"Oof..." Nicholas hissed as he applied some ointment to his wound. He cleaned the wounds that were scattered on almost every part of his body.
He was lucky his family kept the best medicine and healing ointments in the royal villa. He didn't want to let any doctors check on his condition.
This would raise a lot of questions. No, thank you. Before he found the answers for himself, he wouldn't let anyone know what happened.
After he tended to his injuries, Nicholas walked to the closet to get some clothes. The stinging sensation stung again when the wounds rubbed against the cloth.
The night was still not over. The moon and stars still adorned the sky.
Nicholas sat on the edge of the bed and reflected on what he had just experienced.
He recalled how he and the white wolf had fought. After he thought about the strength and speed of the white wolf, Nicholas was able to draw the conclusion that the white wolf was an Alpha.
Nicholas' brows furrowed. The line of questions again filled his mind. He tried to sort the questions one by one. He needed to understand what was going on… with him, with this kingdom… with those lycans he saw earlier tonight.
First question, what was the Alpha's problem with him? Nicholas could see the never-ending hatred within Alpha's blue-green eyes as he looked at him.
Then the second question, why did the Alpha look so angry when Nicholas said that he would help free the two lycan children who were held captive by Duke Romanov?
Had Nicholas mistakenly thought that the Alpha had come there to free the two lycan children and free all the lycans that were prisoners of Duke Romanov?
The Alpha might have been working under the orders of Duke Romanov.
No. That was a ridiculous thought. There was no way such a strong Alpha could obey a villain like Duke Romanov.
Then what really happened?
Nicholas leaned his back on the bed. His mind still wrestled with questions that needed answers.
He looked up at the ceiling and imagined the two lycan cubs he had met in the field.
"They… looked okay," he muttered, his eyes twinkling. "They don't seem to suffer. In fact, they kinda look chubby and cute."
"If those two kids aren't Duke Romanov's captives, then who are they? Why are they in Riga? And there was also the Alpha… What is he doing here?"
"Shouldn't they be in Armeria or something? Riga is a dangerous place for them because we have much stronger defenses against werewolves."
Suddenly his eyes widened as a new thought appeared in his head. He woke up with a slightly surprised face.
"There was never a werewolf sighting in the past five years after the battle in Livstad where the royal army and the Royal Lycan Hunters annihilated hundreds of attackers."
Nicholas furrowed his brows. He suddenly saw lycans after Duke Romanov returned to Livstad.
Did Duke Romanov have a relationship with lycans? Was that the reason why the lycan children were able to be in Riga? Maybe that was also the reason why the Alpha was furious when he said that Nicholas would help to free the two lycan children from Duke Romanov's captives?
The Alpha was angry that Nicholas had carelessly accused Duke Romanov.
Ha.
Nicholas took a deep breath and then laid back on his back. Duke Romanov. The man was full of mystery.
Maybe he did have something to do with the lycans. Or worse… he might be one himself.
***
Meanwhile, Leland, who had just arrived at the manor, shocked Lucas and the others when they saw him covered with blood. They could smell another Alpha's scent on him and they could immediately tell that the blood was also from his injuries, not just his opponent.
This made them wonder who did he fight and what happened to the other lycan.
"Alpha…!" Lucas rushed over and intended to carry the Alpha to his room, but Leland immediately refused.
He waved his hand and brushed off Lucas' offer. "Not there."
Sophie would be very worried if she saw Leland get injured, and he didn't want that to happen. What more was the fact that Sophie was currently pregnant. She should not worry or stress because it would have a bad impact on her pregnancy.
In addition to that, Leland also didn't know what to answer if Sophie asked what happened and asked him the reason why Leland could be injured so badly.
So far, Leland had never experienced defeat or was seriously injured like this. He didn't want to admit that the lousy king was actually quite formidable. He would rather think that he was blinded by his anger and grudge, that he was not focused during the fight.
"Take me to the guest room," said Leland. As if he understood what the Alpha was thinking, Lucas immediately nodded without asking anything. Before Lucas could support the Alpha walking, the Beta first ordered a servant to call a healer.
***
"Ah." Leland grimaced slightly as he struggled to sit back on the back of the bed.
Not long after, the healer and the servants that Lucas had ordered entered the room, followed by Duncan and Max.
Of course, Leland's current state raised big questions in the heads of those who wondered who Leland's opponent was.
Their Alpha had fought many battles, and he had always won. He also had never suffered terrible injuries like this time. Well, maybe when he was younger and his strict father was training him, Leland would sustain so many injuries, but that was a long time ago.
They didn't remember any events where he came home from battle looking this bad. The big gaping wound across his face was the worst they had seen so far. It ran from his left temple to his left cheek, all the way to his chin.
"Max, Duncan, bring Luciel and Jan here. Don't let them tell Luna about my situation," said Leland.
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