The Lycan King’s Gamma
Chapter 55

Gamma Kailen Steele

After hearing our baby, I was on cloud nine as Hunter walked me to class. I wasn't even sure how I was even going to finish this semester. Being our last class, I wanted to talk about something important to give them something to think about over the break, but now my brain is full of thoughts of our baby. The pup my body could keep growing.

I said goodbye to Hunter and Zach walked me into my classroom. I was thankful that he brought me a coffee. Sleep hasn't been easy lately, as this investigation has been driving me mad. Whoever it was knew I was coming, and they were trying to cover their tracks. I was determined to replace the victims, but maybe Hunter was right. Maybe some rest would help clear my mind to replace something I have missed.

Sitting at my desk, Zach pulled up a chair as I sat there sipping my coffee. With everything going on, I couldn't help but smile, thinking about our pup.

"We are going to be a momma." Aurora purred in my head. Her tail has been wagging since we heard their heart beating.

"Kailen, how are you feeling?" Zach asked me, pulling me away from my wolf.

"I'm doing okay, Zach. We heard it today." I told him. He grinned, giving me a side hug.

"That's fantastic, Kailen," he exclaimed.

"I can't believe this is happening." I told him. This whole thing felt surreal to me. I don't think I'll actually believe it until I'm holding them in my arms.

"You are going to be wonderful." He said, still squeezing my shoulders. When the doors to my classroom opened, Zach let go of me and we made our way to sit on the edge of the platform as usual. I started my lesson after everyone was settled in their seats.

"I know today is our last class of the semester and you all must be excited about going home to spend some time with your friends and families. So, I wanted to hear if any of you have concerns or questions. Anything you'd like me to clear up before we move on to the lesson?" I asked them.

"Miss Steele, what's going to happen with the takeover?" Mr. Cooper asked me. His and Mr. Carter's packs were on that side of the kingdom.

"Hunter has been working hard to get everything organized so that we can be under one rule, King Henry," I answered.

"Will you be at the event that's being planned?" Mr. Carter asked me.

"I will be, yes. Will you be there with your father?" I asked him, and he nodded.

"I'll be there as well." Mr. Copper said.

"This take over directly affects your two packs. From everything that I can see, things will be better." I told them.

"I'm glad about the takeover," Mr Carter said. And as much as I wish I could ask him more, I couldn't without a parent or lawyer present.

"Mr. Carter, you can tell me all about your reasons when there is a parent present. Legally, I can't ask you questions about what you mean. You might be the future alpha, but you are still a minor." I told him.

"Why can't we make a statement?" Mr. Pierce asked. He would be Mr. Carter's beta.

"There is an ongoing investigation into Prince Andrew. I'm not allowed to say anymore and they could use your statements as evidence. Legally I can't ask. And I can't tell you more," I answered.

"Miss Steele, you've been honest with us from the beginning. I'm sure you would tell us if you could." Mr. Carter said.

"I appreciate the faith you have in me. And once the event starts, hopefully I'll be able to answer all of your questions on the matter." I told them.

"Now let me give you all something to think about over the break. When you go home, look at how the pack is being run. Ask lower members of the pack if they are happy? I understand you can't make everyone happy, but just trying will make all the difference. See if you can solve some issues that they are having. Also, pay attention to the issues. If many have the same issues, try to fix the problem from the top. These will be your packs soon enough." I told them.

"What issues would you have wanted solved in your old pack?" Mr. Clark asked me.

"Honestly, I've never given it much thought. I was just happy to get the hell out of there. But one thing that comes to mind, maybe not a pack issue. But when I was working, none of the ones born into a title ever said please or thank you. It always bothered me, as being kind costs nothing. You never know what someone is going through, and your kindness could make all the difference in that person's life." I answered.

"I can't believe they treated you like s**t, even dating the future alpha." Mr. Copper huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Clearly they have no taste." Zach huffed beside me.

"Never judge a book by its cover." I told them.

"But you're a hot book," Mr Cooper said. Zach let out a growl, and I started laughing.

"Regardless, Mr. Cooper, don't just listen to hot people." I giggled, shaking my head.

"Outside, beauty will fade with time, but it's the person's actions that will win you over in the end. I'd like to think that I'm a good person. If I saw someone who needed help, I would help them. I would like all of you to do the same. One thing that has been constant throughout pack history is the alpha's lack of?" I motioned for them to continue my sentence. Too bad I have nine blank faces looking at me.

"Really, Zach?" I asked him and he shrugged.

"Empathy. All the alphas lacked empathy. And when the alpha doesn't care, the rest of his pack doesn't either."

"Oh, that makes sense." Zach chimed in, and I pushed my lips into a line. The class laughed while I gave Zach a pointed look. He had been teaching my class this semester.

"Alright, I'm sure you all want to get out of here. So, my last note of advice is just to be kind. Half of you I'll see next week and for the other half, have a great break and I'll see you in a few weeks." I said, excusing my class.

Packing up my things after my class had left, I found myself more tired than usual. I knew I needed a nap, but I also needed to replace the latest victim, who was still missing. Hunter was right when he told me I should just be focusing on growing our pup, but I couldn't shut off the need to help others. I knew firsthand what these victims were going through and I needed to be the hope that they were holding on to.

"Kailen, I know you want to help, but you need to keep yourself strong to help them," Aurora said.

"Kailen, are you okay?" Zach asked me, when I took a moment to breathe.

"Yeah, I think I just need to rest." I told him. He took my bag and when I found the motivation to walk home, Zach led me out of the building.

The fresh air of the afternoon was helping calm my racing mind. Knowing what you need to do and doing it, were two different things. I know I need rest, but let's see if my mind will actually give it to me.

When we finally made it home, I went to the kitchenette to get a granola bar, an apple, and a bottle of water before I went to lie down. I've been doing everything I can to stay healthy except sleeping. My mind would just play the events of that day repeatedly, unable to replace anything new. I was trying to replace the missing link between these cases and the packs that were paying less to Andrew.

When I was done eating, I laid down, snuggled into Hunter's pillow. Breathing in his scent, I instantly felt better. Closing my eyes, I thought of the things that we know about the case.

Following the money, we knew that five packs were in his pocket, but why? And what is with the sizeable sums being transferred to Dark Shadow? If Andrew was buying girls, where were they? This event was being held to avoid me going to these packs, but there's no way around this. After the event, we are going to have to storm these packs, starting with Dark Shadow. They are all hiding something and I was done playing this game of cat and mouse with them.

Before I could get out of bed, Hunter was in my head.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"This case is just bothering me," I answered.

"Kailen, get some rest and I'll be home soon. I love you."

"I love you." I told him before I closed the link.

Instead of resting, I went out into the living room to talk with Zach. The money isn't adding up, and I needed someone to talk this out with. Zach was sitting on the couch, actually looking through some files. "Look at you." I giggled, sitting in the chair beside him.

"Shouldn't you be resting?" He asked me, looking up from the file.

"Probably, but the money isn't adding up, and it's bothering me," I told him.

"Okay, let's talk it out." He said, closing the file he was reading.

"If Andrew was buying girls with sizeable sums of money, where are they?" I asked him.

"Are you thinking that the money was for something else?" He asked me and I shrugged.

"The money that Andrew was paying was almost triple the amount that Dark Shadow was paying him. But why was Andrew paying?" I said.

"He was paying for something. What would be worth that much money?" Zach said. And it was like a light bulb turned on in my head.

"Blackmail." I breathed out.

"Blackmail? But what would Dark Shadow have over Andrew?" Zach asked me.

"It has to be something terrible for him to be paying that much to cover it up. And it would have to be awful, since he didn't think that lawyers would bury it or that King Henry would help me." I told him. "This could be bad," Zach said.

"After the event, we need to storm Dark Shadow. I know that's not something Hunter wants to hear, but we need to follow the money." I told him.

"Maybe he will come clean at the event. Maybe he will share the dirt to avoid us going into his pack." Zach said.

"But we need to replace the girls. And if that means we have to storm them all, then that's what we do." I said, rubbing my lower belly. "Kailen, it's not safe for you. And you know Hunter will never agree with you storming anything right now." Zach said, and I sighed. "Zach, I know these girls are terrified. You do not know how it feels to know that no one is coming for you. I need to replace them."