40 Visiting East Temple City
Despite making acquaintances and fostering relationships every year at the Alpha Camp, there was no such custom that allowed the alpha children to visit each other.
The reason for that was rather simple. One did not know when a good relationship ended and turned bad. No pack would risk its safety by allowing potential enemies to peek into their pack situation.
That was not all. No Alpha was dumb enough to let their heirs walk into another pack’s area of territory just like that. They might just get murdered or maimed.
The Silent Walkers Pack, Alice Clearwater in particular, was heavily opposed to Lucien’s idea of going to the East Temple City for a discussion with Kinnon Youngshaper.
“Lulu, can’t you just meet him up at a public venue?” Alice asked during a call to persuade his son. “Mother doesn’t think that it is safe for you to go there alone.”
Lucien smiled while listening to his mother. His mother had grown to be more and more protective of him ever since he lost his wolf. She forgot that he was still an alpha, with or without a wolf. And he was an adult.
“Don’t worry, Mom. I can handle this. Besides, what is the point of doing anything to me? Unless you think that something else is hidden beyond the marriage proposal.”
“But...” Alice still wanted to say something, but she did not know what.
“Mom, I have to go now. I will call you once I arrive at East Temple City.”
.....
Alice had no other choice but to let Lucien do what he thought was best.
The trip to East Temple City took a whole night. The bright morning sunlight woke Lucien up from his slumber. The latter rubbed at his eyes and looked out of the window.
A breakfast cart rolled through the corridor and stopped next to Lucien.
“Coffee and croissant, Sir?”
“No, thank you,” Lucien answered almost on cue. He did not feel like eating anything.
Although he told his mother not to be worried, truthfully he was.
The Kinnon Youngshaper that he knew seven years ago was not that kind of a person, but what about the Kinnon Youngshaper of the present time?
Lucien sighed.
You are being silly, Lucien...
If he really wished to harm you, he would already do that. There were plenty of times he could have.
Lucien stepped off the train and slung his backpack over a shoulder. As he walked along the railway platform to head for the exit, two men in black suits approached him and bowed respectfully before him.
“Mr. Lucien Clearwater, we are here to pick you up.”
Lucien glanced at the two men. He called Kinnon to tell him that he was coming to pay a visit. Kinnon had offered to send a car to pick him up, but Lucien said that he was already inside the train. In the end, another car was still sent to pick him up, albeit for the last part of the trip.
Kinnon Youngshaper was only a year older than both Lucien and Ronan, but he was already a deeply respected Alpha. Not only in the eyes of his pack members but generally in the eyes of the werewolf society.
It had little to do with strength and more to do with maturity and a sense of responsibility.
Despite the lacking love between him and his dearly departed Luna, they had successfully secured an heir to the Alpha position. This might be the reason why the pack elders were not against his wish to take Lucien as his next Luna. Lucien might even be considered a reward for Kinnon’s years of dedication to his pack.
The car door slid open smoothly.
“Mr. Clearwater, we have arrived.”
Lucien snapped back into reality and climbed out of the car.
The scene that he saw was breathtaking. One must admit that the Night Prowler Pack was a rich pack. A huge forest area surrounded the Pack House that looked a lot like a five-star hotel than a Pack House. It was a good disguise in case curious human beings happened to pass by.
“Mr. Clearwater, our Alpha has been expecting you. Allow me.”
The man who opened the door for him took his backpack from his shoulder and carried it up the luxurious staircase made of sparkling white stone. Exquisite. It must have cost a lot.
The Night Prowler Pack’s Beta already waited for Lucien at the top of the staircase. He was at least five years older than Kinnon. His name was Bjorn.
“Welcome, Lucien,” he said with a smile.
“Thanks,” Lucien smiled back at him.
Elder alphas who graduated from the Alpha Camp were still required to participate to help out with the camp activities.
Lucien knew Bjorn as one of the mentors at the training arena.
“Was the trip pleasant?”
“Not too bad. I need to talk to Kinnon.”
Bjorn nodded apprehensively. “He is expecting you. Come.”
Against Lucien’s expectations, Bjorn did not lead him to the guest reception hall where Alphas typically welcomed their guests. He was instead led to the highest floor of the luxurious mansion, then passing through carpeted corridors that ended up at Kinnon’s private bed-chamber. The two of them stopped before a polished, wooden double door with intricate carvings at the edges.
“...”
It was rather awkward. Lucien turned at Bjorn with a slight frown. This was beyond appropriate. Even if, let’s say, he had agreed to become the pack’s next Luna, he could not just march into his future husband’s bed-chamber without any reservation.
Unless it was meant as a derogatory gesture?
As if reading Lucien’s mind, Bjorn provided an explanation before Lucien’s mind wandered further.
“There is no hidden meaning behind this. Kinnon is, unfortunately, unable to leave the bed for the time being. Please take a look for yourself.”
Kinnon Youngshaper was injured?
So badly that he was bedridden?
Lucien knocked on the door three times but he received no answer. Encouraged by Bjorn’s nod, Lucien pushed the door open and the sight in front of his eyes almost made his heart stop beating.
Kinnon was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard. He was holding hands with a red-headed beauty who sat at his bedside.
When both of them turned to look at Lucien, the woman gasped and quickly withdrew her hand from Kinnon’s grasp.
“Lu... Lulu!!!”
It was Annalynne.