The White Wolf Chapter 76: Waiting for News

There was a knock at the door. Alexia sat up in confusion looking around the room and at Caspian’s untouched side of the bed. The sky was turning the color of light blue indicating that she had not been asleep for long.

The knock came again. “Your majesty, the king asked me to wake you.” Harley’s voice came through the door.

“Thank you, I’ll be right there.” Alexia jumped out the bed and ran to the bathroom. Quickly showering and getting dressed. Trying to take her hair, she pulled it back into a bun. She slipped on comfortable trousers with a sweater and opted for plain sneakers. She did not wish to risk heels in her tired state. After grabbing her phone, she hurried to the door.

Opening the door she found Harley assisting with a coffee in hand. The sun had not risen, she had only received. A few hours of sleep but she was grateful for those few hours.

“Thank you, I will be in the king’s office this morning. Will set up a time to meet with the queen mother today?” Alexia told her taking the sweet nectar from her hands and beginning the walk towards her mate's study.

“Of course,” Harley said already anticipating the meeting of the two females.

“Please send breakfast to the king's office as well,” Alexia added she had doubts that Caspian had taken a moment of rest through the night.

“His Majesty has already ordered it,” Harley told her.

“Wonderful,” Alexia said with contentment.

Harley accompanied to the king’s office, stopping at the doors. As Alexia walked in, Harley bowed before leaving to see to her duties.

The smell of fresh pastries and coffee filled her senses making her mouth water. Have and Enzo we’re already there. Their faces were tired as if they had been there all night as well.

“You sent for me,” Alexia said as she walked over to her mate who was seated at his desk. He rose to give her a kiss before offering his seat to her. “No thank you.” She declined his offer and sat her cup of coffee down near the chair she had occupied during the night before sauntering over to the breakfast buffet that had been laid back.

“I sent Harley when we received word the group had arrived. That way you could be here when we hear anything. They have begun the search so it should be soon.” Caspian told her as he sat back in his chair. His eyes were slightly red from the long night.

“Thank you,” Alexia said with sincerity at seeing him tired. She was not necessarily hungry as much as nervous. Picking through the various food options, she decided on a simple pastry and yogurt.

The males worked while Alexia ate in silence, only stopping to refill their coffee. They had already eaten and this was evident by the empty plates that had been placed around the room. They did not allow the servants to enter without permission, as their work was of the utmost secrecy.

The time dragged on, as Alexia picked at her breakfast. She tore her pastry into pieces and slowly nibbled on it. Later she would check on Abi, but not right away wanting to allow the female a chance to rest or at least some privacy to miss her mate.

Caspain typed away on his computer as Gabe furiously texted back and forth with someone who Alexia did not know. Enzo however, was calm as he read through reports, pausing every so often to make notes on the sides with his pen. When he was done he would place them next to Caspain to look over and then pick up another and begin again.

Trying her best to do something productive, Alexia began reading about the blood moon. She could not get herself to focus at all, the most she was able to do was to confirm with Harley that she would be meeting with the Queen Mother that afternoon. They had decided on a light afternoon tea, not knowing how long the morning activities would last.

As she watched the males work, a question popped into her head "Caspian."

"Yes, my dear," He said not bothering to look up from his work.

"Why don't you have a personal secretary?" It baffled her that he did not.

"I do." He said blandly.

Tilting her head in confusion she asked "You do? Who?"

"That would be yours truly or did you think I was merely a decoration." The Beta cut in to answer the question.

"But don't you have a lot on your plate?" She persisted.

Gabe placed his hand on his heart and dramatically said "It's nice that somebody realizes how much I do around here."

Caspian rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair "The beta position comes with a lot of responsibility. If you do not think you are up to the task perhaps I need to look for your replacement."

"And who would you replace me with? Enzo? You know he hates dealing with people." Enzo stopped drinking his coffee and watched the interaction. The look he gave indicated to Alexia that what Gabe said was very true.

"How about that Grant fellow? From Alpha training, he seemed nice." Caspian fought hard to maintain his composure but it was a losing battle. Alexia gaped at her mate in utter surprise.

Gabe let out a scoff "You would kill him in five minutes."

"I hear his running skills are exceptionally good," Caspian said trying to be nonchalant.

Letting out a laugh Gabe added, "I'll give him that, the little twit can run."

"See! He sounds like a nice chap!" Caspian said enthusiastically sitting up in his chair as if the statement had solidified his argument.

"Then by all means do let me stop you, shall I summon him to the palace?" Gabe taunted holding up his phone to emphasize his point.

"No need, I would not like to interrupt his studies and training," Caspian said trying to sound serious as if he were genuinely concerned for the young alpha.

"Yes, learning to read can be quite taxing for the lad. I think he has almost learned the word cat." Gabe mocked and laughed at his own joke.

Enzo shook his head and Alexia was thankful the tension in the room seemed to be easing. They resumed their work in better spirits.

Tap. Tap. Tap. Alexia’s leg went up and down up and down as she sat in her chair waiting for news. The coffee had made her jittery and she was beginning to believe the second cup was overkill.

Enzo looked up at her from his report. His eyes studied her movements for a minute before he let out a sigh and rose. Crossing the room he picked up a stack of papers off of Caspian's desk, turning he placed them in her lap.

She looked up at him astonished but before he could speak he said “These need to be looked at for any mention of rogue activities.” He said before plucking a highlighter from Caspian’s desk and extending it to her.

“Are you assigning my mate your work?” Caspian almost growled in annoyance. Gabe’s eyes grew wide and darted back and forth between the two males as if he were watching a show.

“No, no I don’t mind!” Alexia piped in but was cut off by the king.

“Still he should not be giving you his work.” He said pointedly at the gamma.

“As the queen’s personal guard, it is my duty to protect her from all threats. At the moment she needs protection from her own thoughts or she will go mad. Thus, the reports.” Enzo said matter of factly.

Caspian grumbled in annoyance that he could not argue with the gamma’s reasoning and went back to his own work.

Alexia made quick work skimming the pages and highlighting everything of interest. Enzo was right it helped calm her. When she had finished she began checking her emails.

She had exhausted her emails when Gabe spoke “They found the body.”