Chapter 382

But my eyes widened as I took in the folder's contents. Inside were photographs of Alvin in various compromising situations throughout Darkmoon territory: public intoxication, urinating on buildings, even soliciting prostitutes. I felt nauseous.

“I see,” I said, maintaining a neutral tone. “And what do you propose we do about this… situation?”

David leaned back, a smug look on his face. “As it happens, we have your wayward cousin in custody. I thought you might want to deal with him personally.”

He snapped his fingers, and the doors opened. Two burly guards entered, half-dragging a disheveled, handcuffed Alvin between them. I fought back a gasp.

“Hannah! Oh, thank the Goddess,” Alvin slurred, his eyes bloodshot. “Tell these barbarians to unhand me! Don’t they know who I am?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, a headache forming. “Oh, Alvin,” I sighed. “What have you done now?”

David rose. “I’ll release him into your custody, Alpha Hannah. But if he sets foot in Darkmoon territory again and causes more trouble, I won’t be so lenient. He’ll face imprisonment, diplomatic immunity notwithstanding.”

I nodded, standing. “Understood, Alpha David. My sincerest apologies—and my word that this won’t happen again.”

And to think we almost let that fool become Alpha of Silvermoon, I thought, though I kept that to myself.

David and his entourage departed. As the guards released Alvin, I gave Melody to Viona and approached my cousin. Without warning, I slapped him.

“Ow!” he yelped. “What was that for?”

“For being a complete idiot,” I hissed. “Do you have any idea how much trouble you’ve caused? You’re lucky I don’t imprison you myself.”

Alvin rubbed his head, glaring. “You’re the one who told me to go on a ‘nice little vacation’,” he sneered.

I raised my hand, and he flinched, silencing him. “You’re sentenced to two months of community service at the Silvermoon soup kitchen,” I said, wiping my hand on my pants. “Perhaps that will teach you some humility.”

I nodded to a guard. “Take him. Ensure he causes no further trouble.”

As the guard led Alvin past, he sneered at Melody in Viona’s arms. The baby, sensing the hostility, cried.

I suppressed the urge to shout at Alvin and took Melody from Viona. She quieted as I bounced her, and I ignored the disdainful stares as we returned to the car.

“Well, that could have gone worse,” Viona said quietly as we passed through the gates.

I snorted. “Surprisingly, David wasn’t as cruel as I expected—not like his father. Though his entourage viewed us as a circus act.”

“They’re unused to seeing a woman in power,” Viona reasoned. “Let alone one who brings her baby to meetings.”

I looked down at Melody, now contentedly sucking her thumb. “Well, they’d better get used to it. I’m not going anywhere, and neither is she.”

As we entered the car, I saw Alvin being roughly shoved into another vehicle. He continued to mutter incoherently.

I shook my head, exhausted. Viona and I exchanged a look of annoyance.

“Men…” we murmured in unison.