Dark Secrets

This is unexpected

Chapter 7

(This is unexpected)

Lucas watched Tori from where he stood on the other side of the Mark’s living room. He hated knowing she was in such pain. The High Prince was amazed at how a woman in so much pain had managed to speak at her dead husband’s funeral. Tori had showed such resiliency and determination that he had no doubt she’d be able to handle anything as a queen one day. Lucas was pleased she’d be queen but wished it wasn’t under such horrible conditions.

When Tori moved he would as well. Lucas had planned to give Tori a lot of space but when a group of the Council of Prince’s had abruptly shown up he’d had to be far closer than he felt was appropriate. Seeing her go to move he gave out a silent sigh and went to move once more trying to adhere to the ridiculous 15 feet rule.

Hearing an amused smirk Lucas turned to see Adler and Miguel standing there. Lucas didn’t even hide he was annoyed.

“Toshiro has left,” Adler informed the High Prince. “As far as we are concerned you no longer need to adhere to the 15 feet requirement.”

“I wouldn’t want anything to come up later,” Lucas replied carefully.

“It won’t,” Pierre said walking up from behind him. Lucas looked at the French Prince. “Lucas, you are among allies. Not all of us agreed with all of the details but it was the only way to get everyone to agree,” He said and put a hand on the heir to the wolf throne’s shoulder. “You are doing the right thing and the restrictions should not have been placed.” Lucas couldn’t help but breathe a silent sigh of relief.

“Where are Ryker and Justin?” Miguel said having not seen them in a little while.

“I sent them on an errand,” Lucas replied.

**

Justin stood looking at the building in complete silence. There are a lot of things that would and wouldn’t have surprised him but looking at the site before him he wasn’t sure which side to place the scene before him on.

“Ryker…”

“None of us saw this coming,” The dark haired enforcer said looking at the morgue currently engulfed in flames. Firefighters were working fast trying to put out the flames but both men highly doubted anything would be left of the building.

“Lucas is not going to like this,” Justin said looking over at the other enforcer.

“No and until they get done we can’t have a look around. Not that there will be anything left for us to find. Let’s get out of here. The smell is…”

“Bad,” Justin said. The two got back into the borrowed blue pickup and drove away.

**

Tori watched as Athena and Teresa played together in the back yard. The blonde woman adored River’s niece and had enjoyed their time together. She was sad that the time had ended.

As she watched the two her thoughts went back to the night Salazar’s men had tried to capture Teresa and her mother Nancy. She could remember ordering Nancy and Teresa to stay in her Armada while she got out and faced Salazar’s wolves. It was the first time she’d ever played the role of an enforcer.

“I swore to protect her,” Tori said quietly to herself. She looked down knowing that now that she would be marrying Lucas she wouldn’t be able to keep her vow. Looking at the white malamute however and idea formed. She couldn’t protect Teresa but Athena could. She walked away from the door and walked over to where River’s Brother Trevor was standing.