Chapter 23

The door burst open making Klara jump and Marc look from his papers. “I came as quickly as I could!” Xander came to a stop in front of his old desk. “Are you both OK?”

“Fine father. I dealt with it, we both dealt with it. You didn’t need to run here.” Xander and Elsbeth had been visiting another pack, Marc had felt it a good idea to give his father time out of the castle.

“I didn’t, we drove. I was worried. Where’s the bastard now?”

“Silversmith is in the cells, I’m dealing with him tomorrow. It’s all in hand father.” Marc tightened his grip around Klara, she still held some fear for Xander and Marc could feel it trickling through to him. “I apologise Klara, but justice must be served,” Xander spoke a little tightly, as if worried she would argue her father’s punishment

Klara forced herself out of Marc’s embrace. He was ready to grab her wrist in case she attacked Xander but she remained by his side. She pushed herself to feel confident and sure. The ex King had to understand she was right for Marc, she had to show her leadership and who she was. “Sir, I have no wish to see my father alive. He’s pathetic. I have no loyalty to him, my loyalty is to the crown. I will stand with Marc on any decision he makes but I’ll be fighting for the harshest punishment for him and those whose aim was to siege the castle.” She swallowed hard after her little speech.

“As I said, everything’s in hand, dad.” Marc smiled and stood from his chair.

“I misjudged you, Klara, I’m sorry,” Xander stated with a hint of sheepishness, he head bowing a fraction.

A swell of pride washed over her. “I’m not my family, my family do things wrong, they run the pack wrong. What they did to you and your family was terrible but unfortunately I do not doubt it happened. The Silversmith’s are power hungry, but my father has always used that power for bad. I don’t want to be my family, I want to channel, this-” She gestured to herself, referring to the power of her wolf she felt within her. “For good. I don’t know how to deal with what’s going on inside me right now… but I’ll learn.”

Xander stood straighter, a small gleam appearing in his golden eyes. He reached out his hand, “Come here, my dear,” he said gently, kindly, fatherly. She frowned, hesitated for a moment but decided to trust him, for Marc’s sake. She walked around the desk and placed her hand within his, she was pulled into a gentle embrace. “I’m so sorry, I allowed my prejudice of my past to cloud me. We’ll help you, we’ll teach you and your wolf. You will be an excellent queen for my son.” He released her and stood tall. “I declare my quarrel with the Silversmiths over,” he announced formally.

“Sir, I never had a quarrel with you.”

“Xander, please, call me Xander.” He kissed her temple gently and she knew she would be accepted when Marc announced they were officially mated. She smiled to Xander and stood a little taller.

Marc strode around the desk and clapped his father in an embrace. “Thank you.”

“I’m sorry, my son, I’ve not been myself.” Marc nodded.

“Marc? I’ll be upstairs if that’s OK?” Father and son released their grip on one another.

“Of course, I’ll be up soon.” Marc grabbed her wrist as she passed to lay a kiss on her forehead before he let her leave, she giggled and smiled at him, a confident bounce to her step. Marc smiled to the door until it closed.

Marc’s posture sagged, his smile vanished. “Son?” Xander asked in confusion while Marc leant against his desk.

“She’s strong, dad,” he breathed, concern dripping from his words.

“Does that worry you?”

“No, yes, a bit?”

“She’s a Silversmith, Marc. Our legends and tales are true about them, they have a strength matched only to us.”

“I know that now… You really do accept her… right?” Marc asked cautiously, wanting confirmation before he told his father his concerns.

“I do, with molding she’ll be fine,” he confirmed mildly, his eyebrows drawn together with a tiny perturbed smile on his lips.

“OK…” He let out a slow breath. “Her Alpha command worked on me… me.” Xander smiled kindly before taking a seat and gesturing to the other wingback chair for Marc to join him.

Marc sat heavily, a cloud of unease surrounding him. “Son, I’ve already said… the Silversmiths are matched to us, they were the first our ancestor turned, in turn giving their line access to our power. I hate to admit it… we are equal to them. Klara’s wolf is as close to a Hunterson as any wolf could ever be.”

“She has little control, I spoke to her about it… but…”

“I understand your concern, she bit you.” Xander nodded to Marc’s neck.

“She can’t just mark me whenever she feels the need… everyone saw.”

Xander chuckled. “I believe there weren’t that many in the room when it happened. There was no talk as I came through the castle, our subjects are loyal and everyone knows the beginning of the mating process can be tricky…” Xander sat forward and whispered, “And no-one knows you haven’t marked her… No-one can smell the difference when you’re together,” he reassured.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes my son, you’re fine.” Marc smiled, a weight lifting from his shoulders. His father was back with him instead of spewing hatred and... his father was back to his usual wise ways. Marc lunged at his father hugging him tightly in the awkward position he had landed. Xander chuckled, wrapping his son in a strong embrace. “I’m always here my boy, I’m always here,” he reassured.