The passage opened into a small garden in the corner of the imperial palace, and it was quite secluded. It was far away from the palace of the lycan king, and it was close to the palaces where the elders of the royal family lived. I walked along the path and carefully noted my surroundings. I spotted several security cameras installed in the area. Perhaps I could find a clue through the surveillance video.
After considering it for a while, I went to meet the steward who was in charge of the elders’ palaces.
The steward was a middle-aged man. Dressed in a crisp suit, he looked as if he was dead-on serious and impartial. When he heard my request to check the surveillance video, he bluntly refused.
“Even though you’re an Alpha, you have no authority to interfere in the affairs of the imperial palace. You can only check the footage with the consent of the lycan king.”
“I just want to see the surveillance video of the small garden nearby. I don’t want to see the palace interiors or violate anyone’s privacy.”
I was so agitated that my volume automatically rose.
The steward remained unmoved. He gazed at me with his hands clasped behind his back.
“Crystal, this is the residence of the elders of the royal family. Please don’t create a commotion here.”
“It’s urgent. Please make an exception for me this time. ” I repeatedly tried to humble myself. I almost begged him, but he didn’t let me watch the video, no matter how I pleaded.
I was burning with angst. My son had just been kidnapped. This was a crucial time to search for him. I needed to hurry.
I called Rufus, but no one answered. I guessed he was occupied with tending to Beryl.
In the end, I had no choice but to barge into the surveillance room with my men. The guards stopped us, and even the elders were alerted.
They were not happy to hear that I wanted to check the surveillance footage. Some arrogant elders even ordered the guards to throw us out.
I was so enraged that I fought them head-on.
Chaos reigned. Many nosy people gathered around to watch the fun, but I couldn’t be bothered. My only concern was my son. The more time I spent tangling with these people, the greater danger my son would be in.
In a moment of desperation, I unintentionally released a burst of lycan power.
The expression of the elders, who had been watching the drama unfold, transformed drastically.
At that moment, Rufus suddenly appeared and shouted, “Stop!”
When I heard his voice, I instantly calmed down. I felt wronged.
Rufus looked livid, but I wasn’t scared. The second I laid my eyes on him, all my fear and panic dissolved.
I approached him. My tears started flowing down again when I saw him. Choking on my sobs, I said in a helpless voice, “Arron was kidnapped…”
Rufus’ POV
I had already been informed of the matter on the way here.
Arron was missing.
No wonder Crystal had made such a ruckus.
But I still couldn’t control the anger I felt at her impulsiveness.
Instead of first coming to me, she took her own people to create trouble in the imperial palace.
Neither did she consider my feelings, nor did she take me seriously. I’d thought that I would give her a severe dressing down when I saw her.
However, when I saw her pained eyes, my heart softened. I couldn’t continue being angry with her, let alone blame her. I could see that she was anxious, but pretending to be strong.
When she met my eyes, I was even overwhelmed by the impulse to wrap my arms around her. I inwardly sighed.
This she-wolf had really bewitched me.
She had pushed my buttons several times, but I was willing to change my principles for her. I had probably lost my mind. I inhaled deeply to calm myself down.
Without telling her anything, I turned around and ordered the guards beside me, “Lock down the imperial palace compound. Anyone who wants to leave must undergo a rigorous inspection. Don’t allow anyone to take the kid outside. Go and probe everyone’s whereabouts tonight and find witnesses. If anyone behaves suspiciously, bring them here, whether the person is a guard, an elder, or their family member.”
All the guards instantly left to carry out my orders, leaving only Crystal and me. I turned my attention back to her, and saw that her eyes were red.
She was obviously still upset. She tugged on my sleeve. Her anger was gone, replaced by a sheepish expression.
“Did we make too big a fuss?”
Crystal asked in a slightly frightened voice while tilting her head a little.
I was very satisfied with her contriteness, but I didn’t reveal it on my face.
She probably knew she was wrong making a scene.
If I hadn’t arrived here in time, she would have torn this place apart with her people.
What an ignorant she-wolf! She was behaving herself right now, but she might dare to disobey me again in the future.
She disregarded discipline and authority. She was probably the only person who didn’t take me seriously.
I snorted.
“Now you realize that you’ve kicked up a big fuss? If I didn’t come, what were you going to do with these elders? You’re not scared of anything, are you?”
Crystal lowered her head and silently dropped her eyes to her feet, looking like a student being lectured by a teacher. I looked at the top of her head and stopped reprimanding her. I didn’t know why, but I bean felt sorry for her. I inwardly sighed deeply and it dawned on me that she had captured my heart. I would be furious if she made a mistake, but I wouldn’t be able to hold her responsible.
In the end, I couldn’t stop myself from touching her head.
This soft touch melted my heart, and I couldn’t rebuke her anymore.
The restlessness I felt in my heart settled at this moment, and a sense of satisfaction flowed through me. I reluctantly pulled back my hand.
In a softer voice, I said, “It’s not been long since Arron disappeared. He and the kidnapper must still be in the palace compound. I’ll locate them even if I have to search every nook and cranny of the entire imperial palace.”
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