Mated to alpha triplets at all-boys school Chapter 167

Gio pov

I have no idea how much time I've spent in the cells already. Could be an hour, two, or even weeks at this point.

Any understanding of the time goes out the window as soon as you're forced into a closed room with no windows or signs about time passing in general.

The guards have finally returned to their responsibilities, which is why instead of the somewhat comfortable room, I'm locked in an actual cell.

I understand the guys. They're scared the king might come down here any given moment and if they don't manage to force me into one, they are the ones who get punished, not me.

Down here, I'm a criminal, a prisoner, not the king's best friend and right hand man.

I lay on the dirty mattress, which could be considered a luxury down here, and mindlessly stare at the cell ceiling.

My mind keeps drifting back to my mate. To his smile, that reveals just a few laugh lines around his eyes because he has never blessed me with a wide enough smile to show them all.

To the fire dancing in his eyes whenever he tries to defy me. And to his touch, which is so warm and welcoming, even if only accidental.

I fucking hate myself for being in this position. If I could have just held myself back from fighting for what is right just this once, I wouldn't be forced in this position.

One slip-on during all the years I've been the king's closest person and this is how he reacts.

There's a commotion near the stairs that lead down to the cells, but I pay no mind to it. Probably another unfortunate soul is being dragged down here against their will.

However, when the talking and shouting ends, the last thing I expect is to see the king himself standing at my cell.

“I see you've managed to make yourself comfortable down here,” he mutters, his voice monotone and face void of emotions.

“Can't complain,” I mutter and turn on my mattress so my back is turned to him. “The advice factory is closed. I'm done. Next great advice comes from the prince. After I serve my time, I'm out of here. Worst case scenario, I don't mind dying here either.”

He sucks in a sharp breath, acting like my words not only offend him but almost slap him in the face.

Let's be real with each other, what did he expect? That he can treat me like a shit after all those years of knowing me, knowing the person I am, and as soon as he comes back, I'll roll on my stomach and beg for mercy?

Yeah, I can live without humiliation like that.

“I'm not here for advice, I'm here to offer a deal. You do something for me and in exchange, you get to go. Not only leave the cells, I mean it, you can go for good. Leave the pack, drop your responsibilities, forget about every person who relies on you here,” he hisses.

From the tone of his voice alone, I can tell he's speaking through gritted teeth and saying those words angers him.

Of course it does. If it's not advice he seeks, it's a job he doesn't want to do. If he lets me leave, he's losing one of the most valuable assets he has in his possession.

“I'll need that in writing, Royal seal and everything. Other than that, I'm listening,” I mutter, still not bothering to look at him, which I know annoys him more than anything.

“Gio, for fuck’s sake, you're not a child who can throw a goddamn temper tantrum whenever you please. Act your age and face me when we speak,” he raises his voice and quite possibly punches the door of the cell.

“Pass,” is all I offer.

It's funny how the king can't comprehend that I will never be able to look at him again. After the betrayal, I don't have a friend. I don't have a king, and I definitely don't have the same partner in crime I used to love and respect.

“Fine, have it your way. You'll get the fucking paperwork with seal and all that shit. Now, will you do the job?” He asks, forgetting one very important detail.

I used to agree to everything before this mess happened. Back in the day, trusting him wasn't a chore, so I didn't mind going into any job blindly.

Now, however, I don't trust him at all. I just don't. So, before I go and make a fool out of myself for him again, I want to know what he wants from me, with all the details included.

“What job? I need the details before I agree. Times have changed, I have changed, it's a far too great of a risk to take any job without knowing what I'm getting myself into. Need details.” I mumble, barely holding back the smile. Bet this will piss him off too.

And sure enough, the growl that leaves the king is all sorts of angry. But the fire in him doesn't burn for too long as the king lets out a heavy, long breath and mutters. “What happened to you, Gio? You've never been like this. Never acted so cold and distant. What changed?”

I want to laugh because conveniently he forgot the part where he took his shithead of a son's words for face value and ignored any reason I might have had to attack Kaiden.

“Times change. People change. What is this job?” I repeat myself, denying him the chance to hear the answer he already knows.

If the king has chosen to act like an oblivious prick, I don't mind returning the same energy.

“Kaiden is missing. His office is messed up, I think someone might have kidnapped my son. The job is to locate him and bring him home safely in return for your freedom. Get my boy home and you're free of your shackles in this pack.”

Before I can stop the slip-up, I chuckle and shake my head as I whisper. “Must be the hunters he sent after the girl. Seems like they came back for a better prize.”