The White Wolf Chapter 174: No One to Mourn Him

Giving up on the shower she stepped out and dressed in new clothes. She picked a blue dress that pulled in at the waist and cascaded down. Her feet showed signs of rubbing from the heels she had worn in the morning so she opted for a pair of loafers. 

After she had fixed her hair, which was wet from the shower, a timid Harley knocked on the door. 

“Enter,” Alexia said void of emotion. Harley was a quiet mouse coming into the queen's bathroom as she pinned back her hair looking in the mirror. 

“Your majesty, the queen mother has asked for permission to join you for lunch,” Harley asked gently. 

Alexia stopped what she was doing and quirked an eyebrow. Judy was asking permission. “Of course, let us meet in the private dining. Send Enzo and Edmund invitations as well.”

Once she was done dressing, she ran through her email on her phone. Satisfied she left her chambers. 

The private dining hall was not a far walk. Along the walls, guards stood at attention as she walked by their post. The footman bowed and opened the doors at her approach. She was last to arrive. 

The head seat was open with Edmund on the left next to Enzo and Judy on the right. They stood as she walked in. 

She took her rightful seat with Caspian gone and the others sat back down as well. As she sat, the footmen sprung into action placing the meals in front of each person. It was a light less formal meal of fish vegetables and potatoes all arranged on a single plate. The bread was on the table for them to take as they wished. 

The males seemed to be famished as they dug right in. Alexia took a moment before beginning to eat. 

“Enzo where is Cynthia?” Alexia asked curious that the female was not there. 

“She is helping with the children.” He announced pride brimming in his voice. 

Judy looked at the two of them in surprise. “What has happened?” 

Alexia looked to Enzo who began to give her the bare minimum recounting of what had happened. Judy beamed as Enzo spook. She had known him as a child. Watched him grow up, seeing him happy swelled her heart with pride. Edmund filled in the details of Caspian’s talk with Dristan and Ruhn. 

It surprised Alexia who had not been privy to the information. They listened till past the time they had finished eating sitting at the table. 

There was a relaxed feeling around the table with the happy subject. The plates were cleared and coffee was served. These days it seemed to run through all of their veins. Judy dismissed the footman to give them some privacy. 

Judy turned to Alexia “You’re probably wondering why I asked you here.”

“I cannot deny I was curious. I thought perhaps you wished to enlist my help in finding Edmund a mate.” Alexia said trying to make light of the conversation. 

“Hey!” Edmund protested. 

“A good idea but no. I saw your decorating.” Judy smiled and then her eyes turned more pointed. 

Decorating? She thought for a second. “The rug?” She asked. 

“Yes.” Judy nodded. 

“Do you not agree with my actions?” Alexia asked the older female carefully. 

“On the contrary. I wish to commend you. Traitors must be dealt with harshly to deter others from plotting against you.” Just said seriously. 

“I did not think it through,” Alexia said slowly recounting how she had acted on impulse and anger. 

“Good. Rely on your instincts. You’re a silver, they will not let you down.” Judy reached over touching Alexia’s arm for emphasis. The family name always precedes her. 

She thought of her warrior blood. “What if I fly off the handle and use too heavy of a hand?” It was a thin line she had to walk between just and unjust. 

Judy contemplated in thought for a long time before replying. “Remember you cannot make others love you but you can make them fear you. Sometimes fear is more effective than love.”

Alexia sat back in her seat as the words sank in. She nodded in understanding. There was a desire in her for everyone to love and adore her but she knew that would not happen. She could chase the ones who didn’t and never turn their hearts toward her. 

If she kept them betraying the crown, then her mission would be accomplished. She was Caspian’s partner, his mate, and she would do her best to strengthen the power of the crown. 

“I would appreciate it though if the rug was not completely lost. It is worth a fortune and it would be such a waste to see it thrown out.” Judy continued guiding the conversation into a more light-hearted realm. 

Alexia smiled “I have ordered it be cleaned and returned to place.”

“Should we not keep the banner hoisted.” Edmund quipped.

Alexia rolled her eyes as she found his attempt at humor not funny. “Do we know who the guard was?” She asked Edmund and Enzo. 

“We have a good idea.” Enzo began. 

“He was from Alpha Dan’s pack,” Edmund added. 

“Isn’t he dead?” Alexia asked confused. Her eyebrow quirked up in question. She had almost forgotten about him entirely. 

“Yes. Initially, we thought Dennis may have killed him for what he knew and that may be true but not about what we thought.” Enzo’s face was serious. As he explained the situation. Their understanding of what happened to Alpha Dan may have been wrong. 

“How did he get to the palace?” Alexia asked wondering if he had been planted by Dennis. If so they would need to root out any others. 

“He was sent from his pack before Dan died.” Enzo’s voice softened. 

“Maybe Dan sent him away to placate Dennis.” Judy chimed in. An omega mated to his daughter would be an embarrassment for the prideful alpha. 

“Or Dennis had him planted,” Edmund argued back. Both were possibilities. 

“What do we know about him?” Alexia asked sipping her coffee that had grown cold. 

“He was an omega who moved up to a lower guard.” Enzo elaborated. 

“His parents?” Alexia asked. Maybe there was someone with whom they could speak to who could give them any insight into what caused him to betray the crown. 

“Dead.” They said in unison. 

“A shame,” Judy said in disappointment as she wrung her hands. The jewelry on her wrists rattled as she moved them. 

“From what we have gathered, he was a loner. Most likely driven by love.”

“A sad lot he was dealt.” Judy clicked her tongue as her brow furrowed. 

Enzo recounted all that he learned from the other guards. They were still waiting on their contacts from Alpha Dan’s pack to provide information but it seemed to be challenging. The new alpha was overwhelmed and not handling it well. He had not even come to court to present himself to the king and queen. 

The guard’s life had been bleak. Tragedy struck him from a young age and continued into adulthood. 

He had no one to take on life with and died with no one to mourn him. Alexia almost felt bad for him but at the end of the day, he made his own decisions. Those decisions cost him his life.