It was such a delightful sight, in Karenina's mind. Nicholas would finally understand her pain and the humiliation she had suffered all this time.
A smile curved up on her face. It looked so sinister that Gwen the witch furrowed her brows. She didn't think this beautiful woman before her who was a noblewoman, didn't wince in fear or disgust when Gwen told the story of what happened to the king of Armeria. Instead, Karenina looked like she could do the same thing without batting an eye.
"I can guess that you like my suggestion," Gwen cleared her throat and then smirked.
Karenina's smile suddenly faltered. She became doubtful when she remembered Noel and the Royal Lycan Hunters were protecting Riga, unlike Armeria which didn't have an elite force like them.
She sighed in annoyance and turned to look at Gwen. "I'm not so sure if the Obsidian Sand Pack can take down Riga like they took down Armeria. Riga is a much bigger country and we have more power to protect the kingdom from the enemy."
"Why?" Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"Because Riga has the Royal Lycan Hunter. That special forces troop has killed and destroyed many packs of lycans," explained Karenina. Gwen found her words funny and so she laughed heartily. Karenina narrowed her eyes menacingly at Gwen. She hated being laughed at. "Why are you laughing? What's so funny?"
"You don't know me," Gwen said after stopping her laughter. "I work for what I get paid. Each of my suggestions is quality advice. The Obsidian Sand Pack is the largest lycan pack to date, beating the Blood River Pack, which was leading in the past."
She continued, "The Obsidian Sand Pack has a large army. They even managed to get some strong warriors to join them from Blood River Pack and many other packs on the mainland. They are now led by the Alpha and Beta who are invincible, and their strength is enhanced by their Luna who is a powerful witch."
Gwen's explanation took Karenina by surprise. She didn't know this. Karenina thought deeply about Gwen's words. If the strength of the Obsidian San Pack was that big, then she was sure that Riga could be defeated.
"Many years ago, the Obsidia Sand was only a small pack that had to survive the harsh life in the desert. They experienced very rapid development when their Alpha married Grand Witch Elois she became the Luna," Gwen chuckled. "I can hardly believe that Elois has finally given up on Leland."
"Leland?" Karenina narrowed her eyes.
"He's the Alpha of the Blood River Pack, the previously most powerful pack on this continent. Elois was very infatuated with Leland." Gwen who loved gossip and selling information started to tell Karenina at length about Elois who was very obsessed with Leland Salazar from the Blood River Pack, but he had never been interested in her. "Alpha Leland loves Luna Sophia so much. Even though she was married once, he took her in and claimed her as his mate. So many female lycans were so jealous of his wife that—"
"Huh? Wait... did you say Sophia?" Karenina quickly interrupted Gwen after she heard the witch mention the name 'Sophia'.
Gwen shrugged. "I did. Why?"
"What are their names again?" Karenina asked again. "Uhm, I mean, the woman..."
Gwen frowned, slightly surprised at Karenina's reaction when Sophia's name was brought up. Did Karenina know the Luna of the Blood River Pack?
"Sophia Salazar, the wife of Leland Salazar and also Luna of the Blood River Pack," Gwen replied. "What about her?"
Karenina winced in disgust. Why did she have to keep hearing that name over and over again? She hated Sophia so much! She was the main reason why Nicholas suddenly canceled everything and now Karenina could no longer marry the king.
It was so embarrassing because they already announced the wedding plans at her birthday party, yet two months had passed and not only they were still not married, Nicholas actually had the heart to kick Karenina out even though he thought she was pregnant with his child.
The king had become so heartless.
Sophia, I hate you!
I hate you so much!
Suddenly, Karenina froze and something clicked in her mind.
"Oh my god..." she pressed her lips as realization dawned on her.
Gwen said earlier that Leland was mated with a previously married woman. This was too much of a coincidence. Sophia Romanov or Sophia Hansley had also been married before she was married to Duke Romanov.
Karenina was now wondering if Sophia Salazar and Sophia Romanov were the same people? If that's true, then it means Duke Romanov was... Leland Salazar.
Karenina was sure of her guess but to make sure she must ask Gwen to specify Leland and Sophia Salazar's physical traits and tell her all the information Gwen knew about the couple. She also wanted to know more about Elois who was said to be in love with Leland.
If Eloise loved Leland, and Leland was really Duke Romanov, it means, Eloise must hate Sophia for taking the man she wanted. This suddenly put Karenina at an advantage because the enemy of her enemy could be her friend.
"Gwen, tell me everything you know... about Leland Salazar, this Alpha of Blood River Pack, and his wife," Karenina said. She got up from her seat and went to the cabinet. She took out a heavy bag filled with gold and tossed it on the table. "If I am happy with your info, you can take all the gold. If not, don't even dream about touching the bag."
Gwen really liked Karenina because the woman had a lot of money and didn't hold back on spending it.
If sheFor this information, Karenina gives Gwen extra money.
Gwen was happy to share all the information she knew. She took a seat, poured tea for herself, and smiled broadly. "Well... for that much gold, I will even tell you what they ate for breakfast this morning... hehehehe."
Karenina paid attention to all the information provided by Gwen. The witch apparently knew a lot, not only because he was a witch who knew Eloise personally and had seen Leland several times when he was younger, but Gwen also knew some lycans who rebelled five years ago from Blood River Pack.
Those warriors were unhappy with how Leland was managing the pack and now they joined the Obsidian Sand Pack. They knew the inside and out of both packs.
"So, yeah... now, the Obsidian Sand Pack is planning to attack Riga. When they do, those members of Royal Lycan Hunters wouldn't be able to do anything because the Blood River Pack would have already crushed them. They too, are waiting to strike when the time is right."
Karenina was deep in thoughts. So, she was RIGHT!
Those people in Duke Romanov's manor were lycan warriors. They came here six years ago to infiltrate Riga and when their pack was divided, they had to go back to Frisia to consolidate power. And now, they were back.
"How dumb," Karenina muttered. "Those 'great' royal Lycan hunters couldn't see the enemy when it's under their nose. Pathetic."
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