Pregnant With The Tyrant King's Heira

Chapter Nineteen: Disturbed

Valek’s POV

For a few moments, I simply stared at Jason, trying to make sure my words settled within him and when he didn't say anything, I took a step away from him, walking over to the rack of drinks in my office as I poured myself a drink.

"Until I am satisfied that you understand the boundaries of your position,” I continued leisurely. “You are relieved of your duties as Beta.”

For the first time since entering my office, Jason's composure cracked, and his head snapped upward, confusion clear on his face.

“What?” He blurted. “Alpha—” There was disbelief in his voice, but not defiance… at least, not anymore.

"You heard me." I raised the glass of whiskey to my lips, taking a long sip before setting the glass back on my desk as I rested my palms against its polished surface. “Effective immediately.”

Jason stared at me for several long moments, as though waiting for me to admit this was merely a threat, and when I didn't, it was like watching his world crumble, and he protested.

“But what about the patrol rotations?” Jason started. “I've overseen it for years, Valek. You can't just—”

I cut him off immediately, not giving him much room to complain. “Gamma Elias will oversee them.”

My words cut him off right in his tracks, and he paused, his frown deepening. “The council meetings?”

“Gamma Elias.”

“The hunting plans?”

“Gamma Elias.”

He scoffed. “What about the border negotiations with the northern packs?”

I raised a brow at him. “Don't you get tired of hearing me repeat words?”

Each response I delivered came colder than the last. Short, and definitively final because I wasn't planning on allowing any discussion or compromise of any kind.

Jason let out a slow breath, dragging a hand across the back of his neck before lowering it again. "Then what am I going to be doing?”

I shrugged. "You will report to Omega Captain Cameron beginning tomorrow morning."

The color drained from his face.

Even after years of knowing him, I couldn't remember the last time I had seen genuine shock written so plainly across his features.

"Are you f*****g serious?" He snapped, his voice raising. “The omegas?”

I met his anger with an unimpressed look. "Is there another Omega Captain Cameron I should be aware of?"

"No, but—“

"Then I suggest you begin preparing."

Among wolves, rank was everything. It dictated responsibility, authority, and purpose. The hierarchy was clear, alphas ruled, betas acted as seconds in command, gammas did what the alphas and betas either couldn't or didn't want to and the omegas sat at the bottom of the chain… they simply served.

They prepared meals before sunrise and cleaned long after everyone else had retired, they repaired clothing, hauled supplies across the territory, scrubbed training grounds, maintained the communal kitchens and handled every task no one else wished to do.

Their work was essential, of course, because it kept the pack alive but no Beta was expected to wear an omega's duties, and for someone of Jason's standing, it wasn't simply a reassignment, it was discipline and I planned to humiliate him thoroughly. I wanted Jason to serve as a reminder that no wolf, regardless of rank, stood above the authority of the Alpha… my authority.

"You will assist them with whatever duties Captain Cameron assigns."

Jason muttered a curse under his breath. “For how long?"

I looked at him. "Until I am satisfied you've reflected on today's decisions."

His shoulders sank almost imperceptibly, the anger that had burned so brightly only moments ago disappearing and in its place remained something quieter that I could only recognise as acceptance.

At last, he lowered his head, his expression subdued. "As you command..." he hesitated, his words trailing off toward the end. But the title came shortly after, softer and barely audible, but it reached my ears either way. “...Alpha.”

I acknowledged the gesture with a single nod. "You may leave."

Jason lingered for only a heartbeat before turning toward the door.

His hand rested briefly on the brass handle, a thought forming in him. He seemed to decide against it, and just opened the door and walked out.

The latch clicked softly into place, and the office fell still, painfully so.

I remained where I was, staring at the closed door as a strange exhaustion settled over me.

Everything had played out exactly as it should have, so why did it feel like I'd accomplished absolutely nothing?

My gaze drifted to the tall windows overlooking the estate.

Everything was exactly as it had been this morning, except my stupid, stubborn thoughts.

They refused to settle, instead, wandering back to her and the way she had looked at him, seeming so free and comfortable.

None of those expressions had ever been meant for me and the realization settled heavily beneath my ribs, irritating, persistent and far too impossible to ignore.

With an impatient exhale, I pushed away from my desk harder than I intended. Ridiculous. Why should any of it matter?

Jason had taken her into town, and that was all it had been. That’s it.

Yet, against my will, I began pacing the length of my office, the polished floorboards creaking beneath my boots with every measured step.

Had she eaten? Judging by the scent of food that still clung faintly to her clothes, yes. Had she enjoyed herself? Clearly, far too much even.

She had ignored a meeting with me that morning then spent the entire day wandering through town with my Beta, my f*****g Beta.

The irritation I had spent the last hour forcing down slowly clawed its way back to the surface. No, this clearly wasn't over, I needed to know what she had been thinking, why she had left without a word and why she had trusted Jason enough to disappear with him for an entire day. What exactly had Jason offered her that had made her defy me so blatantly?

The more I thought of reasonable answers, the angrier I became and before I realized it, I was already moving.

I crossed the office in long strides, snatched my gloves from the desk, and pulled them on with practiced efficiency.

The office door swung open, cool evening air brushing against my face as I stepped into the corridor, servants pressed themselves against the walls the moment they saw me coming.

My destination had already been decided… Fane's chambers and by the time I reached her door, the frustration simmering beneath my skin had cooled into something sharper and quieter.

The corridor was still, a maid carrying a stack of folded linens spotted me from the opposite end of the hall. After a single glance at my expression, she promptly turned around and disappeared the way she'd come. A wise choice.

I stopped outside Fane's door and normally, I would've knocked, but today I didn't, my hand closed around the brass handle, and without a moment's hesitation, I pushed the door open.