Chapter 92
50 veneers
It’s all over the news. The families of those who were killed are telling their stories about how the Romanos had told them that their family members were part of a special unit that was out on a covert operation for the King, and it had been backed by the royal seal. They have proof of documentation.
Spinning this will be very difficult for everyone involved. Not only do the Romanos have to come up with some excuse, but so does the Alpha King. He not only needs to explain this, but also why he pardoned the Romanos in the first place, given solid evidence that incriminates their rule over the city.
“That is how you start a war,” the Lycan King laughs.
Ragnar and I look at one another, and for the first time since we’ve been back in one another’s lives, I know we’re thinking the same thing. Oops. That is not what we intended to do. I wanted to be an asshole, sure. But this has gone beyond that, and now I see what he meant, what could happen when we have the kind of power we do.
“Fuck.” he whispers and sits back. I press my lips together and try my best not to laugh. “This isn’t funny, Soph.”
“It’s a little funny,” I smirk. “This can be fixed. Maybe this wasn’t part of the plan, but the Alpha King now knows how far we’re willing to go.”
“Do you have a plan for this?” Ivar whispers as he crouches between the two of us.
“Not yet,” Ragnar sighs. “But the old man seems happy. We can use that as a distraction until we can find a way out of this.”
“Yeah, his golden boy just declared war on the Alpha King,” he growls lowly. I finally lose my composure and laugh. Everyone in the room turns to look at me as if I’ve lost my mind.
“Obviously, this wasn’t the goal,” he sighs. “But we’re at this bridge now. Let me make a call to see what the other side has to
say.
Ragnar stands up and makes his way out of the library. My grandmother takes his place. Ivar looks between us and lets out a dramatic sigh before he leaves. I smile at my grandmother because what the fuck else am I supposed to do? This isn’t exactly a little whoopsie, I’m sorry. I’ll try not to start a war next time.
“It’s strange, isn’t it?” she asks.
“What is?”
“That Santiago would subject you to a lowly mistress after everything you’ve given him, but Ragnar smiled at the thought of going to war with the Alpha King, she smirks. “I will be away for a couple of days. I’m sure you two will figure out how to get out of this, but I need to round up the armada in case that King Dog wants to be a bitch about all of this,”
“You think he won’t?”
“I think he won’t she nods. “The Alpha King is many things, but a war dog he is not. A group of us can dismantle a city overnight. An army will devastate an empire, and our military is itching to stretch its legs. He knows that all too well He plays with our riff raff, and they simply toy with being soldiers. I wouldn’t be mad if I came home to find out I will be a grandmother soon You’re in charge of the house!
Til see you later, Grandina I wouldn’t be mad if you came back with a boyfriend I roll my eyes She pauses to give us a look that says, “Watch it I laugh as she walks away.
When I turn my attention track to the King the others here are watching me I sit back and keep watching the woman on TV bring up the fies die Alpha King tried to dismiss The news lady seems very frustrated about some of the details surrounding the truth
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Chapter 92
55 vouchers
If I’m correct, her daughter was among the children who didn’t survive the fires that followed the explosions. Explosions that were set as a security measure and triggered from within the packhouse where the detonators were kept.
Ivar didn’t just release a couple of videos showing messages and official documentation. He made videos using the original blueprints he found, explaining why the massacre was as effective as it was. The footage is so good that it’s being used as evidence. The animations and details are beautiful despite the catastrophe they’re meant to mimic.
“Who did these?” the King asks and turns around to face me. “You?”
“No, sir. It was your son. Ivar,” I answer him honestly. He straightens up, and a little smile tugs at his lips as he turns back to continue watching.
The comment section is going crazy, and the views and shares are only increasing. People are divided between those who believe it and those who call it clickbait. I’ve never been able to use my voice before, and as ugly as the results are, the truth is coming to light.
I would never have gone home if things hadn’t gone south once Santiago returned. After my recovery, I often fantasized about setting the house on fire. Before my recovery, I wished the whole thing burned down with me in it to end my suffering.
I can’t help but think about the what–ifs. What if I had gone home and discovered these files without Ivar? No one would know the truth, and life would have just gone on in ignorance. None of us would have any closure. The rage of what happened would have lived on inside of us. And like Ragnar and me, the truth has given us a place for that anger. I want to believe that I wouldn’t be the type of woman who would have hidden the truth because Santiago was a mate.
“Sophia,” I look back to see Ragnar standing in the doorway. He nods his head, motioning me to follow him out.
“Excuse me,” I call out to no one in particular and stand up to leave.
I can’t get a read on his expression because he’s smiling. I know that either outcome is going to put that smile on his face. He takes a deep breath and reaches for me. I hate it when he does this. Suspense is not something I want to be kept in.
“Do you want to go home?” he asks, pulling me closer to him.
“What happened?” I ask. He he inhales through his mouth and licks his lips. I step back when he reaches for the door,behind
- me.
“I’m leaving, Old Man. I’ll talk to you in the morning,” he calls out. The King mutters something and goes back to the TV with the others in the library.
“Who are those people in there?”
“You need to learn who they are. All of them are advisors, and they roam around the castle a lot. When I told them that you said the wolves here were giving out information, they agreed with your idea of getting rid of them without question.”
“It’s starting to look like violence is a given to Lycans,” I say. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
“Aye, someone says when they walk past us. He gives Ragnar a nod before he bows his head and continues to go up the way
we came,
“Not when it comes to those who take care of us. We pay generously and take care of our wolves. They are employees, not servants. It angered many when the decree was passed. Contrary to what you may think, we don’t think less of wolves. Everyone has their story. I didn’t want to believe you. That betrayal will sting for a very long time. Come on, I asked for dinner to be ready when we arrive. I’m starving. I know you are, too.”
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