Tangled Hearts - The Alpha's Baby Mama
Chapter 103: Was he sick?

Chapter 103: Was he sick?

Noah POV

A strained silence fell over the room as all three of us turned to Conrad in one swift motion.

My heart thudded heavily in my chest as I studied his expression. I was expecting anything from him but this, announcing the death of his brother. We were hoping and banking on him keeping it a secret as one of the tools we could use to exploit him and bend him to our will, so to speak. But him coming out to confess, meant we had to change our plans.

"I don’t understand," I said with a morose expression "King Tanner is dead? Is that even possible, Conrad? Everyone knows are immortal so tell me how Tanner is dead except..." I trailed off as the realization hit me.

Lycan were immortals no doubt but there was a way to make them ordinary. It was ancient and almost impossible but if it was Kurtis that killed him then it could only mean one thing. I shook my head to clear the thoughts as I faced Conrad again.

"Was he sick?" I asked.

"Not exactly," Conrad shook his head, as the smile on his face stretched wider, showing his glinting teeth "His mate died at some point and he stopped seeing anyone. Wouldn’t interact with us and shut off our pack... you know the story," Conrad shrugged "Anyways, he finally did open it and decided to go for a hunt and he died on that trip. The doctor that checked him said he was stabbed severally but he couldn’t identify the herb used on the blade nor did we see the murder weapon at the scene,".

"How about the person that killed him? Was the person caught? What actions have been taken so far and why did you wait up until this moment to announce King Tanner’s death? Not only do I find that suspicious, because you’re supposed to inform us beforehand, it’s the fact that you’re not telling me if the person behind his death has been caught. In case you need to be reminded, it was a Lycan King that was killed,".

Conrad chuckled... it was a hollow mocking sound as he waved his hand, brushing off everything I had just said. "To say the truth, we don’t have a killer yet. We’re still looking for him but if you’d like to take up the matter, I’ll be happy to oblige and I think you all are so dramatic. My brother is gone for good, won’t it be better to let him rest in peace,".

I regarded him for a few minutes, fighting the urge to drive my fist into his face. He was annoying me. "You didn’t like your brother when he was alive right?" I questioned "And I think Tanner shared similar sentiments with you because never did he mention you. He talked about his mate, his children but never about a brother,".

"So, what are you driving at?" He asked giving me an amused smile "That I killed my brother? Nah... I would never do that... I agree we weren’t the best of friends but I am not a murderer. Anyways, the other Kings would be here soon and I want you to help me pass on the tragic news to them. Everyone says you were close to him,".

My blood went cold at his brazenness. What games was he playing to think he could order me about? Did he forget his place already or did he think for one bit that he could get me angry by making stupid requests?

"You know, Conrad," I gave him an easy, cold smile "You don’t seem to know me and what I am capable of. I don’t know if all the stories you’ve heard about me painted me as accommodating and kind. Of course, I am but those qualities are reserved only for friends. Why on earth would you fix a meeting and put the venue in my pack? Is something wrong with you? Don’t you have an adviser?"

"Your majesty..." Reid came closer to me "Please mind your words," he said softly.

I turned to Reid, wondering if I was in an alternate Universe or if the moon goddess was using him to test me. This wasn’t Reid, no doubt. Whatever, Conrad had done to him seemed to be working just fine. Crossing the room to where Conrad was, I let out a feral snarl...

"Listen to me well and mark my words, Conrad... whatever manipulations you are doing, it’s none of my business but there’s only one King right here and in this room and that is me. So, whatever meetings you hold, you had better cut them off because no one is coming here. Call them and ask all of them to return to their home or maybe to Wild Hunt Pack but here at Moon Whispers, nobody is coming in and just so you know, you have less than a few hours to leave,".

"I think you’re overreacting, your majesty," Conrad sneered "It’s just a meeting, I am not asking for your throne. Wait!" he reached for a piece of grape on the coffee table in front of him and picked one of the fruits throwing it into his mouth then started to chew, watching me quietly.

"Are you threatened by my presence? Is that it? Are you scared that I may ask you to give up your throne or something? Is that why you’re maltreating me?"

My ears buzzed at his accusations and speculations. Fury, instead of blood seemed to be rushing through my veins as I again, fought the urge to pin him and give him the beating of his life. For the first time, I understood that Kurtis had warned against me falling victim to this. Did Kurtis know something that we didn’t?

"You know what," I gave a small dry laugh "I can’t do this with you anymore, Conrad. So, I’m going to say this for the last time, no meeting will be held in Moon Whisper today or another day. I don’t know how you intend to reach out to them but you should because even if they come, they’d be asked to go back to their various homes, okay,".

I gave him one last look and started walking out when Reid followed me. I stopped and turned to him. "I want to be alone, Reid... stop following me,". I said and then resumed walking noticing that Selene hadn’t left the room.

As soon as I cleared out of the room, with Reid still hovering behind me, Xavier appeared with Kurtis beside him from the room next door, they both looked anxious even Kurtis.

"What’s happening?" Xavier walks up to me. "Where is Selene?" he asked peering over my shoulders as he ushered me in. I noticed Reid was no longer beside me and seemed to have run back

"He admitted that his brother is dead," I said with a deep sigh dropping onto an empty sofa "That wasn’t what I was expecting and do you know what else, he had the guts to invite all the Kings for a meeting at Moon Whisper. I don’t know what he’s up to now,".

"Really?" Kurtis perked up and came to stand in front of me "Did you also know that those ships we spotted at the Northern seas have suddenly disappeared overnight. It’s either they turned back or something else. I think it’s connected in a way,".

"I don’t care," I shook my head rising to my feet "At this point, I’m more concerned for the safety of my pack than of playing politics and honestly, I’m signing off,".

"How about Selene, Uncle?" Xavier asked again "Did you leave her in the room with him? Is that even safe?"

"Don’t fret, Xavier," I said coldly "She’s just playing her part as she should and you should stop worrying about her, she’s fine,".

We fell silent. Kurtis was pacing one corner of the room lost in deep thoughts while Xavier came to sit beside me. My mind flitted to what Conrad had told me earlier and my gaze followed Kurtis as he walked up and down the room.

Was it possible? What was his true identity? And when Conrad had mentioned they were still looking for Tanner’s killer... even though it didn’t feel like he was actively doing that I wondered if he had made that statement because he knew Kurtis was here. The statement was about him willing to hand everything to me.

Suddenly, he stopped in front of me, his eyes glazing with excitement. "Don’t turn the Kings back," he said.

"Don’t turn the king back?" I repeated with slight irritation in my voice "What do you mean? These things have processes, Kurtis. I don’t think I have the strength to host Kings from around the regions, not only will it take up a chunk of my time, but I’ll also slave away and spend unnecessary money and resources. Besides, Conrad must know that things mustn’t go his way,".

"This is a trap, believe me, Your Majesty," Kurtis drew closer as he explained "He wants to break the news of his brother’s death to all of you. But I have a strong feeling that he won’t be doing just that and I think the reason why he asked that they convene here is because he knew you won’t agree in the same place and what other means to blackmail you than this.?"

"And I might have the perfect idea to go about everything," Xavier suddenly spoke giving us a confident grin.