#Chapter 6 Shocked

Grace My mind was reeling, but as Devin sputtered, I found that I couldn’t do much more than sit back and watch. Amy looked nervously at me before looking back at Charles. She drew closer as if to lean on Devin, but he didn’t seem to notice. "What?" Devin shook his head, disbelief painting his face. “I believe that my relationship with your ex-wife is the least of your problems,” Charles said and narrowed his eyes. “You’ve been rude enough to mock the mother of your children. Will you not introduce your mate to me?” Devin flushed. The tone Charles had used felt paternal and stern, but there was something else in his voice. Anger. “I-It’s not—” “Introduce her properly, Devin,” Charles said in a biting tone. “You’ve already tried my patience for a lifetime.” Devin cleared his throat and bowed his head a little before nudging Amy closer to the table. “This is Amy Greenvalley, my fated mate. Amy, this is my chief, His Majesty, Charles Blackwoods.” I frowned, watching the moment. It felt ceremonial. Werewolves didn’t have anything like this. We didn’t even treat our President like this. The anger and ferocity on Charles’ face melted away. Amy looked like she was going to collapse out of terror or run away as he turned his gaze on her. Then, she went still. His eyes were so kind, tender even, paternal as he stood and approached her gently. He passed his hand gently over her forehead. Her eyes widened as she gasped. Her eyes welled up with tears then they fluttered closed as he cupped her face gently and bent to place a kiss on her forehead. She whimpered. “I welcome you,” he whispered gently. “You are of the Blackwoods Clan in all but name.” He pressed her hand to her stomach. “And soon to be blood.” Her jaw wobbled, and she bowed her head. “T-Thank you for your blessing and protection, Your Majesty.” He smiled as she retreated a few steps to stand with Devin. Then, he turned his gaze onto Devin, narrowing his gaze at him. "Devin, it's been a while since you’ve had the grace to speak to me," he began, looking straight at Devin. The words hung heavy in the air and Devin flinched. "News had reached me of your status through television—” “I—” “Quiet.” My heart lurched and Devin paled, ducking his head again. “And your actions are appalling. As a ward of the Blackwoods Clan, as the child I have claimed as my own, you have disgraced me in word and deed. To mock your former wife and leave her, your children, and her pack in the way you have is not what I have raised you to do.” He glanced at Amy. “To flaunt your oath-breaking and misconduct on television for the world to see, to expose your mate and eventually your children to such a thing, is disgusting. What have you to say for yourself?” Devin said nothing. Amy whimpered softly, slipping her hand into Devin’s and clinging to it as if it were her lifeline. “Well, Devin?” “I…” Devine cleared his throat. “It’s not oath-breaking—” Charles turned his gaze to Amy. “When is your baby due, Amy?” "I-In a few months," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. His eyes narrowed. “You were not released from your marriage vows until a few days ago. How could it be anything but oath-breaking? Adultery?” “The mate bond—” “Inclines you. It does not oblige you. You are not controlled by your passions. You could have ended your marriage when you found Amy. You could have been honorable in how you managed the pack, yet you abused Alpha Wolfe’s trust and love. You have endangered the well-being of your children and countless lives because of your selfishness, and placed your mate in a precarious position.” Charles took a deep breath. “It pains me to see the man you have become as if I had not given you every moral lesson and all proper guidance. It pains me to think of what your parents would think of you now. Yet, the law is the law.” I looked between the two of them as Devin’s head jerked up. “But—” “To show you leniency would be to insult every Lycan King before me and after me. You know this.” He looked at Amy. “Amy Greenvalley, by our laws, you will be implicated. However, given your status, your sentence, should it be necessary, will be lessened.” She whimpered. “You may speak, Amy,” he said softly. “I-I… I didn’t… I… Your Majesty…” “You didn’t know that he was married.” She shook her head. “Nor that he had children?” She shook her head again. He nodded. “I imagined as such. You are soon to be a Blackwoods by blood and oath, Amy. You have nothing to fear.” He turned his gaze back to Devin. “The lawyers will be in touch, Devin. If you have any shred of honor left in you, you will cooperate and perhaps reclaim some measure of esteem in my eyes. It should take a few months to complete the investigation, by then, I expect you will have found gainful employment to provide for your mate and your children.” Devin’s jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious.” “You knew what you were doing when you didn’t even mention your children by Alpha Wolfe. What little remains in your accounts has been frozen already while the lawyers begin a tally. Based on what has already been provided, you will owe Alpha Wolfe at minimum six thousand a month until both children come to be of age under lycan law, and that is before the sabotage charges are fully investigated.” Amy's face turned a shade paler. Her eyes widened in shock. “That can’t be true. She’s—Dad, whatever she’s told you isn’t true. I didn’t--” “You didn’t?” Charles asked, glaring at him. “You didn’t make it so your ex-wife’s family home, the home where your children live, will be taken from them? You didn’t run her family’s company essentially into the ground to feed your need to live lavishly?” Devin’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. He looked back at Amy. “As I said before, Amy, you need not worry. The Blackwoods Clan has never allowed innocents to suffer.” “You can’t be serious, Dad. You’re just going to leave me with nothing? What about my inheritance?” “You squandered it long before you married Alpha Wolfe.” His eyes narrowed. “I suspect that is precisely what drove you to ruin her company and pack’s finances.” Devin hissed, flushing. “My parents’ lives are priceless. You think what was in that account can ever make up for their loss? You think it was enough? If you really felt remorse, then you wouldn’t even be talking about laws or punishment, considering everything you’ve let happen.” At this, Charles' face darkened. His eyes glinted a furious, bloody red. Amy stepped back, nearly bowing at her waist with a whimper. Devin trembled and stepped back too. “Leave, Devin,” Charles said, his voice a low rumble in his chest. “Before I say or do something that would make me an oath-breaker.” “But—” “You should stop wasting your time attempting to convince me you are worth my leniency and begin searching for a job. While you are unlikely to find a decent job at a lycan company once the charges of abandoning your pups are on the books, there are other opportunities in the world. Perhaps a werewolf company will hire you for the sheer pleasure of having a lycan on the lowest rungs of their business.” “You’re not going to help me?” “You well know that the lycan way is to use what strength you have to make your own way. You may be a gamma but are not helpless.” Charles lifted his chin, his eyes still glowing. “As a ward of the royal line, you have been given every opportunity and tool imaginable. I would suggest you get to work.” Amy gasped. My eyes widened as I stared at Devin. He turned bright red. Amy looked as surprised as I was. Devin had always claimed to be an alpha lycan, meaning he was physically of the highest echelon of Lycans. To hear that he was just a step above an omega lycan, which was essentially the most defenseless class of lycan, weaker than werewolves in some ways, should have been shocking, but as I thought about it, I almost smiled. It made so much sense. The way he nudged and wore me down. He didn’t have any strength, but he made himself feel powerful by making me feel lesser. I was furious with him, but even more so with myself. How had I let a gamma lycan diminish me so much? “We’re leaving,” Devin said firmly, taking Amy with him as he left the area. It didn’t look like they were headed toward a table. I watched Charles’ shoulders relax a little as they vanished from view, then my phone chimed. I opened the text message and winced. It was from the utility company telling me that my electricity had been turned off due to a lack of payment.