Chapter 735 If only she will be accepted
When Seraphine entered the conference room, everyone was there except Jasmine. The empty chair beside Liah hit her like a physical blow, and she instantly missed the redhead.
Jasmine had always been there, a constant presence in their meetings, her sharp wit and quiet strength filling spaces Seraphine had not even realized needed filling.
No one had expected her to be away from the pack so soon. Her absence had really affected the atmosphere, leaving a hollow silence that no amount of conversation could fill.
Seraphine sat beside Voren, and the latter smiled as he spoke, his voice carrying the easy authority of a king who knew his power was unquestioned.
“Since my queen is here, we shall begin this meeting. My queen, since Callum and Augustine are mated to Faye and Sloane, I was wondering if we should invite them to this meeting. Corvine and Liah should leave in the next three days for their honeymoon.”
“I object, King Voren.” Corvine spoke politely, though there was steel beneath his words. “You got married first, so you should leave first. Right now, the Alphas would be trying to clean up their pack messes because they expect you to show up at any moment. That buys you the time to enjoy your honeymoon. And when they least expect it, you show up and take them by surprise.”
The corner of Voren’s lips twitched, a flicker of amusement breaking through his composed expression. He could guess that Corvine had found out about something important. “Is there more to this?”
He asked casually, leaning back in his chair, but his eyes were sharp, calculating. Corvine nodded.
“Yes, but you can bring in Augustine and Callum before we continue.”
Voren turned to one of the gammas. “Faye, can you do us the honor?”
“Yes, King Voren.”
Faye quickly stepped out and returned with the two men. It was amazing how the gammas had been marked by their mates already. The bond had settled into their skin like it had always been there, a quiet certainty that radiated from them.
As soon as Callum and Augustine sat beside their mates, Voren went straight to business.
“Callum, you have worked with my queen, and she speaks highly of you. Do you plan to return to the city, or will you stay here and help with not only the pack hospital but leadership too?”
“I will stay.” Callum’s voice was firm, decided. “I would not have left the Centenary pack if not for Daisy. Thank you for having me, and graciously, I found my mate, Faye.”
Seraphine smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. They needed more hands, capable hands, and she was getting the right people. “Augustine, you have a responsibility with the council, and you have a business in the city too. So what is your take on the matter?” Voren asked again.
Augustine took a deep breath, the weight of the decision visible in the tension of his shoulders, before responding. “I already resigned from my responsibility at the council. I hope I could juggle because my business in the city and here at the pack.”
“We shall all do the same.” Voren said calmly, his voice carrying the quiet assurance of a leader who had already thought through every angle.
“Since your mates are part of our leadership team, I will be training you both for other roles that might soon pop up. For now, I want you two to work closely with my two betas. You can step in when there is a need for them to be anywhere.”
“I am honored to be pulled into leadership as a newbie here.” Augustine said excitedly, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. Callum added, “Indeed. I never expected such an honor.”
“In that case, we shall announce it at the welcome and send-off party tonight. Some pack members are leaving, and we have to initiate new pack members. Everything will be done at the party after the guests leave. However, we are making our leave arrangements.”
Voren turned to Corvine, his gaze steady, measuring. “You trust them, right?”
Corvine nodded. He had worked with Callum, and encountered Augustine on different occasions. He had seen their character, their loyalty, their capability. “Very well.”
“Okay.” Voren continued, his voice dropping to something lower, more serious. “This remains among leaders. Alpha Ravyn is our ally and spy on the Lycans. If he cannot immediately get to me because he is being watched or something, he will fall on either of you to pass information to me. You all have to know how to act it.”
Understanding settled in as Voren divulged, the pieces clicking into place.
“Yeah, he told me to inform you to not visit the packs immediately. He said the Lycans would use the time to attack, and he is still working on the proposal to purchase the arms,” Corvine revealed the information he got from Ravyn.
“He also said that from what he gathered from being around the other Alphas, they are trying to put their packs in order and would not be a threat for now. That is why I suggested you take your leave first.”
Voren nodded, his mind already racing ahead, already calculating. “Then I shall leave with the queen in three days, but the pack does not have to know. Kael, you know how we do it.”
Kael nodded. Most times, Voren leaves without anyone knowing until it is over a week or more. The pack would continue as normal, unaware that their king had slipped away into the shadows. “Yes, and with a new Alpha, it makes it easy.”
“Alright then. When we return, Corvine takes two weeks for his honeymoon, and after my wife delivers our pups, we shall spend more time here so he could take a month or more.”
Corvine nodded in appreciation, a rare softness crossing his features. “Thank you.”
Voren continued, his attention everchanging to the two betas. “When Corvine returns, Damon, you will leave with Kael for a month. I will leave instructions with my assistant, Pete, to take him through company procedures, and I will find a day to go with him too.” His gaze landed on Kael, sharp and unwavering. “Kael, you are not allowed to search for Jasmine when you get there.”
Kael’s expression sunk, the light in his eyes dimming. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. Voren knew him too well.
“I hope, Damon, that you will use that time wisely. Not just for your company, but other important matters.”
Damon smiled, though there was something wistful in his expression, something hopeful and fragile. “Of course. I plan to return with my mate, if only she will be accepted.”
“Your mate?” Kael asked, surprise flickering in his eyes.