Giovanni

Chapter 39

Giovanni Ellis:

I stand at the podium with my heart beating in my ears. There are so many people here. A quick glance at Thora tells me that she too is uncomfortable. I squeeze her hand letting her know that everything is fine before I begin. With a deep breath in I open my mouth "Hello, as most of you know I am Prince Giovanni Xavier Ellis. I am standing before you today to tell you what happened at the attack from two days ago."

The people start to murmur as I look around at them all. The area is heavily guarded. Guards standing rigidly in front of the stage and around the perimeter of the town square. Rayan stands to my right looking into the crowd menacingly as if daring someone to step even a toe out of line. Santiago and his father stand stiffly behind us and the King and Queen are safely in the town hall behind us after their brief appearance.

I clear my throat and swallow hard "The attack was on me. An attempt on my life-" More gasp and murmurers "-However, I am here standing before you. I, as well as Princess Thora, am fine after the attack. Alpha Weston of Wolf Moon pack sent people to injure and capture me-" The people are in an uproar around us. Many yelling and spitting to the ground before us. It's surprising for a kingdom, who I thought hated me, to defend me in this moment. They all could still hate me for all I know because as they talk over each other I still hear a few hateful comments thrown my way.  My heart still beats quickly but the amount of eyes and noise around me has me losing my breaths.

Thora seems to notice because she holds her hand up in response to my surprised manner. The people quiet down for her as her eyes flash and she waits. "Alpha Weston might have sent people here but we are still standing. Giovanni and I are both in this together as we hope to have the full support of our kingdom. What Alpha Weston did was treason and that is an unforgivable crime," she pauses and looks up at me before her eyes travel back toward the crowd. "Regardless of how you feel about him being your King one day, he is trying. It was his idea to come here, where he knows it's not safe-" again another look at me. Real mature of her. "-and speak before you. He cares for you all just as you all care little for him."

I see a couple of eye rolls in the audience and a few still mumble angrily. The guards have taken a defensive position toward the people. If they were to all rise up now and decide to overtake us we would have a slim chance at getting away. I clear my throat for the second time and continue.

"They failed in their attempt and instead left a threatening note." I pause letting them take in that information before I begin again. "The note says that I must go back to his pack and turn myself in or- he will hurt Thora," I say strongly. I expect the reaction from the people this time as they all scream.

"Turn yourself in then!" I hear from the crowd before people start screaming back and forth. Some agree and some don't but the agree group looks pretty large. Rayan growls and steps forward looking ready for a fight but I shake my head at him. He growls again and I can tell he wants to ignore my plea but I growl lowly at him back glaring at him. He stops immediately and bows his head making me a bit surprised before I notice the quieter crowd.

"I am here because he cannot and will not hurt Thora. I am here because the best he can do here is hurt, my people-"

"Your people?"

"Yes," I growl making the man flinch back "My people. He will hurt al of you. He will not hesitate and I want everyone to be prepared for any attacks. His people don't smell of rogue or pack wolves. I don't know why but I do know that they are vicious."

"If you cared you'd turn yourself in!"

"Save us the trouble!"

"We have children and elders to think about!"