Number 31

“I’m sorry, honestly,” he kept apologizing.

“You’re sorry?” she raised her head a little, still in his arms and asked.

“I am,” he whispered.

“You’re right,” taking few steps backward, she sniffled while wiping the tears off. “I indeed faced a lot in the hands of that vile fellow that parades himself as the Alpha of Star Moon pack. And I must admit, it indeed distorted my view of ware wolves in general. I’m sorry for driving you to a corner.”

“You don’t have to feel sorry, Lorelei,” he placed both hands on her shoulders, “I never should have lied to you in the first place.”

“You’ll kill Damien?” she voiced her major concern.

“Exactly! Plotting against my father makes his death inevitable. And I also plan to avenge you, Lei. That way, we’d be killing two birds with one stone,” he said while caressing her face.

“Fine! When all these is over and Damien is out of the way alongside that wench I once considered my sister, I’ll fulfill your wish.”

“My wish?”

“Yes. I’ll come over your hometown and settle down with you officially as your mate,” her statement spurred Roman’s lips to move subconsciously, forming a really bright smile.

“You will?!” he exclaimed wide-eyed. Lei nodded, smiling sheepishly.

Roman pulled her into his embrace once again.

Looks like Roman had one more reason to hasten things up and get things done once and for all. Lei must have felt sorry owing to the ideology Roman had about her; it was true she was quite prejudicial towards he-wolves to be precise. Her guilty conscience could not have been the only reason. There was no harm, now she knew everything about him. It was a pretty good opportunity to put an end to the horror that taunted her, she also loved Roman and besides, things could not possibly go worst than they already were.

Without much contemplations, she held Roman closely and just savored the warmth his broad chest and shoulders dispensed.

“Mmhh,” Ivy cleared her throat to remind the love birds that they weren’t all alone, she was still there.

They laughed and pulled away from each other’s embrace.

“Xander!” she called out.

“He’s asleep. Let me go get him,” Ivy walked in.

“He’s always sleeping.” They giggled.

The atmosphere in the room was very distinct from what it was few minutes ago.

Ivy came out not so long after, with the sleeping child in her arms. She handed the child over to Roman and after the ‘thank you’s’ and ‘later’s’, the couple left, not before reminding Ivy the nature of the urgency of her visit to The Crimson Fangs. With Lorelei echoing his reminders, they bade the woman farewell and left.

Ivy had little to prepare, so in no time she made her way out of the pack, and journeyed to deliver her message.

Ivy left the village enthusiastically, swelling with joy, knowing she was about to take part in a feat that could make history. Little did she know her envisagement was nothing but a mere mirage as the information she was about to convey was wrong.

Yes, Damien being a very sly fellow had a second meeting behind Roman’s back. He must have done that to get rid of possible loopholes without knowing he created a deeper loophole by doing that.

***

“My king,” Luna A called out. “Were those spies from the Dead Pool pack?” she was referring to the people she saw walking out on her way into the palace.

“Yes, they are,” he confirmed.

“Any new report?”

“Yes. Our opposing teams are finally making their move, they just informed me of the time of their attack.”

Yes! The bigger loophole Damien dug was this. The Alpha king’s spies intercepted their original plan and traveled over immediately to notify their master. The saying ‘do not put all your eggs in one basket’ was indeed more than just a ‘saying’.

She gasped in shock. “Attack?!” she exclaimed.

“Yes, attack. We have to prepare our forces for a counterattack.”

“And no news from Roman yet…Right???” she stressed.

“Not now please,” he hushed. But why though? She only asked a harmless question.

The alpha king saw through her manipulative antics. Her true intentions behind the question was in the limelight before him. She slyly wanted to slip in the topic concerning her son becoming the next alpha in Roman’s stead. The king knew she could not worry less about Roman’s wellbeing so that question was only to drive one point home – he neglected his duties for something like this not to have come directly from the supposed ‘heir’.

It was obvious the Alpha king was in no condition to entertain his queen’s incessant whining, having greater issues on his plate. Not only was he burdened by the need to prepare and fast for a counterattack, he was not pleased, thinking Roman was indeed unreliable.

*Few hours later*

“My king, a member of the pack seeks to have an audience with you,” a guard announced, bowing his head slightly.

“Granted!” he consented. The guard walked out of the room with his back against the exit, still bowing his head. It was a taboo or a sign of gross disrespect to either look at the king in the eye or turn one’s back against him.

Ivy was the visitor.

“My king,” she bowed as a sign of reverence.

“Ivy!” he exclaimed excitedly. “Good to see you, come in and sit!” he beckoned and of course she accepted his invitation.

“How long has it been?” he asked jovially while she was seated. She gave off an archaic smile.

“To what do I owe this surprise visit? Did you suddenly miss home?”

“I bring you news from prince Roman, my king,” she stated her purpose.

“Prince Roman?”

“Yes, my king.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“The Dead Pool and Star Moon are finally making their move.”

The spies earlier had told him something similar but he never felt as good as he did hearing it from his son indirectly.

“They plan to meet tomorrow before dawn officially to discuss their attack towards this great nation and ultimately carry out their plot the next full moon,” she announced.

“The next full moon?”

“Yes, my Lord,” she affirmed. “And also, Roman isn’t mute. He speaks just well,” she added.

“He isn’t?!”

“Yes my king.”

The king knew the information was unsubstantial because his spies also told him about it, but it was made known to him that their was a last minute change to the whole plan. All the same, the joy he felt wasn’t nullified due to the nature of her message. Knowing that Roman was still very much on track was more than enough to give him the assurance he yearned. He even acted mute for the same purpose! What other assurance could he possibly ask for?

“What? Ivy is working with Damien?” The Luna muttered. She was listening in on their conversation. Truly the walls had ears.

She wasn’t at all pleased with Ivy aiding her enemy and the hindrance standing between Oscar and the throne.

Swelling with feelings of indignation, boiling with anger and resentment, fuming with rage, she stormed off in order to prevent herself from barging in and doing something she might regret later. She decided to wait until the wretched nanny was done with her chitchat.