Chapter 59: Alpha Jason

“Shh. Don’t wake up the pups.” I warn Beta Bellamy before walking out of their room.

When we reach the hallway and I shut the door behind me, I ask him, “Now what is it that you wanted?”

He stares at me for a few seconds before answering my question, “Alpha Jason is telling everyone that he is about to challenge you for the throne. What are you going to do about it?” He stands there awaiting my answer.

“Nothing.” I state while shrugging my shoulders and then starting to walk down the stairs to the kitchen.

“Stop.” He demands and then I turn around to face him once again.

“My king, you must do something, anything. My allegiance is to you and no other. If he takes over, everyone here still loyal to you, will be beheaded and their families will be either banished or the same fate will come of them.” Staring at me with his hand on my shoulder, he continues in a whisper, “My king, your pups and mate will not be safe if they find out that you are giving in. Please, do something. I fear for them.”

Nodding, I frown and then come up with an idea. Leaning closer to his ear, I say, “Find as many of our people that are still loyal to me and have them gather in an hour in front of the castle. I will address you all then when we move to the woods and discuss what we must do next.”

As he stares at me, I realize that he really is a good man, and I should have placed him in a higher up post then what he has been. Perhaps, when this is all over, I will appoint him my head of security. “Now go and I will meet everyone there in one hour. Hurry.” I gesture for him to hurry along because time is of the essence.

Now, I must figure out exactly what I am about to do. While walking to the kitchen, I come up with a plan that involves a few of the security squad and maybe one or two of the others. When all is said and done at the end of the day, Alpha Jason will be gone one way or another.

After telling the chef what I want him to make for breakfast in the morning, I head up to Arabella’s room and begin to tell her everything. “I was just informed that Alpha Jason plans on taking over the throne. He has planned it out and will finish it later tonight if I don’t stop him first. I was told that tonight they were going to rush into our rooms, when we are asleep and then slaughter us where we lie, including the pups. I cannot let that happen, so here is what we must do.”

Once, I tell her everything, she nods in agreement and then we make our way down to the front of the castle. When we arrive, everyone still loyal to me is standing there, waiting for me to tell them what I have planned. I announce at the top of my lungs, “We are going to take a walk into the woods, so those around us who may be listening, no longer can. Then I will tell you, my plans.”

Watching as everyone follows us, I go in about 500 feet and then step up onto a broken tree trunk before scanning the crowd for those who don’t belong. When I don’t see anyone who may be a traitor, I start to announce my intentions to everyone. “I have been told that Alpha Jason is about to take us in our sleep tonight. This will not happen, because you will be my scouts and you will all be posted at the four corners of the castle and then in front of our doors. When he comes to attack or whoever he has hired, I will spring on him my attack and all the security squad.” Taking a deep breath, I pause and then watch the crowd to see if anyone seems to doubt what I said or has questions. “Does anyone have any questions so far?”

Everyone shakes their heads, except for Beta Dennis and he raises his voice to speak, “I have one. Why aren’t you just attacking him then?”

“Good question, but I have to make sure that this is indeed the real threat. Because last time I was informed that Alpha Andrei was going to overthrow my throne and then I found out that it was just a big misunderstanding. He never tried to do anything at all.” I stare at him and wait for a reply or another question, but when he doesn’t say a word, I scan the rest of the crowd to see if they have questions.

No one says anymore or even looks like they want to, so I go ahead and tell everyone their positions and when they must be there. Now comes the hard part, I turn to Arabella and tell her the part I omitted before, “Arabella, I need you to take the pups and go to your parents house for the night. If this goes wrong, I cannot let you all die on me. Now, can I?” As I say it, my eyes fill with tears, because this may be the last time, I ever see them again.

“Please, I can’t live this life without you. I tried and failed miserably. If you die tonight, there will be nothing left of me but a shell. Please, don’t you dare die on me. Got it?” The tears cascade down her cheeks, and when I hug her, she starts to bawl on my shoulder.

After a few minutes, everyone walks back to the castle and takes their positions. Arabella and several of the others pack up a few of the pups’ things and then wake them up, before carefully placing the pups in the car. With them all sleepy eyed and barely awake, I kiss each one goodbye and then turn to Arabella.

Knowing that this may very well be the last time I ever see her, I wrap my arms around her and hug her tight. When I release my hug, I gaze into her eyes and cup her cheek before kissing her so deeply, that it takes her breath away. As I break the kiss, she gulps for air and then says to me, “Julian, you are my mate, and I consider you, my husband. You are the only man in this world I have ever wanted and ever will. If something happens tonight and you die, I want you to know that I will never take another lover in my life.” While she says this, I hear the heartbreak in her voice and wish there was another way to end this without bloodshed and possible death.

Lowering my head, I can’t bear to look into her eyes anymore. Instead, I just say, “Arabella, you know that I have done things that I regret, and I will never forgive myself for them, even if you have. However, if you and these pups live, I can die happy knowing that you will carry on in my place.” After words, I watch as Beta Henrick drives off with them all in the vehicle.