At His Discretion Novels & Stories

Trust required action. My mother’s final words were careful. She did not challenge me directly. She suggested internal review committees. I acknowledged the suggestion, agreed on its necessity, and assigned oversight. It was a subtle concession, one that appeared reasonable but maintained ultimate control. I left her room with a clear understanding: any future interference would be tracked, documented, and countered immediately. Authority was no longer negotiable.

he said, voice measured, “to address concerns that have been raised regarding internal processes, oversight, and recent actions taken against Mr. Aiden Rowe.” He used Aiden’s full name. Formal. Distancing. Aiden didn’t respond. Julian continued. “We acknowledge that certain procedures may have appeared abrupt. However, our systems exist to ensure stability. Discretion is not inherently abuse.” A murmur rippled faintly through the observers—not agreement, not dissent. Awareness. The mediator nodded once. “Mr. Rowe, you may respond.” Aiden lifted his gaze. “I don’t dispute the existence of discretion,” he said calmly. “I dispute how it was applied.”

"Unilateral executive discretion. Everything attributable to me, nothing attributable to the board." "Are they wrong," she asked. "I built part of it," I said. "I did not build all of it. And the part I did not build was designed specifically to be associated with me." She looked at me steadily. "You have one chance," she said quietly. "Right now." "I know." "If you step in front of this before they have finished framing it, you control your own context," she said. "If you wait, you accept theirs." "And if I step forward, I accept consequence I cannot predict," I said.

"The terms of that position involve a significant amount of discretionary trust, meaning that the financial oversight he performs is done largely without supervision, because I extended him that trust as a courtesy to you." I felt the cold start at the base of my spine and move upward. "He's done nothing wrong," I said. "That is currently true," Victor said. "And it will continue to be true for as long as our arrangement functions smoothly." He let that sit for a moment the way he let all his important sentences sit, giving them room to be fully understood. "If our arrangement stops functioning smoothly, then the discretionary trust I extended to your father becomes something that requires a

* And then, near the bottom, in language slightly less rigid than the rest, like whoever drafted it had hesitated: *The King retains full discretion regarding the nature of the arrangement, including but not limited to matters of companionship, at such time as he deems appropriate. I read that line more than four times. At such time as he deems appropriate. I set the packet down like it had burned me, and for the first time since the guards had loaded me into the car outside my father's house, I let myself feel the actual size of what had happened — not the version I'd been performing in the Great Hall, chin up, mouth sharp, but the real one, the one where I was twenty-three years old and ha

Stretching the menu towards her but then a voice came up "Hi!" ======== "This is our update for today, I also want to say, that I am not trying to throw shade on those who are attracted to the same sex, it's just the personality of Alpha Todd, he wanted pups and he thinks he can't have one if he is mated to a fellow like himself. That being said, we are hoping you will spare us some gems and we need someone to give us our first review. Thanks,"

Taking matters into my own hands often served as a cathartic release and a practical way to unburden my thoughts. "My apologies for any disruption, but your presence isn't necessary. I assure you, I can handle this," Ben responded. His assurance came too late; I had already made up my mind to take control. I couldn't afford to allow him to waste double the time and resources in my absence. Even though I hadn't been forthcoming with him, I needed to reinforce that my authority remained absolute.

he said and faced Henry. "In simpler words: under the regulatory laws, in the power of consent and waiver section, time frames and durations of laws, rules and punishments, regardless of the nature and category, can be waived if the Lords, Head of the council, Head alphas of the four regions and the King Himself, agree to waive it," He said, and we understood what he meant. Noah's words hung heavy in the air as we gathered in the dimly lit lounge, the weight of his proposal settling on each of us like a cloak of uncertainty.

“Tell me something,” he said. Anita blinked. “What?” His eyebrow rose. She corrected herself automatically. “Sir.” “Better.” He studied her. “This is your opportunity to leave.” Anita became still. Andrew continued before she could misunderstand him. “Not because you've done anything wrong.” His voice was calm. “But because I want you making the next decision with a clear head.” Anita swallowed. “I thought we already decided.” “We decided you wanted to begin.” His gaze remained fixed on hers.

“His mistake.” “He won’t make it twice.” I smiled faintly. “Good.” We ate in silence for a while. “Do you regret opening this door?” he asked suddenly. I looked up. “Do you?” “No,” he said. “But regret isn’t always immediate.” “True.” I set my fork down. “I don’t regret the alignment. I’m still deciding about the rest.” “And that’s allowed,” he said. I studied him. “You’re surprisingly patient.” “I’m disciplined,” he corrected. “There’s a difference.”