The White Wolf Chapter 105: Is That So?

Caspian took the lead in greeting the prince. “Prince Dristan, it has been some time since our last meeting. Allow me to introduce you to my mate, Queen Alexia.”

Dristan’s eyes went from the king to the queen. As etiquette dictated he reached for the queen’s hand who allowed him him to grasp it one of his and kiss the back before letting it drop. “A pleasure, your grace.”Caspian watched every movement.

Alexia kept her voice even as she spoke “It is a pleasure to meet you your Highness, welcome to our kingdom, I hope you find your stay here enjoyable.”

“Thank you, your grace.” He acknowledged but offered no opinion on his stay so far. “Allow me to introduce the members of my court that accompanied me,” Dristan said motioning to the people behind him.

A series of introductions were made and Alexia tried her best to remember each of their names. She was sure Gabe had already compiled a file of every one of them.

The parlor where they waited before dinner was filled with bodies. Running out of topics of conversation, many drifted to discussing the priceless artworks that decorated the walls.

Drinks and hors d'oeuvres were carried around the room on trays by servants. Alexia found herself holding a glass of wine, allowing it to keep her hands busy and her body steady. The eyes on her pricked her nerves while Caspian was at ease and always at arm's reach away.

The foreign guest had the king on edge for his mate’s safety. Even without the additional bodies, he would be nervous as there was always someone who would wish her harm therefore he was on guard.

Their families were spread out amongst the guests except for Morgan who stuck close to her mother as she was instructed to do. Judy made the rounds, having known most of the guests from their kingdom and having taken the time to greet the foreign guests before the King and Queen arrived.

When Judy spoke with the prince, she asked about his family as she was the only one who had met them. She looked at his entourage with a scrutinizing eye looking for any potential dangers from them.

Alpha Jacob did the same but with other alphas wanting to protect his daughter's throne.

The king and queen greeted guests and made small talk till the head butler entered and announced it was time for dinner. The clock chimed on the hour prompting his appearance. His face was neutral with his greying hair and perfectly tailored uniform. “Good evening, dinner will be served shortly. Please make your way into the dining room.

Another set of doors was opened by footmen on the opposite side of the room. The footmen that were stationed along the walls helped the guests find their seats.

Alexia felt pride as she saw the table still immaculate from when she had checked the setting that morning. Of course, no daisies could be found. The silverware glistened as the light from the chandeliers hit it. The dishes were all stamped with the royal seal.

The ceiling was high hosting three grand chandeliers. It would be the Queen’s first time eating in this dining room as it was reserved for special occasions.

Having designed the seating chart, Alexia knew exactly where she was seated. Alexia and Caspian sat directly in the middle of the grand table across from each other. To her left was Prince Dristan as having two royal alpha males next to each other was asking for trouble.

Meeting in the parlor before dinner was ready made sure no one switched the name cards on the place settings. Alexia had gone through every possible tactic of sabotage with Gabe as he had seen many instances and heard many stories.

Once everyone had been seated, the first course was served promptly with the signal from the butler the footmen in unison placed the plates in front of the guests.

The high-ranking members of their court such as Judy and her parents had been spread out through the guests. This would allow them to have trusted eyes everywhere.

Silverware sounded as people began to eat after the king took his first bite and low murmurs of conversation picked up.

Turning to Prince Dristan she asked, “How was your journey?”

“We encountered no problems but even if we had I would not fear.” There was a hint of arrogance in his voice that annoyed her.

“Is that so?” Her eyebrow quirked as she replied but did not look away from her plate.

“Yes I have been training since I was young and if I do say so myself, I have excelled at combat training.” He said.

Alexia shot Caspian a side glance but he was talking to the alpha on his right. She had placed alphas on either side of him to make sure no female but foreign and domestic tried to throw themselves at him.

“Then I'm glad there was nothing fear.” The plates were cleared as the next course was served.

Next to the prince was seated his future beta, Ruhn who was accompanied by his sister Cynthia. The family resemblance was striking with their dark hair and green eyes and their similar features and average build. If Gabe had not mindlinked her their names there was a chance she would have remembered.

On her left was an alpha who was engrossed in discussing trade with the king and the alphas on either side leaving the queen to mind the prince.

Ruhn seemed to be as nosy as Gabe by the way he asked so many questions of the queen and she did her best to evade them.

Unlike her brother, Cynthia seemed to keep to herself. Making polite conversation but did not pry. She had expected the she wolf to try and gain her mate’s attention but she did not bat an eyelash at the king. A behavior that had her earning the queen’s favor as every female seemed dead set on hoping to catch his eyes.

It seemed as if neither of the siblings had mates yet which sparked the Queen as odd since they were a bit older than her. Alexia studied Dristan as she took in his court. If the Prince had a mate, he had not brought her. She wondered if that’s why perhaps he had decided to venture here. It was known it was always better to have an alpha mated. An unmated alpha tended to be volatile.

However, she knew better than to ask why they were unmated thus she steered the conversation to more light-hearted topics.

The members of the Eastern Court that accompanied the Prince she learned were mostly composed of the younger members who would assist the prince when his time to rule came with the exception of a few minders the King had sent. No doubt about watching The Prince.

There was an air of weariness between the two courts but not open hostility which seemed to be a good start to greater friendship or at the very least less indifference to each other.

Another course came and went as a dance of plates being placed on the table and then taken away again. Ruhn offered his compliments to the queen and Alexia did her best to be nonchalant with his praise.

The night was coming to an end as the final course approached when her eyes caught Enzo. He seemed more stoic than usual. The look in his eyes caused the queen to worry but when he looked at her he looked away.