Chapter 163

Chapter 163 Probing

CAS ANDRA

When I arrived at Merliscire, I was greeted immediately by Lancel. The Alpha King’s most loyal and trustworthy guard seemed surprised to see me and remarked as such after I said hello..

“Miss Ca ss andra,” he remarked curtly. “What brings you to the palace? The Alpha King is away on business-”

“I know,” I interrupted gently. “He told me yesterday after our health check.”

Lancel nodded. “I see.”

“I was actually wondering, Lancel, if you could do me a favor?” I wondered, and when the older man’s thick eyebrows knitted together in confusion, I took a step forward and leaned in slightly. “I’ve been entrusted with a sample from Wild Crawler that may be beneficial to our research.”

“Really?” he asked in surprise and then he regained his no-nonsense air. “And what would you intend to do with it, Miss Cas sandra?”

I glanced around the entryway of the palace to ensure that no one was around to overhear our business and when I was sure we were alone, I spoke candidly. “I want to take it to the dungeon. I think the imposter may have some insight into its properties.”

Lancel nodded again, finally understanding my request.

“I shall escort you,” he declared, and without further hesitation, he began to walk down the corridor.

I followed suit and let out a small exhalo of relief. I hadn’t expected the guard to give me any grief about the matter, of course, but I knew any dealings with Spi ke set him on edge. I knew he didn’t approve of our current alliance with the villain, but

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absolute, and he’d never sway from a decision made by Asher, no matter what.

We continued down to the dungeon and a shiver ran through me as we descended the staircase. While I’d been here many times, I never got used to the lack of lighting or the temperature of the prison. It was desolate and dark, which made sense, but knowing that my father once resided here made it feel even more

lonely.

e we were th

Lancel escorted me to Spi ke’s cell, and he stepped aside a

little but remained alert.

Spi ke seemed equally surprised to see me.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” he asked me with a raised eyebrow. “More research?”

I rooted around in my medical kit and retrieved the tube containing the water sample.

“I need you to look at this,” I stated, and I held it through the bars. Spi ke approached with curiosity, and when he accepted the sample, he stared at me blankly.

“Water?” he wondered as he held the tube up. “That’s what’s in this, correct?”

When I nodded, his frown deepened.

“Why do you suddenly want me to study a water sample?” he asked.

“It might be related to the poison you’ve suspected,” I remarked.

Spi ke’s eyebrow lifted and his eyes studied me closely. “Where was it taken

from?”

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied. “It’s not important for you to know.”

He looked as if he were about to question me further, but when he caught a

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I didn’t blame him for being alarmed. I was relieved that Lancel was here to help me.

“Fine,” Spi ke decided. “I’ll take a look at it.”

“Thank you,” I said, and without another word, I started to walk back down the corridor. Lancel walked beside me. Once we reached the top of the stairs and stepped out into the main corridor, I smiled at the guard. “Thank you for coming. with me, Lancel.”

“Of course,” he replied curtly. “I’m just doing my duties.”

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind and I frowned. Why hadn’t Asher taken Lancel with him?

“Lancel, do you know where the Alpha King was going?” I wondered. “He left so quickly that I didn’t get to ask.”

The guard hesitated a moment and then shook his head. “I have no idea.”

I knew it was a lie, but there was no way Lancel would tell me something Asher hadn’t. We may have been getting along now, but the stubborn guard would only be loyal to his Alpha and no one else.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed someone standing not too far away from us. I turned in their direction and realized it was Kane. Asher’s stepbrother was leaning against the wall with a slight frown on his handsome face, but when he noticed us, he smiled and approached.

“Well, well, well,” he mused. “What a pleasant surprise to see you here, Healer Cas sandra.”

“Hello,” I greeted him pleasantly though I was confused by his being here. Encountering Kane Collins here was unusual, especially since our presence near the dungeon was supposed to be a secret.

“What brings you to the dungeon of all places?” he wondered, and before! could make an excuse and explain why we were here, Lancel spoke first.

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“Healer Cas sandra was brought here to offer medical care to an important prisoner,” he stated simply.

Kane’s eyebrow raised up. “How interesting. They must be important if they require her care.”

Lancel opened his mouth to speak, but Kane raised his hand in the air.

“Don’t worry, I’m not too concerned with the matter,” he said, and then he turned to me. “If you’re finished with your business, could I accompany you back to the clinic, Healer Cas sandra?”

I glanced at Lancel and after he gave the tiniest of expressions, I nodded at

Kane.

I didn’t believe Kane would harm Asher or me, though I didn’t know much nim. Kane Collins was pleasant to get along with. Normally, someone from the privileged family in Wegalla wouldn’t be so friendly toward commoners from a smaller Pack, but Kane was different. I had noticed it since his last visit to the clinic. Kane was genuinely affable to everyone there- Becky, Erika, and Hannah.

Of course, perhaps it was because he was a pla cyboy and knew how to make women feel at ease with his presence.

I said goodbye to Lancel and then Kane and I headed to the clinic. We chatted freely about various topics like the weather and the clinic’s condition, until suddenly, Kane made a remark that almost made me stop in my tracks.

“So, I’ve noticed that my brother has been visiting the clinic a lot lately,” he said. “Is he sick or something?”

His tone was so nonchalant, that for a moment, I completely forgot myself and spoke with less caution than usual.

“No, Asher is fine,” I blurted out, and it took me a second to realize that I’d referred to him by his first name rather than his title of “Alpha King”

As my heart throbbed in my chest from embarra*sment and worry, I thought I

caught a glimpse of darkness in Kane’s violet eyes, but it could very well have been my imagination.

However, he merely smiled and nodded, seemingly unperturbed by the way I’d informally referred to the Alpha King. “I see. Well, I’m glad he isn’t sick. That would sure be a shame.”