The White Wolf Chapter 158: A Tune-Up

Enzo waited till Caspian turned back to his work before saying he was going to deliver the orders he had been given. 

Caspian waved Enzo off as a dismissal. The gamma could not leave the study fast enough. He had never felt so vulnerable. 

He preferred to keep to himself but was forced to say what he had been hiding out loud. 

Trying to distract himself, he dropped off the orders he had been given and then went to check on the prisoner. 

The sleeping form of the rogue had been tied to a bed. Again. It was the first time Enzo had laid his eyes on him since his dance with the king. He did not look good. 

Dried blood caked his body and was complimented with bruises. Caspian did not hold back—no wonder he had been more relaxed. 

He needed to see her. It had been too long. Less than a day and he already felt like his heart had been pulled by her beckoning him to her. 

He had to convince her to stay here. To stay with him. It would mean turning her back on her family. Could he ask her to do that? Was he enough to leave it all? Leave it and come with him. 

Satisfied the prisoner was not waking up anytime soon, Enzo left to meet with security reading their latest reports. They were nowhere nearer to solving the mystery. 

With a dissatisfied sigh, he returned to his chambers to change over into his evening attire. It was the first time he wanted to go to a court dinner. At dinner, she would be there and his eyes could gaze upon her. 

The inner circle of the court knew even if only Caspian had said something. He knew they knew and they had probably known for a while. Enzo could not dwell on it as the thought of others scrutinizing him made him embarrassed. 

He stood in front of the mirror tying and retying his tie till he threw to the side in frustration. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Their concern came from a place of compassion and wanting his best interest. 

There was nothing he could fault them for. Only his need to handle his own problems. However, as much as he hated to admit it he needed help and Caspian gave it. 

He opened his eyes and focused on the positive. On her. He thought of her as he fixed his tie and found himself smiling in the mirror. 

Grabbing his jacket he headed for the door. As he walked he shrugged on his jacket. The halls were quiet as the rest of the palace was still getting ready for dinner. 

He surveyed the room taking note of where everyone was seated. He let out a breath of relief when he saw how close he was to Cynthia. Not next to her but close to where he could see her. When he was seated away from her it had been torturous. 

To pass the time he walked around and spoke with guards he came across asking them the same questions that he did not care about the answer. The thought of standing around felt embarrassing so he made small talk. 

As the alphas and Lunas began to arrive, he thanked the goddess and disappeared into the crowd with a drink in hand. It was how he preferred to exist by blending in and observing. 

A small quartet had assembled in the corner lightly playing music as circles formed in conversation. Alphas began to approach the gamma expecting answers but he simply directed them to send their questions to Gabe. 

It was not long before Gabe had been surrounded. Smoothly he answered questions while expectedly dodging others. 

A guard had informed Enzo that the king had returned to his chambers. It would not be long now before the royal couple made their entrance. 

While he waited he surveyed the room. It was obvious to him that Harley had done the bulk of the planning and decorating. His main giveaway that she had a hand in the decorating was the floral arrangements. They were neat and tidy while Alexia tended to to favor free overflowing arrangements. He hated himself for knowing that. Looking at his glass he saw it was empty with ice rattling in the bottom. He procured another. 

As the server was handing him his drink, it was announced the eastern kingdom was arriving. 

Looking around at the guests he saw everyone of prominence was there. The Silvers were speaking with Tizen, and Judy was conversing with Lunas but when he looked for Edmund he could not find the prince. 

His attention was drawn to the doors as the Eastern Kingdom entered. The prince entered dressed in fiber with medals that he probably did not earn. The beta followed with the arrogance that only a beta had with the gamma close behind. 

Amongst the members of the entourage, Cynthia walked through the doors. She wore a navy gown that hugged her middle then fell to the floor. She wore long white gloves with her hair halfway up and the rest cascading down. Her jewelry was simple probably due to her family’s misfortune but she still exuded elegance and grace. 

She was quiet amongst her peers. Not drawing attention to herself she held all of Enzo’s attention in the palm of her hand. 

He could not take his eyes off her and she walked across the room. 

“You’re staring.” A voice came up behind Enzo that he did not want to talk to. He turned to see Edmund slipping out of a secret passage away from behind a tapestry. 

“Go away.” Enzo bristled as a hand came on his shoulder. 

“I am a prince and we are in a formal setting.” Edmund smiled proud of himself for irritating Enzo. 

“My apologies. Go away, Your Highness.”

Edmund laughed. “You should thank me, you’re being obvious it wouldn’t be long till others noticed. 

There was no way Enzo would ever do that so he switched the topic. “You’re late. Your brother will be here any minute. Where have you been?”

“Running errands for my mother.” He answered with no hint of lying. 

“What did she need?” Enzo narrowed his eyes. Judy would not send Edmund to do something trivial. It had to be important and only he could do it. 

“Her broomstick needed a tune-up. She keeps hitting birds as she flies around spreading fear.” He said snagging a drink from a nearby footman. 

Enzo laughed. He knew Edmund loved his mother more than anything but would deflect to keep his inner feelings safe. A tactic he used himself. Even though the prince had more freedom than the king. He also never had a true childhood as he was born with responsibility. 

“What did she really need?” He probed the Prince. 

Edmund brought his drink to his lips before he linked *breaking into Alpha Dennis’ chambers*

Enzo interest was peaked. *Why?* he linked back. 

*Gather intel. Also, she wanted to see what dirt he had on Alpha Marshal. Now that Silver is done with him I believe Mother plans to go after him physiologically* 

“I wish her the best of luck,” Enzo replied out loud. 

“I have faith in the goddess she will be successful,” Edmund said earning a chuckle from Enzo. 

“Was there anything interesting?” Enzo asked curious about the chambers of the despised alpha. 

“As expected everything was under lock and key but there were a few things that were peculiar.” Edmund shrugged. He seemed nonchalant but the prince was very good at playing coy. 

Enzo wanted to ask more but was cut off by the arrival of the royal couple.