“Ask about our mate.”
“We don’t have a mate.”
He huffed in frustration. “Fine. Ask about Meredith.”
I clenched my jaw. I didn’t care about Meredith. She wasn’t my problem. Rhovan was just delusional. And yet… the urge to ask Jeffery about her had come too easily. Too naturally. That annoyed me even more.
I glanced at Jeffery. “What’s the update on Meredith?”
Jeffery, always prepared, responded immediately. “The doctor checked on her earlier. He examined the scar on her cheek.”
My brows pulled together slightly. “Which doctor?”
“One of your personal physicians,” Jeffery replied.
That gave me pause. I didn’t like that, but I also didn’t care since all I was looking out for was results.
We reached the car. A guard stepped forward, opening the back door. “Alpha,” he greeted with a nod.
I slid in, and Jeffery followed from the other side, taking the seat beside me. The convoy moved, leaving the castle behind as we headed to the palace.
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at the palace gates. The sight of the towering golden crest of the werewolf monarchy was as familiar as ever, yet I barely spared it a glance.
The chief of staff was already waiting. “Alpha Draven, Beta Jeffery. Welcome. His Majesty is expecting you.”
We followed him inside, our footsteps echoing against polished marble floors. The grandeur of the palace had never impressed me-it was excess wrapped in gold.
In the grand sitting room, the chief of staff offered us drinks. I waved it off. “No need.”
I hadn’t come here to relax and I didn’t want to appear comfortable to avoid the King keeping me for longer than usual.
Moments later, the doors opened, and King Alderic walked in.
At sixty, the man still carried an air of dominance. His sharp gaze settled on me, his lips curving into a knowing smile.
Jeffery and I stood. “Your Majesty.”
The King nodded, then turned to Jeffery briefly before glancing back at me. And immediately, I took that as a cue to dismiss Jeffery.
Jeffery gave a respectful nod before turning to leave.
Alderic took a seat and gestured for me to do the same. “Draven,” he said smoothly. “Congratulations. You have done what no Alpha has dared in centuries-marrying a woman cursed by the Moon Goddess.”
I smirked, spreading my hands slightly. “What can I say? I’ve always been good at breaking protocols.”
He chuckled, then leaned back, studying me. “You had Wanda by your side for years. If you wanted a wife, why not her? She has all the qualities of a Luna.”
My smirk vanished. “It seems there’s a misunderstanding.”
Alderic arched a brow.
I met his gaze head-on. “Wanda and I are just friends. We’ve never seen each other in any other light.”
He shook his head, amused. “No woman dedicates herself to another pack for years unless she has feelings for its Alpha.”
His assumption annoyed me. I tried to replay several scenarios with Wanda in my head, but as far as I could recall, she had never once stepped out of line in that light. Right?
But before I could argue, Alderic smoothly changed the subject.
“So, tell me, why did you choose a wolfless deviant as your wife?” His gaze sharpened. “You’re not a fool, Draven. I know you wouldn’t pick a woman with no value for no reason.”
I exhaled slowly. “Because she caught my attention.” The words felt foreign coming from my mouth, but they were the truth. “She’s strong-willed, resilient. Most in her position would have crumbled. But she didn’t.”
Alderic watched me closely. Then he sighed. “The council of elders will never accept her. They will oppose you, and I hope you are ready for their petitions.”
I smirked. “We will see about that.”
The elders’ opinions and petitions didn’t concern me. They weren’t worth my time.
Alderic chuckled, shaking his head, but then his expression turned serious. “I didn’t call you here just to talk about your wife.”
I leaned forward. “I figured.”
Alderic straightened, his face hardening. “The murders in Duskmoor. What have you found?”
I didn’t hesitate. “All the victims were werewolves who migrated there. Their ages varied, but they were all skilled labourers. One of them worked in a heavy-duty factory. I’m guessing his superhuman strength was beneficial, hence his employment.”
Alderic’s expression darkened. “Could it be the humans? Are they harvesting werewolf hearts for experiments?”
I didn’t react. “That’s a serious accusation. I doubt the humans would risk breaking the truce between us.”
He nodded, but the frown on his face didn’t fade. “Still, don’t rule them out. Humans are unpredictable.”
I let out a slow breath. “I won’t. But humans cannot overpower a werewolf so easily. And taking their heart from their chest is not a simple task.”
Silence settled between us. Alderic’s jaw ticked, his mind clearly working through the possibilities.
Then, he met my eyes. “I would rather believe humans are behind these killings than consider the alternative.”
My fingers tapped against the chair’s armrest. I knew what he meant.
Because if it wasn’t the humans… then something far worse was lurking in the shadows.
Alderic’s voice was grave. “If it isn’t the humans, then we have an unknown enemy-a formidable one.”
I nodded. The weight of responsibility pressed against my chest. “I will launch a full-scale investigation once I return to Duskmoor. I will put an end to this.”
Alderic held my gaze. “Please do. The entire werewolf race is counting on you.”
I inhaled deeply. The burden was great, but I had no choice.
I will unearth the truth. No matter what it took.
Draven.
King Alderic exhaled deeply, drumming his fingers on the armrest of his chair. “The council of elders will convene in a few hours,” he said, his sharp gaze studying me. “Would you like to be present?”
I leaned back slightly, already shaking my head. “No,” I replied. “I need to prepare for my journey back to Duskmoor tomorrow.” Then, I met his gaze directly. “But since you will be there, I have a message for them.”
Alderic arched a brow. “I’m listening.”
“Tell them to stop wasting their energy on who I chose as my wife,” I said evenly. “Nothing is going to change. Instead, they should focus on overseeing the construction of the Great Wall. The safety of our people is far more important than my personal life.”
Alderic let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. “It sounds like you’re reminding them of their place.”
I smirked. “They seem to have forgotten.”
Alderic’s smile lingered for a moment before he nodded. “Very well. I will deliver your message.”
Satisfied, I stood up, adjusting my jacket. “Then I will take my leave.”
Alderic stood as well, offering me a firm nod. “Safe travels back to Duskmoor, Alpha Draven.”
I returned the nod, then turned and strode toward the exit.
Jeffery was waiting right outside the doors, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. At the sight of me, he straightened. “Everything settled?”
“For now,” I muttered, already moving.
Together, we were escorted out of the palace, making our way back to the waiting convoy.
The drive back to Oatrun Estate was quiet, the hum of the engine the only sound filling the car. By the time we arrived, the sun was already dipping lower in the sky.
As soon as the cars rolled to a stop, the butler was already waiting at the entrance of the estate, hands clasped in front of him. His sharp eyes flickered to me as I stepped out of the car. “Alpha,” he greeted with a slight bow.
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