The White Wolf Chapter 150: Body as a Shield

Alexia and Caspian made it back to their chambers after some discussion with her parents. They crawled into bed but did not sleep. For a few hours, they held each other and spoke on not important subjects. 

The sun was not up when they parted. Caspian showered and left early to go survey the damage while most of the kingdom was still sleeping. 

Alexia lay there tired but unable to sleep. She knew asking to visit the wounded was out of the question. Giving her mate a heart attack was not on the to-do list. 

She didn’t know what she was going to do and was growing more bored by the minute. Rolling off the bed she decided to start with a shower. 

In case she needed to speak with anyone, she opted for slacks and a blouse but went for comfortable shoes. After she was dressed she pulled her back and applied light makeup. 

Even though Caspian was gone she went to his study not wanting to go to hers. There she ordered breakfast and coffee. 

She took a seat behind Caspian’s desk slowly working her way through the reports. Desperation filled her as she searched for a clue of evidence that someone might have overlooked. Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. 

“Enter.” She said not bothering to look up. 

In came Harley followed by a servant with a cart carrying a tray and pitcher of coffee. She would need it. 

“Good morning Your Majesty.” Harley greeted. “I intercepted your breakfast on my way to your study.”

Alexia had not bothered to summon Harley as she knew she would find her eventually. “That’s fine.”

Harley began giving her an update on the orphanage. Ellie was still being kept in the hospital for observation. 

She sipped her coffee and nibbled on her breakfast. She could feel the tiredness in her eyes as they strained to stay open. She was fueled by caffeine as the adrenaline had long worn off. She expected she would crash but it never came. 

A thought occurred to the Queen. “Where are the children staying? The explosion would have made the orphanage uninhabitable.”

Harley shuffled through the pages. “They are being housed at various hotels. 

“Let’s bring them here.” She said standing up. 

“Here? At the palace?” Harley asked surprised by the suggestion. 

“Surely we have the room? Where are the floor plans?” She still did not have the palace floor plans committed to memory. 

“I’ll fetch them right away.” Harley left to retrieve what Alexia had asked for. 

Soon every flat space was covered with giant pieces of paper. 

A whiteboard had been rolled in as Alexia stood in front of it. On it, she had written every wing and guest room. They wrote out how many open beds and rooms were available. Brainstorming they played with moving guests around to put the children in the same area. 

“If we’re desperate we could convert the ballroom into a dormitory,” Harley suggested. 

“That doesn’t give them a lot of privacy,” Alexia muttered twirling the wipeboard maker in her hand. She sat the marker down as she retrieved her coffee and brought the porcelain to her lips. 

Alexia and Harley were strategizing when the door opened without a knock. Turning Alexia raised an eyebrow as very few would walk into the King’s study unannounced and Caspian had not yet returned. 

Edmund strolled in without hurry but stopped in his tracks as he took in the room. “What happened here?”

“We’re trying to find new accommodations for the orphans,” Alexia explained as she turned back to the whiteboard. 

Edmund lifted one of the giant pieces of paper between his fingers before setting it back down. “It looks like you’re trying to pitch them tents in here.”

“You’re hilarious.” She said without humor. 

Edmund helped himself to the coffee. “How’d you sleep since you’re in such a lovely mood.” The sound of the coffee pouring echoed in the room and then the clank that followed it being put back on the tray. 

“I didn’t.” She replied dryly. 

“That’s shocking. I however slept like a babe.” He gloated. 

“Good for you.”

Edmund moved one of the pieces of paper from a chair placing it on top of another “So why aren’t you going to visit the children? My brother went out this morning.” He prayed. 

“I don’t think it would be a good idea right now.” She said not taking the bait knowing he was stirring the pot. 

“Meaning you got in trouble for running into a burning building.” He looked at her as he took a sip of his coffee. 

Alexia looked at him with narrow eyes. He looked around his seat before getting back up and grabbing a muffin off the tray. 

Walking back to his seat he called over his shoulder “However I don’t think my brother knows that tidbit of information.”

“If you breathe a word I gut you from nose to navel.” she gestured up and down his body with the marker. 

“Death by marker. Write it on my tombstone but you should be nicer to me since I know the answer to your problem.”

“My problem?” She looked at him doubtfully as Harley stayed out of the line of fire. 

“Yes, the problem of where to house the children.” He took a bite of his muffin as he sat back down. 

Alexia’s eyes shot back to the whiteboard “Where?” 

“The hunting cottage.” 

“The hunting cottage?” Where was that? Had she been there? She had no idea the days were a blur and her lack of sleep was starting to get to her. 

“Yes it’s on the palace grounds,” he said walking over to a map of the grounds pointing to a building. “It’s old and hardly used since it was here before the palace was built but I’d imagine it’s about the same size as the orphanage.”

“We could put bunk beds in the rooms to optimize space for the children,” Harley suggested. 

“I think that could work,” Alexia said with a lifted spirit. 

Harley summoned the head of housekeeping to discuss the preparations that would need to be made for the children. They were informed that there were bunk beds in storage after the barracks were remodeled. Edmund ignored them as he finished his muffin and then brushed the crumbs off. 

“Do you think it would seem cold and scary?” Alexia asked. “They were used by the guards, that does not seem child-friendly.”

“Your majesty, we could allow the children to paint and decorate their bunks to give them a personal touch,” Harley suggested. 

“That’s a great idea!” She said excitedly. 

“If you want I’m sure Mother kept our old toys.” Edmund pipped in from his chair. 

“Do you think she would mind?” Alexia did not want to impose. 

“Most of them we did not even play with but alphas would send us presents to try and get in good with our parents.” He said nonchalantly. 

Alexia turned to Harley “Please send word to the queen mother asking if she has any toys she wishes to donate.”

Quickly they finished meeting with the head of housekeeping. Fresh linens would be put on the beds after the servants were able to fetch them from storage. 

Edmund escorted Alexia to the hunting cottage since Enzo was working with security. Alexia protested stating she did not need a babysitter. 

“Shall we phone my brother? I’d wager that he would prefer you to stay within the palace.” Edmund held all the cards. 

Reluctantly Alexia agreed to his accompaniment along with several guards. The sun had begun to rise and the palace was coming to life. As they approached the Queen could tell it was perfect. 

“Harley, make note that we will need to fence in the surrounding area and add some play equipment.” She said pointing around the area as they walked along the path towards the entrance. 

It was nestled amongst the trees made out of stone and wood. Ivy grew along the walls. The gardens had been left alone allowing the native species to grow freely. 

Edmund produced a key, turned the lock he opened the door. 

Alexia stepped inside taking in the sight. The furniture was covered in white sheets and a layer of dust. The woodwork covering the walls was intricate with paintings dotted along it. Alexia made a note to remove any priceless artifacts. 

“The east wing will be for the girls and the west for the boys. We can divide the rooms up based on age.” Alexia pointed as they stood in the grand foyer there was a staircase leading to the east and one to the west. Grand fireplaces were on either side that had not seen use in some time. 

They toured the building looking for anything that needed repairs Harley made note but the structure seemed stable. It could work. Alexia was hopeful when they left. 

As they were walking out the first wave of servants from housekeeping arrived to begin their task. Alexia gave the head of housekeeping some instructions before leaving. Everyone in the palace seemed to rally around the project needing a distraction. The gardeners were arriving with their shears to begin clipping away at the overgrowth. 

The group went back to the study to start making the arrangements at least Harley and Alexia did. Edmund picked up the report that Alexia had been reading over and a fresh cup of coffee. 

Caspian sent word that he was still out inspecting their lands. Judy’s secretary arrived and left with Harley to procure the toys that had been discussed. 

The alphas and lunas would soon be trying to get answers from her. She hid away in Caspian’s study trying to put it off as long as she could. 

Edmund seemed to have a similar idea as he stayed in the study as well. Enzo stopped by on occasion but did not stay long. Alexia wanted to say something to him but what could she say?

It was mid-morning when Edmund was alerted to the change. 

“The prisoner is awake,” Edmund said looking at his phone before stretching his arms and standing up. 

“Are you going to interrogate him?” She said setting her phone down after speaking with the director of the orphanage. 

“Obviously with Caspian gone.” He took a final drink of his coffee before setting it back down. 

“Would you take me with you?” Alexia asked her interest peaked. 

“To an interrogation? Caspian would kill me.” He looked at her like she was crazy. 

“Caspian isn’t here.” She countered. 

“So you want me to take you to an interrogation knowing it would upset my brother the king?” He laid out the situation. 

“Yes.”

“Alright.” He shrugged. 

“Really?” She did not know how he agreed so easily. 

“Yeah just know if he tries to come at me I’ll be using you as a shield.” He said over his shoulder walking to the door. When he got to the door she had not moved. “Are you coming or not?” Causing her to quickly scramble to her feet.