ArcKnight (The ArcKnight Chronicles #1)

Chapter Nineteen

Rafaela

My head ached from studying the reorganization plans for some of the ArcKnight military divisions. My general and right-hand man, Alec, had recommended the changes. Each page was blurring into the next as I peered over the mess of charts, graphs, and names. It was a massive task, and I was lucky he was there to walk me through each section. The sheer number of soldiers who'd been promoted, needed promotions—or demotions—in the ArcKnight Outlands Legion was overwhelming. It was a relief to find the whole process was more formality than my duty. Alec had it covered, but he had to formalize the plans by showing them to me.

I'd rather be doing a dozen other things.

There were literally thousands of soldiers. How had I ended up with this task? That's right, Gil didn't have a head for this, or so he'd told me. This was one of the unsavory duties to fall to me when Gil decided he had better things to do than deal with this. I personally believed he just hated how inferior Alec made him feel because of his lack of experience in the field. That was one thing I didn't mind; Alec one-upping me. He could talk about war strategy all he wanted. It went in one ear and out the other. I just liked to hear him talk.

Gil refused to waste his talents on this mundane crap. He pawned it off on me. He was a genius at politics but lacked any ability in military tactics and ceremonial duties. The latter was my job since he'd assigned it to me before swooping out of the room earlier. The first was Alec's problem.

Luckily, it didn't bother Alec to take over the Alpha's duties when it came to the military; it was second nature to him. However, it made him fume to see Gil treat me like a common party organizer.

"So we're using the west training stadium for the promotions ceremony, right?" I yawned, stretching my arms out before slumping into my chair. I was already tapped out for the day, and it wasn't even noon.

"Yes. It's the largest one. We can assemble the troops inside with plenty of room for families. The soldiers with promotions can actually take up one small section near the center while the spectators take the rest of the seating. A lot of visitors will be coming."

"That's perfect. Just remind me where I'm supposed to be in all this?" I pointed to an elevated seating area protected with bulletproof glass. "Here, right? Isn't it kind of claustrophobic in there?"

"It's for your protection. Since it will be open to the citizens of Temple, we can never be too careful."

I exhaled sharply, nodding in agreement. My mind was fried. "Sounds perfect. Where will you be during the ceremony?" I lifted an eyebrow at him, hoping he'd be nearby, in the box.

"At your side, of course." A mischievous twinkle in his eyes made my stomach flutter. The intensity of his stare and his close proximity as he sat beside me didn't escape my notice. I knew how fond he was of me, even though he'd never told me out loud. He was fifteen years my senior, and I was married. It was a barrier we'd never cross, and deep down, I knew he knew that. Still, he was gorgeous to look at, and I enjoyed his company a lot more than Gil did. Luckily, no one else noticed the way Alec preferred discussing such things with me instead of the Alpha. Gil just didn't have a head for these things.

So it all fell on me. It was inevitable, but Alec made it as painless as possible. Even so, I usually ended up leaving everything up to him in the end.

"Who's presenting the awards if you're in the box with us?" I asked.

"My second lieutenant, Richard, will be doing the honors." Alec released me from his intense stare, but it was already too late. It had left a mark on my soul, and I felt oddly cold without it.