Leland entered the meeting room and saw Lucas was already inside along with several elders and their strongest warriors. Leland was confused by their student visit, but he didn't show it in his expression.
Everyone in the room rose to give him their respect as he walked towards his seat.
"Get to the point, Lucas," Leland said as he sat down.
Lucas nodded respectfully and started to report. He broke the news about the fall of the Kingdom of Armeria. The Obsidian Sand Pack took the kingdom over several weeks ago.
Lucas told the Alpha about the king of Armeria, who was shackled, and the people of Armeria enslaved by the lycans.
"The lycans also took the lands of the nobles and made them laborers for very little wages. Currently, many nobles are leaving Armeria to seek refuge in Frisia and Riga," Lucas finished his report.
Leland didn't say anything. However, the crease in the middle of his brows showed that he was in deep thought. After a few seconds, he glanced at the elders sitting to his left. After hearing Lucas' report, he could guess the reason the elders were in the meeting room.
The reason they showed up was that they definitely wanted to urge Leland to mobilize armies to conquer Frisia or Riga territory and show the existence of the Blood River Pack as the strongest pack.
They thought it was important to remove the bad taste from their mouths, caused by the failed attack on Riga almost five years ago. They couldn't let the other pack take all the glory to themselves.
The Blood River Pack needed to show their fangs too.
His guess was right. The elders urged him. Leland seemed lost in his own thoughts again.
"I'll call you guys once I have a decision. You can leave now." He turned to Lucas and motioned him to not go anywhere, saying, "Lucas, you stay."
Everyone left which made Leland and Lucas the only ones who stayed back in the room.
As they walked out some of the elders had displeased expressions. They were the ones who judged Leland to be slow to act.
***
Meanwhile, in the Riga Kingdom, after five years, Nicholas looked more handsome and even more dignified as he wore his regal attire.
He currently listened to the news delivered by a royal informant about the Kingdom of Armeria. The news conveyed by the informant was not much different from what Lucas told Leland.
It happened at both the borders of Riga and Frisia, people from Armeria came to ask for protection and permission to stay.
Those who had relatives in one or both of these areas were lucky enough to be able to quickly get permission to cross the border and find accommodation, while those without relatives had to spend the night at the border.
***
"Leland." Sophie approached.
Leland took his eyes off the sky and turned to look at Sophie. For a few seconds, Leland just stared at her in silence.
Sophie batted her eyes and gave him a serious look. To have Leland stare down at her like that made Sophie a bit nervous and confused.
"Is there something wrong?" she asked.
Leland smiled warmly.
"Nothing. It's just that you look beautiful," he said and gently touched Sophie's head. Then, suddenly, he carried her bridal style.
Leland walked towards the bed and then he sat on the edge of the bed. He let Sophie sit down on his lap. Now that he was looking at Sophie closer, his face looked serious. "Sophia."
"Yes."
"Do you miss your hometown?"
Sophie raised her eyebrows. She was confused by Leland suddenly asking this question.
"Sophia, I've thought about it," Leland said gently. His tone was serious. "I want us to go back to Riga."
"What?" Sophie was surprised.
"Why? Are you not happy?"
"No, it's not it.... really. I'm just a little surprised, it's so sudden."
"So are you happy?"
"Hmm. Yeah."
Leland smiled, then grabbed Sophie's chin and kissed Sophie's lips gently but deeply.
***
Three days later, all the preparations for Riga had been completed. Jan was seen in Max's arms, and Luciel was in Duncan's arms.
Similar to when they left Riga for Frisia, they traveled in small groups. Apart from his family and his closest men, Leland only brought a few lycans which were currently scattered across five groups. They were his most trusted men.
Each group consists of ten to fifteen members. Later, the lycans would be assigned to guard and scout the situation. They were also required to gather the information that would be needed in making an attack strategy too.
While the rest of the pack spread out and settled in various nearby areas around the Riga Kingdom, some settled themselves in the forests. They stayed there while they waited for the Alpha's signal.
The rest still stayed in Frisia until Leland had a clear plan to attack Riga, after he settled there and studied the most current situation.
***
Time went on and the day turned into night and night turned into day, and Leland and his group had arrived at Livstad. Here Leland once again used the identity of Duke Romanov.
Seeing the duke's family and his people, the guards of the mansion immediately ran to open up the gate and greet the entourage.
As she passed through the gate and saw the mansion in front of her, Sophie was reminded of sweet memories with Duke Romanov a.k.a Leland.
"What is it?" Leland asked as he saw Sophie was lost in thought.
"Nothing. I just remembered sweet memories with someone," she replied.
"Who?"
"It's a secret," Sophie said as she poked Leland's chin and then walked ahead of Leland, followed by Max and Duncan carrying the twins.
"Tsk. Naughty." Leland smiled and followed Sophie, who entered the manor.
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