Chapter 43|Visiting Old Friends.

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**Alexander's P O V.

Finding out from Leah that Isabelle has heard the rumors going round about my wedding being fixed with Arabella in a few weeks nearly had me ditching everyone else and returning to my condo to be with her, to assure her that I was hers the same way she belongs to me. Francis was supportive of my decision but at the same time he knew how important it was for myself and Damon to make the trip to the Lichen Pack. In summary, he was torn the same way I was.

Leah promised to take her back to the Pack where she would be under Old Bea's protection.

I took Leah's assurance that Isabelle was going to be taken care of to boot. It was what propelled me into moving forward on my mission to find out the truth behind the Lichen Pack's asserted edict. If Francis smells something fishy in it, there must be something wrong.

Damon and I flew to London in my jet, he took an Audi r8 from the De Luca Pack's garage in one of the mansions we own there while I took the sleek black bmw that belongs to Luke. We went on our separate ways with the pledge to communicate as soon and often as we could, given the chance to. Damon was journeying to Leeds where the Lichen Pack House was situated at.

The Bane Pack and the Lichen Pack were the two neighboring Packs ruling the whole of England, they were said to be of the same pedigree, claimed to be found by two brothers who couldn't agree to rule under the same leadership. Hence the creation of the other.

I had a feeling what I was searching for could be found in either Packs or at least relevant information regarding to it. The drive to the Bane Pack community was a short one because the house built by my Late grandfather, Stephano de Luca was deliberately situated close to the Bane Pack which housed his closest companion. It used to be one of the buildings they used as their safe havens.

With only Christopher Bane, the former Alpha of the Bane Pack alive, the De Luca Pack residence wasn't often used anymore. Both my grandfather and his other companion, Martin Miles who used to be the Beta of the Bane Pack died several years ago.

A strange sense of nostalgia swept over my feet as I took in the sight of the mansion busy with boisterous activities from the sounds of laughter and cheer that was reaching my ears. I couldn't remember the last time I was at the Pack and a lot of changes were obviously made. Changes I evaluated with a critical eye and found praiseworthy.

I took the option to walk myself to the Alpha's residence waving off the offers I received to be escorted. When I got to the manor that housed the Alpha I was surprised to meet the said man awaiting my arrival.

Alpha Drake was one of the few men I know who took justice with the tightest of fists. With streaks of grey hair on his dark head the elderly man in his late fifties acknowledged me with a firm handshake and led me into the house. In recent years, the only time I meet with Alpha Drake or any other Leader was at the annual conference held by the Werewolf Council where all Pack leaders were obligated to attend and provide basic information regarding their Packs. Conflicts were resolved, grievances and complaints heard and relationships amended with the Lycan Alpha taking charge. He was the oldest, strongest and most influential Alpha who ruled the whole of Russia, Germany and Turkiye.

"Was surprised to hear about your arrival. I had no idea you were visiting." Alpha Drake bluntly declared the moment we were settled in a receiving room.

"A trip planned on short notice." I replied concisely without broadening my reason behind the decision.

"How have you been son? How's the Pack holding on?" The stern Alpha inquired quizzically.

I replied on the positive before our discussion gradually moved towards the issue of security regarding protecting our various territories.

One of the few events I could vividly remember occuring at the Bane Pack was the death of the Alpha's sister, after that my visits lessened until they were a thing of the past. Not too long after that I lost my own grandfather and life never became the same. The relationship between the Bane Knights and the De Luca's thinned until it was almost nonexistent.

The accident that took away my grandfather, Stephano de Luca's life was the same one that rendered Christopher Knight of the Bane Pack unconscious in a coma before he was subjected to a life in a state of paralysis. The once virile and imposing man turned into a motionless and helpless one. Their third companion, Martin Miles' body wasn't found after the accident. After a short while the authorities confirmed him dead too.

That was the end of one of the strongest bonds in the history of wolves.

Every Pack became enclosed and focused on their own state of mourning that it didn't occur to the other until it was too late, the ties had been broken. It didn't stop me from maintaining a highly respectful and very cordial relationship with the Alpha of the Bane Pack.

As I made my way to Christopher Knight's wing, memories of myself as a child hit me hard. Memories of the young friend I made when I came here the last time, of broken promises, of shattered vows. A slash of pain went through my head, my jaws instinctively tightening until I was facing the man with whom my grandfather shared the best of his years. The man who was said to be his companion to the very end.

At growing up I thought I was undefeatable, losing my mentor when I was at my most robust stage had me feeling like the carpets had been yanked viciously from beneath my feet. It shattered my world and my whole existence. I couldn't find it in me to visit the man who reminds me so much of the Great Lion as the ancients refer to him as. I was weak.

But not anymore.

The last time I saw Christopher Knight, his long legs were braced apart seeing us off as he held his granddaughter in his hand. It was when my grandfather and I were returning to our home after spending a few days with the Knight family.

"Fifteen years later, the Wolf shows up. What happened to being the strongest allies? The closest friends, kindred clans?" Were the first words to slip past Christopher Knight's lips the moment I stepped into his view.

Although transfixed to the bed, Knight looked as strong as any man could. Only the obvious signs of old age getting to his body could give away the fact that he wasn't as virile as he once was.

"My friend Stephano will be most disappointed in you Alexander King De Luca. To what do I owe the pleasure of this impromptu visit?" He asked, his eyes wrinkling with mirth and in his words I felt a strange sense of kinship.

"Or am I hallucinating once again?" The bedridden man asked in repartee.

"I'm real as you are. Words fail to explain my reason for staying away. Forgive me, Alpha." I bowed to the man who hushed me up.

"Blah! That is my son's title, I am Knight now and there's no need for you to be formal with your own grandfather. You look just like my great friend did when we were your age."

"I'm honored."

After going through the pleasantry exchange phase we made enquiries about each other until he noticed my unease and commented on it. At first I felt like shielding my worries from the man but he saw through my guise. I yielded to his solicitation and felt compelled to explain everything to him. Aside from Old Bea he was the only one who could have an idea as to what the situation entails and the strange churn in my chest wasn't making matters any easier for me to handle.

"I've been awaiting your visit for a very long while Alexander," His fingers shook as he spoke. When he noticed my gaze was focused on the movement he brushed it off with the words, "Don't bother about them. They react to my feelings. Back to your question, do I have any prior information about your betrothal? You tell me this Alex, do you feel any sense of belonging towards this girl you say is your intended?" Christopher asked.

"I feel nothing."

The older man nodded in understanding and spoke, "You're right to feel nothing child. True there is a betrothal edict decreed upon you, written from your blood and got the stamp of the fire. I was among the few to witness that event as well as your Father and my Beta." His Adam's apple worked furiously as he swallowed.

"The only evidence of your betrothal is at the Forest of Eyre with my.." Christopher's words got interrupted by the sound of the door to the room opening and shutting with a loud bang.

With flared nostrils and agitation clouding his human side, Francis acknowledged the former Alpha, turned to his Alpha and spoke out the words that got my blood freezing.

"She's no where to be found." His eyes were clasped to mine as he spoke.

I felt my world crashing, the sound deafening and my wolf threatening to take possession of my senses.