The king held back a laugh, amusement shining in his eyes as he observed Sarina and Reid’s interaction.
“Would you like my help questioning the Wainwrights?” he asked, looking at me. “I could override any potential commands on them since it seems Lennox’s dad is an alpha and may have ordered them to keep certain details secret?” I nodded. “All right,” he said. “Lead the way.”
CHAPTER 72
WESLEY
Before we went back inside the cells, I pulled Haven off to the side to speak with her. “I want to make sure you’re going to be okay with this. I know you handled us questioning Lennox just fine, but this is different. They were your parents. I know you weren’t close, and your relationship wasn’t great, but—”
“They’re nothing to me,” she said brusquely. “They’re not my family. I know that now. I know who my family really is.”
“And who is your real family?”
“Jack and Shirley. Reid. Nolan. Sebby. Maya, Imogen, and Maddie.” I raised my eyebrows at her, waiting. “And you, I guess,” she added with a shrug.
Her lips twitched as she held in her laugh, and I pulled her body into mine by her hips, gripping them as I lowered my face to hover just inches above her lips.
Her breath hitched in her throat. “You’re more than my family. You’re my mate,” she whispered.
Her breath was warm and tickled my lips, and I smiled at the happiness that filled my heart at her words. “Damn right I am,” I said.
I placed my lips on hers, giving her a sweet kiss. “I love you,” I whispered as I pulled away.
“I love you too, Wes.”
“The king might command them to tell the truth about everything they know,” I said, reaching to cup her cheek. “They might tell him who they think you are, if they’re aware. We might not be able to keep it a secret from him.”
She sighed and nodded. “I thought about that too. I guess we’ll have to trust that if he finds out, he’ll keep the secret with us.”
I nodded. It was what I’d been thinking, but I wanted to make sure she felt the same. It wasn’t that the king wasn’t a trustworthy male, but it was better to keep her secret between a smaller group of people.
“Okay then,” I murmured. “Let’s go get some more answers.”
We walked the rest of the distance to the entrance of the cells, where Reid stood waiting for us.
“Are you coming in?” I asked, even though I already knew his answer.
“No. Torture isn’t my thing. I’ll hold down the fort while you’re all in there,” he said with a serious look.
“I know you will, Beta.”
He stood up straighter and taller at that, his shoulders rolling back proudly. “Thank you, Alpha. Luna,” he added with a nod at Haven.
She gave him a weak smile but didn’t complain or object to him using her title. I was glad to see she was getting used to the idea and letting my friends address her the way they should. Letting them show her the respect and honor she deserved.
The king, Nolan, Sebastian, and my dad waited for us in the cells. Anticipation hung heavy in the room, all of us eager for what was to come. Impatient for answers and anxious about what they may reveal to the king.
“I will only step in if necessary and only to use my alpha command on them. I’ll let you do most of the questioning and any torture that’s needed. I can’t get blood on my suit, or Queen Tatiana will kill me,” King Malachi told us, nodding at Haven and me as we entered.
“That’s fine.” Sebastian shrugged. “That just means more fun for me.”
King Malachi shook his head and gave a slight chuckle. “Not too much fun, I hope. I’d like to get home to my mate and my family.”
“How are the twins? I meant to ask you,” my dad said to the king.
“They’re fine. Getting smarter than me every day,” he said with a small inward smile. He shook his head, tearing himself away from his thoughts. “After you,” he said, gesturing at the door.
We all filed in—myself, Haven, Sebastian, and the King. Nolan and my dad stayed out in the other room.