His Hybrid Queen

Chapter 22

Claire

Several packs had expressed their support and offered to help with founding the school. I was more than eager to take the first steps to prepare for the project. I started by digging up the palace plans from the library. I stood in front of the imposing double door for a minute. It was supposed to be the Alpha’s office but I knew it as Severin’s. 

I groaned internally as I pushed the heavy door open and let myself in. The walls of the large office were lined with portraits of the previous Alphas. Did he think of himself as the real Alpha or something? To the point where he would hang his portrait next to my ancestors. I shook my head. I didn't want to let him get under my skin even in his absence. I removed his portrait and turned it around before letting it rest against the wall.

I walked around the big oak desk and took a seat on the leather comfy chair. My former counselor was an old dinosaur. I couldn’t see a single piece of modern technology. Though there was a fax machine and an old dial phone, I wouldn’t consider it modern. He even had a Rolodex for all the business cards.

I traced my fingers along the smooth edges, wondering how many Alphas sat here before me. How many important decisions they made. How many wars they started or peace pacts they made. Victor was immediately hands-on with the pack affairs and didn’t need an office yet. Would he sit here one day and continue their legacy, or would he want a new office? Most importantly, will we keep living here after the school is officially open?

One of the drawers was half open and caught my eyes. A bunch of unopened mail was sticking out preventing it from being closed completely. The enveloppes were of similar size and color, which piqued my curiosity. I wasn’t going to snoop on anyone's private letters but I could just check to whom it was addressed to.

Look and behold! It was all in my name and it was from the law firm. More specifically, the lawyer who took care of adding me to the family register and issuing my official documents when I first came here. It was a small firm but they had a successful business with all the supernaturals needing legal assistance.

I opened a couple but I couldn’t understand any of the legal mambo jambo. So I figured it was best to call the lawyer. I also wanted to know what I should do for the school to be legitimate in regards to the law.

“Cooper & Shaw, how can I help you?” The operator picked after a single ring.

“Can I speak to Mr Cooper please?”

“Mr Cooper is in a meeting right now. Would you like to leave a message?”

“If he could call me back, that would be great!”

“May I have your name please?”

“Claire... I mean Alexandra Kaiser.” I still get confused about my own name sometimes.

“Please hold on Ms Kaiser. He requested to connect you right away if you call.”

“Oh... Okay.” I waited for less than a minute before I heard the familiar voice on the other side.

“Ms Kaiser, I thought I would never hear from you!” The man sounded surprised and relieved at the same time.

“I just found your letters, but I couldn’t understand what it was about.”

“Maybe it would be better if we talked in person. When can you drop by the office?”

“I’m afraid I can’t.” My schedule was already packed with meetings regarding either the school or the pack.

After Mr Cooper agreed to pay me a visit later that day, I hung up and went on to continue with my day as planned. However, a white device tucked in the corner stood out. Taking a closer look, it turned out to be a brand new shredder. It was strange because everything else looked older than me. 

I inspected the stripes of paper and it looked like some of the paperwork I had to do everyday. Why would the old man put them through the shredder? It took me hours of hard work everyday for him to just destroy it afterwards. Something started nagging at the back of my head and I didn’t like the implication of what I just found out. I feared it might be just the tip of the iceberg.

*****

“I’ve been trying to reach out for a couple of months now. And I have already started the property transfer procedures.” Mr Cooper started.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I interjected.

“Since you were the only known family member and your uncle didn’t leave a will, it makes you the sole beneficiary of his inheritance.” The lawyer explained and all I could do was gawk at him as he pushed a pile of documents for me to sign.

“I’m afraid he made some bad investments and his wealth diminished considerably in consequence. There is also an outstanding amount of unpaid credit cards and debts.” The accountant, Mr Spencer who tagged along with the lawyer added.

I felt a knot forming in my throat and tears brimmed in my eyes. 

“Remember, what’s mine is yours. Whatever debt you inherited I’ll pay it. Don’t worry about it.” Victor said through the mate link as he gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

I was thankful for his offer, but I would never throw my problems at him like this.

“You can of course put one of the real estate assets in the market to pay off the debts. But, I advise you to sell some of the stocks and bonds instead.” Mr Spencer continued.

“What?” I could only manage a single word sentence as I was finding it hard to keep up with everything they were throwing at me.

“I believe your uncle didn’t trust himself or the people around him with this information. He placed the deeds in a secure box at the bank and entrusted me with the key for safe keeping.” Mr Cooper said as he presented me with a small silver key.

“What am I supposed to do now?” I was afraid I might have to sell the palace or auction it off in order to pay all the debts. Which meant that I would have to give up the school project.

“You don’t have to worry about money another day in your life!” Victor piped as he looked through the legal documents.

“What he said!” The two other men across the table said in unison.

“Huh?” I said in confusion.

“These properties and stocks are worth millions of dollars. If you play it smart and careful you can pay all the debts and grow your bank accounts.” Victor explained.

I was struck by silence for the rest of the meeting, while my mate took over explaining the legal jargon and procedures. All I could do was either nod or shake my head as they asked me some questions, or give one word answers.

A Million thoughts run through my mind. That I was a millionaire at 18 years old was at the top, of course. However, the shadow of betrayal loomed over everything else. It was dark when the visitors left, and we called the triplets to question them. The matter at hand couldn’t wait until the next day. I have already filled Victor in with my findings and he agreed that it made the former counselor extremely suspicious.

“How long did you know of your father’s treason?” I didn’t mince my words. There was no doubt in my mind that they knew to some extent what he was up to. After Cassie, I won’t take any hint of distrust lightly.

“We only found out recently. A couple of weeks ago.” Garret spoke first.

“We were kept in the dark about most things.” Garrick added.

“We couldn’t make any decisions, really. He called all the shots.” Garrison said.

They looked guilty but relieved as if there was a weight taken off their shoulders. 

“Why didn’t you come forward with this earlier?” Victor questioned.

“We didn’t think it mattered.” “Since both of them were fired.” “And we moved out.”

The triplets spoke in order, completing each other's sentences. It was the first time that I noticed this dynamic between them. Assuming they were talking about both of their parents. This must be an indication that they were preventing them from expressing themselves freely around me.

“When you became Queen, they wanted one of us to mate with you.”

“But we refused because we wanted our fated mate.”

“And there was the Nicolai situation.”

“They didn’t press further.”

“And we didn’t think too much of it, back then.”

“After Alpha Victor took over, they wanted us to challenge him.”

“Take over as Triple Alpha.”

“So they can pull all the strings.”

“We refused again and we had an argument.”

“They wanted us to reject our destined mate.”

“Because she wasn’t of pure werewolf lineage.”

“It was the last straw.”

“We haven't spoken since.”

“And we don’t want to.”

“We finally had the courage to get free from their clutches.”

My mate and I exchanged a knowing look. We barely scratched the surface of the conspiracy against us. We decided to put the old Beta couple under surveillance to find out more about what they’re up to. As for the triplets, we let them know they were under probation until they prove their loyalty. 

I ascended the throne only three months ago and I’ve been collecting enemies left and right. What have I done to antagonize so many people inside and out of the pack. My uncle killed everyone who might take his crown, that’s how he reigned for so long. Was this the price for power? Kill or get killed? Will I ever be ready for it when the time comes?