Chapter Sixteen: Scheming Between Two Evils

Chapter Sixteen: Scheming Between Two Evils

“So are things in place for their arrival?” the king asked. “Yes your majesty I have done everything that you asked when they return home they will have a surprise out of this world awaiting them.” The lady laughed.

“Good just remember you are the one who brought this idea to my attention so you better not back out on your end of the deal.” The king growled. “I have no intentions on backing out of our plan trust me whatever pain is delivered upon her will be well deserved.” The lady replied.

“No one and I mean no one can ever know my involvement in any of this because it would ruin my son to know his own father help sabotage his oh so perfect life.” The king ordered. “Our little secret sir, I promise.” She replied.

“It better be because I can always bring back the guillotine if needed.” He threatened her. “I assure you there won’t be any need for that now when are they due back?” she asked. “In a couple of days which isn’t soon enough I hate having to put on this façade of being overjoyed by their union.” He smirked.

“I can only imagine what it must be like for you I am so thankful I haven’t had to be near her or her mutt and I hope I never have to again.” The woman laughed. “If duty calls for it you will and you will put on your best smile and act as if nothing is wrong do you understand me?” he demanded.

“Yes your majesty.” She replied. “Good now I need you to do a little digging on a hunter in the human world he may prove to be of use to us at some point in time.” The king told her. “Ok sir what is this hunter’s name?” she asked.

“Draven Keetes.” The king replied. “Wait isn’t he the descendant of the great Bartholomew Keetes?” she asked. “Yes he is and I hear he is the best of the best and he will work with anyone for the right price.” The king replied.

“I will see what I can get on him although I fear it may be a very hard task.” She answered starting to second guess whether working with the king was a good idea. “If you can’t accomplish what I ask then I will have no need for you and get rid of you.” He snarled.

“I never said I couldn’t do it just said it wasn’t going to be easy.” She replied so fast that her words came out a jumbled mess. “I never said any of this was going to be easy, you knew exactly what you were getting into when you decided to start working with me to save our kingdom from having a traitor as our queen.” He smirked.

“I know and thankfully my status in this area gives me unlimited resources to finish the task you have given me.” She smiled. “That is why I was glad to hear you were on board with everything when Damien called me after you contacted him.” He replied.

“Is there anything else you need from me? I fear my husband will be returning soon and he can’t find out I am behind any of this.” She asked as she looked at the time. “No Mrs. Stone there isn’t anything else at this time I expect a full report soon on the hunter so I will be in contact.” He said hanging up the phone.

“Hunter? Father who were you talking to?” Brody asked walking into the study. “Oh nothing to concern you with my son.” He replied afraid that Brody might of heard to much. “No more secrets come out with it I can handle things now I’m not a little boy anymore.” Brody said sitting across from his father.

“That was the Luna from a pack apparently a hunter has been stealing children from families all over her region.” The king smirked thinking how clever it was to make up a story that may in turn be in his favor down the road.

“Oh that is awful is there anything I can do to help?” Brody asked. “Nope she said the pack has it under control and has instilled a curfew along with sending out a few wolves to do recon they have upped their patrols of their area as well.” The king smiled.

“Ok good well if there is anything I can do to help father just let me know.” Brody smiled as they both stood up and walked out to join the others in the pool. “I will definitely think about it son but seeing as you have a new family I wouldn’t want to drag you away.” The king smiled putting his arm around his shoulders.

“I’m sure they would understand seeing as I am the heir and once I’m king my duties may take me away from time to time.” Brody smiled at his father. “True and she seems like she is very understanding which is an awesome trait to have when you are mated to a prince.” The king smirked as he walked away.

“Daddy look mommy let me get in the deep end with just my arm floaties.” Hope beamed. “I see that, princess you are definitely going to be my little fish aren’t you?” Brody laughed. Hope crinkled up her nose and stared at him like he was an alien.

“What is with that face?” he asked as he eased his way into the pool beside her. “I’m not going to be a fish I’m going to be a wolf like you and mommy.” She replied crossing her arms. “I know that sweetheart I just meant you will be a great swimmer.” He said picking her up in his arms.

“What is going on over here?” Bianca asked as she swam up next to them. “Daddy said I was going to a fish.” Hope pouted. “Oh did he well I think that he meant that in a good way sweetie.” She laughed.

“I told him I was going to be a wolf like you and him.” Hope said proudly. “Good girl be proud of who you are.” Bianca smiled as she worried that Hope would be heartbroken when she never turned which was a possibility since she wasn’t full blooded.

The rest of the day they spent poolside enjoying the nice warm day. Damien had decided to throw steaks on the grill. He was having a hard time keeping them from burning though because he couldn’t seem to take his eyes of Sarah.

He knew it had been awhile since he let his wolf have any fun but there was no way he was going to stoop so low even for a one night stand even if his wolf seemed drawn to her. He shot his father a glance as Brody and Bianca shared a kiss under the waterfall.

“Don’t worry son I have set things in motion when they return home things won’t be all happy go lucky as they are here.” The king sent Damien through his mind link. “Good glad to hear our contact back there is working out as had hoped.” Damien replied.

“Yes she is proving to be a real asset in all of this.” The king smiled. “I just hope everything goes as we have planned without any bumps.” Damien answered. “I’m sure it will if you don’t lose your focus.” He replied.

“What are you talking about I’m not going to lose my focus.” Damien snarled. “Son I’m not blind I see the way you have been looking at the fairy the past few days oh and by the way that steak is done.” The king laughed shutting off his mind link.

Damien looked down and quickly took the steak off the grill and put it on a plate. He couldn’t figure out what was wrong with him even his own father had noticed his attraction to the halfling. He was beginning to think his wolf had gone crazy.

Mrs. Stone was making dinner for her and her husband as she thought about what the king had asked her to do. She knew getting close to Draven wasn’t going to be easy especially getting close without him killing her.

She had to find a way to get close to him without risking her own life. She had been lost in her train of thoughts when she smelt smoke. She looked down and saw that her stove had caught fire. She quickly put it out then finished supper as if nothing had happened.

Things were starting to heat up for everyone Mrs. Stone was forming her own plan to ensure her safety while the king plastered a smile on his face and sat by the pool with his boys. Damien began to question whether his involvement would go unnoticed by his brother so he decided he needed an out just in case things got too hot for him.