The Dark Side Of Fate by Karima Sa'ad Usman novel Chapter 356

~Leo~

Going to the council meeting always sucked. There was no time I got used to it.

Amelia often told me it would become a routine, but I saw it as a job. Twice I had asked Sylvester to nominate someone else as council leader so I won't have to go to all the meetings, and he refused.

I could understand his reasons, but having to travel to the north every month sucked. It is fun when we visit, but when it becomes compulsory, it takes the fun out.

This meeting would be fun compared to others, so it was something to look forward to. I wondered how Christian was going to table the matter. Vino was right when he said we would have fun handling this matter.

I wondered how our children were doing in Grizlo, especially with Liam and Josephine being watched and the terrorist saying they would send us instructions.

I wondered what their demands would be.

I also wondered how Thompson's death tied into all this.

Why did will Mike murder Thompson and have his partners in crime follow Jo and Li about the place? It made no sense.

Then the attack on Jake Brighton's home was also an issue. They were like separate crimes, but it seemed like they were all tied to the same source.

Amelia exited the closet wearing a simple purple dress. Sylvester had already linked everyone that the convoy was ready. I could see the need for sleep in her eyes. We had arrived in the north yesterday evening, and having to get up early for the council meeting was tedious, but it was our job.

"Ready?" I asked my wife, and she nodded.

We left our room and headed towards the entrance where the cars would be parked.

The Volkov estate was our second home, spending a week there every month for many years because of the council meeting.

Alexei, Clay, Andrew, Devin and Eric could relate as we were all council members and rulers that had to be there every month.

Where Andrew and Eric could decide to skip a meeting, the rest of us dared not.

The Lords had to be present, which included me, and the council leader and deputy had to be present, which also included me.

Amelia and I walked towards the entrance and got into one of the vehicles.

It wasn't long after we entered the car that the convoy started moving.

"What do you think will happen today," Devin said, and I shrugged.

"Christian will table the matter as agreed, and we will take it up. Honestly, I like to get to the bottom of the matter, especially since our children are involved. Their safety is paramount," I said, and he agreed.

"Why have you refused to allow your daughters to join the second batch?" I asked Devin.

"They are yet to graduate, Leo, and I do not want to move them to Grizlo Academy," He explained, and I figured that was the case.

"Thought they had graduated," Amelia asked, and Devin shook his head

"They took extra courses, so they have a year to go," he explained, and I felt sorry for Miles and Marvin because it was obvious that they were dating even though they tried to hide it. I was around their age when I asked Tamia out, which was expected.

"I think you should reconsider, Devin. They won't be happy away from their friends," I said, and Susan chuckled.

"You mean their boyfriends because Anthony is going with the second batch, and no one is talking about that; it's just the girls that will have to remain," Susan said, and I wondered what Anthony would do there. He has been private and non-inclusive. Hopefully, Noah and Sebastien can bring him out of his shell.

We arrived at the King's hall, and just as always, there was a crowd outside.

I wondered if the people would ever get tired. They come there same time every month to hail and greet the council members and royalty.

I could also understand their need to be present because a lot of important decisions were made during these meetings.

We all proceeded to our spots, and as always, Amelia and I had to part because I was at the floor level where the council sat while she was with the ladies at the upper loges. Tamia and Sylvester were in their loge overseeing the meeting.

Lady Stephanie and Alpha Jake Brighton shared the loge with the ladies, The lords sat elevated from the council, and it was odd to see my empty seat there.

I took comfort in the fact that when our children take over, One of my sons will occupy the council seat, another will occupy the lord seat, and the last will be the head Alpha of the east and occupy that seat. There was enough responsibility for all.

As for the council seat, it will fall between Ethan and Sebastien. There was no way I would put Noah there. He was too impulsive for his own good and wasn't friendly with words. Sebastien was a bit subtle, but they were alike. I guess Ethan will take it, then.

We arranged ourselves, and I was pleased to see Alpha Christian sitting on the seat allocated to head Alphas. There were three empty seats beside him. One was mine, the other was Devin's, and the last was Eric's. Clay was also around, and I could see the glint in his eyes that stated he wanted in on the action.

It was a bit embarrassing that we saw this as sports even though lives were at stake, but the thrill of going on another adventure was overwhelming, and the trauma caused by the near-death experience in the past had faded away.

I banged the gavel and addressed the people to start the meeting.

Many trivial matters were discussed, and I could understand why the order was arranged in that way.

If we tabled Christian's matter first, there wouldn't have time to listen to the others. Alpha Caspian from Cain's island was to speak before Christian, and he looked distraught.

The man was young, in his early twenties. He had just taken over from his father this year and was proactive.

It was comforting seeing the calibre of people our children will end up working with.

"I want to state that the royal family and this council have been partial this month. We know the incident in Grizlo hit home and recently threatened Lady Stephanie's safety in their home in Grizlo, but that does not mean the rest of us do not need aid.

We have severe trade and port security issues on Cain Island. There had been an influx of contraband goods from underground networks, weapons and drugs, to be precise. Catching these people have been next to impossible. We do not have the military force to keep our ports safe, and Alpha Christain has deployed the best of the northern forces to find Beta Mike of Grizlo. It is wrong.

This is a serious matter. People are going missing, and our markets are in jeopardy because of these activities. Although the activities have reduced this month, it hasn't stopped completely, and I am worried for the safety of our citizens," He said, and I wondered why he had waited until now to bring this to the council.