Chapter 111

Chapter 111 Don’t put her in danger again
ASHER
What the f uck did he just say?
I sat there in disbelief, but surprise soon gave way to anger. Meanwhile, the king of Yurene seemed surprised.
“I didn’t realize she hadn’t mentioned it to you yet,” he mused, and then he sat back in his seat casually. “I suppose you may wish to discuss it with her next time you see her. Perhaps speaking with her directly would be best-”
“There’s no need,” I said shortly as my hands curled into fists at my sides. “Healer Cas sandra will not be going to the North with you.”
I expected Kaleb to have a different reaction. He remained quite calm and gave me an interesting expression.
“I had heard that the current Alpha King of Wegalla was less arbitrary than the former ones, but it seems like that isn’t true,” he stated, and then he smirked. “You can’t decide this for Cas sandra. She told me she would think about my offer instead of denying it at once, so clearly it’s something she’s taking under serious
consideration.”
“I don’t see why she would leave Wegalla,” I countered as I fought to stay collected. “Cas sandra has work to do here, and besides, her son is here. Why would she uproot her life to go to a more barbaric country?”
Kaleb opened his mouth to speak, but I knew that if he said anything further, I Cild only lash out further. So instead, I rose to my feet and gestured toward the
dcr.
“If you’ll excuse me, Alpha Kaleb, I have some urgent matters to discuss with my councilors,” I announced. “I’m afraid I have to ask you to leave at once.”
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My volume was loud enough to trigger the guards, who immediately entered the room without permission. Normally, I didn’t allow that kind of behavior, but their stry was welcome. I needed the king of Yurene to go before I lost all control and gave into my more primal nature.
Kaleb didn’t put up a fight, and instead, rose to his feet. He bowed, and just as he was leaving the room, he turned around and smiled once more.
“If you’re so confident, Alpha ASher, why don’t you ask her for yourself?”
I didn’t reply and simply allowed him to leave. The king of Yurene was only trying to bait me further, but I wouldn’t fall for it. I knew there was a reasonable explanation for all of this. Kaleb was conniving, but I trusted Cas sandra. There was a truth that I wasn’t seeing right away, and I knew if I spoke with her, I’d get the answers I needed.
I would bring it up when I had the right chance after I dealt with some of the more pestering issues around us. I would be direct with Cas sandra, but I wouldn’t push her too far. She’d just started to be more frank with me, and I didn’t want to force her.
I turned to one of my guards.
“Please send Councilor Jacoby in,” I announced formally, and the guard nodded and left the room.
Not too long after, the guard returned with not only Jacoby, but Kane as well. I was surprised to see my brother. His visits were far more frequent lately than they’d ever been before.
For probably the first time in his life, Kane’s attitude wasn’t cavalier. His hands W balled into fists at his side, and his mouth was set in a harsh, straight line. I Ein’t seen him this worked up before, so I knew I was in for a mess of trouble.
“Mother is confined,” he stated the moment he walked in.
I raised an eyebrow and then glanced at Jacoby. The councilor nodded and then retreated, giving my brother and me a little privacy.
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I
“Yes, she is,” I confirmed, and I crossed my arms against my chest. “Because she did something wrong. Her violence was completely unnecessary and out of bounds. So what are you doing here, Kane? Are you here to interrogate me, brother? Make a case for her release?”
“She told me her confinement was indefinite,” Kane replied, his violet eyes deadly serious as they stared into mine. “And that if she wants freedom, she has to apologize about what happened with the maid. Mother won’t do that. She wants to
see you.”
“I don’t have time for that,” I said shortly as my head pounded. Besides, you and I both know what she did was wrong. If she didn’t want to face punishment, she shouldn’t have done anything to Erika in the first place.”
Kane shook his head slowly.
“All of this for a maid who is suspicious of poisoning your wife and son?” he asked as his nostriis flared. “I don’t understand, Asher.”
“No, not just the maid,” I sighed. “This is complex-”
“Well, of course, but don’t you see the problem here, brother?” he pressed.
“What problem are you referring to exactly?” I replied as my head pounded. I wanted nothing more than to sit down, but I knew this was about to get heated.
Kane exhaled heavily and shook his head. “Cas sandra Keller.”
The room fell silent for a moment.
“Don’t you see why Mother and Adalyn did that?” Kane spoke again after a ment. “Can’t you understand?”
I shook my head. “I don’t think Cas sandra is a problem-”
Kane cut me off immediately. “No, brother, I don’t mean she is the problem. The problem is how much you care about her”
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I frowned and forced myself to remain calm.
“The more you care about her, the more Adalyn and Mother will go up against her,” Kane said softly. “Tell me this. If Erika wasn’t Cas sandra’s maid, would you have done the same? Would Mother be confined and awaiting further punishment if the maid worked for someone else?”
I remained silent and looked at my brother. As much as I tried, I was unable to read the complexity behind his eyes.
“Can you be sure that they won’t turn even further on Cas sandra after this?” he continued. “They will blame all of this on her, not you. It’s always like this, Asher.”
“What do you mean by ‘always like this”?” I asked, and my frown deepened as I stared at Kane. “Speak plainly, Kane.”
“I mean Cora,” my brother blurted, and my face suddenly grew hot. My eyes narrowed at him as I tried to understand what he was trying to say.
“This has nothing to do with Cora,” I said. “The situation is completely different than it was five years ago-”
“What’s the difference, brother?” Kane retorted, and he shook his head. “The fact that you’re king now? You always overestimate yourself.”
Anger swelled up within me and I gritted my teeth. Why was my brother speaking to me like this? Everything he said was so ambiguous and strange as if he was speaking in riddles.
“What are you trying to say, Kane?” I sighed as I pinched the bridge of my nose between ry fingers. “Speak it straight.”
Kane shook his head.
“I have nothing to say, Asher,” he said, and his eyes narrowed. “It’s just a reminder. You could put her in danger again,”
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