Chapter 274 - Discovering Forever (2/2)

Zakynthos Island, Mediterranean Werewolf palace, 1970

Fern's body quaked with the combination of fear and anger as two mountainous men stood between him and the thing he wanted most. He had fled his home over 140 years ago without a fight, but not this time... He gritted his teeth with a sinister growl, glad he had the fullness of the moon on his side. ”You dare hide behind the council and their pathetic excuse for bodyguards?! Fight me like a man, like a real wolf!”

”I called them, you bastard!” Cam shouted, struggling against Ales's tight grip on her waist. ”We all know you're incapable of a fair fight whether Ales would be willing to set aside modern policy for old barbaric idiocy, anyways!”

”If it's so barbaric, maybe my queen should stop trying to fight him.” Ales ġrȯȧnėd as he tightened his hold on his hot-tempered wife.

Arei and Ry exchanged amused glances as they remained planted between the bickering wolves. ”As amusing as all this is, we have other jobs to do. Fernando Boosilis, under the present rule of Alessandro and Camila Boosilis, you have been stripped of all pack rights and titles. You can either leave willingly or we can escort you, your choice...” Ry sent Ales a glance. ”Unless there are other matters that need to be brought to the council's attention?”

Cam glared at Fern, ”Nothing we can prove, YET.”

Ry nodded, ”Very well, which will it be Fernie boy?” He fought back his own laughter when the adorable wolf queen giggled behind him at the name.

Fern snarled his lip over his teeth. ”This isn't the last you'll hear of me, brother!”

Arei stepped forward. ”Actually, it will be. Do you realize we could take you in for that simple threat? All it would take is one word from either of them.” Arei uncrossed one arm to indicate Cam and Ales. A smile curved Arei's lips. And believe me, I'd love to drag your sorry ȧss in. It would be the highlight of my month.”

”Very well...” Fern bit out begrudgingly. He turned on his heels and made his way to a waiting vehicle, not wasting the chance for one last display for prickery as he barked the tires in a fit speed.

Arei shook his head. ”As old as I am, I'll never understand some individuals and their sense of righteous entitlement...” He turned just as the king was releasing his hold on his wife as she continued to cuss the cloud of dust Fern had left behind. ”Are you sure you don't want to press charges? If what your wife has said is true, you have a case.”

Ales's eyes moved back to the road. ”He's my brother... I took a title that should have been his birth right. He has a right to be mad. In the old days, he's correct in that we would be required by the clan to fight it out... Besides, any proof of what he has tried to do has been lost to time.”

”Bullshit! Go find Jos or Raven, either of them could testify in support of all of it!” Cam bit out.

Ales let out a heavy sigh. ”Word of mouth would not be enough for a conviction, no matter how many individuals testify, dear...”

”He can't continue to get away with this kind of thing!” She argued.

”I doubt the council would be inclined to listen to the testimonies of two people they are currently punishing.” His attention moved to the gigantic men still waiting patiently. ”Am I wrong in what I've said?”

Ry nodded. ”Unfortunately, His Majesty is right. We could open up an investigation, and I'm sure incriminating evidence would turn up, but word of mouth would not be enough for a conviction.”

Arei could hear the deafening thud of his heart as his blood raced through his veins at the near mention of her name. ”I highly recommend opening the investigation. We can start by gathering statements. I would be more than glad to collect them now as you decide whether you'd like to press charges.”

Ry's eyes shot to Arei. ”Thank about it Your Majesties... I need to have a word with my brother.” Ry began walking away without waiting for their response only stopping once he was out of earshot. ”Do you think that would be the best idea? Dragging her into a mess with the council again?”

Arei glanced around to the King and Queen who were now staring in their direction. ”I doubt he'll ever press charges against his own brother, regardless of what anyone says or what the bastard does. I just want a reason to see her and this one is a perfect chance... I've waited for the opportunity too long to let it pass.”

Ry let out a long sigh. ”Very well, but you know well, if uncle finds out he's likely to find some sadistic way of punishing you for your discovered loophole.”

Arei shrugged. ”It would be worth it just to see her. I've waited too long to pass it up, I have too.”

Ry nodded toward the royal pair watching them. ”Good luck convincing him.”

Cam studied the two large men. ”Do you think one of those two is Jos's lost love... it couldn't be, right?”

Ales thought it over as he watched the two massive men speak in hushed tones only bȧrėly loud enough for his alpha hearing to register. ”I'd say it's very likely, that is what they're discussing right now.” He nodded toward Arei. ”He is trying to convince, but the other seems to be apprehensive about it.”

”Ales if that's true, we have to let them do the interviews.” Cam begged.

”If she was as distraught when giving you that ring as you said, I doubt she'd want to see either of them.” Ales argued.

”Oh! I nearly forgot about that. Wait here! Keep them here!” She turned toward the palace, ready to sprint toward it, but Ales caught her hand.

He shook his head. ”Cam, did you hear any of what I said? Do you really want to dredge up all pain for your best friend?”

Cam scrunched her brows as she planted her free hand on her hip. ”She was so upset back then because that bastard left and never came back. What if he had a good reason? We have to give them a chance.” She stepped closer to him and ran her hand along the ċhėst of his well-tailored suit. ”There was once a time when you and I would have done anything for a chance at love... why take that chance away from her... away from them?”

He let out a sigh as he pulled his wife into his arms. ”Very well... But instead of running off like a crazy person, why don't we invite them to stay the night and work out the entire story before playing match maker.”