Chapter 663
“Ian, I’m taking a break for a week,” Casaio informed his advisor, looking over the final stack of documents on his desk. “The reason is simple: I haven’t spent nearly enough time with Zilia since we married. I have been buried in my responsibilities, and now that Christmas is upon us, I want to take her somewhere far away. We must halt the work for a week p>
“Alright, Your Highness.” Ian bowed in deep reverence. “Indeed, family time is vital. Besides, the way you handled the recent case was masterful; you’ve won the unwavering trust of many council members. Even the culprit, though his motives were rooted in the tragedy Theo caused his sister, received the appropriate punishment. In the end, the people must see that justice is served through the law, not outside of it p>
“It was Father’s final decision to sentence Gabriel Harty to a one-year prison term,” Casaio affirmed, leaning back in his chair. “He made that choice collectively with his advisors. I merely focused on the breadcrumbs of evidence we found. With this outcome, many families who were scammed by Theo into paying exorbitant interest are finally free of their debt p>
Casaio let out a tired sigh. “Now, my only priority is Zilia p>
Ian hummed in understanding. “Then, I shall take my leave.” He bowed once more and walked out of the Alpha Prince’s study, leaving the room in a peaceful silence.
Casaio leaned back into the leather of his chair, closing his eyes for a brief second before the phone on his desk began to ring. He reached for it, his expression softening slightly when he saw Dominick’s name flashing on the screen.
“Hey, Nick p>
“Cas!” Dominick’s voice came through, sounding slightly strained.
“I suppose you’re doing well,” Casaio said, finally letting his guard down and resting comfortably.
“Yes. Is everything alright there? Gabriel’s phone is off, and I couldn’t reach him. That’s why I called you,” Dominick explained. On the other end of the line, he was pacing, rubbing the top of his left eyebrow, a nervous habit he couldn’t seem to shake.
“Yes, everything is fine. Gabriel likely just wants some peace; he probably switched it off to avoid calls while he’s with Amelie and the baby,” Casaio replied. “How is your work going in Gridlock? I heard reports of rogues in that region recently. Are they still prominent there p>
“There are many issues underlying in this region, Cas, not just one,” Dominick replied. “The rogues are the least of my worries. There’s a shift in the local packs that feels… Wrong. It’s like they’re preparing for something they aren’t telling the Council about, nor let us know about p>
“I’m sure you’ll handle those matters well. Also, don’t lose yourself in work only. Make time for yourself,” Casaio advised, his voice carrying the warmth of an older brother.
“Hmm,” Dominick responded vaguely.
“Did your divorce settle fully this time? The alimony and all the legalities p>
“Yes,” Dominick answered shortly.
“That’s a relief then,” Casaio whispered. He sensed a growing aloofness in his brother’s tone just as a soft knock sounded at his study door. Seeing Zilia standing there, he smiled. “I’ll talk to you later, brother p>
“Yeah. Later,” Dominick replied before the line went dead.
Dominick lowered the phone and rested it on the dark wood of his desk. He leaned his head back against the headrest and exhaled deeply, staring up at the ceiling. It was jarring how much his life had altered in the span of a single month.
“Nick, I brought the report related to the activities of all five packs here,” Evan announced, walking into the room with a thick folder in hand.
Dominick straightened up immediately, the weary man disappearing and the responsible Alpha returning to his eyes. He cleared his throat, pushing the thoughts of his divorce to the back of his mind. “Let’s see it. Is there any movement near the border p>
“No,” Evan answered, sliding the heavy file across the mahogany desk. “And now that you’re here, they’ve become even more cautious. They know better than to move openly under your watch p>
Evan lingered by the desk, hesitant to leave. “By the way, have you thought about attending the Winter Moon Festival in town? It starts tonight. The local people would be thrilled to see the Alpha Prince in person. It might do the public image some good,” he advised.
“I’m avoiding crowded places,” Dominick answered, his eyes already scanning the first page of the report. “You should go, though. Take Jeniva. She always had a penchant for those kinds of festivities,” he murmured, his fingers tightening on the edge of the folder.
“Sure. But I would be happy if you had accompanied us,” Evan stated. He stayed rooted to the spot, his concern growing as he observed the Prince. For days, Dominick had done nothing but bury himself in logistics and the disputes happening in the town, as if trying to drown out his own thoughts with data.
“I don’t feel like walking out,” Dominick replied. He didn’t look up. The silence of the office felt safer to him than the forced cheer of a festival.
“I understand,” Evan said. He bowed and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
As he crossed the living room, he saw Jeniva walking across the hall, deep in her thoughts.
“Jeniva, Prince Dominick won’t be coming with us tonight. But what are you thinking?” Evan questioned.
“I’m thinking nothing,” Jeniva replied, dismissing the tension with a wave of her hand. “Ah, the prince won’t accompany us. That’s sad. But do you think is it because of his ex p>
“Yes,” Evan agreed. “Juniper was a bad Chapter of his life. They were going well with each for years until everything broke apart. That’s also a reason why Prince Dominick chose to come to Gridlock because he wanted to forget what he went through p>
Jeniva hummed. “But he’s not making efforts for it. Tonight, let’s take him to the town to enjoy the festival p>
“The Prince has refused for it, Jeniva,” Evan said.
“I know. But I have a plan in my mind,” Jeniva replied with a bright smile.