The White Wolf Chapter 166: Spread Out and Search

Harley escorted the servants who brought lunch into the queen's study. Silver trays with silver domes filled their arms. 

There was a greater sense of ease in the air as the palace went from being on defense to being on attack. Its citizens were talking behind the king and his leadership. This was evident in the overly zealous meal the chef had prepared for the top royals. 

By the way, Edmund devoured his meal, Alexia surmised he did not eat breakfast. Being away from Caspian made her peckish. Pushing around her food on the plate. 

Edmund did not speak as openly with Harley in the room. His instincts told him to trust no one. They served him well keeping him alive multiple times. 

They partook in a working lunch. Discussing logistics and rebuilding of what had been destroyed. Edmund would oversee the construction as Alexia knew nothing and the power grids and waterways were part of his studying as a child. 

Edmund naturally stepped in to fill in Caspian’s duties with Gabe gone as well the absence was felt. 

The children arrived while they were still eating. Alexia decided to not go greet them as it would cause more harm than good for their caretakers. The guards that would have to accompany her would be in the way and on edge. 

Her mother and sister seemed pleased with the toys casting a few aside due to damage from storage. 

Sitting in the study they hid away from the world. Judy sent off the alphas she liked and ignored the ones she did. Alexia ignored them all. 

Neither were in the mood for socialization. Their friendship extended far enough that they could sit in a room together without saying a word. 

Edmund broke the silence. “Did you know your brother left with Caspian?”

“What?” Her voice rose in pitch and alarm. 

“I guess that’s a no.” Edmund said unbothered not even looking at her. 

“Why would Luca leave after Amy…” Alexia cut herself off. 

“After Amy what?” Edmund asked. Harley took that as her cue to leave and made up an excuse to leave the room. 

“She lost the baby,” Alexia said as the door shut. 

“Oh.” Edmund was at a loss for words. His knowledge of pregnancy was lacking and would not be able to understand what Luca and Amy were going through. However, he knew what loss felt like and that he could sympathize with it. 

Alexia’s heart broke for her. She hurt not having conceived but Amy had and then it was taken away from her. 

There was no one here that she was close to. Shelia and Morgan had stayed behind when Jacob returned to the pack to monitor for any activity. Even though they loved Amy they were no replacement for her own family. 

Now Luca was gone. Why would he leave here all alone?

“Well not to rub salt in the wound but Tab is pregnant,” Edmund said bluntly. 

“How far along? Why did no one tell me.?” She demanded. They tried to ignore how Tabatha, Hazel, Chris, and Thomas naturally separated into their group. Ever since they had mated the divide began. 

She would hold Luca close but eventually, he would take over their family’s pack. Not that she was complaining just sad things do not stay the same but excited for the changes to come. 

“They didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” Edmund tried to comfort her. 

“My feelings? How?” She said stirring up in her chair. 

Edmund gave her an unimpressed look. “So you feel no pressure at all to produce an heir?”

“Oh” deflated she fell back into her seat. 

“Don’t take it personally they’re just trying to be sensitive.” His voice was as if he thought the action to be absurd. 

“They don’t have to do that on my part. That would explain why I haven’t heard from them in a while.” She tried to be nonchalant but she was hurt in multiple ways. On one hand, her close friends withheld such life-changing information from her. On the other someone else was pregnant before her. 

“I know. It’s stupid. You’re grown. You can handle it if not you shouldn’t be queen.” Edmund agreed with her. 

Alexia did not know if she was offended or flattered. Edmund had a way of doing that at times. “I’ll send them a congratulatory gift.”

“Sign my name too.” He said looking at a report. 

“Sign your own name.” She brushed him off 

“The thanks I get for telling you,” he mumbled disapprovingly. 

“Fine. Fine.” She said waving him off. 

Everyone was getting pregnant except her. Hazel would probably follow suit as well. She hated the feeling of incompetence like she had not completed her duty. Did she even want children? The thought had never really crossed her mind. Even if she wasn’t mated to the king she most likely would have mated an alpha and heirs would be needed. 

“Self-pity does not become you,” Edmund said turning a page in the report he was reading. 

“I’m not-“ she began but was cut off. 

“You are,” Edmund said. 

He was right. She was basking in self-pity. Pity that she had not provided an heir. Pity that her mate was gone. Pity that some did view her as a suitable queen. 

A frantic knock came at the door. “Enter,” Alexia said. 

“Your majesty, I’m sorry to disturb you.” A footman entered the study. 

“What is it?” Alexia asked concerned at the intrusion. 

“One of the children from the orphanage is missing.” The footman said quickly with wide eyes. 

Alexia stood up from behind her desk. “Alert Gamma Enzo to send out guards. Search the grounds.” The footman immediately left to find Enzo. 

She turned to look at Edmund but he was already rising. “I’ll check the security footage.”

The thought hadn’t even crossed her mind. She was thankful he was here. The children had barely arrived, how could one already be missing?

“Thank you. Get everyone available to spread out and search.” Alexia ordered.