Shadows of Destiny

Following Through ~Tamia- Stephanie was into the Croquet game we were watching, and I wished Avery and Linda had followed us, but they wanted to remain in our official booth for reasons best known to them.

Dominic had stylishly joined us, but we did not need to guess why he was with us and not with his brother.

Katya seemed utterly enthralled by him, and he wasn’t different.

It was so deep that Stephanie and I left the booth, and they did not notice.

“I want some sweet pop corn,” Stephanie said, and my mouth began to salivate.

“That would be yummy,” I said, stopping at a cotton candy stall.

I helped myself to the strawberry- flavoured variation, and the vendor refused to take my money.

He treated me with respect, and my heart fluttered.

“Have you heard about the new move by the sneaky council?” Stephanie asked me, taking a bit of my candy and grimacing at the level of sweetness.

“What move?” I asked her, feeling happy.

William had called me and told me he was rounding the people up and taking them to the warehouse.

I was too eager because the meeting would be in two days.

“Some alphas raised a petition, and many people have signed it.

They are trying to dissolve the lordship,” she said, and I wondered why she would say it was the council members.

Clearly, the alphas did it of their own volition.

“Why would you think the council is behind this?” I asked her, and she scrunched her nose.

She had gotten some candy on her nose, but her warm, slightly sweaty skin had melted it.

“The petition puts the council in charge of everything while each region would have a council of alphas led by a governor, similar to what you practice in the east,” she said.

We found a bench to sit on.

Stephanie called on to a child and handed him money to buy us popcorn and something for himself.

The moment the boy left, she leaned against the backrest and looked ahead with a frown folding her arms.

“The Volkovs were royalty before it became a lordship.

This council was formed because of the tyranny of Maurice’s forefather, Eddard.

It was an excellent way to keep the royal bloodline in check.

The council helped the lord remain on course and fought for people’s rights.

They helped to question the lord and make sure he was fair to the people, but the lord was still like a king.

He owns and rules everything.

Devin Corrigan might have revolted, but Sylvester still rules all four regions.

His decree must be upheld in all regions, or it will be seen as treasonous.

The leading alpha of each region is like a representative of the lord and must bow to the lord’s command; that is why there is always competition for prominence in every region.

One you are conversant with since you helped your ex-husband rise to power.

They are to rule the region and keep it in check according to the lord’s will.

That is the order.

Sylvester is lenient, so they have this false notion of sovereignty, but they remain under him; that is something your ex- husband respects and keeps to it,” she said and sighed, then unfolded her hand and brushed something off her jeans.

“This petition obliterates the lordship and renders Sylvester powerless.

It will place the council in charge and leave the lordship as an honorary position and nothing more, banning the royal families from interfering or making decisions that have to do with governance.” She said and looked at me.

“Who is benefiting from that arrangement? ” she asked, and I knew the answer.

“Not the stupid alphas, but the council.

The council is the one benefitting from that arrangement, and to show you how eager they are, they shifted the hearing to the day after tomorrow instead of waiting until after the games,” she said, looking worried.

Wanting to tease her, I pretended I did not know and proffered a solution.

“In that case, Sylvester can take up the Balyaev seat,” I said, and she looked at me, eyes widened.

Jenny Lawrence

of the agreement I

work,” she said, but she wasn’t happy because being head of the council

on her thigh and gestured

on it,

not trouble your gentle heart,” I

place tomorrow, but they won’t get what they want,” I said, and she

person that caused the attack on Brighton and

same person doing this,” she said,

take out Pamela

have done enough,” I said, and

bitches are nothing but

be surprised if Maurice

didn’t, I am sure Gavin, Lucas, or maybe

just sore that Sylvester, Theodore and Marcel rejected

all they have done and how I heard they behaved during the few hearings against Sylvester and Dominic, I have concluded that they might be a part

women had acted too suspiciously for them to

plans to

will do it after the petition hearing,” I said, and she shook her

we might not

need to panic, Stephanie,” I said and just then, the boy she

He also seemed excited.

you so long?” Stephanie said, and the

was beating a man that was disturbing his wife in front of the

for Linda that I

hoped she did not accidentally

our popcorn, we headed

surprised to see Sylvester calming Theo

to where they

happened here?” I asked them and was shocked to learn that Kyle had tried to

The nerve.

how Theo beat the crap

the question to myself,

primary booth, and I was surprised to

those two idiots would

their twisted minds, think Avery and Linda will leave the life they have now and go back to the hell they gave them? It was delusional, and I

had done to their wives,

returned home early, and Sylvester was a bit nervous about the hearing

relax, but he

showed all over

think I have been too damn

my father,” He said, and

people needed a firm

thought they could

my poisoning, Dominic’s

catching people, the better

was yet to lead us anywhere, but

to

with you,

seem a bit

some changes to

are old, and Vino is young and seems

put

the job, he should let us know so we can place

responsibility for the actions and inactions of the council as their leader, or he should vacate the seat

and buried

distraught, and

tingled, and I could feel the tension he needed to

work against the Lawrence now; they

for my friendship has always made

him to step down would mean I would not have an ally

I think it is time to get Dominic on Balyaev’s seat,” I said, and he broke away and

eyes, but I do not trust

still in

how will he be able to handle the council? Vino is still

how Larry

use against

kneeled behind him to massage

his body from

muscles, making me run my palms against

in front of

much as I wanted to relieve him of his tension, I wanted

me

after the multiple