Chapter Hundred and Sixty-Nine – He’s missing.
Chris’s POV
By evening, I tried to walk with my legs.
A gloom aura was round about my palace and I wondered if it was because Ralph died.
Or Jaden’s aura was spreading to this part?
“Impossible.” Zeke sneered. “You act like you can’t smell the fear of the people.”
So it was their fear that darkened the skies? They had every right to be afraid.
Ray had announced the death of the Black Rose Beta as I ordered and everyone sympathized with them.
Zeke scoffed. “Do you think Black Rose needs the sympathy? They want Logan’s head! And till it’s given, the skies will never be bright again!”
“Why are you cursing our land!” I yelled.
My wolf never had anything positive to say about a situation. Always negative!
“Logan killed a Beta.” he said, like I didn’t know.
“The kingdom didn’t know how powerful Logan was before, as you hid all sacrifices you made so they wouldn’t panic, but they know it all now.”
Did he mean announcing Ralph’s death was a wrong idea? But it’d be unfair not to. He was a leader in the kingdom.
“Moon Goddess, help me.” My wolf sighed. “I don’t mean you shouldn’t have announced it but you should also start to do something about it.”
“Like go after Logan?” I asked, trying to get his point.
“Like go after Logan.” He repeated, confirming my speculations.
I think he wanted me dead, and him too inside of me. Or would he live elsewhere when I die so he didn’t mind?
“I tried and Logan was too strong for me. All I have to do is get better and fight side by side the other Alphas.” I remarked.
I can’t do it alone. And there’s no shame in that.
Someone was coming towards me and I blocked the connection I had with Zeke. “Who’s there?”
The person tarried outside the door before exhaling loudly. I knew who it was and called. “Edwin? Do you need something?”
I opened the door for him when he didn’t come in after half a minute. “What is wrong?”
His lidded eyes glazed over me. “I don’t know what’s wrong with our kingdom. Maybe it’s actually cursed.”
Was this his reaction to Ralph’s death? I patted his shoulder and brought him closer to me. “Our Kingdom is not cursed, just Logan.”
He exhaled again before releasing himself from me. “A letter just got here from Black Rose.”
How were they handling everything?
“First, they’re thankful for the condolences and second, that it wasn’t received by Alpha Jaden.” Edwin frowned. “But the letter was from him.”
“The letter was from Jaden?”
“Yes, or maybe just the royal signature. Maybe it was falsified?” Edwin stared at his palm.
Why would the condolences not be accepted by Jaden but it was Jaden who the letter was from?
“Possibly by Jake. He’s the only one who’d dare falsify his brother’s letters. Did he say why his Alpha didn’t receive the condolences?” I asked.
Was he in such a bad shape that he couldn’t perform basic Alpha duties? I wouldn’t fault him.
“He hadn’t returned since yesterday. They worry that he chased Logan. He’s missing.” Edwin’s forehead creased.
Missing? Why did that sound so familiar to Ralph’s case! Jaden wouldn’t be stupid to chase after Logan alone and being badly injured.
“No sign of him around his pack or around the place we fought?” he may have passed out of tiredness or worse.
Edwin shook his head. “Nothing. They have searched surrounding packs and even implored Silver Pack to search for them.”
It would be really hard if this pack lose a Beta and an Alpha within a day.
Why didn’t Jaden return to his pack to comfort his people? They should be his support. He can’t mourn alone.
“What am I to do now? I can’t run much.” I heaved a sigh, then leaned on the wall.
Edwin forced a smile. “I know so I told Beta Ray first. He left already to represent you in the search.”
What? Ray wasn’t here?
I’ve been trying to connect to his mind link for the last twenty minutes!
“You didn’t think to tell me first before letting Ray go?” I raised my brows with disdain.
Edwin looked down and apologized. “Sorry, Alpha. Ray said you’d stubbornly want to go yourself. Also he misses being active on battle.”
Active on battle? Was he envisaging any battle? “Am I to risk my own Beta dying now?”
“It’s not like that, Alpha.” Edwin frowned. “Ray is a Beta Royal. He has a duty to the kingdom not just to you or the pack.”
That was true. I turned away from him. “I’d be going on full rest now. You should handle any local issue.”
He made an ‘hmm’ sound and clicked his tongue. “Jaden shouldn’t set the kingdom to another mode of grief.”
I trust he wasn’t that impulsive. He might have taken some time off.
“Any more news about Black Rose should be reported to me first before any action is carried out, please!” I emphasized on the ‘please’.
Being Beta Royal meant Ray seeked the peace of the kingdom first and not only his pack.
But the burden of the kingdom was too much to bear, I’d know.
I enquired. “Silver Pack is searching for Jaden too, right? Is their Alpha amongst the search?”
My Delta hummed then replied. “She should. The letter didn’t say. But it’s better if she goes with them as Logan is still out there, in case.”
That wasn’t even my point. Jaden was her mate so wherever he was, she’d easily find him. And be a comfort to him.
“Alright then, you can go now.” I faced him.
He bowed and was walking away.
“If you are less busy you can go to your sister and talk. She said something about being alone and you have no mate to chat with.”
My Delta’s face squeezed in annoyance. “Did you have to add that I had no mate?
I smirked. His mother found his mate late, and so did his dad, even if she wasn’t his real mate.
Now, their kids are taking centuries to see their mates. “Don’t let that bother you, you’re still young. Go on now.”
He had a pout on his face as he folded his hands and stomped off.