Chapter 53: I’ll Take It
"Hahaha!" The Alpha King’s laughter echoed through the private dining room. "So, that’s how it was, huh? Those boys sound like a handful."
His laughter stopped in the blink of an eye, his gaze burning. "Did any of them lay their hands on my beautiful Lynsandra?! Give me the names. I’ll make sure they learn how to eat with their feet!"
Lynsandra watched her father—a gentle giant—cycle through ten different moods in the span of a minute and shook her head.
"Ah!" The Alpha King snapped out of his murderous thoughts as he remembered something. "Lizzie, my daughter, have you chosen who you’re going to declare as your..."
The word husband seemed to stick in his throat like phlegm, but he managed it.
"...husband?"
"Hm." Lynsandra rubbed her chin thoughtfully before smiling at him. "Nope."
"Hahaha! That’s my girl! Of course, my Lynsandra wouldn’t fall for weak men! Unless they beat me in a duel, I won’t allow them to take your hand."
"Dad, I think you’re forgetting that you approved this harem and its purpose."
"I approved it because I don’t want to give my daughter away to anyone." His face twisted. "If someone is going to marry my Lizzie, only the best of the best is allowed! Not to mention those old folks in the court... I should just tear their old limbs and bones apart—"
As usual, the Alpha King went on rambling about the court, something only he and Lynsandra ever spoke of openly.
In the eyes of the public, the Alpha King was faultless. Even in his daughter’s eyes, he was undoubtedly the best. However, the Alpha King was still the Alpha King. He had duties to uphold and politics to play.
He might be powerful enough to win any war, but the real battlefield was the court.
That was why, even when he wanted to take her back years ago without condition, his position held him back. That was also why Lynsandra had to prove herself—to ensure he wouldn’t be put in a bad light or used as a weapon against him in court.
That was the least she could do after breaking his heart.
I really was foolish and selfish back then, she thought as she watched her father with affection.
It wasn’t that she hated these moments, but this was the reason she often avoided meetings with him. They filled her with guilt.
For Lynsandra, proving herself every day—showing everyone that the Alpha King hadn’t made a mistake—was the only thing she could do.
"Ahem!" In the middle of their meal, the Alpha King cleared his throat and straightened. "By the way, Lynsandra, I was excited about our lunch date since it’s been a while. However, this is also the perfect time to discuss something important with you."
At that, her eyes fixed on him.
"I’ll show you once we’re done eating," he said, nodding. "You cleared your afternoon schedule, yes?"
No, but she nodded anyway. "Yes."
"Good!" he said brightly. "Then let’s eat."
The Alpha King chatted happily through the rest of the meal, clearly interested in the harem and the men now living with his daughter. He didn’t even bother hiding his envy, so much so that Lynsandra could already imagine him tugging on the corner of a handkerchief with his teeth whenever he thought about her and her harem.
Once the meal was finished, he took her out for a walk. Unlike when it was just the two of them in private, he assumed a dignified posture and spoke only of the usual boring topics. Though every now and then, he would lean in and giggle.
Soon, they arrived at a private chamber located within a separate estate.
As they walked down the old, dim hallway, Lynsandra stared at her father’s back.
"Dad," she asked, "why are we in the old torture chamber?"
"I want to show you something," the Alpha King replied without turning back.
They stopped before an old, thick, rusted steel door. The Alpha King reached for it, then turned to her.
"Lizzie, what’s inside will surprise you," he said, nodding once before pushing the door open.
The door creaked loudly, almost deafening. The scent of damp stone and wet brick assaulted her senses as they stepped inside, the Alpha King entering first, followed by Lynsandra.
Low grunts echoed through the nearly empty chamber.
Lynsandra followed the sound until her gaze landed on a wolf chained to the wall. Her eyes narrowed. The wolf was kneeling, bleeding, growling low, drool dripping from his mouth. Both wrists and ankles were bound by new steel chains bolted firmly into the stone.
"Who is this wolf?" she asked, curious. "What crime did he commit to be chained here?"
"Pickpocketing."
She raised a brow and looked at her father, even more confused. "Did he pickpocket you?" she asked. "Dad, I didn’t think you’d become this petty in your old age."
"Haha. Lizzie, he didn’t pickpocket me," the Alpha King clarified, turning his attention back to the chained wolf. "He was caught pickpocketing in the Merce District. However, those who apprehended him were injured when he attacked and escaped. When the werewolf police finally caught him, they realized something was wrong."
The Alpha King briefly summarized how the wolf ended up in the Royal Pack’s closed torture chambers. "Eventually, the matter reached me, and I decided to keep him here."
"Lizzie," he said, turning to her again, "do you think he’s a wolf?"
"He looks like a feral one," she answered without hesitation. "Is he not?"
"He’s not."
"What?" She frowned and looked at the chained figure again.
"He’s human," the Alpha King said. "Turned into a wolf."
"How is that possible..." she murmured as realization dawned on her. "Don’t tell me this was—"
"We’re still investigating," the Alpha King interrupted, "but it appears he was experimented on."
Silence fell between them as Lynsandra tried to process the information. This was new and deeply disturbing.
The Alpha King let out a heavy sigh. "I haven’t discussed this with the court yet, and I’ve ordered a complete information shutdown. However—"
"I’ll take this case," Lynsandra said without waiting for him to finish.
She already knew why he was withholding it. If news like this leaked, the first suspects would be the humans.
And if it wasn’t resolved or clarified, war would be inevitable.
The Alpha King nodded. "Let me know if you need assistance, Lizzie. I’ll give you everything you need."
"Thank you," she replied with a confident smile. "However..." she trailed off as she set her eyes on the experimented wolf.
"What is it?"
She smiled and joked, "Nothing, Dad. I’m just thinking if I can use this to have a date."
"Huh?" the Alpha King blinked, then his face twisted ever so slowly. "Forget it! Don’t take this case!"
But it was too late, and his change of heart fell on deaf ears.
