Alpha Prime: Her Retribution

Chapter Twenty Seven

I arrived at the Consulate, headed up the stairs until I got to my office where Magnus joined me.

“Good morning Prime.”

“Good morning Magnus, I'm having a meeting with Adlartok's head of security in a few minutes. Please receive them while I get ready. We'll have the meeting in the conference room” I instructed.

“Yes Prime.” He replied, bowing. I grabbed a pen and a journal before heading to the conference room which was two doors down from my office. It was nothing fancy, just a long table with several chairs arranged around it. There was also a projector mounted on the ceiling.

I settled at the head of the table, mentally preparing myself for the meeting when a knock on the door made me look up.

“Come in.”

The door opened and Magnus walked in, followed closely by a mountain of a man with a buzz cut, he had a serious air about him. My eyes drifted to the younger man next to him, there was something about him that reminded me of Liam.

Probably the build and the hair.

The man took a step forward, brushing past Magnus.

“I am Nanook, Prime Adlartok's head of security. It is a pleasure to meet you, Prime Silverstone.” He said, shaking my hand.

“The pleasure is all mine. Please sit, I hope your journey here wasn't too long?” I inquired, gesturing to the seats before sitting down.

“Nothing we aren't used to.” He replied.

“Alright then, let's get straight to business. Adlartok said he has a plan?” I inquired, focusing on Nanook and ignoring the younger man’s gaze on me.

“Yes, my Prime thinks it will be best to act within this time when the news of your appearance is still new, that way the assassination will not be linked back to both you and my Prime.” He began. I nodded, agreeing with him. It made perfect sense to do that.

“Go ahead.”

“Jacob will be making a speech at an event in two days time. This event will be held at the Stone Wall Square.”

He slid me a picture of the square, it was basically an open space, surrounded by buildings.

It would be the ideal place to kill someone.

Yet something dug at the back of my head. I stared at the picture, frowning.

“How did you know Jacob had an event to attend?” I inquired. Nanook paused, looking slightly confused at the question before masking his confusion with a look of indifference.

“You know what they say, keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

So they were spying on him.

Did they have moles?

Ugh, that's none of your business Adelaide.

I glanced up from the picture, my eyes meeting the young man who immediately looked away.

Weird.

I turned my attention back to Nanook, feeling the young man's gaze on me once more.

Definitely strange

“True. Please, continue.”

He nodded.

“Our sniper will be positioned in one of the apartment complexes facing the square, he will have the perfect vantage point to take a shot.”

“And do you have a bullet powerful enough to kill an Alpha Prime?” I inquired.

“Yes, Prime Nanook provided us with them. They are in the car, would you like to see them? ” He asked.

“Yes.” I replied.

“Excuse me.” He got up, bowing before exiting the room, leaving me alone with the young man whose eyes had not left me.

“Do I have something on my face?” I asked, turning to him. His eyes widened and he immediately looked down.

“No Prime Silverstone.” He whispered.

“Then can you explain why you've been staring at me like you've seen a ghost since the meeting began.” I questioned. He paled, shaking his head.

“I… apologies Prime Silverstone, it's just that… seeing you, it's like seeing a ghost. We all thought you were…”

“Dead.”

He nodded. I sighed, deciding to look through a file while waiting for Nanook to come back.

“A… actually, my mother was a member of your pack.” He whispered, my head snapped up at his confession. “S…she and my sister had gone to Silverstone for grandson's birthday, I… uh… I was supposed to go with them but I had an important test the next day in school.”

My lips parted in shock. All my life after the murders I had never met any other person directly affected apart from Uncle Pete and Liam. I knew they existed but meeting them was something I never thought would happen.

“What's your grandfather's name?” I inquired.

“Emmanuel,” He replied. A face immediately popped into my mind.

“Emmanuel Parish, right?”

He nodded. I frowned trying to remember his children.

“Your mother's name is Florence. Florence Parish.”

He nodded, smiling.

“Yes Prime Silverstone.”

I shook my head.

“Please call me Adelaide.” I said. “I'm sorry for your loss.”

He opened his lips when the door swung open and Nanook walked in.

“Apologies for taking so long Prime Silverstone.” He said. My eyes were still on the young man who had gone back to looking down at his hands.

“It's fine.” I replied, turning my attention back to Nanook who walked over to me, holding a wooden box which he placed on the table. I reached over and popped it open, staring at the five carefully laid black bullets.

“What is it made of?” I asked, the pads of my fingers making contact with it.

I was immediately hit with several images and emotions.

Pain

Anger

A man on his knees, blood pouring from his neck

A woman in what looked like a stream, blood flowing from her body, her eyes glassy with no sign of life in them.

A young boy falling to the ground as life left him, a fatal wound to his heart.

“Prime Silverstone?!”

Nanook's voice snapped me back to reality as I snatched my hand away from the box.

“Are you alright?” He asked, I blinked, unable to get the images out of my mind.

So much anger and pain.

“I… um… Yes, I'm fine.” I whispered, placing my trembling hands on my laps as I tried to calm my racing heart. “Is there anything else?” I asked, trying to take control of the conversation once more even as my body shook from the aftermath of what I had experienced.

“No, that is all.” He said. I nodded, swallowing hard and getting to my feet.

“Then I guess the next time we meet, Jacob Mont Blanc will be no more.”

“Exactly.”

“Thank you for coming. Please extend my greetings to Adlartok.” I said. Magnus and I walked them to the door and we watched them get into their car. My eyes met the young man's gaze.

“Magnus?”

“Yes Prime?”

“Do you know who that man with Nanook is?” I asked as they drove away.

“No Prime, do you want me to find out?”

“Yes.” I replied, making my way back into the consulate, there was something about him that I found myself drawn to.

Liam was seated in my office when I walked in.

“Hey”

“Hi,” I whispered, sitting on my chair.

“So how did the meeting go?” He inquired.

“It went well but something weird happened.” I replied, he leaned forward, eyebrows furrowed.

“What happened?”

I swallowed hard, looking down at my fingers.

“Well, Adlartok wants to kill Jacob during an event which will be held in 2 days. He has these really weird looking bullets and when I touched them, I got a barrage of images that didn't make sense, but they felt so real.” I explained, vividly remembering the heart wrenching pain emanating from the woman's desperate screams. I reached up, massaging the spot above my heart.

“What images did you see?” He replied, walking over to me.

I swallowed hard.

“A woman, her face wasn't visible but she was lying in a stream. She was dead but I could feel her pain and anger, it was overwhelming. There was also a man, he was in the middle of a battleground, on his knees, it was as if someone had taken a sword to his neck, there was so much blood and then the little boy… I could see his face, I could feel his emotions, he was so scared, he was alone, h-he died alone.”

“s**t… Adelaide.”

Liam cupped my face and that was when I realised I was crying, a sob escaped my lips.

“Hey… it's okay” He hugged me. “It's probably exhaustion and all.” He whispered, rubbing my back. I nodded, letting him comfort me.

He was right, I hadn't been sleeping well, that was the most likely cause. He pulled back a few seconds later, taking my hands in his.

“Maybe this is maybe a bad idea?”

My eyes snapped up to him.

“What?!”

He sighed.

“I just think it's pretty suspicious how the Antarctic Prime wants to help, If Uncle Charlie was his close friend as he claims, he should have done something years ago, why wait till you re-emerged?”

I pulled my hands away from his grip.

“Look Liam, I don't feel completely comfortable working with Adlartok but what other choice do I have? Jacob is clearly more powerful than me, whatever I come up with, he finds a way around it. Adlartok is my only hope, it's either that or I stop fighting and let him win.”

Liam clenched his jaw.

“I know, I just don't like this.”

I placed my hand on his, squeezing gently.

“Everything will be fine, by this time in 2 days, we'll be back home and away from all this mess.”

************ ********** *************

I arrived back at Yellowstone, staring up at the cottage. A sigh escaped my lips, everything was finally coming to an end. Thanking the driver, I made my way in, up to my room.

I walked in, frowning at the sight of Delilah carrying some of my clothing out of the closet.

“Uh, what are you doing?” I asked. She looked up, eyes wide before smiling.

“Helping you pack.” She answered. I raised a brow, folding my arms across my chest.

“Pack for what exactly?” I demanded.

She stopped what she was doing, a small pout on her lips.

“Didn't Prime fill you in?”

If he did I wouldn't be acting clueless now would I?

She shook her head.

“Of Course he didn't. Anyway, he wants you to accompany him to the opening of the oil refinery and please don't say no, it means a lot to him…”

I tuned her out. This was the same event Nanook was talking about.

Oh there's no way I'm missing Jacob's death

“I'll go.”

“... so please take all these into consider… wait, you're going?!” She squeaked. I closed the door behind me, walking further into the room and placing my bags on a chair before slipping off my heels.

“Yeah, I'm bored in Yellowstone. A change in scenery might do me some good.”

Especially if it's decorated with that bastard's blood.

“Oh Eda, thank you!!! I knew you would come around, it was just a matter of time.” She said, I stopped myself from rolling my eyes at her and gave her a stiff smile.

“I'll go tell Prime, will you be having dinner with him?” She inquired. I was tempted to blow off dinner and just sleep but I decided against it.

“Yes, I just need to freshen up.”

She nodded and skipped out of the room, I shook my head at her.

I wonder how she'll cope after his death?

Something akin to concern pooled at the bottom of my heart and I violently stomped it down.

That's none of your business Adelaide.

Yet the feeling refused to go away even as I got ready for dinner.

A few minutes later, I walked into the dinning room, the table was set but the room was empty. Sighing, I settled down, fiddling with the rings on my fingers. My mind drifted back to my meeting with Nanook and the young man.

Hopefully Magnus is able to get his name, I would really love to continue our conversation.

The strange images came back to me, I could still feel the emotions expressed by the woman. It was odd how I was unable to clearly see her face and the face of the man yet the young boy's face was crystal clear. He had the most beautiful pair of blue eyes and to see them tearing up from the pain and fear he was going through, it was soul shattering.

“Adelaide?”

A hand on my shoulder snapped me out of my thoughts, I looked up to see Jacob standing close to me, a concerned look on his face. Tony was standing a few feet away from him, also looking worried.

“Are you okay? Did something happen?” He asked, I felt something roll down my cheeks, reaching up, I wiped it away and noticed I was crying... again.

“I… I'm fine.” I whispered, shrugging his hand away before getting to my feet. “I think I'll skip dinner, good night.”

I felt their eyes on me as I made my way back to my room, keeping my head down. Fortunately Delilah was done and had left. I walked to the bathroom and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My eyes looked haunted, leaning down, I washed my face until the images were gone from my mind.

I undressed, shrugging on a pair of soft cotton pyjamas and crawling into bed, willing my brain to shut off as I drifted to sleep.

*****

“How are you feeling?” Jacob asked the moment I sat down for breakfast the next day. I frowned, uncomfortable at his show of concern.

“When has my emotional turmoil ever been a concern to you?” I asked, spreading some avocado paste on my toast.

“It is when I am not the cause of it.” He replied smirking, I glared at him.

Ignore him Adelaide, he's a dead man walking.

“Funny”

I bit into my toast, sipping my tea just as the door opened and Tony walked in.

“Prime.” He greeted Jacob before turning to me.

“Good morning Luna, how are you feeling today?” He asked, smiling. I was tempted to snap at him but decided to irk Jacob instead.

“Good morning Tony, I'm much better, thank you for asking.” I replied, smiling back at him. His eyes widened, seemingly shocked at my reply. My phone rang and I picked it up.

“Good morning Magnus.”

“Good morning Prime, I found the name of the young man that was with Nanook. His name is Atka William Hanta.” He replied.

“Thank you Magnus, please invite him over for lunch, I would love to get to know him.” I instructed.

“Yes Prime, should I extend the invitation to Nanook too?” He inquired.

“No, just him.” I answered. He ended the call and I continued on with my breakfast ignoring Jacob's piercing gaze on me.

Once I was done, I dabbed the corners of my lips with the napkin and got to my feet.

“I'm going to the Consulate.” I announced, making my way out of the dining room back up to my room to get my bags. I stopped by the bathroom to wash my hands and as I came out, I almost jumped out of my skin at the sight of Jacob seated on a chair in my room.

“Oh f**k!!! What the hell are you doing here?!” I demanded.

“Who are you having lunch with?” He inquired. I stared at him, an eyebrow raised.

“I don't see how that's any of your business.”

He got to his feet and approached me.

“You're my mate, that makes it my damned business. So pet, who are you having lunch with?” He asked. I tilted my head to the side, smirking.

“Aw, is the big bad Alpha Prime jealous?”

He took a step forward, then another, forcing me to take a step back as his eyes turned completely black, reminding me of the last time.

Oh s**t, great going, Adelaide.

He caged me in and I stared at him, wide eyed.

“Yes Adelaide, I am incredibly jealous that you are more interested in spending time with another man than your mate.”

Was that an inkling of pain in his voice?

No… you're just imagining it.

“We both know I never wanted to be here in the first place Jacob so don't make me out to be some villain while you're the saint.” I snapped.

“Oh I don't need to do that pet, you've already done a fine job of convincing the world that I am a villainous tyrant. You will forever be a Saint in their eyes, the poor innocent helpless Silverstone heir.” He replied with a mocking tone.

“If you're done, I have places and things to do.” I said, ignoring his baiting. He stared at me, his jaw clenched before he took a step back. I brushed past him, taking my bags and heading for the door.

“Remember Adelaide, if you plan on having any affairs, then there will be a trail of dead wolves from your Consulate all the way to Yellowstone.”

I turned to him.

“You have nothing to worry about Jacob, you destroyed whatever ability my heart had at welcoming and forming any romantic relationships.” I replied softly, something flickered in his eyes but I didn't dwell on it, walking out and closing the door behind me.

I made my way downstairs and out of the house to a waiting car. The trip to the Consulate was a quiet one and I pondered over my words to Jacob. After the m******e, I found it hard to open up to anyone. I had sworn on Harry’s dead body that I would never seek out another man as long as I lived, how could I? When my mate had been killed in cold blood, I pushed everyone away.

********* ********** ***************

The car arrived at the Consulate and I got out, making my way in. I noticed it was busier than normal with people walking about trying to get things done. I bumped into an old man, my hands shot out, steadying him.

“Are you okay?” I inquired, my brows furrowed, there was something odd about him, I couldn't put my finger on it. He reached up, patting my shoulder, a sad gleam in his eyes.

“Yes, I do hope you find it in your heart to forgive me.” He uttered. My lips parted slightly, head tilted to the side.

“It was just a bump sir, no harm do…”

He shook his head, tears gathering in his eyes.

“It's more than that Adelaide.”

He shook his head before bending and picking up his hat.

“See you soon.”

With that he was gone. I stood there, in the middle of the busy Consulate, wondering if what had transpired was real or it was just a hallucination.

This is probably part of the effect of that bullet thing… it has to be that.

Yet I was unable to shake the thought of the man even as I continued on to my office. I settled into my chair, running my fingers through my hair.

There was so much on my plate. Finding out about the missing wolves, the steel business, dealing with Jacob Mont Blanc and other affairs that needed my attention. My eyes landed on a picture of my dad, leaning forward, I picked it up.

“You never told me it was this hard, Papa.” I whispered. “How were you able to make time for me with so much going on?”

Sighing, I placed the picture back and flipped the first file Magnus had probably dropped on my table. It was a proposal for the construction of a new chemical plant in France.

The door opened and Liam walked in.

“Good morning.”

“Morning.” I replied, he settled on the chair opposite mine. “My Dad says hi.”

I closed my eyes, a curse slipping out of my lips.

“I'm such an awful niece, I should call him.” I whispered.

“Don't beat yourself up about it, he understands how busy the life of an Alpha Prime can get.” He assured me. “So what are you up to?”

“A proposal for a new chemical plant.” I replied. “It's like reading literal gibberish.”

“How about I take a look?” Liam offered. I handed him the proposal and he sat back, going through it. That was another thing Jacob had stolen from me… getting a complete education. I couldn't go ahead to attend University without outing who I was. My dream of studying Finance had been shattered the night he killed every member of my pack.

And you'll have your revenge soon enough.

********* ************ *************

HOURS LATER

The door opened and Magnus walked in.

“Prime?”

“Yes Magnus?” I answered, looking up.

“Atka is here.”

I perked up at that, closing the file I was going through before getting to my feet.

Liam?

Yes? He answered.

Atka's here.

Cool, I'll be there in a few minutes.

Okay, we'll be at the courtyard.

I headed out of my office.

“Thank you Magnus, that'll be all.”

He nodded and walked off. I made my way downstairs to the foyer where Atka was seated.

“Atka” I greeted, he shot up to his feet, bowing.

“Prime”

“Call me Adelaide. Come on, I hope you're hungry.” I said smiling, leading him through the halls to the courtyard. A table had been placed with three chairs.

“Please sit.” I gestured to one of the seats.

“Thank you.” he whispered, sitting down.

“I hope you don't mind, my cousin Liam will be joining us.” I said, sitting down.

“Oh no, I don't.” He replied.

“It's not really my story to tell but his mother was my Papa's sister, she was present that night.” I confessed.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” He whispered.

“It's all our loss actually.” I replied. “which is why I’m doing this.”

He winced, swallowing hard. His actions made me c**k my head to the side, my eyes narrowing.

“What do you think about all these?” I inquired.

He looked down at his hands. I could tell he had a lot to say but was wary.

“You can speak freely Atka” I stated. He looked up at me and I was taken back at the emotions coursing through his eyes, there was so much sadness in them yet there was also…

“If you want my honest opinion, killing Jacob isn't going to solve anything, it won't bring back Alpha Prime Charles, it won't bring back the Luna Prime, it won't bring back your aunt or my mother and sisters. You might think you’ll get some sort of satisfaction seeing him dead, trust me, the feeling will go away and then you're left with emptiness. Holding onto the past is no way to live, it's as good as being dead but not knowing it yet. What happened was horrible, cruel even but killing Jacob isn't the answer. Besides, that will just open another can of worms. Even if you play the part of the grieving innocent helpless Luna Prime, there will still be people who will be suspicious and decide to take revenge on their fallen Alpha Prime, the result of which would probably be catastrophic on both ends.”

I stared at him, unable to think of anything.

“Does your father share the same view as you?” I inquired.

“My father forgave Jacob Mont Blanc a long time ago, he died a happy man with no ounce of hate or anger in his heart.”

His words stuck with me.

Would this actually lead to unrest for my people?

No, Jacob had to die, he took everything away from me and I would punish him for that.

“Sorry I'm late.” Liam said, joining us at the table.

“It's fine. Liam, this is Atka, Atka, Liam.” I introduced, watching them shake hands.

“So what did I miss?” He asked, eying me.

Are you good?

Yeah I replied.

“Nothing really, just having a discussion with Atka. Anyway, now that you're here, we can finally eat.” I answered, reaching for the bowl of salad.

“So Adelaide says you're from Antarctica, how do you cope with the cold?” Liam asked.

“It's not that bad actually, or maybe I'm just used to it.” He replied. I watched them get to know each other while I nibbled on my food, so many chaotic thoughts swirling in my head.

“Adelaide?”

“Hmmm?” I answered.

“You think we can go to Antarctica after this?” Liam asked, an excited look on his face.

“Yeah sure, that sounds like fun.” I replied, allowing myself to be pulled into the conversation.

********* ************* ******************

“I'm sorry if I said anything to upset you.” Atka whispered as I walked him to the front door. Our lunch had ended a few minutes ago.

“You have nothing to apologise for. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. It's alright that yours differ from Adlartok and I's” I replied. Panic flashed through his expression and he parted his lips when I stopped him.

“Don't worry, your thoughts are safe with me.” I assured him. He nodded.

“Thank you Adelaide.”

“You're welcome, stay safe.”

I watched him get into the car before heading back into the Consulate.

“Magnus, I'll be leaving with Jacob for an event in 2 days.” I notified him.

“Alright, I'll inform your security team.”

I reared back.

“Security team?”

“Yes, after the news of your emergence and the public's reaction it became pertinent to attach a security team to you.”

I folded my arms across my chest.

“And you didn't think to let me know about this.”

He looked down.

“Apologies Alpha Prime.”

I let out a sigh.

“It's fine Magnus. I know you mean well.” I said, patting his shoulder. “I'm a bit exhausted, so I'll head up and take a nap.”

“Alright.”

I headed up to the suite, toeing off my shoes and crawling into bed, letting myself drift off.