Chapter 20

Chapter 20 Alpha’s dinner

ASHER

After the boy disappeared, I released a sigh and then followed Gareth’s servant into the dining room. I wished that Finnick had joined us and explained what he meant by his words.

Had Ca ssandra Keller really told him that I was a bad man?

The idea should have enraged me and yet, I was somewhat amused. I didn’t love the idea of a child fearing me, but perhaps he’d simply twisted her words as children so often did. Either way, something about the Kellers was intriguing, and I looked forward to getting to know them once we reached Anemond.

Upon my arrival, Alpha Gareth and Luna Sofia, along with their son, rose to their feet and offered me solemn bows. I inclined my head in their direction respectfully and then turned my attention back to the se rvant leading me through the room.

A long, rectangular table sat at the center of the wood-floored room, and around us, the light from the enormous red-brick fireplace flickered. The room itself was painted a rich dark red, and a smile formed on my l*ps. Despite this Pack existing at the border of the empire, the furnishings were exquisite and worthy of royalty. There was a hominess here that didn’t exist in my palace.

The se rvant offered me the seat at the head of the table, and once I sat, he pushed the chair in for me and then gave me a small bow.

“Please let me know if there’s anything else you require, Your Majesty,” he said. When I waved my hand, he nodded once in understanding and then disappeared.

Gareth’s s rvants were quite attentive, I’d give them that.

Once he was gone, I returned my attention to the table. The Alpha and Luna bowed their heads in respect once again, and then Gareth cleared his throat.

“Good evening, Your Majesty,” he said, and he offered me a pleasant expression. “I take it you’re feeling better?”

ask.”

“Marginally,” I replied politely. “Thank you for your concern.”

Gareth nodded. “If there’s anything else we can do, please don’t hesitate to

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I replied, and then my eyes flicked over to my right. I hadn’t realized my son, Prince Marco, was seated there. The boy’s eyes were brighter than they’d been before, and color had returned to his cheeks.

“Hello, Daddy,” he greeted me with a smile, and I smiled back

“Hello, my son,” I replied. “You’re looking better. Whatever the healer did to treat you, it appears to be working.”

“I feel better, Daddy,” Marco declared.

When the viper had struck, I’d been terrified of losing the boy, but Ca ssandra Keller’s methods had apparently worked perfectly. How was it that a healer from a small Pack such as this was so knowledgeable when it came to illnesses?

I could only hope she’d be able to treat my disease as well.

Se rvants entered the room bearing trays of food, and instantly, the air around. us filled with pleasant scents. They laid down platters of chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and freshly-baked bread on the long table, and then began to dole portions out onto the china before us.

Once our plates were full to the brim, the se rvants bowed at Alpha Gareth first, and then myself and Prince Marco.

“That will be all,” Gareth said, and then the se rvants bowed again and left the chamber.

We then began to eat, and the moment I took a large bite, I felt the lingering remains of my poor mood sl*p away. Between the deliciousness of the food and

witnessing the childhood innocence out on the lawn earlier, I was feeling better than I had in a long time.

Marco seemed to pick up on that straight away.

“Daddy, why are you so happy?” he wondered with a slight tilt of his head, and then he took a bite of his mashed potatoes.

I smiled again at my son.

“No reason,” I remarked, and then I reached over and patted him on the shoulder. Marco smiled at me, content with the affection.

Marco was quite needy for my attention these days. When I’d planned this trip down to the Wild Crawler Pack, I’d intended to come alone with only Lancel, but Marco had insisted on joining me. I’d put up a little bit of a fight, but at the end of the day, I couldn’t deny him. Any five-year-old child would have done the same, and I couldn’t blame him for wanting to stay by my side.

“It’s such a blessing that Prince Marco has recovered so quickly, Your Majesty,” Gareth spoke up.

“It’s all thanks to your healer,” I remarked as I turned my attention to him. “She’s quite remarkable, isn’t she?”

is.”

Gareth’s cheeks darkened slightly, but he simply nodded his head. “Indeed, she

He appeared slightly awkward at the mention of Ca ssandra, and part of me wondered if it was because I was taking her with me to Anemond.

“I haven’t seen your eldest son, Alpha,” I mused. “Where is he? Is he still unhappy with my decision to bring the healer with me?”

“No, Your Majesty,” Gareth insisted, and then he gulped. “I beg your forgiveness on his behalf. He isn’t feeling well-”

“Oh,” I cut him off. “I figured the young man was angry with me. It’s rather

obvious he’s smitten with her. Of course, you already knew that.”

Gareth and Sofia’s eyes widened and flew to each other. I watched with amusement as their cheeks flushed scarlet.

“What does smitten mean?” their son, Dominic, spoke up quietly, and when he tugged on his father’s sleeve, Gareth sighed.

“Eat your food, Dominic,” he insisted, and then he turned his attention back to me. “Your Majesty, I think you’re mistaken about Rayden. Ca ssandra Keller arrived here five years ago when Rayden was just about to join the Myriad. He was too preoccupied with his service to notice her, and besides, she was married back then. They’ve barely interacted since.”

My brow lifted.

“She came to your Pack five years ago?” I asked. “I thought she was born here… Curious. How is that possible, Alpha? Does your Pack accept rogues?”

“Absolutely not,” Gareth replied quickly. “She came to our Pack with our old healer, Emmett. He brought her here and married her, so we accepted her as our own. We would never go against the rules of Wegalla-”

His voice wavered, and I fought the urge to fire back.

“Relax, Alpha Gareth,” I said casually, and I raised my hand up. “I was just making a guess. Marriage, huh? So where did she come from?”

“We don’t know, Your Majesty,” Gareth admitted. “Emmett said she was a stray. Back then, she had scars all over her b*dy and she appeared to have been through.

an ordeal…”

His voice trailed off and his lower l*p trembled.

Stray.

Stray was just a mild word for rogue.

Gareth was right to look terrified. Accepting werewolves into a Pack without a clear background was a serious offense. If they’d admitted a stray all those years. ago, it was clear this remote Pack was just as careless as I’d initially a*sumed.

Before I could open my mouth to speak, the chamber door opened and Lancel walked in. The expression on his face told me the matter was serious.

“I have something to report to you, Alpha,” he announced, and then his eyes fell

to Gareth.

“Speak it,” I replied shortly.

Lancel straightened his posture before he spoke.

“A se rvant said he saw the healer and Alpha Gareth’s son sneak out of the Pack House just a few minutes ago. They’re gone.”