Leland's nightmare didn't happen at all.
The truth of the matter was that the Alpha was actually nervous that his mother would have attacked Sophie in the broad open once they met, but that didn't happen.
Because he was really worried, he actually sent Duncan and Max to watch the ongoing conversation, while he and Lucas held the meeting with the pack. He didn't find it within him to trust his mother.
Before the Alpha knew it though, breakfast was already over.
Nothing happened.
Once Leland finished stationing all of the Blood River Pack's new arrivals and giving them rooms, he immediately rushed to the dining hall to meet with his mother and mate. As soon as he stepped inside the dining room, he only heard laughter echo.
Sophie's eyes were lit up when she saw Leland. The Alpha furrowed his brows, looking worried. He was not sure of what was happening at all. He looked questioningly at Isolde, while the older woman only smiled innocently at her son.
"I was telling her about the time when you were still a young pup and met your brother for the first time." Isolde chuckled. "My little Lowell was such an angel back then."
Leland's lips pressed into a thin line and, at that moment, he knew that Isolde's favorite would always be her second son, Lowell Salazar. It would never be him.
Not wanting to ruin the moment though, he looked at the plate of food that both women received.
The two of them seemed to have eaten well.
Isolde continued. "He was such a jealous wolf pup. Ah, I think that's why he ran away from home. I am glad that he came back though."
"Really?" Sophie raised a brow and tossed a look at Leland. She gave her husband a smile to signal that she was alright and fine, not really always believing every word his mother said.
"Thank you for choosing to delve into my childhood." Leland sighed a little and plopped down beside his mate.
"Come on. I didn't know that you haven't been saying a thing to Sophie at all." Isolde shook her head. "You even neglect to mention that you had a brother."
"A-actually he did," Sophie hastily interrupted Isolde. She kept her smile unchanging at her mother-in-law's words. Even though she was surprised to find out that her husband had a younger brother, she didn't show it on her face. "I know about Lowell."
As Leland's mate, she thought she would need cover for him and give him face in front of other people, including his own mother. She would lie for him if needed, like what she was doing now.
Under the table, she could feel Leland squeeze her thigh lovingly. Isolde was unhappy by Sophie's calm response, but she faked a smile and pretended to brush it off.
"Oh, he told you about his brother? I am surprised because Leland seemed to hate Lowell," Isolde said nonchalantly as if it was not a big deal. Then she poured tea into her cup and added, "I suppose, he didn't tell you about Eloise?"
"Leland's witch friend, right?" Sophie smiled. She remembered the name because Leland mentioned Eloise once. "He did."
Leland narrowed his eyes at Isolde and knew how much the woman actually wanted to pair him off with that girl Eloise. He couldn't see Eloise as anything more than a helpful ally, a friend at most.
"That's right, Leland was so insistent that he didn't want to have her as a friend." Isolde sighed and shook her head. "However, before he even knew it, the play dates actually went well and they grew so close."
"May I remind you that I met Eloise after I returned from the Hansleys?" Leland frowned. "I do not think you can say it as little play dates."
"It doesn't matter…" Isolde glanced at Sophie and to her surprise, Leland's mate didn't at all seem bothered at the mention of another woman. For someone like Isolde who always seemed to explode at the mention of Anne, it was shocking.
Secretly, she was furious because all her agitation didn't seem to work on Sophie.
Sophie smiled and only listened attentively to Isolde and did her best to make sure that Leland didn't get too upset. She held her husband's hand and then glanced at Leland.
"I want to meet Eloise someday… well, I mean witches in general," Sophie said to make light conversation.
"Why is that?" Leland couldn't help but ask.
"They seem so interesting. I believe that they're the ones who make a lot of brews, right? My mother often made salves and creams using herbs, I think witches could probably improve on that, right?"
"They tend to have their own specialties," Isolde commented.
"Like poison?" Sophie said.
Isolde's eyes widened for a moment, but Leland nodded. "Yes, I've explained to Sophie that Eloise is a specialist when it comes to poison. She helped me ingest and grow immunity to a variety of known poisons that humans use."
"I see…"
The rest of the morning would continue with Sophie, Leland, and Isolde talking amongst themselves and making conversation about various topics.
However, all of a sudden, Isolde cleared her throat and looked in Leland's direction. There was something on her mind that she chose to point out when they arrived earlier.
"Son, what is the letter that you received from the royal family?" Isolde smiled. "Is it good news?"
Leland fell silent and didn't actually want to tell it to his mother right away, he had kept the scroll in his pocket and sent the royal messenger away with no confirmation whatsoever.
"You really don't have to be like that," Isolde sighed at the lack of his response. "Sophia, does it ever feel like you're talking to a cold unmoving stone? My son tends to be like this around me."
Sophie thought her mate could be distant at times, especially before they confessed their feelings to each other, but in her opinion, Leland only treated people the way they treated him. He was fair. If they acted respectably, he would treat them well.
However, if they were dishonest, cunning, and two-faced, he wouldn't spare them even a tiny bit of attention. To him, they were like air. They were insignificant and worthless... and would be treated as such.
Sophie didn't know the details because her husband refused to talk about his family, but she suspected Isolde might have been a bad mother, that Leland couldn't bring himself to show affection to her.
Based on Sophie's own experience, Leland was a loving man. The way he adored her and her children, which were not his, made her realize that her husband had a heart of gold despite his aloof appearance and sometimes distant attitude.
She bit her lip and nudged Leland a little. "Maybe we should just tell your mother? I think everyone will know sooner or later, right?"
"Fine." Leland took out the scroll and tossed it to his mother who swiftly caught it. "I've taken care of King William Hannenbergh and he will soon be succeeded by his son in next week. For one reason or another, we are invited to his coronation ceremony."
"Then my arrival with the rest of your men is perfect timing, isn't it?" Isolde smiled. "A mother truly knows best, my instincts are sharp as ever. It is the great opportunity to storm the capital and take over during the coronation."
"You say that, but I am sure that this crown prince must have decided to invite everyone for a certain reason." Leland's eyes glinted sharply at the scroll.
"And why is that?" Isolde batted her eyes. "I believe that you must be attributing too much brilliance to this crown prince. If they were actually any good, then they would have immediately discovered your pack, but they didn't, right?"
Sophie cleared her throat. "Isolde, I think what your son is trying to say is that by inviting everyone to the coronation, the crown prince could take that as an opportunity to see where the hearts of the people lie."
"Yes. If we don't attend this event, we're suspicious… but if we do attend it, I am sure that the security is at an all-time high," Leland said and looked proudly at his mate. He was glad that she could tell what was on his mind.
"Nonetheless, this is still the best opportunity to attack," Isolde said. "Or are you saying that the Blood River Pack is backing down from this enemy of ours? We are not cowards, let us finish this already."
This chapt𝒆r is updated by free(w)ebnovel(.)com