Chapter 80

80 Chapter Eighty

“Everything is going great. I’m honoured that you’ve heard of our family,” Clark spoke up in response to Lionel’s gesture. Tension had started to lift in the room but was quickly calmed by the noble’s calm response. Lionel got the message that he’d only caved to avoid trouble and decided against goading him further. Something that Katie saw as an improvement.

“I see someone no longer needs to come here with his father as part of the escort,” Kenneth pointed out.

“Indeed, Sir Kenneth. I will soon be head of my father’s pack. That is as soon as my mate is revealed to me. I found that Hunter’s festival might have been a good place to look since all the werewolves and Humans from Brigadia will be attending,” he said, sending a glance Katie’s way. Jeremiah noticed the subtle gesture and smirked when Katie did not indulge him.

“You still chasing the hunch of having felt the presence of a weak mate bond in the town of Brigadia?” Brian asked, chuckling.

“Sometimes I forget who’s noble and who isn’t when I come to this small town. The hunters here are all so confident when speaking to high ranking members of society. One that has less to offer should learn that their opinion is less desired by the whole.” he retorted. Brian gritted his teeth, clearly offended by the remark, “Might I greet the famous Rogue killer. I was pleased when I heard her moving speech early this morning.”

“You’re welcome to our humble town, Mr Haelstrom. I will now address you as I did your father last year,” she said earning a frown from the man.

“There will be no need for such formalities when it is you that speaks to me. Although, this luxury is only extended to Katie and no one else,” he said.

“Shall we get seated then? You must have had a long trip here. Besides, that way this luncheon can get moving...” she said, pausing before saying his first name through her teeth, “Lionel...”

“Oh, sure... As you wish,” with that said, the guests sat down followed by the hunters. Anthony stood at the end of the desk, a place that was reserved for the Director of the Hunter Agency, a position that he did not seem to like very much.

.....

“Oh dear, Director Anthony, must you wear that coat? The sight of sweating is quite painful to witness,” Tina spoke up.

“I would say I find it quite amusing. To think someone would have to pay a price for training that got him to that size,” Lionel mused while Anthony took off the coat that he was wearing, leaving him in a black waistcoat that also fitted him quite nicely. He looked much more relieved to be out of that furnace.

“Once again, I’d like to welcome you to Brigadia. As you can see, there are fewer Royals here which means this time will be much less lively. The students worked hard and I hope you find their exploits inspiring. I know I was inspired this year by the students. Regarding the current situation, they were still able to pull through and make the most of the time they had to produce something that you will all enjoy. Moving on,” he clapped his hands and maids began moving in arranging the table the way they’d been ordered.

“I would like to hear more on what happened with the rogues that attacked this place. I was told this is the most secure town in the whole of the world. I’m not one to brag, but I always thought the compliment was a bit overrated,” Lionel continued. The whole table seemed to be in tension while he was present, for his comments were always around to make everyone uncomfortable.

“It was all scheduled to be published in the daily newspapers around the globe. You won’t miss a single detail when you read them,” Katie spoke up.

“Anthony dear, I was wondering where Claire was... The two of us used to spend a good time during the festivals when I was still here,” Tina spoke up, cutting the conversation that was currently underway in half. Another attempt at silencing the man at the table. The luncheon had barely begun and Lionel was already imposing his overwhelmingly foul attitude over everyone that was present and creating what one might have called a fight with words.

“You ever heard of the rule about speaking out of turn?” Lionel spoke before Anthony could answer.

“Last I heard, it doesn’t apply to nobles from different empires,” Clark finally spoke up. It was clear the two weren’t going to get along.

“On another note, there are Royals in this town from the two families. Surely we wouldn’t want a dispute in the presence of the Royals themselves who clearly outrank everyone in this room,” Anthony spoke up to try and calm the room.

“What does the Director go on about, Katie?” Lionel asked.

“It is as he has said. What part am I to clarify?” she asked, trying her best to hold back her nerves. The maids began to serve them with drinks, a perfect distraction for the near-hungry hunter.

“Well, you could clarify on who exactly he speaks of?” Lionel answered.

“If you wouldn’t mind, I’ll let the Director speak on the matter as I was not assigned to protect the Royals while they enjoy their stay in our town,” she said, taking a sip of the mango juice before her and gesturing for the Director to continue.

“The Sirius Royal family is present along with Cole Lycaon,” he said, stunning the VIPs.

“That’s quite a gathering you’ve got there. Any reason why they’d come to this place. I know it’s not for the festival as they would have been here,” Kendra asked, her voice being heard for the first time since they’d arrived.

“I happened to come across Cole Lycaon when I came here ahead of time. No one in the entire festival seemed surprised to see him which only means he’s been here for some time. I had no knowledge of any other Royal in the vicinity,” Jeremiah spoke, his urge to report his findings taking over before the Director could explain what was supposed to be going on.

“You are correct. Cole Lycaon happens to be a member of the student body here as his parents sent him over to see what life is like in the safest school in the world. Clearly, we have no idea what will happen after the school drops down the rankings and word reaches out to the Lycaon Royal family,” Anthony sounded worried as he spoke.

“That murder seriously did a number on the school and the town. To think a hunter would kill a rogue,” Lionel chuckled.

“Excuse me...” Katie asked him, failing to hold back the venom in her voice, but keeping her calm all the same.

“What difference does it make? The child was killed using a hunter’s weapon. It only stands to reason that...”

“I think I’ve had enough of your opinion,” there she went again stopping Lionel right in the middle of his speech. This did not please the werewolf one bit... in fact, he was livid.

“Does the fact that you have blue eyes all of a sudden give you the right to act like you own the world as the Royals do?” this was a sore spot for Katie and Lionel knew it.

“Get your story right... A rogue killed a former rogue for betraying them and it happened to be on school grounds...” Katie spoke ignoring his remark.

“Spin the story any way you want. Those of us who know better will not be easily fooled. Until you catch the rogue you so gladly want to blame, we have no choice but to use the evidence before us to come to a reasonable conclusion,” the table was perfectly silent as the two stared each other down. Katie now remembered why she hated these events so much. It was because of one sole lonely bad apple.

“Fine then, take it any way you would want to... I don’t really care anyway. Come up with all the speculations that you might want to come up with. They are all irrelevant to me in the long run. Just don’t get in my way and you’ll be nothing more than the ignorable disturbance you are now,” she said, finally pushed over the edge. She wasn’t taking anything from someone as inconsequential as him.

“Katie, that’s going too far,” Samantha tried to reprimand the teenager. For some reason, this was the statement that stirred her the most to attack the excuse of a man before her. The feeling of a hand tugging at her shoulder stopped her next statement. Sandra knew Katie wasn’t one to take insults so lightly, but this was something else. If she was allowed, she was going to end up angering the noble into abandoning the festival altogether.

“How am I supposed to stay quiet while he questions the integrity of the hunters?” she asked Samantha, before sinking back into her seat rubbing her temples. Lionel was a pain to deal with and now that his father wasn’t present to do the talking on behalf of the Haelstrom family, he was at liberty to run his mouth as much as he desired.