Chapter 40: Allowed to roam free

"Speak with that same confidence when you actually produce the evidence," Nina snapped, entirely dismissive of Caroline’s pain.

"And what if we present a witness sooner than you think, Nina? What will you do then?" Andrew intervened, his tone turning dangerously harsh. "You had better be prepared to get down on your knees and drag your nose across the floor to beg for her forgiveness."

"Both of you should shut up now. Let’s maintain some decorum for tonight’s event," Aldrick chimed in, shutting down the heated exchange while their parents still stood near the front of the hall.

Andrew reached out to take Caroline’s hand, offering her a faint smile. "Shall we go?" he asked, leaning in close with his elbow resting on the armrest.

"The event is still going on," Caroline replied softly, casting a quick glance around the hall. "It won’t be seen as a good gesture if we leave early."

"I told you before that all they do here is show off," Andrew reminded her as he recalled their earlier conversation. "I only agreed to come tonight so the media would see that you are a part of this family, whether the rest of them like it or not."

Caroline tilted her head slightly, keeping her silence. He truly feared no one. Sitting right there near the front, she was certain that every single person on stage had heard every word he said.

After two hours, the event finally drew to a close, and the guests transitioned into the adjacent dining hall for the official royal dinner. The long table stood at the center of the room, seating the entire royal family under the watchful glare of surrounding media cameras.

Davian glanced down the length of the table toward Andrew, who had spent the entire meal staring intently at Caroline, leaving his plate untouched.

"Finish your dinner," Davian said, his authoritative voice drawing several eyes toward his son.

Andrew didn’t seem to care.

"Andrew," Seraphina chimed in, keeping her voice low to avoid drawing scene-hungry reporters. "Are you going to eat or not? Why did you even bother coming if you refuse to follow basic protocol? The cameras are watching our every move."

Without a word, Andrew picked up his fork and nonchalantly began picking at his food.

"Since the two of you traveled all the way to the capital, stay at the palace tonight," Davian instructed, his tone leaving little room for debate.

"Thank you, but we’ll have to decline, Dad," Andrew replied smoothly, setting his fork down briefly as he met his father’s gaze. "Caroline and I have to fly back tonight."

Caroline kept her eyes fixed on her plate, inwardly surprised by his response. She knew he was lying. They weren’t flying back to Redwood High tonight.

Instead, Andrew had planned a quiet retreat for them right after the dinner, a honeymoon to give her time to relax away from the pack politics. She couldn’t help but wonder why he chose to keep it secret from his family.

"You can fly back in the morning just as easily. Caroline must be exhausted," Davian replied. "Consider her needs before making rash decisions, Andrew. Now that you’re married, she is part of this family too."

Andrew let out a laugh. "Is that why you humiliated her earlier by conveniently leaving one chair short at the stage?" He dropped his fork and knife onto the china plate with a harsh clink, his eyes flashing a vivid, dangerous pink.

Caroline froze, startled by the sudden shift in his demeanor and the fiery glow in his eyes.

"When you and Mom decide to show us actual respect, then we’ll consider stepping foot inside your palace," Andrew continued. "Until then, I have no intention of bringing my wife into a house where a culprit is allowed to roam free."

"What did you just say?" Nina snarled, her sharp canines lengthening as fury flared across her face.

"You heard me," Andrew replied, tossing her a mocking smirk. "The day you’re thrown into a cell right alongside your pathetic excuse for a man, Caroline and I will gladly come to the palace to celebrate. In just a few days, our witness will be standing right before the Council. Victor’s days are numbered, and so are yours."

The tension shattered as the Alpha King slammed his palm onto the table, making the fine glassware rattle.

"Enough!" Davian warned, his voice still staying controlled as he leveled a dark glare at both his son and daughter. "Do not push me to have you both thrown out."

Caroline quickly reached for Andrew’s hand under the table, giving him a firm shake of her head. She didn’t want him getting thrown out or sparking an open war on her account. It was scary enough that he was standing up to his own family that refused to believe a single word she said.

However, Andrew was far from done. Ignored her silent plea, he pushed his chair back with a scrape and stood up, leaving the rest of the table in bewildered silence.

Nearby guests at adjacent tables had already begun stealing covert glances, catching the sharp edge of the royal family’s quiet argument, though nobody dared speak.

"What do you think you’re doing, Andrew?" Seraphina demanded in a sharp whisper. "Sit down this instant."

"I will, right after I make an announcement," Andrew replier.

At his gesture, an event coordinator scrambled over, quickly handing him a wireless microphone. Andrew took it, tapped the head twice to test the feed, and turned toward the crowded hall as his voice echoed over the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, my apologies for interrupting your dinner," Andrew’s voice echoed through the grand dining hall, instantly silencing the low chatters. "I have a very important announcement to make."

Nina glared at him from across the table, her hands clenching into tight fists beneath the linen as she wondered if he was truly insane enough to accuse Victor over a open microphone.

"To anyone present who has, or plans to establish, any sort of business or political alliance with the Crystal Moon Pack and its Alpha, consider this your only warning," Andrew announced, his cold gaze sweeping across the room.

"You will suffer severe losses in the coming weeks. Their Alpha attempted to take the life of my mate. He dared to lay a hand on what was mine, and I will ensure his ruin. I suggest every single one of you withdraw your ties with him immediately."