The White Wolf Chapter 93: The Welcoming Party

The entourage of vehicles made its way through the palace gates without fanfare. Sticking to the backroads to avoid any commotion, they passed the trees and fields.

Taking the time during the drive, Edmund reviewed the folder that Gabe had given him. Nothing too surprising. The pack had ample money and preferred to buy its way out of problems. It was relatively uneventful and seemed to cause no problems for the crown.

They had made excellent time. The sun was still in the sky when they arrived at the pack that Luca had moved to. After the death of the alpha, Luca wrapped up what he was doing and moved on to the next pack.

Gemstone Pack was known for its mining operation for precious stones. The gates they passed through were covered in stones of bright colors. The lawns were immaculately arranged without a branch out of place.

Luca waited for the prince outside of the packhouse as the cars arrived. He went to open the prince's door himself but was instead beaten by Edmund opening it and greeting him with a smile.

"You're early," Luca said in a way of greeting. Standing before the prince he wore suit pants with a button-down shirt that was tucked in with a belt. The wrinkles in his clothes and the curled-up sleeves indicated that he had been wearing them for a while.

Edmund pulled him into a hug. "I like to keep them on their toes." He said as looked to the pack members behind his friend who looked as if they were scrambling to get ready for the royal visit.

The alpha waited in fine clothes with what could be assumed was his Luna next to him. By the way, the Luna was dressed, he was sure she had never had to work a day of labor in her life. The rest of the pack’s leadership seemed to follow suit.

Looking at the beta, gamma, and their respective mates Edmund let out a sigh. It was obvious this pack was not known for its fighting skills as the leadership was dressed as if they were ready to attend a ball.

"You succeeded." Luca let out a laugh. "How is everybody?"

While Luca asked about everybody, Edmund knew there was only one in particular he was most concerned about after the news of the attack on the palace. "Everyone is safe and sound," Edmund said with emphasis on every and offered his friend a gentle smile.

After they conversed for a little while, the people behind Luca on the steps shifted their weight uncomfortably waiting for the prince to notice them.

“And who do we have here?” Edmund stepped around Luca with a smile on his face but with the eyes of a predator.

“I am Alpha Henry, Your Highness. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” The alpha went into a light bow as Edmund regarded him. He was covered in jewels of every color, so much so his neck could not be seen. His ears were encrusted in diamonds, another example of how ostentatious the alpha was.

“Thank you for having me." As if the alpha had a choice.

"May I introduce my Luna, Amethyst, my son Opal, and our daughters Pearl, Ruby, and Jade." The alpha made a show of pointing to his offspring with perfectly manicured hands that lacked callouses from hard labor.

Edmund gave each a smile and did his best not to grimace as the daughters batted their eyelashes at him in hopeful wishes. It seemed everyone around them held their breaths hoping one of these girls would be his mate but Edmund let out a breath of relief that was not the case.

The future alpha however looked bored with the whole interaction. He was scrawny with black hair and could not be more than fourteen years old. His older sisters were much more interested in the meeting than him.

"It is a pleasure to meet you all," Edmund said with perfect politeness. He was then introduced to the beta and gamma, who did not impress him in the slightest.

The Alpha cut off the introductions as if his subordinates' presence were a nuisance. They keep smiles on their faces but their hands clinched as if they were holding themselves back. "If it is not too much trouble, I hope you will accompany me on a tour of the pack tomorrow, It would be a great time "

"I cannot see a reason why not." Though he hoped he could. "I would enjoy that greatly." His smile felt fake and would need to work on it.

His response seemed to please the Alpha who then lept into telling him the wonders of the pack.

"This diamond was found in our mines." He said showing him a ring on his finger that was the size of a blueberry. "Tomorrow I will show you where it was found."

Edmund had forgotten the last time he had even offered a response as Emerald continued to chatter on.

A clearing of the throat came from the Luna when the Alpha had shown the prince almost every gem on his body. The Alpha paused his blabbering to look at his mate whose eyes shot to the doors of the packhouse. Remembering where he was and what he was supposed to be doing he spoke.

"Please, allow me to escort you in. We have prepared a reception for Your Highness." Alpha Emerald beamed looking at the grand doors to the packhouse that were also decorated in precious jewels. The pack's wealth was on full display.

Giving a nod, Edmund followed him in allowing for servants to wisk away his luggage to whatever accommodations were planned for him.

The alpha faked modesty as he spoke to the prince. "I must apologize for how inadequate these preparations are." The entrance was filled with lavish flowers and even an ice sculpture. They passed through the entrance and proceeded to go into the ballroom that was equally as grand. Servants waited against the walls with silver trays filled with drinks and small plates of food.

Luca rolled his eyes at the Alpha's words.

Holding his head high, Edmund entered the reception. Everyone in attendance was dressed in formal attire, he knew the alpha had done this to try and make him feel inferior and out of place but unlike this alpha, he did not care about his clothes as he would be the highest-ranking wolf in the room.

With the announcement of the prince's arrival, the reception commenced with people vying for his attention. Luca used to the time to disappear as he was already mated and not a prince so the females would gravitate towards his friend more.

As the night went on, the muscles in Edmund's cheeks ached from the smiling and nodding he had done. He retrieved a drink from a passing tray when Luca appeared. They stood together in silence watching the pack interact with one another.

Gemstone Pack whispered in each other's ears. Backstabbing played out in front of them dressed in expensive gowns and suits. Pretty smiles with ugly hearts.

They were approached by bold females each hoping to gain the Prince's attention. The beta, whose name was already forgotten approached with his daughter in tow.

"Your Highness." He bowed. "I did not have the chance earlier to introduce you to my daughter, Althea."

"It is a p-pleasure to meet you, Your Highness." She stumbled with her words as she lowered her head. Her lack of grace gained her a scowl from her father who quickly schooled his features into a neutral position.

The girl was of average height with small eyes. Glasses were positioned on her nose but a slight blush crept up her cheeks as she looked at the prince.

"Perhaps during your stay with us, you can become better acquainted." The beta pushed.

The report Gabe had given him indicated that the beta was not happy with his position and believed he should be the alpha instead. His plan was so obvious it was sad. His daughter's eyes looked uncomfortable with the introduction causing Edmund to pity her as she was probably being dragged along with her father's plan.

A change in power was not ideal. The Alpha was not a good Alpha but he could be worse. He seemed to focus on his own vanity and civil war in a pack would only hurt its people. Edmund realized he would be playing diplomate during his time in the pack.

*That did not take long* Edmund linked Luca who covered his smile with his glass.

"Perhaps, we will see how the days go." Edmund did his best to give an answer that leaned neither way.

"She will look forward to it." The beta latched on to the prince's words. "We will no longer take up your time, please enjoy the celebration." He said with a bow before leading his daughter away.

Luca let out a breath as the beta walked away. "Using his daughter to do his dirty work. That's just sad."

"Trying is more accurate." Edmund corrected. "Which makes it sadder." He had sympathy for the girl but that was life.

As the alcohol flowed, so did their mouths. Words were said and feuds were born, and the males watched the true main event of the evening.

A loud crash rang out through the room.