The Prisoner’s Princess Chapter 118

Bryson

I sat at my desk looking at the texts I got from many of the Council and Alphas who had the displeasure of dealing with Brutus and his kin. The House of Finnand was a den of snakes that’d lost its head. Without Grisham, there was no Alpha, and their Beta was mysteriously killed in his sleep. The pack was more or less annexed into the next closest pack, OilMoon. In only two days the twin’s mate had already been seen with his true, and he’d gained about 3 thousand new wolves to his fold.

“Hazel smile.” Said Alexander, smiling gently. She was taking this hard because unlike most, she was shown a false kindness from them.

She sighed. “I can’t.”

“Leave her be Alexander; she has a right to feel as she does.” I said shaking my head.

He was desperately trying to encourage his mate by bringing her things. He’d brought her food, drinks, and corny jokes but Hazel was fine. She didn’t need those things, but for some reason, I felt for them both. He wanted her smile, but she had none. She was upset that someone she knew was responsible for my anger, and I’d already sent off for my Shadow Warriors to escort them from the prison to the execution grounds. Since he was no longer on the heir to the 3rd council seat, his were confiscated and sent somewhere else. Where I didn’t care.

The only thing that really mattered to me was that there was some peace of mind given to the ones who were wronged by this family for millennia. They were crooked so long, that they were rotten to the core. I’d sentenced them to die for it, and Kaiden was already here. He’d actually texted me yesterday that he wanted the same thing, driving to my pack while Phillip and the 5th Seat were already on their way as well. He could only visit since he was watching Caleb’s pack, but he would be here for this, and for his grandpup’s birth.

“Hazey smile please.” He pleaded.

She smiled weakly. “There, but I still feel the same. I’m upset because I’ve known them since I was a small pup. I’ve read the reports a thousand times, and I can’t believe they’d do so many evil things… I even liked Keithelasellus since he was always so nice; it’s just that I wanted my true mate.”

“They were manipulating you.” I said flatly, and she nodded.

“I have too, but at a distance.” Said Isabelle. “Dad didn’t like any of the Third Seat’s family, or really the council too much, but I get you. You were raised around them, and to you they were pleasant. They did that so when they tried to talk you into mark mating him, you’d be more willing to accept to give Brutus’s grandson a chance. You were taught to be the perfect princess from the start. We understand if you need time off.” She said giving the pups meat. They shared without issue, which meant we could focus on leading.

“I know Luna…. I think I would like some time off.… I know his grace and Alpha have wanted their heads for what they’ve done, and I’d rather not see their skins taken and their heads rolling.”

“It will make you look disloyal to Alpha. We must attend.” Said Alexander.

“You both know I don’t care about that kind of thing.” I said dismissively

“But the pack will.” Said Isabelle. She was right, but I was firm.

“As I said, it is optional. Come if you wish, and I will speak with the pack if you don’t.”

“I will come to support you and my mate; I’ll deal with my feelings later.” She said with a bow and left out.

“Whatever you choose, I don’t really care. It doesn’t matter to me either way.” I said feeling my mate rub my shoulders. We were wolves, I know they could hear me.

“Their line maintained their power with underhanded lies.” Said Isabelle kissing me on the forehead before tending to the pups. “But I have a feeling we’ll have more pack visitors to plead their lives.” She grumbled.

Hazel already left, and I heard a stray mind link. She was confident her father and grandfather would come here to do that very thing, but I would not allow that. No one could convince me otherwise, especially after what they’d done to the fox shifter. They treated her so poorly she changed her name, afraid they would come looking for her. She’d changed it to Hope, and lived alone at the edge of the living district, but she would come to speak with pack councilors.

I didn’t know all what he’d done, but they did, and I had an email from Dr. Glasston that they will take off to personally attend. That girl had seen and heard what they’d done for decades alongside being a victim of it.

“Alpha, the Crown Prince is here.” Said Zackery holding Libby. She’d grown a bit, but still enjoyed the piggyback rides up the stairs.

Isbell, she waved. Her common link was very clear now, however linking usually developed about the age of 10, so it was still difficult for her to send long messages.

“Awe, hey Libby. Zack if you need, I can arrange someone to watch her.” Said my mate, but he shook his head.

“Rose is watching all the pups in the packhouse with my mate and a few other Omegas.”

“Maybe Hazel can do that then?” I suggested, and he nodded.

“It’ll be a bit strange for an ancient blood to sit out, but people will respect her if she’s trying to help you in a different way Alpha.” He said thinking out loud. “I kind of heard you guys since the door’s open.” He admitted sheepishly.

“I already figured that much.” I chuckled. “Not many wolves will attend, only those who hold rank, or know of Brutus’s line will be here. anyway.”

“Then it would look worse that your Head Gamma and his mate be absent.” Said Isabelle.

“I still stand by my decision. If anyone has issue with it they can bring it to me.”

I stood to go downstairs, and when I got to the door, Kaiden was greeting his son. He’d pressed his forehead to him. and had Mini under his arms. She was really coming along, and I know with all these strangers, she would have to be near her mate and in my line of sight. There were too many wolves that wanted to see this even though I expected only about a thousand wolves or so, and I allowed it, so now her security would be my problem too.

“Bryson, Warrior Roberts already texted me that they’re going to be here in about 3 more hours.” He said with a smile. “I can’t wait.”

“His son wished a trial by combat, and I figure since he offended Caleb, maybe he might want to do this.” I suggested.

“I don’t know,” Said Kaiden scratching his chin. “My boy’s young, but I trust your judgment. You already sensed their strength.” He smiled.

“It’s strange. Their wolves were only as strong as maybe an older Alpha, but one without ancient blood.” I commented. The fight would be easy for Caleb with his natural strength, lineage, and hatred for what they attempted.”

“I think you two want me to establish myself among the elders that are coming.” Said Caleb, and his father nodded.

“That and I know you want to rip him apart. None more than Phillip, but he didn’t reveal his pack’s location to the church… he did that to You.”

“I’ll only get Grisham … Keithelas I don’t care about. After that, I’m taking Mini to our room when Bryson’s done.”

“Wait I thought she’d stay with the other women.” Said Kaiden.

“She can’t be away from either of us.” I said firmly. She was a few days away from five months. “She could pup soon, but I’d rather have her pup early than assassinated or kidnapped. A representative of every seat will be here.”

“I didn’t think of that…,” Said Isabelle. She’d chimed in from linking orders to the Warriors. She’d ordered tight security around the packhouse, and some of them volunteered to serve as a buffer in the crowd to prevent anyone from getting too close.

“…Also, I Want to see it.” Said Minetta, who honestly surprised me. She was likely saying this because of her hormones and instincts, but it was still strange to hear this from such a soft spoken woman. “He was so petty that he broke wolf law to get us killed… That someone would stoop so low as to tell the Church our pack’s location means that they’ve done that before…. There’s no telling how many packs have been destroyed by hunters doing the dirty work of the untrue Third House…. To maintain power they stole in the first place.” She said looking at her belly. She really did look about to pop, and I wondered was that where she got her tenacity from. She was a timid hound, as it’s their nature, but right now she stood as a wolf.

“I never saw it that way.” Said Caleb. “If you change your mind, I’ll still work on separating you from the grisly scene.”

“No. Even if I barf, I want to make sure they won’t be able to do this ever again….” She said hugging him.

“Alright.” He held his mate close.

“Come on, let’s go meet the rest that are arriving.” I said walking out the packhouse. I was followed by Kaiden, and everyone else. Isabelle had the pups already with Gabby, as she was working on weening them from being with us during certain events. They were about a foot tall now, and sometime soon they wouldn’t fit in the basket, so that was also something to consider.

They were still happy and innocent, but they would stay with Rose and Gabby. They would be all watched in my office, guarded by the inner and outer guards I hand picked for Isabelle. They complained when they were taken upstairs, wanting to continue to follow us, but they would be alright. I trusted Gabby. I knew she would link if anything happened, and Rose almost died for my mate, and now her pup is likely an Omega by poisoning. I figured I could trust her as well. There was literally no investment for either of them to do anything traitorous.

We all met at the punishment venue, a podium and stage that was made a while ago of wood. The very place where I skinned Vincent, and now it held four more just as deserving, if not more. It was brisk this morning, but I didn’t really feel the bite of the wind. My wolf was too excited to let me be. Though of all the shifters that I’d seen, I didn’t see the fox. She was likely too afraid to, and I’d visit her later, and at the very least show her their hides. No matter which way they died, I already had my mind up that they wouldn’t be needing them.

Phillip, the Fifth Seat, Second, Fourth, and Eighth seats were all here, and already chatting. This family was so hated it was already decided to not even try holding them a few weeks before execution time, for fear of them paying off someone and escaping.

At least, when I texted Phillip my decision, he agreed, since one of their mates ran an Oil company. They had more than enough money to intervene if they wanted, but that they didn’t showed that he was probably Also having an affair with his true mate, since they were already seen together. He also made no effort to come down here to vouch for her in any way.

Phillip waved, catching my attention to greet me before I went up to address everyone. He smiled wide, looking younger than usual since he wasn’t frowning as he usually does. “Alpha Bryson a pleasure as always. This is my mate, Susanna.” I shook her hand, noticing that her coat’s fur trim on her hoodie smelled of wolf.

“The coat was my mate’s idea.” She said sheepishly, because she saw when I noticed.

“I find it fitting. He wanted your hide, now you wear his. I assume the rest is on your mate’s floor?” I said seeing my mate mingle with everyone. My horns itched, and it wasn’t long before I was linked that they had arrived.

“Yes, he also makes a note to wipe his feet on it every so often.” She shot him a small glare.

“He deserves it though.” He complained, and she shook her head.

“I’d like a turn myself.” Said the Second Seat, though he looked a little paler than I remembered. He was still wrapped in bandage, but he walked straight, refusing to show that he was still badly injured.

Phillip tisked. “You should have called me… Ron are you sure you should be out?”

“I just didn’t anticipate being smacked into the castle walls, and it doesn’t help that Grahkes’s poison eats you a while. I’m fine old friend. We both have had these injuries before.” He chuckled as they shook wrists.

Phillip nodded. “But we were younger then, and you didn’t shave your head.”

“…...Don’t you remember the gods awful smell of burned dreds?” He said with a raised brow. “And why don’t you rejoin the council as an advisor? You won’t be on the council, And we would be able to have more conversations than in passing. The old gang would be back.” He smiled, but Phillip’s usual frown returned.

Phillip scoffed. “I’d rather not. I’m not doing what I want, but my family is safer without that drama in our lives.” He mumbled.

“Fair enough, but come visit at least. Aemi still asks about you two.” They walked off to catch up, while I made my way to the stage. There had to be about 500 or so wolves, some visiting to personally see the last of them dead for their own well being. The car that held them had arrived, and they were on their way to be brought to me.