The White Wolf Chapter 167: Playing Games

Walking out of the study she headed straight to the hunting cottage. As she walked she could see guards and servants walking the grounds searching and calling. 

Harley trailed behind quickly her fingers flying over the keys of her phone trying to contact everyone she could. 

The pace felt too slow for Alexia, she kicked off her shoes and ran to the cottage. Harley picked up the shoes and followed behind. 

When the cottage came into view Alexia slowed allowing Harley to hand her shoes and put them back on. 

They made it too the cottage in no time. There was two lone guards at the front of the door. At the queens approach they looked uneasy. They opened the doors for her anyway. 

The cottage seemed to be in disarray. It was as if they had been unpacking when it was discovered that the children was missing. 

They followed the sounds of voices. The children were inside in the great room divided into age group sitting in circles on the floor. Each group had one caretaker to it. 

The room turned to look when the queen entered. The scared murmurs turned to excited squeals. 

“Your majesty.” A caretaker stepped forward bowing. She was heavy-set with her hair pulled back. She wore jeans with an oversized sweater. Her landward hung around her neck giving her freedom of her hands. It was on her lanyard that Alexia saw her name. Kristi. 

“I heard someone was missing,” Alexia stated bypassing greetings. 

“Yes your highness, Seth he is seven,” Kristi said straight to the point. 

“What happened?” If it were negligence on the caretakers part Alexia would be furious. The children were under the protection and care of the crown. Otherwise known as her care. 

“His caretaker believes he may have gotten overwhelmed with the transition.” Kristi’s eyebrows furrowed in worry as she spoke. 

Just then the sound of heavy breathing came up behind him. It was Cynthia. Her hair disheveled as if she had been running. 

“Your majesty” Cynthia quickly bowed. An action that had been ingrained in her since childhood. Her breath was labored as she said the words. 

“Cynthia, are you ok?” Alexia asked looking at her in concern her eyes wide as they checked her over. 

“I’m fine your grace, Enzo said a child was missing. I’m sorry I should not have-“ Cynthia began saying but started to get overwhelmed as if she had not realized what she had done. 

Alexia cut her off. “We can use all the help we can get. Right now we should work on keeping the other children calm.” She looked at Kristi and Harley. 

“Perhaps we could play some games to work their energy out,” Cynthia suggested. 

“That’s a great idea!” Alexia said pleased with the suggestion. 

“Boys and girls can I have your attention!” Alexia raised her voice cheerfully to be heard over the conversations of the children. “Raise your hand if you would like to play a game?”

Eagerly, the children raised their hands. “Now, we’re going to stay in our groups and play duck duck goose. The winners from each group are going to get a special prize.” She said in a magical way that engaged the children. 

The caretakers set the children in motion watching each group. The children squealed in delight. 

“Harley we need some special prizes,” Alexia said sending Harley into motion leaving the room. 

They played game after game till the children were beginning to wind down. 

“Perhaps we should play a movie for them?”Cynthia suggested. 

“Can you handle setting it up?” Alexia asked as she watched the children. 

“I believe so,” Cynthia responded. Disappearing. 

It was not long before Alexia saw a projector coming to life and Cynthia fiddling with buttons. When it looked that the movie was ready Alexia called for the games to cease and directed the children to the screen. 

After the movie began Cynthia rejoined the Queen standing off to the side watching the children. Harley had produced many prizes that brought joy to the children. She did not know where she got them but she was not about to ask questions. 

“Congratulations,” Alexia said quietly whispering to Cynthia. 

“Thank you, your majesty.” Cynthia looked a little sad. 

“What is it?” Alexia became worried. 

“You’re the first person to congratulate me, not even my brother…” she trailed off as her voice broke. 

It would be improper and bring unnerved attention to them if the queen hugged her. Instead she decided to change course. “You know” she began “I could tell something changed when Enzo met you.” 

Cynthia’s attention snapped to the queen “You could?”

“I’ve never seen him show such emotion before. It was as if light had entered his life.”

“It’s sad. No one I considered close noticed.” She mumbled to herself. 

“Are you happy to be here?” Alexia did not how or why the events of Cynthia stayed transpired all that mattered was that she wanted to be here. 

“I am. Nervous and I feel as if my stomach is full of knots and butterflies.” She admitted to the Queen. 

The children seemed to be falling asleep one by one. A nap would be good for them before their dinner. 

“Family comes in my shapes. Not always to where we are born.” Alexia said. It was something Alexia had heard before. She prayed to the goddess it would bring comfort Cynthia comfort. The queen couldn't understand how she felt but she tried even if it was impossible. Her family was loving and supportive. Everything Cynthia’s was not. 

“I hope that’s true,” Cynthia admitted it. The family she had known had always seen her as a pawn. Her brother should be returning home soon. She wondered what her father's reaction would be to her staying behind. 

Her shoulders felt a weight being lifted off them as the prospect of an arranged mating was gone. She did not know how heavy the burden had been till it was lifted. 

“I don’t know if Enzo told you or not but I could really use some help watching over the children.” 

“I would very much like to help,” Cynthia told her. 

“Good, Harley has compiled all the materials you will need. There are still some that are recovering in the hospital.” Alexia began to fill her in on the details of the children. 

Her words stopped as they heard a commotion coming from outside. Alexia and Cynthia rushed outside in time to see Enzo carrying a small child up the path. 

“Thank the goddess” Alexia breathed. “Where’s the nurse?” She asked looking around. 

Enzo carried the child into the nurse's station. Alexia, Cynthia, Enzo, and his caretaker stood around watching as the nurse looked him over. The little boy sat in his chair as the adults stared at him. 

“He’s fine, your majesty.” The nurse assured her. 

“Very good, thank you,” Alexia said before turning to the caretaker. “I would imagine little Seth might be hungry after his adventure.”

“Starving.” The little boy drew out the word. 

Crouching down to his level Alexia spoke gently to him “we can’t have now can we? Why don’t you go look in the kitchens for a snack?”

He hopped down off the chair he had been sitting in as the caretaker led him away. 

“Where was he?” Alexia asked turning to Enzo. 

“An old tree that we used to hide in as children. It was the best hiding place. Just small enough for a child,” Enzo answered her.