he said in his typically oily tone. “I would hate to inconvenience such an important alpha as yourself.”
Charles made a face at him.
Governor Kruck ignored this. “Governor’s business. I’m sure you understand, seeing as how you have a family empire to run, as well.” He chuckled to himself. “Or maybe not so much now.”
“What’s that supposed to mean,” Charles snapped?
“It means things are going to drastically change in your life. You see, we tried to do this in a nice way. We tried to offer you security and keep you safe. But you just insisted on giving your guards trouble and then running off without them.”The governor rubbed his hands together. “And before we could even decide on a fitting solution to the problem of you giving them the slip in the middle of the city,” he paused and eyed Elena, “where you could have been in danger from anyone from any direction. You two just took off to the countryside with only one guard!”
“But they agreed to that,” I protested.
He gave me a look like I was an idiot. “They agreed so that the other three could stay behind and help me work on a more permanent solution to the problem that you two pose. Some of the issues surrounding you are clearly my shortcomings,” Governor Kruck said.
He sat back in the chair, appraising us before speaking again. “I won’t let that happen a second time. And neither will those who have a vested interest in your security. Clearly, I can’t keep you safe here in Lupinton. So you are being sent to Packhaven.”
“The national capital?” Charles clarified. “Why? Rafe Media has no holdings in Packhaven.”
“Exactly,” Governor Kruck said. “Which means that you should have no enemies in Packhaven. Anyway, I suppose you can get started on that when you arrive. Shouldn’t take you too long to make them from scratch.”
He grimaced. “But in the meantime, you won’t need to worry about any of Rafe Media’s holdings anyway. It’s been recommended that, for your own safety, you begin to step back from management within all your holdings.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Charles protested.
“It means we suggest you find an interim CEO and manage things remotely, if at all. The less contact you have to do with Rafe Media, the better.”
He shot a toothy, evil grin at Charles. “And if you don’t want to see your company broken apart and liquidated to keep you from harm. Then I suggest you be a good little alpha and follow the directions of those set above you.”
Charles’ hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. “Why exactly am I being punished?”
This time, Charles received the look from Governor Kruck that clearly said the governor thought he was stupid. “You ran off from your security. We’re trying to help you. And you’re treating this like it’s some joke. If we’re going to waste valuable resources on you, we’re going to see that our investment pays off.”
“You keep saying we,” I interjected. “Who is the other party?”
“We are those set above you in the government,” he snapped back, glaring. “If it was your concern, I would tell you who. Suffice it to say they have the power to make all this happen. You only have the power to decide how easy on yourself you make the transition.”
Governor Kruck crossed his arms and glared between Charles and me. “Personally, I can’t say that I’m sad to see you leaving my city and that you’re being shipped off to be someone else’s problem. As far as I’m concerned, they should have done this two weeks ago. But here we are.”
“Will I even be able to continue reporting?”
“I’m glad you asked.” Governor Kruck folded his fingers together and fixed me in a piercing stare. “You are being given a job in Packhaven. I suppose you should be satisfied. You’re being assigned to report for a very prominent news outlet. This time, you won’t have to worry about freelancing. You’ll be reporting directly for the Palace Press.”
Charles frowned. “The Palace Press? Isn’t that the media company controlled by the state?”
“Indeed, the very one.” Governor Krook gleamed a smile at me. “From there, you’ll be able to report to your little heart’s content.”
Something heavy settled in my gut, making breathing harder and more uncomfortable.
Governor Kruck was smiling at me in a way that made my skin crawl. He may have just told me that I’d be working in a position at the Palace Press, but everything about his expression and manner suggested that this wasn’t an honor. Suddenly, I found myself wondering if being a freelancer in Lupinton had had all of these restrictions, then what sort of watchful eye would I be under working for the Palace Press?
I took a glance at Charles. His jaw was set tight, his eyes locked on Governor Kruck. Clearly, he didn’t like this news any more than I did.
“Then what job am I allowed to do while we’re living in Packhaven?” Charles asked the governor. “And how long will we be living there?”
Governor Kruck shrugged. “They didn’t say, and I couldn’t care less. You’re their problem now. So you’ll have to ask those questions of whoever is in charge of babysitting you.”
“As for what sort of job you’re allowed to work, again, they didn’t tell me. You’ll just have to take that up with them when they get there.” The governor cocked his head thoughtfully. “Personally, I’m hoping they won’t allow you to work at anything. And you’ll drain your family’s finances and finally realize what trash you really are.”
He paused. “I’m sorry. I go too far. I’ve just never seen, in all of my years as governor, a particular reason why you alphas should be placed above the rest of us. The alpha king, I understand. But what does he need you for? He has us loyal governors, and yet you alphas parade around like you’re halfway to gods.”
Charles huffed. “I’ll be sure to tell the goddess that you’d be happy to see her fall the next time I pray. I’m sure she loves sacrilege.”
Governor Kruck snorted spit. Or at least, that’s what I hoped was sent flying from his face.
“Where you a real God, I would worship you the way I worship the goddess. But as far as I can tell, the only thing you have that’s better than me was winning the genetic lottery and being born to an alpha.”
The governor rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Can you imagine the genetic lottery winner of the child born to the alpha king?” He shrugged, letting his hands fall back to the surface of the table.” Of course, then again, he’s only ever been rumored to have had a child. The queen and he live in separate residences. I don’t see a kid happening anytime soon. At least not a legitimate heir. Evidently, the alpha king thinks he’s going to live forever.”
Governor Kruck paused, chewing his tongue, and swallowed whatever remaining comments he seemed to have. “But he’s the alpha king,” he continued slowly and carefully. “I’m sure he knows what’s best for his kingdom and for his lineage. Whatever he’s decided, it’s not for me to question.”
Charles and I stared as Governor Kruck continued to spout off against the king. He shrugged his shoulders again. “If the king’s smart, he’ll ditch the queen and marry a young wife, someone pretty.”
He eyed me head to toe, a little bit of a leer on his face. “Someone like your Elena might work,” Governor Kruck said to Charles as if I weren’t there, “if she weren’t just some random mutt. But as far as the alpha king is concerned, all a mutt like Elena is good for is a romp in the bedroom.”
He grimaced. “Casual sex with girls like her is usually more trouble than it’s worth.” Here, he looked carefully at Charles. “These low-born mutts tend to be grasping, greedy, covetous, little things who only want you for your money. They come back later with tales of a child being yours, try suing you, and tarnishing your image. Then you have to hire someone to make them go away.” He let the word trail off. Looking like he’d said more than he should have.
