Chapter 295 - Addressing the Pack (2/2)

Russ scanned the screen before nodding. He sent Jaden a nervous glance. ”You ready?”

She nodded as she stepped closer to him. ”Don't worry, Your-Russ... together we can do this.”

He sent her a smile. ”Thank you.” His eyes moved to the screen as he cleared his throat and leaned toward the microphone that was set up on the podium in front of them. ”Hello and thank you for gathering here today. The old king, my uncle, Fernando Boosilis is dead. I, Russell Alessandro Boosilis, the rightful heir to the throne stand before you today as your future king and alpha.” His eyes searched over the people who seemed more confused and doubtful than anything. ”This is idiotic... they don't give a shit about any of this...” He muttered to Jaden as he continued reading the screen.

”Then don't read it... address them honestly...” She whispered in response.

His expression stiffened with resolve. ”You're right...” His eyes searched the crowds once again. ”You know what? Fuck this shit! Who here cares about the formalities that are being fed to you by the council?” He smiled as whispers echoed through the courtyard.

”Prince Boosilis! Stick to the prompts!” Lamia growled, her s's coming out with a hiss as her exasperation grew.

He sent her a glare before moving his focus back to the crowd. ”Is that what you want? More of the council's bullshit lies? empty promises? Or do you want the truth for once?” He lifted the hand that was still entwined with Jaden's. ”Meet your future queen AND the woman who tracked and brought down Fern and his corrupt guards!” He lowered their hands as he continued to speak. ”We are not standing before you demanding that you see us as your new king and queen, that title means nothing to me. We don't ask you to trust us blindly, either. This kingdom has gone through hells that many would never see in even their worst nightmares.” He paused as the crowd became more animated. ”We stand before you today, not for your promises to us but to make a promise to you. We cannot promise to end all your suffering immediately, but we do promise to do everything in our power and the power of those who stand with us to ease your burdens as much as possible as quickly as we can.” His eyes locked with the small group he called family at the front of the crowd as they began to clap causing the rest of the crowd to follow suit. Once the clapping died down, he turned his attention to Jaden. ”Would you like to say anything... maybe introduce yourself?”

She shook her head. ”Not yet. It is better to wait until your position is secured.”

He nodded. ”Alright.” He turned his attention back to the crowd as the palace servants began moving through the crowds with the loaded wagons. ”Everyone please make sure before you leave here today that you receive one of the wagons. I know it's not much, but they are loaded with useful goods provided by my guardian and the Fae nation of her wife's, my brother-in-law and his parents, and the sea god Poseidon and his children.” He watched as many people began to tear up as they received the supplies, the others only stared at him in disbelief.

”I believe you should have held off on mentioning your affiliates...” Jaden whispered.

”I think you may be right...” He held up his hand bringing most of the crowd's attention back to him. ”Stick around, there will be a banquet in the back.”

Russ let out a heavy sigh once the last of the guests eagerly made their way toward the buffet. ”Is it always going to be this exhausting?”

”Ha, probably...” Ry laughed as he clapped him on the shoulder. ”You good here for a minute? Peg said to find him once the excitement dies down.”

Russ shrugged moving his attention to Jaden and Giorgos who had been greeting guests with him. ”I guess, how about you guys?”

Giorgos glanced toward the crowd. ”Well, actually I was going to ask the same thing... the wife and kids are here somewhere. I was gonna go see if I could find them...”

”Alright, tell them I said hi and welcome to the palace... they have decided to take me up on my offer, haven't they?” Russ asked.

”I'd say after being here tonight they will for sure!” Giorgos said as he sent Russ a dismissive nod and headed toward the crowd.

Russ's attention moved to Jaden. ”What about you? You bored with my company yet?”

”Actually, I had thought to go check on the girls... but if it's a bother to you...” She was interrupted before she could finish.

Russ held up his hand. ”No bother at all, really! Please don't feel like you have to obey me or anything... even in front of people.”

Jaden nodded as she searched his expression. ”Very well, obedience has never been a strong suit of mine anyway.” She gave a slight bow before turning toward the open doors of the palace.

Russ watched as she vanished inside. The hairs on the back of his neck raised as another presence neared him. His heart rate accelerated as he turned to meet familiar aqua eyes. ”I hope this disguise of yours is not because of me...” He muttered softly. ”Because I'm not going to lie... It does little good as long as I know it's you...” His eyes trailed over the tightly knotted bun before moving downward over the sharp masculine jawline and broad shoulders. ”Though I'm sure it would be just as amusing for Ry to see me embrace you as it was for him to see you in Arei's arms...”

Jos let out a heavy sigh. ”I did this as much for my own sanity as I did for the wellbeing of all the men here. I can't deal with any more declarations of dėsɨrė...”

Russ arched a brow skeptically. ”So, you shifted to a male form? I don't see that changing much, except maybe have them question their sėxuȧŀity...” He studied her manly features, noting the subtle ones that were still her. He reached out and caught her hands as she knitted them together in the buŧŧon-up she wore. He tugged her closer. ”Regardless of what you look like, you'll always be you to me...”

Jos searched his eyes. The usual dėsɨrė and raw hunger weren't there, only a tenderness that she hadn't seen in a long while. ”And who would that be? What am I to you now? If I shifted back right this second, would you be able to restrain yourself as much?”

Russ nodded. ”I believe I could... though I'm not saying you should. I heard about what happened with Drake at the hospital, so I understand where you're coming from.” His hand lifted to cup her stubbled cheek. He let out a chuckle at the sensation. ”I never thought I'd be pouring my heart out to another man, but here we are. Jos I will always love you... but I think I understand what you've been trying to tell me all this time... though I don't believe all my feelings for you were directly linked to the curse, I think the more irrational behaviors were... but I promise you're safe around me now... I haven't felt the same madness since the night we rescued Jaden... I... I think I might have...” His brows knitted together as he searched for the right words.

Jos chuckled lightly. ”Imprinted?”

His eyes met hers worry and discomfort obvious in them. ”Y... yes...”

Jos cupped her hand over his, temporarily surprised by how much smaller it seemed in the hands of her now manly body. With a chuckle, she turned her head slightly and placed a light kiss to the palm of his hand. ”I'm happy for you. That is all I've ever wanted for you.” She shook her head. ”I'll never be mad to hear you've found someone who can be there in all the ways I could have never been.” She released his hand and stepped in, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

It was Russ's turn to laugh awkwardly as he sniffled back a tear. ”I never thought I'd enjoy hugging a man so much.”

Jos let out a surprised laugh. ”I never thought I'd be spending time in a man's body again since the time Cam talked me into it!”

He held her out at arm's length. ”I'm glad I got to see you like this then....” He said as he pulled her back into a tight hug.