Chapter 28: Unexpected Visitors

GIANNA

It had been a couple of months at least since everything went down with Merrida. Diego was still training Kol’s pack and was actually becoming a regular in the pack house.

The inner circle didn’t fear him as much and really valued his insight. He even went on patrols with them.

It was weird to see him take an interest in anything other than royal duties or beating someone up, but he liked it, so I wasn’t complaining.

Mom had found this ritual she said would help us take down Merrida. Even though I could take her on myself, it was nice knowing I would have backup.

She called it the unification ritual. It was this ritual where we had to drink this disgusting tea and lie beside each other, holding hands.

In doing so, he had channeled some of my power into his body, not all, but some.

Mom had said it would take some time for his body to adjust to it, seeing as he wasn’t actually part witch and was in fact one hundred percent wolf.

He’d said he felt fine the whole way back to the house. It wasn’t until he got into bed later that night that it hit him.

He had been curled up in the fetal position for three days after that. I stood in the bathroom on the fourth day and played with my hair, admiring the golden streaks that now flowed through it.

This meant the exchange was complete, and Kol’s body had accepted what I had given him. His golden hair had ice-white streaks similar to mine running through it.

I wandered into the bedroom and watched him sleep. His temperature was back to normal, and he was no longer ill or in pain.

I stroked his face and couldn’t help but feel bad that I had been the one to cause him so much pain.

We were supposed to protect each other, and yet here I was watching him go through excruciating pain just to protect my family and me.

I brushed his hair out of his eyes, and he stirred. “Hey, you,” he whispered groggily.

“Hey,” I whispered back, leaning down to peck him gently on the lips. “You hungry?”

He kissed me back and sat up. “Yeah, baby, I’m starving.”

I giggled and walked toward the door. “Come on. I’ll make you waffles and bacon.” He followed me down to the kitchen and just sat, drinking the coffee I had made him and watching me cook.

I quite liked cooking for him. He always loved my food no matter what I made for him. That made me feel good, like I was being a good wife.

A far cry from the wild child I had been nearly a year before.

He had just begun tucking into his breakfast, releasing a groan in appreciation, when the front door opened, and we both stiffened, staring at each other.

“Yoo-hoo! Kol?! Kol, darling? Its Mom!”

I stared at him in utter shock that his mother had just blatantly let herself into our home.

I opened my mouth to say something to him when she wandered into the kitchen, and I quickly changed my expression from borderline rage to feigning mild surprise.

“Kerry! It’s so good to see you again! My goodness, to what do we owe the pleasure? Would you like some tea? Coffee? Have you eaten?”

If she could hear the fakeness in my tone, she sure made a good sign of not showing it. Instead, she just sat at the table beside Kol and waved her hand.

“Some tea would be wonderful, dear, thank you. I’m actually just here because Jordan called and said my darling boy was under the weather, and I just knew he needed his mama.”

Kol just shoveled his food into his mouth, completely ignoring her pinching his cheeks like he was a four-year-old.

“Thanks, Mom, but I’m actually fine. I’m all better now. Gia has been taking care of me.”

Believe me when I tell you if looks could kill, I would have been dead a hundred times over with the look she shot me.

I could have very easily reminded her that I was in fact fucking royalty and therefore higher up the food chain than her, but thought against it.

I didn’t need to be a genius to know better than to piss off my mother-in-law. “Will Jason be joining us, Kerry? Should I put on some coffee for him?” I smiled sweetly at her.

Her expression softened. “Yes, dear. He’s just getting the bags from the car.”

I froze. “Bags? So this isn’t a flying visit, then?” I croaked.

“Oh no, dear. It appears Kolie needs some help getting the pack back in order, so his father thought it best we return to help.”

“Honestly, Mom, I have it all under control. Gia’s brother Diego has been helping Jordan run things while I’ve been recovering. I’m actually going to go to the house when I’ve finished eating.”

Kol pulled another helping of waffles and bacon onto his plate and began wolfing them down. The irony of that phrase is not lost on me.

Just as I opened my mouth, Kol’s father walked into the kitchen. He wasn’t an unattractive man. Actually, he was more like an older, darker-haired version of Kol.

They were the same height and had the same eyes, the same broad shoulders, the same muscular build.

The only thing different was that his hair was a light brown, whereas Kol got his golden hair from his mother.

She was a bit shorter than me, and although she wasn’t overweight in any way, seeing as wolves couldn’t actually get fat, she was an incredibly curvy woman.

I was sure she’d had all the wolves foaming at the mouth when she was in her prime.

The last time we had met had been the day before the wedding.

Although they’d seemed like wonderful people, his father was a typical alpha with his head stuck in the past, thinking that all she-wolves should stay at home cooking food, cleaning the house, and bearing pups.

His mother was incredibly warm and welcoming—a reception I had yet to receive.

I silently handed a cup of coffee to Jason and smiled at him, pretending to know my place as the alpha mate and do my wifely duties in silence.

“When you have finished eating, son, we will go to the pack house and get your affairs in order before that boy attempts to take over.”

Kol blinked at him. “What boy?”

His father said nothing; instead, he threw the full cup of coffee down the sink and promptly walked out of the house.

The car journey to the pack house was a quiet one, painfully quiet. It appeared dearest Jason did not want the women to go with them.

Instead, he wanted us at home baking pies. When I threw an almighty bitch fit and threatened to shred him, he eventually caved.

I sat in Kol’s office in silence while Jordan relayed the latest goings-on to both Kol and his father. His mother had disappeared to chat and catch up with some of the women.

I, on the other hand, had insisted on staying in the office, much to the dismay of his royal dickness.

“See, Dad? I told you I had everything under control. Jordan is a good beta, and Diego Gray has been really helpful with everything.

“He’s even training our soldiers so they are meeting a higher standard.” Kol shrugged at him.

Jason’s eyes flicked to me before he opened his mouth. “Have you thought about when you will begin having pups? I’m assuming that someone of your capabilities can successfully carry a pup to term?”

The sneer behind his words was unmistakable. I clenched my hands into fists, my knuckles going white on the arm of the chair.

“Excuse me, what did you just say to me?” I spat back at him. Jordan’s eyes widened as his head flicked back and forth between us.

Kol tried to intervene. “Dad, we haven’t really had time to discuss that, what with everything that’s been going on lately.”

“Nonsense, son. It is the woman’s job to bear pups, and as the alpha, you must make sure that you have an heir. If she cannot carry a pup, then it would best for you to find a mate who can.”

Kol’s mouth dropped open for a split second before he composed himself and growled, “May I remind you, Father, that she is my mate, and you would do well to treat her with respect.”

His father just glared at him and snarled, shutting Kol up instantly.

I could see Jordan squirming uncomfortably in his chair. “Maybe I should go?”

I shook my head.

“No, Jordan, you can stay; this subject is not up for discussion. It is a matter that will be discussed privately between my mate and me and is no concern of yours or Kerry’s, Jason.”

He really should have left it at that, to be honest, but he didn’t. “I highly doubt that, Gianna.” The way he drawled out my name just pissed me off too far over the edge.

I stood up from my chair, and he followed suit. We glared at each other before I did the one thing I’d sworn I would never do unless I absolutely had to. I reminded him of his place.

Alphas had a way of commanding control over members of their packs when they stepped out of line or got ahead of themselves.

Royal wolves like my family and me had the same way, except ours was a thousand times stronger, as we were the top of the hierarchy and were born into it, not promoted or chosen.

I licked my lips and glared at him before a snarling growl erupted from deep within me. His eyes widened, and he slowly sank to his knees before me, bowing his head in submission.

~“I have been nothing but accommodating and pleasant to the best of my abilities, Mr. Sanders, but I will not tolerate your insubordination any longer.~

~“I may have relinquished my right to the throne to become your son’s luna, but make no mistake, I am still very much a royal.~

~“That places me far above you in the hierarchy, and you would do well to remember that.”~

He remained kneeling, his head still bowed, and he nodded. “Forgive me, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect.”

I stood up straight and released him from my hold. He breathed a sigh of relief. With that, I turned on my heel and stormed out, not in the mood to deal with him anymore.