The Lycan King’s Gamma
Chapter 43

Gamma Kailen Steele

It was late in the evening when we finally had all the victims organized. And Hunter had to force me to go to bed. I was feeling anxious about sleeping and having nothing to focus my mind on. When I was working, I didn't have to think about what happened or the aftermath of what I'd done. I knew that after we were done with our trip, I would have to make a public statement about what happened. But I wasn't ready to go on record or in detail about what Jake did to me.

Hunter was feeling anxious about me going to class tomorrow. He even offered to teach it, but hiding would only make things worse for me. I needed to get things back to normal and sitting at home, thinking, wouldn't help. But I was also feeling nervous about going to class. Everyone knew what had been reported, and I knew everyone was still talking about it, forming their opinions about me. Hunter wouldn't even talk about what happened at the press conference today. He just kept saying that he handled it when I asked him a question.

I was lying in bed, looking at the ceiling, when Hunter came into our room. Afraid to shut my mind off and have it wander to the events of yesterday. I wasn't ready to deal with all of that just yet. I needed to get through this case and the aftermath, and then I could focus on the recovery part. Sighing, I tried to get comfortable as Hunter climbed into bed beside me.

"Kailen, what's wrong?" He asked me, lying on his side, watching me.

"I'm worried about tomorrow." I told him, turning on my side to look at him.

"About class?" He asked me, and I nodded.

"Not just that. The recovery scares me. I know how hard it was the first time, and this just reopened the wound." I told him. He wrapped an arm around me, pulling me to his side as he rolled onto his back. I rested my head on his chest, listening to the beating of his heart.

"Beautiful, you will get through this. And I'm right here, whatever you need." He told me, kissing my head.

"I know. I just hate being in the public eye. Becoming gamma didn't even make me this popular." I sighed, and he squeezed me closer.

"Ignore them. They just want a story. They don't know you like I do, and my father feels the same way. He stands behind you 100%. So don't worry about them, just go to class and then, after, we can leave. And when this semester is over, I think you need to take some time off to focus on yourself. A lot has happened, and you need time to recover and work on yourself." He told me.

"Hunter, you know I can't just do that. Keeping my mind busy helps me." I sighed.

"Then write a book about your past and how this case is connected to you. Maybe getting everything off of your chest will help you heal. You don't have to print it. You can write it and then delete it when you are ready to leave it in the past." He explained, and that sounds like a good idea. I'm not sure if I'm ready to relive it and write it down, but it could help me to write it down in stages.

"Now let's get some sleep. You have a long day tomorrow." He said, kissing the top of my head.

Sleep did not come easily as I woke with a groan as Hunter's alarm went off. I did not get a restful sleep, and I knew that today was going to be a hard one.

"I can always teach your class today or we can just cancel it." Hunter said, moving to shut off his alarm.

"I need to do this." I told him, crawling out of bed, yawning.

It took me longer than usual to get ready, since I didn't really want to go. I knew I needed to, but it didn't make it easier. Stepping out of our apartment, Zach and Greyson were waiting for us. "Kailen, we are going to take you to class, and Zach is going to stay with you. Greyson and I have a meeting with my father about our trip today." Hunter told me.

"Okay," I told him, not feeling very comfortable being away from Hunter. I trusted Zach with my life, but he wasn't my mate.

We had to drive to the campus as there was still media everywhere. My stomach was in knots as we pulled up to the building with my classroom, and there was the media being held back by security. This was a media nightmare, and I almost thought about making a statement, so this would all be over and they would move on to the next story. But I walked inside with my head held high, holding on to Hunter's hand. As soon as we made it to my classroom, I felt like I could breathe again.

It didn't take long before my students made their way into my classroom. Hunter gave me a kiss and told me to mindlink him if anything happened or if I needed him. Zach sat beside me the entire class, and I was thankful for his presence. My students were wonderful, and they didn't ask too many questions about what happened a few days ago. It was an excellent class, and we got into a really pleasant discussion about consent and respect. Even Zach took part and answered a bunch of their questions. After the class was over, I was feeling better and I was glad I forced myself to do this today. Hunter was right when he told me not to listen to the media. Everyone who knows me seems to be on my side in this matter.

"Hunter, class is done. Where are you?" I asked him through the link.

"I'm sorry, Baby. I got caught up. Zach and Greyson are going to cover training. Do you feel okay going with Zach?" Hunter asked me.

"Yeah, I can go with Zach. I'll just sit and get some work done until you are ready," I told him.

"I love you. How are you feeling?" He asked me.

"I feel better. I love and miss you." I told him.

"Zach, I guess I'm going with you." I told him, closing the link with Hunter. I gathered up my things and followed Zach out to the training field. Looking around, I noticed more than normal warriors in the area. Hunter must have called them in. I sat on a bench close to the field and pulled out my laptop to get some work done while Zach and Greyson finished their class.

When I was all caught up with work, Zach and Greyson's training was still not over. I sat there wondering what was taking Hunter so long to get here. We will have to leave for the airport soon. As nervous as I was about stepping foot onto Prince Andrew's side of the kingdom, I was eager to see where this case would take me. I wanted answers, not only for myself but for the missing women.

"Hunter, what's wrong?" I mind linked him.

"Nothing is wrong, Baby. I'll explain everything on the plane. I have someone grabbing our bags, so after Zach and Greyson are done, just head to the airport and I'll meet you there." He linked back.

"Is it that bad?" I asked him, my stomach now in knots.

"Baby, you have nothing to worry about. I'll see you soon." He said before closing the link. Sighing, I went back to watching the students train.

They were getting good, and I noticed that Mr. Cooper was even using some moves I had shown him. I felt good about being a part of the teaching process with the future alpha's and beta's. Hopefully, they will be better alpha's and beta's than their fathers and real change can happen.

After class was done, Greyson and Zach took turns getting ready, and then they were both done. We made our way to the airport, where Hunter was waiting outside the plane for us. Hunter was standing with a bunch of warriors that were coming with us. He came over to the car as soon as I stepped out. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he pulled me close, crushing his lips to mine.

"I missed you." He whispered, pulling his lips from mine.

"I missed you. Is everything okay?" I asked him, looking up at him.

"I'll explain everything on the plane." He said, grabbing my hand and leading me to the plane. Hunter and I boarded the plane, and the warriors followed behind us. Zach and Greyson were the last to board, and they sat across from Hunter and I. As soon as the plane took off, I turned my attention to Hunter. I could feel that he was anxious through our bond, and it was turning my stomach into knots.

"Hunter, tell me what's going on?" I asked him and he sighed.

"My uncle is threatening war. He called dad after learning that we were coming to investigate another matter. He told him you would be arrested if you were to step foot on his side of the kingdom," Hunter said, and I gasped.

"And, we are still going?" I rushed out.

"Hunter, what are you planning?" Greyson asked him. And it all clicked.

"You are planning on challenging him," I gasped out.

"Kailen, this needs to be done. My father already runs that side of the kingdom, and I will not let him threaten my mate." Hunter said.

"Hunter, I understand that, but you should have discussed this with me first. What if something happens to you?" I looked at him, and I could feel the tears building. I was not emotionally ready to handle this. If anything happened to Hunter, it would kill me. "Baby, I promise everything will be okay. Nothing is going to happen to me and when it's over, we will go back to our investigation." He said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close. Taking a few deep breaths, I tried to get my emotions in check. "Please, trust me." He whispered, kissing my forehead.

"I do trust you. I just can't have you dying." I mumbled, burying my face in his chest.

"I won't be dying today."