Back to Greg. I don't know if I'll break from Greg's POV again in the future, but I might do some alternate POV chapters to fill in some blanks in the past, if I hit another block. Part of me is saying to wrap things up, and part of me is saying to find ways to drag this out forever...😉

Sorry for the delays, but real life has pulled me away more than I expected. I've also been struggling with unifying the two lines. I hope I've done a smooth enough transition.

Your feedback is taken to heart at Jst4fun2nyt@gmail.com.

The sex isn't a major part of my story, nor is it graphic. If you're looking for masturbation fodder, look elsewhere. There will be many slow times in this story, just like there are in life. Other times, things will fly at you too fast. There will be boring days, and exciting days. It's just how it's flowing.

This work is fully protected under the United States Copyright Laws © 17 USC§§ 101, 102(a), 302(a). All rights reserved. Placing or posting any or all of this story on any website, or distribution of any of these works in any way (in part or in whole) without the explicit consent of the author is strictly prohibited. Any and all copyright infringements will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Any names, characters, or incidents are the product of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental, and no harm or slanderous intent is implied or intended.

DONATE to Nifty so you can continue to enjoy my story, and the thousands of others!!!!

https://donate.nifty.org/

*********************************************************************************************************************

Chapter 82

The only thing that kept me from leaping to my feet was the fact that Jesse was curled up in my lap. I stood and put him on the couch as Billy did the same with Jeremey. I was rushing for the door when Joshua grabbed me.

"He's not going anywhere, Father. Please don't do anything rash."

"I'm not going to do anything rash, Josh, I'm going to deliver justice. I'm going to go down and tear him limb from limb, then burn the pieces. That man ordered Kevin to kill my father!"

"I have no doubt he did that, Sire, but I have faith that my father would only kill to protect someone in imminent danger. Igor isn't a threat to anyone right now, and killing him would be revenge, not justice."

I sighed, then I felt Billy's hand on my shoulder as he said "And you can't shift. Not until we get some clothes, you have nothing else to wear."

I laughed. I couldn't help it. I shook my head and laughed, then asked "Ok then, what do you want me to do? Should I ignore him and hope he goes away? Put him in a dungeon and wait until we have a Dracul Court system set up?"

"If I may, Father? I would start by finding out why he is here." Joshua said, softly.

I looked to Billy, who was nodding his agreement, so I turned back to Joshua "Get the dukes and Mike and bring them to that conference room. Also, have Tommy join us, after he takes Igor somewhere safe, and has guards on him." I started out then door, then turned back and said "Sam, guard my pups with your life." When Sam nodded, we headed for the elevator.

The elevator doors opened and Joshua headed off to gather the dukes. I started for the conference room but Billy pulled me to my new office. Once we were inside and the doors were closed, he pointed towards my chair, got in my face, and said "You need to sit your ass down and let Josh get them settled. Then you need to make them wait. You are the King, and they need to remember that."

"When have they ever failed to remember that I'm the King? They're constantly calling me Sire. Against my wishes, I might add!"

Billy sighed "That's exactly my point. You need to get over yourself and be the damned King. You have to start acting like a King, and that means people will bow to you, and call you Sire, and stand when you enter a room. And if you let them ignore those protocols, you won't be leading, you'll be following. I've held my tongue up to this point, but George, Reinhart, and the rest of them have been leading you up until now. It's time you put them all in their places."

"They're not leading me, Billy." I tried to argue.

"Greg, you come up with an idea, then you ask them if it's a good idea. To a point, that's fine, but you can't be asking permission to rule. Trust me, if you don't start telling them what's going to happen, rather than asking them, you're going to be a weak King. If you keep blowing off the respect others are trying to show you, they're going to stop respecting you."

I was staring at the floor as I asked "Do you really think I'm doing that bad, Billy? I thought things were going pretty good."

Billy knelt in front of me and put his finger under my chin, forcing me to look him in the eyes. "You're not doing bad, Greg. So much has been thrown at you so fast, I'm amazed at how well you're doing, if I'm being honest. You adjusted to the shock of being changed, the shock of being an Alpha, and a Super Alpha, and in all that, it was fine for you to be Greg. But, be honest, how many world leaders walk in Buckingham Palace and say `Hey Liz, what's up?' I'm guessing that number is zero, and they're not going to call you Greg. If the Queen of England isn't going to call you Greg, your subordinates certainly shouldn't be doing it."

"If it's really that big of a deal, Billy, I'll make them call me Sire, will that make you happy?"

"It's a start, but you need to be more confident when you're talking to the dukes. Stop asking them what they think. Just say what you want to do. Most of them have been around for centuries, if they disagree with what you're doing, they'll speak up."

"I thought that's what happened on the plane, Billy. Didn't we get a lot of issues talked through? Didn't we decide on titles, and who to put in some important roles?"

"What title you use for your butler isn't something anyone cares about. And everyone knew you'd want Mike to head your judicial branch, or whatever. When it comes to more meaty issues, you tend to ask them what they think and let them guide you to where they want you to end up."

I couldn't help it, I laughed. I laughed out loud, and Billy was looking hurt, so I quickly pulled myself together and said "I'm sorry honey, I really am, but I thought you knew what I was doing. I've never asked them for guidance without already knowing what they're going to say. I'm letting them lead me to where I want to go, that way I get what I want, and they feel like they're using me like a puppet."

Billy was staring at me like I had two heads. I was about to reach out and close his mouth for him when he said "You've been playing them all along. Was there any time that you actually felt overwhelmed? Or was it all an act?"

I nodded and said "To be honest, yes, several times, Billy. When Yuan showed up in Hawaii, I had no clue which way to turn. When Charlie demonstrated his magic and ruined my ambush of Igor, I had to think on my feet. And if I'm being honest, right now I'm happy that Josh kept me from storming down to the courtyard. I still don't know what to do about Igor being here, but at least I'm getting some time to consider it."

"Well, you just told me that you should never ask a question you don't know the answer to, so here's what's going to happen. I'm going to go find out how Igor got here, and who put him in chains. Before I go, I'm going to send Alex in so the two of you can discuss IT. If that doesn't take long enough, I'll get Leonard and the builder in here, and you can discuss changes to the castle."

I raised an eyebrow and asked "What do you mean by long enough?"

"You had Josh gather the dukes. By now, they're gathered. They're going to sit for about ten more minutes before they start wondering where you are. Then, one of them is going to come looking for you, and I want you to be busy. They've had exclusive access to you, and they need to learn that you're busy."

I laughed again, and this time, I didn't hold back. I was laughing so hard I had to wipe the tears from my eyes. Finally, Billy asked me "What is so funny?"

I looked at him, shook my head, and said "You're managing me. You're using me to do to them what I've been doing to them."

Billy nodded and said "Yes, I am. Is that a problem? Or is this something Joshua should be doing instead of me? I just figured Josh and I have to find our roles, and now that you don't have a big pack, you don't have businesses, I see my role as backing you up, keeping the small stuff out of your hair, and yes, managing you. If you disagree, I'll back off."

I smiled and pulled him into my arms and said "You can manage me anytime you want, sweetheart. And do me another favor? Would you work with Leonard to make this our home?"

He smiled, kissed me, and said "I will work with Leonard AND you, to make this our home. I will not work alone with Leonard, for several reasons, the least of which is that I won't be living here alone."

"Fine, send Alex in. I'll talk computers with him, and you can talk with the dukes. I can save you some steps, if you'll take my advice?" he waved for me to go on, so I did "While you're in there, take your time, that will help delay their coming to find me."

Billy smiled, then headed off to see the dukes. Two minutes later, Alex came in "Your Majesty, Prince Billy said you wanted to speak to me?"

I resisted giggling, but said "Maybe we should go with either Prince William, or Prince White? Prince Billy just doesn't sound dignified."

"Of course, Sire, but if I may?" I nodded, so he continued "England has Prince Harry, what's wrong with Prince Billy? That's his preferred name, isn't it?"

I nodded, "Fair point. I'll make sure you're in the meeting on official titles, but what I'd really like to talk to you about is IT. You have an unlimited budget, what are you going to do with the castle?"

"In regards to what, Sire?"

"In regards to anything dealing with computers, electronic security, surveillance, phones, and anything else I can throw your way. Would you like to handle purchasing vehicles? Groceries? Landscaping?" I laughed as I said the last few.

"Thank you, Sire, I think I'll stick to what I know. What I would do is rather involved, and technical. I have several ideas, but I'd like to take a little time to decide what fits your lifestyle best. As I understand it, your man Leonard will be doing a lot of remodeling. I want to see what those plans are and how my systems might fit in."

Billy walked in and said "Alex, forgive me, but I need to speak to the King in private."

Alex stood and said "Of course, Your Highness, I'll wait in the outer office."

I said "No need to wait, Alex. Start working on what hardware you're going to get, we'll talk again soon."

Once Alex was gone, Billy said "Igor presented himself to our people at the airport. They didn't have Tommy's number, so they contacted security at the castle who went to George. He had a helicopter take him over to the airport and, after talking to Igor, decided to bring him here. Igor refused to step away from the helicopter without the chains."

I sat and thought about everything Billy had just said. "You gave me the facts. Now, tell me what you think."

"I have no idea what to make of Igor. If you have a clue, I'd love to hear it. As far as George acting on his own, I honestly think he was just trying to give you a few hours rest. I've never doubted George's loyalty to you, have you?"

I started to answer when Josh walked in and said "Everyone is waiting for you, Father. Tommy says he wants Igor kept in the chains, and in the courtyard for now. There are a dozen guards around him, and he's being very quiet. All he'll say is that he wants to speak to you."

"And the dukes?"

"In the conference room, as you asked."

I stood and looked to Billy. "You meant what you said? About me taking charge?" When he smiled and nodded, I turned to Josh and said "Change of plans. I'm headed to the courtyard right now. Go get the dukes and join me there."

If my change surprised Joshua, he didn't show it. He gave a quick bow, and turned to go. Billy and I followed as far as the main hall, then we headed through the foyer and walked into the courtyard.

I saw him standing across the courtyard, looking down. When we walked down the steps, he looked up and saw us. He dropped his gaze, and knelt. He started to speak, but I reached out with my hand and, doing a good Darth Vader impression, used my magic to choke him to silence. He glanced up for a second and I saw true fear in his eyes before he once again, lowered his eyes to the ground.

"You will speak when I allow it. I want witnesses." I said, with quite a bit of King in my voice.

It was only a minute or two before Joshua and the dukes appeared through a door to my left. I noticed James, Donna, and Opa joining us on my right.

I released my grip and said "Igor Danila Markov, the last time we met, I swore vengeance the next time our paths crossed. My son tells me that you came here and, of your own accord, submitted to restraints, to speak to me. Tell me what you have to say, that you would risk your life to say it."

Every head turned to stare in shock at Opa when he said "Yes Father, tell your King what you have to say."

I was still trying to process what I had heard when it hit me. Joshua tried to catch me as I fell to my knees sobbing. I felt Billy's arms around me, holding me, as I heard several phones ringing.