The White Wolf Chapter 73: After their Journey

Alexia offered no reply to her mother in laws words.

She stared out the window looking at the scenery but not seeing it.

"How do we help them?" Alexia asked in a small voice not even sure if she would be heard as she looked out the window. The tightness in her chest was evidence of her sad mood.

"You don't," Judy said flatly without even looking up from her phone, her glasses perched on the end of her nose.

Alexia turned from the window with her eyebrows furrowed together she stared at her mother-in-law. She was confused as she never knew her to be uncharitable or unkind.

Her eyes bore into the older woman waiting for her to elaborate.

Moving her glasses from her nose to the top of her head, Judy put her phone aside and turned to look at Alexia seriously. "If you try to save them all you will always fail."

Opening her mouth to protest, Alexia halted when Judy raised her hand to let her explain.

"You cannot save them all. However, you can give them the best chance at life by creating peace. For peace to fall upon the land the kingdom must be strong. You will have to fight with all you have to protect your people from those who wish to harm them. There will be times you feel like you have nothing left to give but you must dig deep and rise above the fatigue. Sometimes you will have to fight dirty and do things that may leave you feeling disgusted with what you have done. That is your burden to carry."

Alexia processed the words as the weight of them fell on her.

Judy continued "Wearing a crown may seem like a fairytale but instead, it is a life of sacrificing your own wants and desires."

"How did you handle it?" Alexia was feeling overwhelmed.

"I surrounded myself with people I could trust and who were not afraid to be honest with me." She said before adding with a smile "Like your parents."

The palace gates opened at their approach.

Their outing had taken up the entirety of the morning making their return right before lunch was to be served.

"Would you like to join me for lunch?" Alexia asked as they approached the palace, the car slowing down.

Judy patted her leg with a smile. "You'll be tired of seeing my old face soon enough, spend time with those your own age."

Turning to Harley in the back "Please invite the ladies in the castle that are available to dine with me for luncheon."

Harley's fingers moved with high velocity immediately typing away.

They arrived at the palace and were greeted by servants as they stepped out of the vehicle. Judy reminded Alexia to come to see her the next day before bidding her farewell.

Alexia decided to freshen up before lunch. Once she had finished, she emerged from her chambers and made her way to the dining hall.

She walked in to find several ladies already waiting on her.

"Is this everybody?" Alexia asked Harley for confirmation who offered a nod. "Then let us not delay any further, please join me." She said motioning to the seats.

Abi sat at her right as she took Caspian's spot at the head of the table. "My apologies for not spending more time together," Alexia said to her sister-in-law.

"Please, Your Majesty do not worry for me as I am sure you have many duties to attend to," Abi said in her timid way of speaking.

Three other young ladies joined them. Alexia knew she had been told their names but that information had long been forgotten. They were all daughters of high-ranking wolves in their respective packs. Alexia surmised they were probably sent here hoping to find mates in the palace that could help their packs curry favor with the crown. Let the games begin, Alexia thought as she looked at the females before.

They ate in silence, for the time being, each seeming fixated on her plates. Alexia felt like an entertainer to the group as there was a lack of conversation.

Looking for something to say, anything to say Alexia asked "How is your stay in the palace?" A generic question that made her want to roll her eyes but she was desperate for conversation and the was awkward.

The girl to her left perked up in eagerness "It has been wonderful, I was nervous about leaving home but my stay here has been absolutely marvelous!" The other girls nodded in response.

"I am glad to hear," Alexia said with a smile.

"Your majesty, if I must say, your dress at the royal ball was stunning." The girl told her and gained a course of agreement from the others.

"That's very kind of you to say." She replied humbly.

"Your dress was lovely as well." The girl next to Abi told the queen's sister-in-law.

"Thank you," Abi's small voice said as she nervously took a sip from her glass.

"Did you enjoy the ball?" Alexia asked and once again it was the one to her left that perked up and began detailing every second of the night.

Her words became like a jumbled mess to the queen who nodded every so often to appear as if she was listening.

Seated next to Abi was a homely girl whose nose was slightly too large for her face. However, Alexia noted the ways she complimented Abi throughout the meal. She tuned into the conversation as it perked her interest.

"I would love to see your pack someday, I'm sure you will be a great Luna." The girl told Abi.

"Oh.. Thank you." Abi said unsure of what to say but the girl pushed further.

"That is if you have the time, with such a handsome mate I bet you hardly leave your chambers." The girl gave Abi a knowing look and Alexia could tell that Abi was obviously becoming uncomfortable as was her nature.

Pretending to not hear them, Alexia looked to the girl who continued to ramble about how wonderful her pack was "...our wolves are some of the strongest in the kingdom. We have vast resources which help us economically."

The girl next to Abi nudged her with her elbow and began to whisper to her "I wonder how b-"

Alexia wished to hear no more and cut in "Remind me again the name of your pack"

The girl was dumbstruck at the unexpected question as Alexia spoke to her. The seconds passed and Alexia raised her eyebrows and tilted her head with a neutral expression.

Finally coming to her senses. "It is Morning Dew pack your majesty." She said softly.

"And what business are you attending to at the palace for the Morning Dew pack?" She asked.

"I.. Um.. I was sent here by my father, the gamma of the pack, to learn how to better serve my pack." She fumbled for the words.

Alexia was sure she knew in what capacity she was going to serve her pack but gave no indication and instead held her gaze for a few moments. When she looked away she began to continue to eat as if nothing happened. The relief that rolled off of Abi was evident.

The lunch continued for a little longer with very few words said between the women. "I hope your stay at the palace is pleasant and you make it back to your respective packs safely." With that Alexia ended the meal, ready to leave the room.

As Alexia rose from her seat and exited the room. When the doors shut a scent hit her that she knew very well. A scent that sent her running.