The White Wolf Chapter 61: Good News Travels Fast

Judy entered the library in a huff before setting down in a chair at Alexia’s table. She was dressed in a head-to-toe magenta suit with a matching floral shirt underneath and heels that echoed against the wall as she angrily walked over to the queen. By the look on her face, Judy was not in the best mood.

"Hello to you too," Alexia said as she put down the book she had been reading to greet her mother-in-law.

“Your Highness” Harley added with a small curtesy. Judy gave her a nod of acknowledgment before turning her attention to Alexia.

“I’m just so mad! The wife of that alpha is even more nauseating. Why did my son put me in this situation? I just want to hit something!" She wrung her hands and the vein on the top of her forehead was straining from the stress, the jewel earrings hanging from her earlobes swung back and forth. The glasses perched on top of her head threatened to fall with every angry movement.

The outburst had Harley taking a step back as if trying to get out of reach. Alexia fought a laugh at the reaction, trying to school her features back into place before it was noticed.

Judy grumbled on, mad at the alpha, mad at his wife, mad at her son, and mad at the world.

"Did your lunch not go well?" Alexia acted surprised with a smirk as she crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair.

Her mind had become muddled through the hours of reading and lacked focus. She needed a break and hoped that whatever her mother-in-law had come to see her about would help reset her mind.

With a sigh, Judy rubbed her temple with her hand before responding. "Well, would have been an improvement."

"How so?" Alexia asked, eager to hear the woman's troubles and in desperate need of a break from reading. With her friends and brother gone from the palace, she did not have many people to talk to. The thought of Judy becoming her closest confidant made her a little sad even if she knew the job of queen better than anyone.

"The old croon acted as if the world was ending and then proceeded to enlighten me on how I should parent my youngest son!" The indignation was well written on her face that another would be so bold was surprising. "What have her children ever done that makes her the expert? What are their names? Something stupid..." Judy thought aloud to herself, snapping her fingers trying to recall the information.

Hoping to probe more information about the exchange she said, "Edmund did tell me she was a hag of a woman."

"Yes, she is. What are you doing?" Judy stopped her ranting to look at the various books in front of the queen as just realizing what she had walked in on. She ran her fingers over the bindings collecting dust on the tips. "*The Complete Guide to the Lifecycle of the Spotted Elk*, thrilling. I'm sure there is a line of people wanting that one."

Alexia did not want to tell her mother-in-law about her escapade the day before as she was sure to receive a verbal lashing" It is for research, I wish to know more about the creatures that dwell in the forest."

Judy clicked her tongue. "That reminds me, I heard you went for a little run yesterday?" Judy's eyes zoned in on her daughter-in-law, shattering Alexia's hopes of avoiding the subject. The action had Alexia feeling as if she had been laid bare as she could see into her soul. It made her shift in her chair uncomfortably.

“Good news travels fast I see.” Her voice flat lacking emotion not happy with the thought of others talking about her. She was sure Judy had an army of spies at her disposal, something that Alexia would need to look into more deeply soon.

An all-knowing look crossed Judy's face.“It does indeed.”

“Yes," Alexia said before adding "We’re fine.” For emphasis.

Her relationship was not something she wanted her mother-in-law involved with too deeply. Judy was wonderful but some boundaries were needed.

"So y’all are good and I don’t have to be mad at anybody?" Judy asked with a pointed look.

It took some effort on Alexia's part to keep the annoyance out of her voice. "Yes, we are all good." Judy stood up to leave causing Alexia to ask, "Where are you going? You just got here?"

"I’m gonna go find someone to pick a fight with, I have too much pent-up energy. Maybe there's a troublesome beta or gamma that could use a good talking to." She said on her way to the door where Harley hurriedly moved to open it for her. She gave Alexia a nod of approval before leaving the room.

Alexia called after her. "Well, I hope you are successful with that."

Judy just gave her a parting wave before disappearing as quickly as she had appeared.

They went back to their work with Judy's exit but Alexia felt like they were wasting time. She kept reading and reading but to no avail. the rogue attacks were increasing monthly and she was sitting in the library going through book after book. Not to mention her brother was looking for the source and his mate may or may not be involved. Her thoughts had taken an unexpected turn and she need to refocus when she saw Harley bringing her another stack of books.

"Are you all settled?" The queen asked Harley as the books were placed on the table next to the others before clarifying. "In your quarters here at the palace."

"Yes, your highness. I was able to move quickly since I do not have many belongings."

That made Alexia wonder about her assistant's living situation. She believed the servants were all given their living quarters, but she still wanted to double-check as to how those living standards were. If Judy had not already left to go release her wrath on some unexpecting victim, she would have inquired with her.

"Are you in need of anything?"

Worried filled Alexia's gaze and realized she did not know very much about this person standing before her, something she would need to rectify.

"No, no it's not like that. I like to be able to move easily and many belongings can be quite cumbersome at times." Quite practical, putting the queen more at ease and making her more assured in the assistant she had chosen.

"I see." She was accepting of the answer she had been given.

"What is it about the stag that you are so intrigued by?" Harley asked hoping she did not probe too deeply.

"I'm not quite sure honestly," Alexia admitted but did not divulge any more information.

Harley looked reluctant before she said. "I have heard of a natural healer of sorts. I have never met her personally but a friend found a hurt owl and took it to her and she was able to heal it. She is supposed to be the expert of all things of the forest." She said with a hopeful shrug of the shoulder but was a little jittery...

"Where is she?" Intrigued or desperate she could not decide which she was.

"Outside of the palace at the edge of the forest, her home and where she operates her.... business? No that's not the right word. Apothecary? I do not know what it is but it's in the woods and she heals animals." Harley struggled to describe the place but did her best. Alexia contemplated cutting Harley off from the coffee supply.

Alexia knew adventuring out would not please her mate but, she had so many questions in need of answers that waiting around was not possible. "Alright, let's go."

*Author's Note*

Please Like & Leave a Comment Below!