Page 12 of The Court of Truth

I’ve never been more acutely aware of the distance that stands between Addi and me. Probably because it used to be my doing, putting as much space between us as possible so I didn’t fall under her spell, but she captured me anyway.

Now, life is tugging me in a different direction against my will and I don’t know what to make of it. She understands, despite how it makes any of us feel. She knows the weight on my shoulders, just as I know she’s trying to balance an entire kingdom.

We’ll figure it out. We have to. I can’t have it any other way. I refuse to live without her.

“Nothing in here is even remotely organized, Cass,” Janie grumbles, pulling me from my thoughts, and I sigh, dragging a hand down my face as exhaustion clings to me.

I could step away from all of this, leave the mess and disorganization of my father’s former office to someone else so I can go and be with my girl, but the mere thought of it has my wolf vibrating beneath my skin in a plea of rage. The Kenner pack needs me now more than ever, especially if this disaster is anything to go by.

“We shouldn’t be surprised,” I grumble, moving a few pieces of paper around the desk—my desk now—not making a dent in the overall carnage that we face.

I don’t know what financial situation we’re working with, I can’t figure out who does what on the compound, and most of the paperwork we’ve come across is article cutouts regarding The Council, Dean Bozzelli, the academy, and… Addi. The latter makes my skin crawl, and when I skim my fingers over a cutout image of her, I quickly scrunch it up and throw it in the trash. I regret it instantly. She looked beautiful that night. I remember everything about the first ball. But as much as it resonates with me, knowing it was in my father’s possession pisses me off.

Slumping back in my seat, I sigh, pressing my fingers into my temples in search of some relief, but it’s like a haze has settled and I can’t seem to see through the fog.

“We’ll figure this out,” Janie breathes, cutting through the bullshit filling my brain, and I nod.

“I know. I just can’t seem to find a clear path yet,” I admit, the words soft but pained as they part my lips.

“Not that you need the added pressure, Cass. I can’t imagine what’s going on with you. Especially since Addi has so much going on as well. But you being here… it means everything. We need you so much, and I know she needs you too. I appreciate it,” she states, validating the thoughts that have been consuming my mind since the moment I left Addi earlier this morning.

Looking up at Janie, the constant rock in my life, I try to smile but it falls flat. “Why does it hurt so much then?” I ask with a shrug, and she circles around the desk, taking a seat among the documents as she looks deep into my eyes.

“Because you love her more than anything else in the world, which is slightly hilarious because I remember many conversations around the idea that you would never love anyone,” she teases, making me roll my eyes, but she clamps her hand on my shoulder and brings my attention back to her. “But that love is worth grasping, Cass. Things weren’t easy for me and Jake in the beginning either. There were so many hurdles, and I was certain we wouldn’t survive all of them, but here we are. You can do the same, I know it. You just have to have patience and understanding because you’re both going to be pushed to your limits and stretched more than you ever have before, but we both know it’s worth the mess for how it feels when you’re by her side. Besides, it’s not like you’re on opposite ends of the damn kingdom. You can see each other all the time, you just have different priorities outside of each other, and that’s okay.”

My chest heaves, taking in every word she says as they settle in my soul and burn bright. She’s right. Of course she’s fucking right.

I smile and this time it feels stronger. Taking a deep breath, I turn my focus back to the scattered documents strewn across the desk, when a knock draws my attention to the door.

“Speak of the devil and he shall appear,” I muse, enjoying the pinch of his brows as Jake glances between us.

“I would love to know what made me the hot topic of conversation, but we seem to have a bit of a situation,” he admits, scrubbing a hand through his hair as he sighs.

“What is it?” I search his eyes, coming up blank before I glance at Janie, hoping to see understanding on her face, but she looks as confused as I feel.

“The wolves are unsettled,” he admits, forcing my brows to gather as I slowly rise from my chair.

“Why?”

His gaze flicks between Janie and me, seemingly needing some kind of confirmation from his wife before he explains. “They’re concerned with where your loyalty lies,” he finally offers, and I instinctively scoff at the bullshit he’s telling me right now.

“Where else do they think it lies?” I ask, shaking my head in bewilderment.

He doesn’t speak this time, merely pointing over his shoulder, and I take the hint. Janie is right behind me as I exit the compound's main office, trudging down the hall until I barrel into the communal den.

I can’t see the worn leather chairs that fill the space because there are so many wolves in here. None of them notice my arrival, though. They’re all focused on the television on the wall. I follow their line of sight and my heart freezes as I watch Addi walk toward the camera.

She’s dressed in black from head to toe, in the armor that we were given last night. Her hair is braided in a crown on her head like usual, only this time her actual crown is nestled among her blonde locks. I don’t miss the way her eyes sparkle with a mixture of hope and uncertainty, but she quickly blinks it away as she approaches the podium awaiting her, where a small set of microphones are lined up.

“Good afternoon, Floodborn Kingdom,” she begins, addressing the entire kingdom as a whole, encouraging a unity that hasn’t been provided in years, and it instantly warms my heart. “It is with the utmost pride and confidence that I come to you today having appointed my council. Every decision has been made with not just my needs in mind, but the kingdom’s as well. It’s not usually customary to offer any further information on the matter, but I want consistency, clarity, and an open view as I proceed forward as your queen.” She runs her hands down her abdomen and I grin at the slight bumps her fingers ghost over.

Daggers. Of course she’s got her daggers. That’s why she’s my alpha.

“Arlo Zeller has been appointed as my advisor, Flora Zeller as the Origins Liaison, Raiden Holloway will take the role as my Head of Defense, Brody Orenda will be my Master of Mages, Kryll Tora will be the kingdom’s Treasurer, and Beau Tora will take control of the kingdom’s soldiers. I hope you will offer them the warmest welcome possible as we navigate the changes our kingdom so desperately needs.”

It aches a little, not hearing my name being spoken, but accepting anything other than leading my pack wouldn’t have been the right thing, despite how much it hurts.

“After last night's events, I’m sure you can all see that there are still threats to the kingdom that we must overcome and I want to take this moment to assure you that I will not rest until we have a safe and thriving kingdom. I’m sorry there isn’t more to report this morning after only speaking to you yesterday evening, but it is with great pleasure and delight that I confirm I will take my residency at the castle this afternoon. I hope the next time I speak with you offers more insight into our plans for a brighter future, but for now, I wish you a wonderful day and a restful night.”

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