Chapter 64

Last night,the first thing Sage wanted to do once we returned to our rooms was to undress. I chose to do other enjoyable things with my mouth and cock rather than review all that had happened during the evening.

She was still sleeping when I left this morning. We'd had no time to discuss what had transpired at the dinner.

After lunch, Sig and I met to review the staffing needs for the next quarter.

"A trip to Texas? What does he want you to do? Pocket the expensive-looking knick-knacks in our rooms," Sig snapped. "The Burkes have no money."

"I would mention we were passing through and wanted to answer Travis's questions regarding why we turned his son over to Novus. While there, we can check things out and then return later with a plan."

"We should approach this cautiously. It is your mate that Charles attacked. You had a reason to wish him dead." Sig frowned. "Visiting their land could be suicide for us."

Our gazes met.

I spoke first. "That would be rather timely."

My office door was thrown open and hit the wall so hard I was sure the plaster had cracked.

Sig and I were immediately on our feet to battle the invader.

One of Anton's guards entered with our Leader on his heels. "Where is she?" Anton gasped, slightly out of breath, as he looked around my office. "The witch!"

Our father's rule ended when he started to show signs of madness. He began to believe that others were out to get him. He'd had a food taster and had become suspicious of everyone. Was Anton suffering the same issue?

"What is the meaning of this?" Sig demanded as he squared off with Anton's guard.

"You did not disclose that she is a witch." Anton was huffing and puffing, his face reddened.

"Who do you speak of?" I was shocked by this interruption. Anton rarely visited my office for a tantrum.

"Your mate." His eyes bulged.

"Sage? What about her?"

"She is a witch. You have welcomed a witch into our family."

My anger ignited. "What in the hell are you talking about?"

He leaned over my desk, close enough that I could see dried spittle at the edges of his lips. "She foretold our conception."

"I need more information, Anton," I said, forcing myself to speak calmly. He appeared to be out of control, making him a dangerous foe.

"The witch told Dagmar that she was with child."

"She upset Dagmar?" Sage had been quiet during dinner, only speaking after being spoken to.

"No." Anton's body was vibrating with anger. I did not think he would attack, but I did not trust him. "Dagmar was excited when we returned to our floor. She kept me up, blathering on and on. This morning, she and that shrew of a companion demanded that I call the doctor."

I waited for him to continue to the point of his upset.

"Do you know how much it costs to fly in her female parts doctor?"

I was weary of his obsession with money.

"Thousands." Dots of his spit landed on my desk.

"Anton," I said, trying to refocus him. "What did the doctor find?"

"He said it is very early, but there is a babe."

"Congratulations." I was happy for the couple. The need to provide an heir had become increasingly pressing over the years.

"How did she know—unless she uses the dark arts?" Anton asked in a strangled voice.

"Dark arts?" I sneered. I tried to follow his train of thought, which was difficult even when he wasn't raging like today. I could not track how this involved Sage, a witch, and the dark arts.

"She entrapped you," he accused. "You abandoned your duties to find her. Then, you did not return as you should have. You were so enamored that you stayed with her. She has entranced you."

I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off.

"She is not human," his voice grew louder. "Her scent has changed."

"You were sent the reports and our Mating Notice. The Lady intervened," I argued.

"Are you an expert? How many times have you been in The Lady's presence?"

I returned to my chair. "Anton, I fail to see the problem." Each word came out short as my frustration was now very high.

"She has infiltrated us with her poison," he thundered.

I tried to use reason. "What poison? At the most, she gave you good news so you can practice great care with your mate."

"Bring her before me."

"I will not," I said, my voice rumbling.

"She must answer for her crimes."

"There are rules, Anton. You must list the charges and have them read. If, and it is a large if, Sage decides to cooperate, then you must consider what will happen to your standing if you are proved wrong."

"Impending parenthood might not save you," Sig told him calmly.

"Now I see," Anton said, turning to Sig. "This has been your plan all along. You sent my ward to find a witch who could infiltrate my Pack. You want my position. I always knew it." He turned on his heel and stalked from the room.

When we were alone, Sig turned to me. "It's always something."