CHAPTER 58

CHAPTER FIFTY EIGHT
Baron had no peace considering the fact that his mate was all alone in Wales, heartbroken and sad with no one to share in her pain and empathize with her.
Avyanna had bluntly told him that she didn't want his alliance anymore and no one had ever said no to the Lycan Alpha. When Baron had given her the news of being her mate, hoping that she would stay, she even found it hard to believe but Baron couldn't blame her especially without the presence of her wolf. He hated it that things were going this way between them and he wished he could change things.
Baron craved Avyanna's attention, affection and presence. He threw the documents in his right hand on floor on his office because he couldn't concentrate with work with his mind filled with thoughts about Avyanna. He had so many cases to investigate. He always had everything under control, that's why he was frustrated under this situation. He was still investigating Amanda's death but he still couldn't find the person causing all this trouble. Baron was aware that he needed to be strong at a time like this because he was king after all and he had a kingdom to protect. Everyone was relying on him in the Lycan territory, so he could not let them lose any war, neither be caught unawares in an attack.
"Were you able to find anything about Amanda's death?" Baron asked Steve who had just been standing still and looking away the whole time, while Baron was displaying the emotions that ruffled his countenance.
"We are still making findings Your Majesty." Steve stole a peek at Baron’s rumpled face and looked away immediately.
"With no results? Steve I've trained you better than this." Baron flared up.
"I have sent the warriors to investigate every place Amanda had visited before her death, I believe we will get an answer too." Steve understood that Baron wasn't in a good mood and thus, he couldn't judge his speech nor actions and attitude towards him.
"Everything is just so confusing and it's kind of hard to focus in such state." Baron tried to calm himself down when he realized that he was yelling and, as a result, making his Beta feel a type of way.
"I understand." Steve just pasted a smile on his face in understanding.
"I really miss her Steve." Baron broke down finally. He was always acting as the tough one but he could confide in Steve because Steve understood him very well and they had been together for a long time.
"I know you do Pal, it's all showing in your face. The Baron I know will be looking for a way to fight battles and find out who killed Amanda without looking for any help rather than hiding in his office in the pretense of having enough work to do." Steve spoke in understanding and sympathy. Baron was always strong on the outside and no one else saw him break down that way. Even Steve himself, rarely saw it, so in that moment, he was very understanding.
"Woah you really got me there. Is it really that obvious?" Baron chuckled nervously, trying to cover up the fact that he just broke down in front of his Beta.
"Of course, it is. You haven't been eating well neither have you been sleeping since Avyanna left" Steve kept smiling.
"Do you think she is thinking about me especially after I told her she is my mate?" Baron asked, unable to look at Steve because he was a little bit embarrassed asking it.
"Baron you of all people should know Avyanna very well that she cares for you but I just think she needs time to understand everything. Allow her to think through everything, she will definitely come back to you." Steve patted Baron’s back with the unwavering smile pasted on his face.
"I'm scared Steve, I just don't want to lose her." Baron kept on opening up, this time genuinely. The thin wall of embarrassment between him and his Beta was down and he was open.
"Awnnn the Lycan Alpha is in love already." Steve teased.
"Stop joking Steve, be serious with me for once when it comes to ladies talk and Avyanna isn't just any lady. She is my mate!" Baron said gruffly.
"Oh my. I'm actually serious Pal. So, tell me, did you guys sleep together or something?" Steve played with his eyebrows and smiled wider.
"Steve!"
"What? Or are you hiding the truth from me? Come on, I know you better, I saw the way you look at her that night of her Welcoming party but I thought it was too early for both of you to do anything because Avyanna seems like a strong-willed lady."
"I don't want to have this conversation with you." Baron turned around and crossed his arms in protest.
"Fine. I guess you don't need my advice then." Steve played along.
"So, what do you think I should do while waiting for Avyanna to come back to me? I can't just sit here doing nothing." Baron sighed in exasperation.
"Then just find things to keep you busy but please don't try to go to Wales to visit her because I know you are thinking of that already." Steve advised.
"I'll try to control myself. Now I need you to give me every information you know about Thomas, Alpha of the Ash Band. I suspect that he has a hand in what is going on because he would not just kidnap Avyanna, just to tell her a secret when he could have just done it on a phone call." Baron stroked his chin as he thought deeper at the circumstances surrounding everything.
"I sense jealousy here." Steve teased again, but this time sincerer.
"I'm not jealous, I'm just trying to know the truth." Baron paced around his office searching nothing in particular, like clues to the enigma he was faced with were hidden there.
"Brother! You're in the office, I've been looking for you all day." Rania barged into the room with Gina trying to stop her from entering. They distracted Baron from his brooding and searching.
"Rania you still haven't learnt your manners of knocking before entering your brother's office." Steve winced.
"I tried to stop her but she is so insistent on talking to brother about his new mate." Gina demonstrated with her hands in the air.
"He is my brother; besides I don't even intend to be a princess or a Luna because I find it boring. There is no need to be so mannered in life, it's suffocating." Rania rolled her eyes.
"What do you want Rania? Can't you see I'm working?" Baron asked his little sister who had already ran to hide behind him to prevent Gina from touching her.
"I miss Avyanna and I want you to go and bring her back, I mean after all she is your mate." Rania cried out.
"And how did you know this?" Steve asked.
"Were you thinking she wasn't going to tell us? Our own brother couldn't even allow his sisters to know his mate." Gina cut in.
"It's not like that Gina, I was just waiting for the right time and I know how your mouth runs like water from a spoilt tap, I was preventing you from telling Avyanna especially when I wasn't ready to let her know." Baron said defensively.
"Ouch that's mean." Rania giggled.
"So, what are you going to do about this? I hope you won't just let her walk out of your life because of her problems, you should be the shoulder she should be leaning on at the moment." Gina explained.
"Of course! I don't intend to leave her. I just need to wait patiently, I think she needs some space." This felt like a family interaction to Baron and this was what he wanted from the start but his pride wouldn't let him ask anyone for help, not even his eager sisters.
"So, brother, what is it like to find your mate?" Rania asked as she fiercely climbed Baron's laps to sit down behind his office desk.
"Aren't you too young to be asking such questions?" Baron caressed her hair with his fingers gently.
"I just want to know what it feels like." Rania pleaded giving Baron her puppy eyes to persuade him.
"I don't want to spill the secret before then, just wait till your find yours." Baron almost giggled as he stared at the eager Rania.
Just then, the doors to his office flung open and a Lycan warrior whooshed in and bowed before Steve, then Baron.
“How dare you Tim!” Steve spat out, “You don’t barge into the Alpha’s office like that.”
“I apologize but this is urgent.” The warrior gasped for breath and kept his face down in respect for the Alpha he just seemingly disrespected.
“What is it?” Baron asked, not caring about the way the warrior barged in but more concerned about what could have been so urgent.
"Your Majesty, we've found something concerning the Amanda's case."