Chapter 16

KIAN

A message was brought to him just as he was about to leave his study, he sat back beyond his desk, tearing open the envelope. He glanced up briefly when a knock sounded on the door and Tint strolled into the room to take a seat. 

He held up a finger, telling her to wait while he read the content of the letter. It came from the higher council, they wanted him and Alpha Thane to have a peace negotiation which is too bad because he was really looking forward to snapping the man’s head from his thick neck on the battlefield. 

He pushed the letter under a journal, turning his attention back to Tint, he motioned for her to go ahead and say what she wanted. 

“Okay, I understand you don’t want me involved in your plans but Malia was my best friend, you can’t keep shutting me out when I can help.” She insisted, he almost forgot how stubborn Tint can be, after all she had been friends with his sister, who was as stubborn as they come. 

The thought of his sister made his chest tightened, a reminder of how he failed. An Alpha should be able to protect his people and Malia wasn’t just his people, she was family. His anger from Thane steams from that angle, how the other Alpha attempts to endanger the lives of his people by using their home as a passageway for illegal activities. 

He wasn’t sure which one was more offensive, the fact that he was doing it in the first place or the fact that Thane thought he would be okay with it. 

Brushing his overgrown hair away from his forehead, something he does quite a lot whenever he’s frustrated, he signed his reply. “I know you want to help but Iri—Nyx and I got it covered.” 

Her face fell then she nodded her head before looking back up at him. “Well then, I guess you’re not concerned about the rumours that have been going on about your marriage.” 

She stood up to leave but his interest was already piqued by her comment so he ordered her back in her seat then signed for her to start talking. 

“I mean, it could be nothing really. The servants, guards…everyone at the manor, outside of it, within the pack and it’s only a matter of time before the rumors start circulating to other packs as well. They think your marriage to Luna is one big sham.” 

“I should care about that because…?” He signed, not understanding where she was going with that. 

“Because Alpha Alec is bound to know the nature of your relationship if the talking gets out of control. You and Luna need to shut these rumors down or the background story you took so much time perfecting for Luna won’t mean a thing. Alpha Alec is going to know she’s Xavie and will try to kill her again!” 

I glared at her, she isn’t supposed to know that! But I guess there’s so much you can keep from someone who translates your words, especially Xavie since she doesn’t know the first thing about sign language. He took a deep breath, thinking about what had been laid out in front of him. 

“I have a war to worry about, I shouldn't worry about what people think of me! They should bloody well mind your damn business!” He signed angrily. 

Tint gave a little laughter. “You’re the Alpha, you might have been able to buy the press but you can’t buy public opinions and sadly we have to care about them. I have come up with a few ideas, you will find that all this is rather simple, all you have to do is convince people your marriage is real.” 

“Are married people supposed to act a certain way?” He signed, already not liking the direction the conversation was heading. 

“You’ve been married before, was it anything like this? I mean…people who are soul mates and happily married do you go around avoiding their mates. You two hardly spend any time together unless it’s for public appearances, people are bound to catch on to that.” She pointed out, folding her arms across her chest, in that moment, he couldn’t help but stare at her. 

There’s something oddly familiar about her stance, his sister does that when she’s trying to get him to do something. How much habit did Tint pick up from his sister? And how come he never really noticed until now? Maybe it’s because he never had any discussion with Tint aside from political issues ever since his sister's death. 

It wasn't just her, everyone became a distant memory after her death. He drummed his fingers on his desk, pausing only because he needed to sign. “Let’s make this an official assignment then since you are so eager to help out. Come up with ways I can convince the public my marriage is real, this conversation is over, I have to see the council and I need you there to translate.” 

He stood up, making his way out of the room. He was about to head for the “The Great Hall” when he saw his guardian making his way into the manor with all his fishing gears still attached to him, he’s awfully possessive about those things. 

“Is there any reason why you are looking at me like that?” Derek asked once he noticed him. 

“I received a letter from the high council, they want Alpha Thane and I to have a peace negotiation.” He informed the older man by signing. 

“You don’t seem happy about that, you want war?” Even though his words raised a question, Derek doesn’t seem surprised that it was what he wanted. 

He nodded his head, answering his question. 

“You want my suggestion? I would suggest you attend the peace negotiations first, try to see what Thane offers for peace and if you cannot come to an agreement then no one will fault you for the next step you take. Thane also wants war and is only doing this to get in favour of the council, beat him at his own game.” 

The corner of his mouth quickened up at his guardian's suggestion. “And this is why you’re the head of my council.”

“Oh, I saw the wife on my way in, did she change her hair or something?” Derek asked, his confusion apparent in the tone of his voice. 

He didn’t answer, his inside shaking with laughter as he walked away. Just great! Now, he has to convince a bunch of people he’s in love with someone he doesn’t love? It’d be a lot easier if people learn to mind their bloody business!