A Werewolf’s Seduction - Chapter 61

At that very moment, Cedric was in the clock tower, talking with Cecil in regards to the Duke of Voltaire, Andre Kossova. It was the only place in the entire inn that afforded a small bit of privacy.

From the top of the tower, they could hear every single sound that emanated from the first floor. Positioned on the clock landing as they were, they could also look down and see the entire tower all the way down to the ground.

The subject of the day was regarding Cedric Blaxtone and Andre Kosovo, The two most powerful werewolves of Faria. They were both stuck in the same tiny village waiting out the worst of the storm and were at a deadlock.

Through the light shining from the face of the clock, Cecil’s pale visage looked almost tragic.

“Look Cedric. You have a fiancée, why would you also want a Mate?” Cecil was reasoning with him. “Don’t you think eventually Evelyn and Talia are going to tear each other to pieces?”

“I told you I am not going to marry that Larabee woman.” Cedric threw out baldly.

“Yes, yes.” Cecil nodded. “I know you will be delaying the marriage, but it will eventually happen. You have to brace yourself for that eventuality.”

“Cecil, are you deaf. You must be, because you keep harping over and over again about Evelyn Larabee, and I am telling you I’m not marrying her.”

“Listen to me Cedric.” Cecil stared him down. “The only thing that is keeping Andre Kossova from completely taking over the throne is the fact that he knows our forces, combined with the Larabee family’s forces, are more than what he can go up against.”

“Without Count Larabee’s forces, Andre Kossova will challenge me, and even with all our forces thrown against him, our family will eventually be driven out of Faria.”

Cedric’s eyes glittered with anger.

Not only was he unable to find his sister during the time he had spent away from Faria, Cecil had been such an incompetent ruler that he had resorted to selling Cedric’s freedom away in order to maintain the throne.

It had been a completely fruitless eighteen months away from Faria. If it wasn’t for the lucky chance of stumbling into Talia, the entire year-and-a-half would have been an utter abject failure.

“Don’t worry about Andre.” Cedric sniffed with disdain. “I can handle him without having to resort to begging the Larabee family for support.”

Cecil sighed. He knew his brother well. Cedric would not say that he could handle it unless he truly could. He needed to transfer the throne over to Cedric as soon as possible.

“There is just you and me here in this watch tower, so listen well, Brother.” Cecil lowered his voice. “I’m not going to challenge your Alpha status. In fact, I would rather you just take over at this time since you are better at ruling Faria than I am.”

“And what will you do if I take over?” Cedric threw him a stern look.

“Don’t worry about me. I can find a place to hang out. I have very wealthy wives who will take care of me.” He said with a miserable grin.

“No Cecil. I don’t want you to be driven away like that. You are my brother.”

“But that’s the tradition, Cedric. Once you overthrow the Alpha, I cannot stay. The werewolf warriors under you will not allow it.”

“Then they will have to answer to me.” Cedric clenched his fists. “You are not going anywhere.”

“We can discuss that later,” Cecil brushed his hand in a dismissive gesture. “At this moment, you must deal with what is happening in Faria.”

“What’s going on?”

“Our scout runners are bringing back word that Andre’s forces have begun to patrol the streets on the pretext that since the blizzard has caused so much havoc, they would be out to assist anyone who needs help.”

“Why is that a problem?” Cedric eyed Cecil.

“His men have begun to take over all the peace keeping duties that normally the royal guards would do.”

“Where are the royal guards then?” Cedric turned a lazy dangerous eye at Cecil.

“I can’t control them. They will no longer listen to me.”

“You’ve got to be shitting me Cecil. Where is the commander of the royal guard? What the hell has happened to Faria?”

“I told you.” Cecil’s eyes were bleak. “Once Andre Kossova got strong enough, he decided to do a soft takeover.”

“Soft takeover? What the hell is that?”

Cecil sighed again. “Andre is not a stupid man. He doesn’t want bloodshed among the pack because then it would generate hard feelings that he would have to try to overcome once he becomes King.”

“He bought off all the commanders and have turned them into know-nothings, see-nothings, hear-nothings. They’re not exactly going against me. They just won’t do anything against Andre.”

Cedric bared his fangs. That was just as bad as complete revolt.

“Soft takeover, eh?” Cedric muttered.

“Yes. Doing a soft takeover gives him an intact kingdom with people who have not been irreparably damaged. It makes it that much easier for him to slide into the throne seat and begin ruling.”

“Andre’s idea of taking over in a bloodless manner is not going to happen.” Cedric spat at Cecil. “I have to return to Faria as soon as possible.” He slammed his fist into the palm of his hand. “Damn this blizzard.”

“Well, at least it’s trapped Andre Kossova here as well.” Cecil grimaced.

“I am not going to beat around the bush with Andre Kossova. Either he withdraws or I will strike at him with everything I have.”

“You won’t have enough to strike at Andre without Larabee’s forces.” Cecil once again reminded him.

“Then we will use Larabee’s forces.”

“Which means you will have to marry Evelyn Larabee. And in the meantime, what in the world are you going to do with Talia?”

“My mate will continue to be my mate. That will never change so you can stop asking me about her.” Cedric gave him a stern look.

“As for Larabee, I have ways to convince him to back me up. He’s not going to like the ways, but he won’t have a choice.”

“But what are you going to do with Evelyn?”

“Absolutely nothing. I will never marry Evelyn..” Cedric stated baldly.