The White Wolf Chapter 117: Broken Glass

At the butler's call, dinner was served. The seating arrangements were changed for the most part except that Prince Dristan remained next to the queen.

The proximity of the Prince to the Queen seemed to anger the king more than before causing Alexia to give him a questioning look. He did not pay her concern any mind and she continued with her meal.

Wine was poured and dishes served as course after course was brought out. The dinner was just as marvelous as the night before. Fresh flower arrangements had been laid out with roses once again the star of the new design. No daises in sight thanks to the watchful eye of Harley. Who was working behind the scenes to make sure everything ran smoothly.

The place settings were works of art in themselves with the royal insignia etched in gold. Each piece of flatware shined in the light without a smudge to be seen.

Alexia accepted praise for her attention to detail taking pride in her work.

Being a good host, she started a conversation with the guest of honor "How was your round of golf Prince Dristan?"

"I must admit defeat as your mate was exceptionally better than I," He said in faux humbleness.

"I am sure you were exceptional as well." At her praise to the prince, the king's displeasure was evident as he gritted his teeth. Ignoring her mate, Alexia listened to the prince.

Smiling at the queen, he replied "You are too kind to say such things. It makes me disappointed I missed our time this morning."

"Perhaps tomorrow then." She offered.

"I would love nothing more." He replied before taking a sip of wine.

As the next course was served, Alexia looked down at the table. She watched as everyone seemed to enjoy their meal and talked amongst themselves.

Eyes narrowing, they looked to Enzo who seemed off again this evening. To those who did not know him, they would not be able to tell but his rigid body was different than his normal gruff exterior.

Seated across from him was Cynthia who normally was quiet but seemed extra quiet this evening. So much so that she did not even hear as the Luna spoke to her and only responded after a nudge from her brother.

Tempted to look deeper, she banished such thoughts needed to focus. As the guests became more acquainted with one another, conversations seemed to divulge deeper. With more wine poured more secrets seemed to bubble to the surface.

Noticing the increase of guests exceeding their tolerance of alcohol, Alexia quickly finished the meal.

After dinner, the females and males separated from their respective activities.

After taking her seat, Alexia spoke in a calm even voice "Luna Bridgett, I wish to speak to you."

"Of Course your Majesty." Startled, she stopped her stride and immediately came in front of the queen dipping into a bow.

"I have considered the request you made this afternoon and have made a decision," Alexia told her as she did not bother looking towards the luna in front of her.

"What decision have you made, your grace?" Her eyes squinted as she awaited the queen's decision.

The other females leaned in to listen as the queen did not raise her voice as if she could not be bothered.

Pursing her lips, she paused allowing the silence to fill the space "I have decided your daughter will join us here at the palace."

"That is wonderful, Brittany will be so pleased." Her hands clapped together in victory.

Halting her celebration, Alexia cut in "Of course, I expect that she will be most well-behaved as a representative of my household."

"Do not fear Your Majesty, I have raised her well." The haughtiness rang clear in her voice.

“That is comforting to know.”

The night went on with games played and gossip told but tired of the company, Alexia retired as early as etiquette would allow.

Back in her chambers, Alexia returned before Caspian.

Determined to wait for him, she called for a glass of wine to calm herself as waited. She swirled the liquid in the crystal as she watched it go round and round before taking a sip.

Standing at the window, still in her court finery she looked to the moon. The full moon cascaded its light over everything ok its wake making it as bright as if it were daylight.

Looking to the moon she prayed to the goddess. She prayed for peace and prosperity in the kingdom.

Finally, the door opened and the king stepped through. “You’re still awake?”

Turning from her spot at the window, she faced him “I wished to continue our earlier conversation.”

Caspian loosened his tie before taking off his jacket and throwing it to a nearby chair. “Let us have it another time and go to bed.”

“No, I want to discuss it now.” She did not budge from where she stood.

“It has been a long day, I’d prefer if we rest.” He tried to convince her as he threw the tie on top of the jacket.

“I rested earlier when you weren’t here.” She spoke dryly, holding back from letting the annoyance drip into her voice.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Well, I do. I want to help whatever is bothering you.” Being brushed off caused her blood to boil and her alpha aura to rise to the surface.

He raised his voice as he declared. “I don’t need your help I can handle it on my own!”

“You are my mate, we are supposed to handle things together!” She gritted her teeth in defiance and declared her thoughts to him crossing her arms.

“As your mate, it is my duty to protect you!”The vein on his forehead was visible as he argued with her.

“Protect me? What does that have to do with anything.” His words left her confused with the turn the conversation had taken.

Neither of them would back down as pride and stubbornness walked hand in hand. They started at each other, neither backing down.

Caspian let out a breath and ran a hand over his face. Putting his hands on his hips he stared at the floor in contemplation. As time passed he finally spoke and recounted his conversation with Prince Dristan from that afternoon. Listening intently, Alexia waited till he was done.

“What do you plan to do?” She asked.

“First I wanted to see if there was any merit to what he said. So I spoke with your father. We were able to find the Silver family records and something interesting turned up.” He explained.

“What was it?” She braced herself for the endless possibilities.

“It seems that several generations ago you had an Aunt marry the alpha of Eagle Eye.” He looked at her expectantly.

“And so?” Her family made many matches outside of the pack. What was the significance of one great-aunt?

“That would make you a distant relative to Alpha Sheldon and Eagle Eye has been one of the hardest pack hit by rogues. If they were searching for a white wolf, they would have seen that Sheldon is not one. That could be the reason they have not attacked again.” He explained the connection to her and as the words set in it got as if pieces to the puzzle began to fall into place.

“But the rogues have hit Silver as well?” It seemed logical that the main Solver family be hit by rogues.

“Your father has been seen in battle many times. His fur is black.” Caspian said matter of fact already taking that into account.

“That leaves us children.” realizing that even though her father was seen in wolf many times none of his children had been

“People haven’t figured out that no one has seen you and Luca shift. However, they will start talking soon. It’s only a matter of time.” Worry filled his voice even though he tried his best to keep it at bay.

He was scared. Scared of not being able to keep her safe. He was the king. He should be able to keep his mate safe but with everything passing day he felt weaker. Vulnerable. The world was caving in him.

“What do we do?” She felt helpless as this foe came for her and her brother. A foe they did not know who.

“I don’t know.” His voice was a choked whisper “The only thing I can think to do is to stop whoever this is before they get a chance to get to you.”

Worry set in as Alexia took in what he said. Someone or something was coming for her.

Caspian walked across the room putting his hands on her shoulder. “I will not let anything happen to you. I will tear them limb from limb if I have to but I will keep you safe.”

He brought her to his chest into his comforting embrace. Time stopped moving as they stood there together. Alexia did not even realize she had been crying till Caspian gently wiped her tears away. “I will protect you with everything I have, even my last breath.”

His words made her cry harder and they did not move till her tears ceased. When she straightened, he left to shower and dress for bed.

Turning back to the window she looked to the moon and contemplated all he had told her. The stress began to bubble up in her once again till the glass in her hand cracked as she squeezed it.

The shards sliced her hand allowing for the blood to flow. She moved to wipe the blood away till she froze. She stared at the cuts as they began to heal but could her eyes be deceiving her? Did her cuts glow with a bright light as they healed? As if they were moonlight…