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Nyx will fix this,I told myself, trying not to hyperventilate.In a few minutes, all of these ads will be yanked offline.
But Nyx wasn’t calling me back, and time was ticking. I had no idea how he would react to what Jergin had done, but I couldn’t imagine he would be pleased.
Chapter 14
Nyx
There was an odd vibe in the meeting that day, something underlying that I didn’t fully understand until almost the closing of business.
All morning and afternoon, the ministers had been acting strangely, avoiding my gaze and trying to talk around me. When we broke for lunch, they huddled together and swept themselves out of the building, leaving me to discuss their behavior with my closest advisor, Harman, and the guards.
“Am I missing something?” I demanded, irritated. “Why do I feel like the only one left out of an orgy here?”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean, Alpha,” my advisor replied with as much evasiveness as the others had been displaying.
I checked my phone, which typically remained off during sessions, but Maren had not called or texted since early that morning to say hello. I couldn’t wait to visit her and see what she had done in the new place, but first, I had to deal with whatever was eating the ministers. Letting things fester would only lead to problems down the line, which I knew from experience. I didn’t need additional stress from the ministers when I was fixatedon trying to find a way to bring Maren back into the castle comfortably.
“I don’t believe you can’t see it, too,” I growled. “Everyone’s acting ridiculous today.”
But that was all I was able to get out of him until we dealt with the final points on the roster, and they rose to leave for the evening.
“Not so fast,” I told them, gesturing for everyone to sit back down. Confused stares finally met my eyes, and I smirked. “Do you want to tell me what the fuck is going on around here?”
Everyone seemed to freeze in place, none of them speaking.
“No one’s going anywhere until we clear the air in here,” I informed them flatly. “So the faster you tell me, the better off you’ll be.”
“I’m afraid we don’t know what you mean, Alpha,” one minister lied.
“Don’t screw with me. What’s going on?” I barked. “I’m not kidding. I can stay here all night. It won’t please me, but I will do it if that’s what it takes.”
I stared evenly at the group, each one of them darting their eyes away from my intense gaze.
“I suppose everyone has heard about your new girlfriend,” the advisor suggested diplomatically.
I should have known it had something to do with Maren.
My eyes became slits, and I advanced on him. “My mistress?” I echoed angrily. “Are you referring to Miss Maren?”
“Yes, Alpha.”
“What about her?” I growled.
“Nothing, Alpha,” Harman choked. “It’s just news. Everyone is talking about it.”
“Who’s everyone?” I demanded, unsure if I believed him.
My relationship with Maren hadn’t exactly been a secret. She did live in the castle, after all. It seemed strange that it wouldcause a stir now. But I couldn’t imagine what else could have them all twisted up.
“The entire kingdom knows,” another minister volunteered.
“Is there any reason that it should distract you from your duties?” I hissed, whipping my head around to address the rest of the chamber. “You’ve all been huddled around like a bunch of teenagers all day.”
“Forgive us, Alpha,” the Minister of Birchbank interjected as the Minister of Clovegarden opened his mouth to speak. “You’re right. Your personal affairs are none of our concern.”
“Tomorrow, I expect you all to be on your game,” I told them sharply. “And mygirlfriendwill not be discussed.”
“So it’s true?” one of the ministers called out from the back. “She is with you?”
