The White Wolf Chapter 75: Kicked the Bucket

No one spoke as they all looked to the young Silver Alpha who held their attention. Alexia blinked over and over again.

Gabe spoke first “Dead? What do you mean dead?”

“He kicked the bucket. He’s taking a dirt nap. He’s in a better place. Dead. What else could I mean by dead?” The annoyance was prominent in Luca’s voice as he answered the beta.

The corners of Caspian’s lips twitched to a smile before turning serious. “Do you know how he died?” The way he spoke in a slightly exaggerated way had a hint of taunt toward Gabe.

“I didn’t perform an autopsy however, the blood and lacerations on his body suggest it was not clean. The blood and dirt under his fingernails made me come to the conclusion that he fought.”

Alexia watched her brother, worried about if he had put himself in a dangerous position. She was contemplating when Gabe spoke.

“So he put up a fight. I didn't think he had it in him.” Gabe shrugged his shoulders.

Enzo cut in. "Well, obviously he did not fight well."

Gabe rolled his eyes but continued in his analysis of the situation. “If the beta did not know where he was then he probably did not bring any warriors with him.”

Enzo jumped into brainstorming with Gabe. "Probably meeting with someone he should not have.”

“Someone who wanted his silence,” Gabe added.

“Did you tell the beta?” Caspian cut in looking at Luca.

“No. I can straight here.” Luca told him.

Caspian let out a breath. “That will make you look guilty.”

Luca’s eyes became pained as if he saw the error he made.

“He would look guilty either way,” Gabe said nonchalantly.

“So whoever killed him did not want to risk him saying anything?”

“Who would want him dead?” Alexia asked from her seat.

Have let out a humph “The better question would be who doesn’t want him dead?”

“I didn’t realize he was so corrupt,” Alexia added. She had found the alpha to be annoying when little they had interacted but overall seemed harmless.

“He’s corrupt but he’s more of a coward. He has a tendency to stab people in the back and there are many of whom he has screwed over in various ways throughout the years.” Enzo explained to her.

"Who knows of this?" Caspian asked.

"No one but myself that I know of."

"And the person who killed him," Gabe added in a dry voice.

Caspian deliberated about what to do next.

“Send a search party and make sure our warriors find the body.”

"It is supposed to rain tonight, if it will wash away Luca's scent from the area that would help the situation greatly," Gabe said. As the beta it was his job to fix problems for the crown.

Luca straightened. "I will head back immediately"

Caspain waved him off. "There is no need. I would rather send you back at full strength. Stay the night, visit with your mate, and head back in the morning. We will make up some sort of excuse as to why you returned." By we, he meant Gabe who had eyes that were focused on the task.

"Then at your leave, I shall go get cleaned up," Luca said looking at the king.

"Yes, go," Caspian said.

Alexia wanted to speak with her brother but she knew he would want to see his mate. Instead, she turned and looked at her own mate for guidance on their next step.

Gabe and Enzo immediately launched into preparations. The small group that Luca had left behind were still in the pack. They were given orders to monitor the situation and wait for reinforcements.

They decided to go with what Gabe called "The Diva Plan". They would say that Luca was outraged at the respect shown to him during his stay that he returned to the castle to speak with the king on the matter. The king then decided to send more warriors to assist in tracking down Alpha Howard and demanded to speak with him. The party would leave in the early hours of the morning to arrive before most of the pack was awake.

Alexia listened as the males strategized. Gabe began working with his contacts to find out who did not get along with Alpha Howard., The list seemed endless and grew every minute.

Their work continued into the night, they did not break for dinner but instead ate as they worked. Alexia felt useless keeping herself busy by writing down everything the males spoke about.

The sun set and they were still in the office and the night drew on. Alexia slumped over in the armchair, meaning to only rest her eyes but quickly drifted off to sleep.

Caspian gently shook her shoulder causing her to sit up in alarm. "How long have I been asleep?" She asked.

Caspian stood before her, his hair a mess and the dress shirt he wore was rolled to the elbows with creases in it. "A few hours."

"Why did you let me sleep?" She was annoyed she had fallen asleep and a little annoyed with him that he had let her.

"You needed it but I thought you would like to see your brother off, the group is getting ready to leave." He spoke gently to her.

She shot to her feet and tried to smooth her hair. When she was satisfied that there was nothing she could do she looked to Caspain.

He took her hand and let her out of the office and out to the warriors' quarters where many warriors were finishing packing the supplies they needed for their journey into vehicles. Luca looked refreshed and clean as he watched with Abi clinging to his arms.

At their approach, the others turned and bowed to the royals. Caspian waved them off and walked to Luca. "Do you have everything you need?"

"Yes, your majesty," Luca responded formally. Their relationship remained formal causing Alexia to frown.

Nodding Caspian spoke, "I will await your update."

"Be safe," Alexia added.

She received a smile from her brother and then stepped away to allow him and his mate to say their farewells alone.

With a kiss and squeeze, Luca pried his mate from his body and took his place in the vehicle that would carry him back to his mission. The vehicles left the palace grounds in a swift manner.

Abi's lip quivered causing Alexia to let go of her own mate and go over to wrap her arm around her brother's mate. When the vehicles were out of sight. Abi excused herself to return to her chambers.

Alexia and Capian silently walked back to their own chambers. When Alexia went to change into her nightgown she noticed Capsian had not made a move to change his attire.

"Are you not going to change?" she asked confused.

"I will be returning to the office to await updates." He told her.

"Then I will come with you," She said as she walked over to him.

He took her in his arms as he spoke. "Stay here and rest. We won't hear anything for a while. I'll just be catching up on some work that I should have done this afternoon."

"But I want to be there when you hear something." She protested.

"I will send someone to fetch you when we do. How about that?" He said as if he were trying to pacify a toddler as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

She was too tired to argue. She nodded and climbed into the large bed. Caspain kissed her goodnight before leaving the room. Sleep overtook her quickly.