Chapter 140

Grayson’s POV

Two Days Earlier

“So the plan is no plan?” Rickon asked, adjusting his ridiculous black shades as we waited at the gates to Ricardo’s territory.

I didn’t even glance at him. “The plan is for you to keep your usual antics to yourself and not say anything to piss anyone off.”

Even without looking, I could feel him rolling his eyes. I’d spent far too much time around him to know, and that alone was enough to remind me I needed to get this over with and head back home. Back to reality. Back to the possibility of a future without her.

That bitter voice in my head tried to surface, but I shoved it down hard. There was no room for distractions now—not when I had a potential crisis on my hands.

“Quick question.”

I turned sharply, narrowing my eyes at him. Rickon raised his hands in mock surrender, a lopsided grin forming on his face. “I swear it’s a valid one,” he said, “but don’t you think it’s a little… I don’t know… suicidal to walk in here without backup? These people think you killed their Alpha. They’re probably banding together with God knows who to come after you. And now here you are, waltzing right into their stronghold. Alone. No army. Nothing.”

He wasn’t wrong, and that’s what irritated me most.

I sighed heavily, leaning back against the car for a moment. When Ava had advised me to get ahead of the brewing tension and send word to all the packs, I hadn’t thought to include Ricardo’s. His pack was technically under my reign, but his family had broken away from the faction long ago, relocating to Italy. I hadn’t considered them a threat. That oversight might have been my biggest mistake. I couldn’t afford to take unnecessary risks. Not that I thought whatever they were planning could actually take me down, but still, my instincts told me to end this before it began. With the curse still affecting my wolf, I couldn’t afford to take unnecessary risks.

“Earth to you, Your Highness,” Rickon drawled, snapping me out of my thoughts.

My gaze locked on him, and I took a slow, deliberate step forward. “I don’t like the way you use that title. I might have invited you on this trip because I need your strength if things go sideways, but don’t push it. I’m still the Alpha King.”

Rickon folded his arms, pouting like a scolded child. “Whatever,” he muttered.

Typical.

The sound of the gates creaking open stole my attention. Without another word, I started the car’s engine, driving through as soon as the gates were wide enough.

As we parked, two men in sharp black suits approached, their expressions unreadable. I stepped out of the car first, my wolf instantly on edge, alert for any sign of danger.

“Your Highness,” one of the men said, bowing slightly. “We’ve been instructed to take you to the person in charge. He’s been awaiting your arrival ever since he received word that you wished to meet with him.”

This wasn’t the hostile reception I’d been expecting, and that alone put me on guard. I didn’t respond, just gave a short nod, my senses heightened. Behind me, Rickon let out a low grumble as he climbed out of the car, but he followed without complaint.

The men led us through a familiar hallway—one I hadn’t been down since the last time I was here. Memories surged back, unbidden: Ricardo’s smug face, the women gathered in the main hall, the schemes he’d orchestrated to kidnap Ava.

Rickon’s voice broke through my thoughts, a mental tug on my psyche. I opened the connection reluctantly.

“This place is creepy as hell. And I can’t see a damn thing in these shades.”

I resisted the urge to sigh. “Then take them off,” I shot back.

His chuckle echoed in my mind, grating on my nerves. I closed the link and made a mental note to deal with Rickon later. He was possibly the most annoying human I’d ever met, and the moment this mess was over, I was going to put some serious distance between us.

One of the men opened a large double door and gestured for us to step inside. I entered first, Rickon close behind me. The doors shut behind us with a quiet thud.

The room was eerily empty, save for one man seated at the head of a long table. He rose as we entered, and I immediately noticed the striking resemblance to Ricardo.

“Grayson Blackwood,” he greeted, his voice smooth. “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you until now.” He extended a hand, his smile calculated. “I must say, it’s an honor. Ricardo spoke highly of you.”

I stared at him, unmoving. So this was Jerome, Ricardo’s brother. I’d heard of him, of course, but our paths had never crossed.

Behind me, Rickon couldn’t help himself. “Aren’t you supposed to be mad at him?” he asked, his tone casual but pointed. “You know, for supposedly killing your brother? Aren't you supposed to be, I don’t know…waging war?”

I shot Rickon a sharp look, silently reminding him of my earlier warning. But Jerome didn’t react the way I expected. “I’ve had the chef prepare dinner,” he said smoothly, ignoring Rickon entirely. “Let’s sit, eat, and then talk.”

I studied him for a long moment, every instinct in me screaming that something was off. “I didn’t come here for a meal,” I said coldly. “I came to stop whatever it is you’re planning. Word is spreading that I’m responsible for Ricardo’s death, which I am not, and I have no interest in unnecessary bloodshed.”

Jerome blinked, a look of genuine confusion crossing his face. “Planning?” he repeated. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

My patience was wearing thin. My voice dropped, cold as ice. “Whatever game your brother taught you to play, I’m not in the mood for it.”

Jerome raised his hands in mock surrender, his brow creased in a mixture of frustration and confusion. “I truly don’t know what you’re talking about. No one here is planning anything against you. And for the record, I’m well aware that you didn’t kill my brother.”

The room fell silent, his words hanging in the air like an unspoken challenge.

I narrowed my eyes, stepping forward. “And you’re so sure I didn’t because?” My tone was icy, my wolf pacing restlessly beneath my skin. A warning growl rumbled in my chest, sharp and primal. Something felt off, like an itch just out of reach, and I was done playing this polite charade.

Jerome opened his mouth to reply, but before a single word could escape, a voice rang out, loud and taunting, cutting through the tension like a blade.

“Because the said brother is right here.”

My wolf snarled, a guttural sound of rage and disbelief, as I spun around.

And there he was.

Ricardo.

Alive.

Grinning.

That same smug, wolfish grin I remembered all too well, stretched wide across his face like he was savoring a private joke only he understood.

“It’s nice to see you, Gray Gray,” The grin widened, his voice dripping with satisfaction. He spread his arms out in a grand gesture, like this was some sort of reunion party instead of a nightmare brought to life. “Tell me, did you miss me?”