Chapter 27: Chapter 26

Jaxson rested against the edge of the cot, his backside numbing against the cold floor. He didn’t know how long it had been since Chris left. He wasn’t sure how they’d fallen asleep, apart from it felt right… so right.

He scrubbed a hand down his face, the surprise of seeing one of the Royal Gammas on the other side of the bars had been a bit of a wake-up call. He couldn’t let his guard down. But the idea of being stuck, locked away, alone, held little appeal.

Would the alternative be any better?

Would there be any extra leniency?

If there weren’t, he’d place them both in danger and he’d still be thrown in the cells and stripped of his rank. He’d worked hard for his rank…. But he knew that was gone regardless of his decision.

Whether he admitted his mateship or not… he’d lost his career.

He pressed his fingers into his eyes. The cell walls were closing in, the darkness pressed in on him, the candle flicked eerie, ominous shadows from the other side of the bars. The silence ringed in his ears.

He could not panic.

There was nothing to panic about, nope, nothing. He calmed his breaths. Grinding his knuckle into his temple. He needed to be in control, he needed to be composed. It was losing those aspects that had landed him twenty feet below the earth.

Calm.

Controlled.

Composed.

It became a mantra, a constant stream of those three words.

Calm.

Controlled.

Composed.

By the time the barred door screeched signalling it was open, Jaxson was spread on his back, staring mindlessly at the invisible ceiling. “Council have agreed to see you. You coming?”

Jaxson heaved himself to his feet with a quiet groan. He swiped his dirt-smudged hands down his joggers as he made his way out the cell, following Pete, one of the many guards he’d worked with. “Can I change? Get a shower?”

Pete checked his watch, “Make it quick, I need to deliver you within ten minutes. I’ll find some spare clothes.”

“Thanks.”

“For what it’s worth, I think the council were way too harsh on you. Plead your case, I don’t want to lose you on the team.”

“Thanks, man.”

“He’s out of the infirmary now, thought you should know.”

“Good, least I didn’t hurt him too much.” They reached the top of the stairs.

“Just his pride. Go, get yourself sorted, quickly.”

Jaxson landed his hand on Pete’s shoulder in thanks before disappearing into the bathroom on the other side of the room, none of the other guards questioned or stopped him.

Stepping out of the bathroom in a fresh set of clothes, he was escorted to the palace. Going past the training grounds was somewhat embarrassing, everyone turned their heads. Some wore smiles, some looked somewhat proud, others had looks of sheer disgust.

He supposed you won some and lost some.

His nerves increased the longer they walked. His mind not made up. His path still unclear. What would he say to the council? Would he admit it? He just didn’t know. He couldn’t fathom what would be best.

Admitting the mate bond was hard.

Admitting he wanted Chris was even harder.

’Course you want our mate.’

’Good to hear you.’

‘Evil silver. We’re not going back there.’

Jaxson grimaced to himself. He couldn’t even admit it in his head or his wolf would know. He let out a sigh causing Pete to glance back.

“Just do what you need to do.”

“Don’t know what I need to do,” he admitted as they reached a side entrance to the palace.

“Be honest. He was shooting his mouth, you were protecting our King.”

“He wasn’t saying anything about King Marcus.”

“No, but he was insulting his brother, any insult on the family is an insult on him.”

“He’s not a dictator. We can say what we like.”

“Then why lay into him, if that’s what you believe?”

“I…” Damn, he had him there. “He was being disrespectful. I’d just been on rotation guarding a royal, I think it just got my back up.”

“If the rumours are-”

“Shut up,” Jaxson snapped instantly.

“Understood.” Pete gave him a sly smile before they got to a door and knocked.

Jaxson took a breath as a voice beckoned him in. He didn’t really want to do this. Butterflies pounded inside his stomach.

“Please take a seat,” the ex Beta directed to a lone chair in front of the seven males. It was usually five, from what he knew. Jaxson scanned the two faces he had never seen. Were they advisors of some kind?

He sat heavily, the chair was directly in front of the King.

Fuck.

“You requested an audience,” King Marcus’ voice filled the room, a rippling power only a king could produce.

“Y-yes, my King,” Jaxson breathed. “I… I wanted to explain my actions.”

“Very well,” the King gestured for Jaxson to proceed.

He opened his mouth.

Closed it again.

He shuffled a little in his chair. It was much more intimidating than he expected being in front of all the leaders of his Kingdom.

“I want to apologise,” his voice came out smaller than he’d ever heard it. He sounded more like a mouse. “I acted without thinking. It wasn’t the behaviour of your guard. It wasn’t the behaviour of someone you trusted with your sibling. I was honoured to be bestowed that honour and I let you down.” Jaxson dropped his head.

“And what caused you to act without thinking?” Gamma Jesse spoke. A male he knew well. A male he should easily be able to tell the truth to.

“He was being disrespectful. He insinuated-” He gave a quick, apologetic look to Beta Wade, “That Blackwood had done unspeakable things, that the Prince enjoyed it. I couldn’t just let him continue.”

The King visibly stiffened.

“I thought we taught more discipline than that,” the ex Beta rumbled.

“You do, sir,” he mumbled apologetically.

“Then were there other mitigating circumstances?”

He avoided Trey’s gaze.

“I think I went back to training too soon.”

“Was anything said personally about you, to offend you?”

“Yes, but that means nothing, just others shooting their mouths,” he disregarded.

“However the offence on our Prince made you blind with rage.”

“I’ve had my back up since our final pack. I saw the effect on Prince Christopher, I don’t want that to happen here, within his home. He should feel safe.”

“I appreciate the thoughtfulness of your empathy. Does that condone your behaviour?”

“No, My King.”

“Do you believe we should all harm each other if we do not like the words being spoken?”

“No, My King.”

“I do not like the whispers in my Kingdom. They can say what they wish, however. I will never censor their words. Do you think I should?”

“No, My King. It’s just Chris hasn’t-”

“Prince Christopher, or His Highness,” one of the males Jaxson didn’t know hissed.

“Apologies, His Highness hasn’t had it easy and with these… these lies that are bound to reach him may-”

“I don’t think it is your place to tell our King about his sibling in this way. You have no right. The Royals have every right to privacy,” again it was the man he didn’t know who spoke.

“I’m sorry… you’re right.” Jaxson bowed his head.

“Unless he meant more to you,” Trey prompted.

Jaxson shifted in his chair again.

“Of course the Prince means nothing to this guard. What are you insinuating, Gamma?”

“I’m insinuating, Advisor Paul, that the rumours are true, which would explain High Royal Guard Jaxson’s behaviour and clear him of charges set against him as he was defending a new mate.”

“Preposterous.”

“Jaxson?” Gamma Jesse prompted gently.

“I-”

Say it, just say it.

He shifted in his seat again. There were too many people. He couldn’t gauge the reaction. The King was merely looking at him blankly. What if they flew into a fit of rage? He could lose his head before he’d even finished his sentence.

“I don’t think-”

“Jaxson, may I have a word in private?” Gamma Jesse asked, cutting him off.

Jaxson looked to King Marcus who gave a nod of acceptance, so as the Gamma rose from his chair, as did Jaxson before being led to a room away from the court.

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