Chapter 129

Chapter 129 Little bird

SILAS

The celebration reached its peak as the Alpha King made a toast to welcome

my return.

As Asher clinked a gold-plated knife against his champagne gla*s, it was clear that he was noticeably drunk, but there was no ill intent behind it. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were a little distant, but his smile was warm and when he caught my gaze, he winked.

The crowded banquet hall fell silent and all eyes fell to him. My father’s in-depth conversation with the councilor beside me ceased, and relief swam through me. I was glad to have a moment away from the heavy talk of battle strategy, no matter how brief it was.

“I would like to make a toast,” Asher announced to the waiting crowd, and his smile deepened as he gestured toward me. “To Silas Moses, the Beta of this glorious Crescent Pack. His return is long-awaited, and it’s a pleasure to finally have. him back in Merliscire. Though he is new to his position, it’s safe to say that this Pack is in good hands with him as the Beta. Silas, I look forward to working with you closely. Welcome back to Anemond. Cheers!”

“Cheers!” the rest of the banquet hall repeated back, and as they raised their gla*ses to me in honor, my cheeks grew hot and my eyes looked elsewhere. I wasn’t one who enjoyed attention, unlike the rest of my family. I preferred lingering in the background where no one could see me, but in a position like the one I’d a*sumed,

the was no longer an option.

So, I knocked back the drink in my hand and saluted my king.

Once the champagne made its way down my throat, I remembered that I was supposed to deliver a speech to everyone tonight. I wasn’t particularly in the mood to do so, and when I met Asher’s gaze again, the Alpha King seemed to take notice and nodded. When he didn’t insist, I stepped away from the crowd of guests and

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returned to the refreshment table for a refill.

On my way, I was intercepted by a few guests I didn’t recognize. As these.

strangers greeted me warmly and welcomed me back to the palace, I slowly downed a few more gla*ses of wine. I wasn’t usually much of a drinker, but I needed all of the liquid courage I could get to endure this party.

After a while, the dizziness began to take hold.

I glanced around the banquet hall. My father seemed to be busy talking to some of the councilors about some business I didn’t care about, so I decided to take the opportunity to step away. Everyone was so occupied by the party that no one noticed when I walked out into the corridor.

Just as before, the hall was empty save for a few guards, so I was free to wander without running into anyone. I took my time and studied some of the paintings that hung on the walls. I’d seen them a million times growing up, but after being gone for so long, they were almost brand new. Everything felt so much different here than it’d been before.

A wave of sadness hit me. Things were so complicated now.

I decided that I needed to get some fresh air, so I walked to the end of the hall until I reached the back door. The guards let me pa*s without question, and I stepped out onto the grounds.

I wandered aimlessly in the night until I reached the garden again. Once I was amongst the rose bushes and tall, twi nkling fountain, I took a few much-needed deep breaths. When I closed my eyes, I briefly had a moment where I swore I could

smell her scent.

Becky.

My mate.

I knew the phantom smell was just a memory, but the raspberry and spun sugar lingered in my nose anyway, and I couldn’t stop thinking about her. I had a strong impulse to find her, take her, and claim her as my own. I remembered the woman

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beside her was named Cas sandra, and she was a healer. Surely it wouldn’t be

difficult to find her at all.

Just as I made the choice to find Becky after all, I opened my eyes to see Adalyn standing behind me.

My sister’s red-painted l*ps twisted into a cruel, vicious smile that sent a ch down my spine. As she walked toward me, my stomach twisted into knots.

“Brother, you don’t seem very happy,” she remarked in a mocking tone. “For someone being celebrated by the Pack, you look quite gloomy. Whatever could be wrong?”

I knew she was just taunting me in order to get a rise out of me, so I just ignored her and walked past. As long as Adalyn was on my trail, my business with Becky could wait until later. I decided the smartest move would be to head back to the banquet hall and immerse myself in the celebration.

“Father is wrong, you know,” Adalyn called after me. “I know this whole mate affair isn’t a mistake.”

I stopped in my tracks and turned around to face her. I narrowed my eyes and focused on burning a hole through her with my gaze.

“What are you talking about?” I all but growled.

Adalyn’s smile furthered. “I know the name of the girl. Her name is Becky, and she works for Cas sandra Keller. They have a clinic not too far from the palace. You can reach it easily on foot.”

So, the angel woman of my dreams had a name.

Becky.

I simply stared at Adalyn. Surely, she wasn’t telling me all of this out of kindness. or consideration.

“Well, that’s all I wanted to tell you,” she remarked with a small shrug. “Now that

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you know where she lives, you can go see your little bird any time.”

My heart dropped.

Bird. She had used the word bird.

Earlier, when I’d thought of my long-dead pet, I’d forgotten the most crur detail. The poor animal had grown sick because of Adalyn. I’d always taken ca treat the animal well, but Adalyn… when I’d told my sister about my secret pet, st gone and visited it without my permission and fed it something she shouldn’t.

It had died because of her and my father both.

I didn’t understand why Adalyn hated me so much, but I wouldn’t let her kill something I loved ever again.

“Don’t try to play tricks on me ever again,” I warned her.

Adalyn laughed. “Why would I trick my own dear brother? I just want to help. I understand how irresistible mates can be. It’s impossible to be apart from one

another.”

I sneered. “Really? How could you possibly understand that?”

My sister’s face briefly twisted in anger, but she quickly regained her

composure.

“Look, I’m on your side completely this time,” she said calmly. “If needed I would even be willing to apologize for some of our… disagreements from our childhood.”

“What is it that you want?” I sighed. “I know you have an angle-”

“No angle,” she a*sured me. “I want nothing, really. If you want Father to accept your mate, you’ll need my help. And in exchange… maybe your little mate can help

me with some of the issues I have with the healer.”

I knew at once that Adalyn wasn’t making an offer, but a threat. If I didn’t comply, she’d find some way to pit Father even further against me.

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I wasn’t a child anymore. It was easy for me to recognize her desperation. Though she sounded calm and confident, the threat held no strength.

Yet, I was interested in what Adalyn wanted.

“What do you want me to do?” I wondered. “In theory, of course.”

“I want to know what Ca ssandra Keller is doing,” Adalyn replied. “The he sneaking around, and I want to make sure Asher is fine. He seems distant and lately. Something is going on.”

Jealousy. It all came down to jealousy.

I chuckled. It had been five years, and Adalyn still hadn’t gotten what she wanted. And now, she wanted me to be her pawn.

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