Nicholas batted his eyes in confusion. He still needed to wrap his head around what just happened. So, did Leland accept his proposal for peace, or did this mean he also gave Nicholas the opportunity to have a relationship with his children?
He looked at Lucas with furrowed brows. "Come again?"
"My Alpha invited you to tea tomorrow afternoon in our castle," Lucas repeated what he said. His eyes looked annoyed that the king seemed to need to be told twice. He was not dumb, was he?
The truth was, after they fought in Livstad and Nicholas beat him up, Lucas had been holding resentment toward Nicholas.
He actually didn't like the fact that Leland seemed to soften up and now even let Nicholas come to the castle. However, he was only the Beta and couldn't have a say on whatever the Alpha decided.
"When did he tell you that?" Nicholas asked again.
He didn't hear Leland say anything to anyone after he walked out of the inn, but suddenly Lucas told Nicholas that he was invited? Or did Leland actually already plan to invite Nicholas but pretended he only did it after they had the conversation?
"It's none of your business," said Lucas curtly.
Seeing the tension, Lily immediately stepped up and stood between the two men. She smiled sweetly and said to Lucas, "Thank you for the invitation. We will come."
She had heard of Leland Salazar's reputation of being cold and ruthless. She could also see from the animosity he showed earlier that for Nicholas to get an invitation from the Alpha meant Leland was in a good mood.
This was an opportunity that might never come again. So, instead of questioning Leland's motive to invite Nicholas to tea, it was better to just say thank you and accept it.
That's why Lily immediately spoke on Nicholas' behalf and soothed Lucas from his annoyance. The Beta turned his sight on the beautiful woman and looked at her with appreciation.
He actually wanted to say that the invitation was only for Nicholas and Lily shouldn't come, but then he changed his mind and didn't say anything.
Leland didn't mention anything about forbidding the people from the Red Moon Pack to come with Nicholas to their castle.
Lucas smiled back. "Very well, Miss..."
"Lily," the girl quickly introduced herself. "My name is Lily Moonchester."
"Oh, so you're Alpha Rad's daughter?" Lucas' eyes widened. He had met Alpha Rad several times during the tribe's meeting in Gazi Desert.
The Beta winced his brows and tried to compare Alpha Rad Moonchester and the beautiful woman before him. Well... they looked nothing alike.
Alpha Rad must have one hell of a beautiful mate and Lily took after her mother completely.
"Yes, that's my father," Lily's face beamed when she heard Lucas mention her father's name. So, this man must be someone important in the Blood River Pack since he had the opportunity to meet an Alpha from another pack. "You know him?"
Lucas bobbed his head. "We've had a few drinks after the tribes meeting several years ago. Your father is a really nice man. He loved talking about his favorite ale."
Lily pressed her lips and chuckled. "That does sound like my father."
Lucas' expression had changed completely, from looking curt and unfriendly to one filled with smiles. Nicholas Hannenbergh praised Lily inwardly. He really thought bringing the girl on this mission was a good idea.
Perhaps, he really should make that post for the minister of lycans and humans cooperation. Lily would be a good candidate.
Nicholas cleared his throat and reached out his hand to Lucas, "Yeah, as Miss Moonchester said, we are grateful for the invitation and would be happy to come."
Lucas pretended not to see Nicholas' hand and nodded at Lily. Then, he turned around to get his horse. After he got on his horse, Lucas said to Nicholas and Lily. "See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow," Lily nodded. "Oh, by the way, what time should we come?"
"Three PM would be nice," Lucas replied with a smile. He nodded at her again and then left.
After Lucas disappeared from sight, Nicholas raised a brow and turned to Lily. "He likes you."
"Huh?" Lily batted her eyes at that statement. "How did you know that?"
"Even a blind man can see it," Nicholas commented.
He patted the girl on the shoulder and turned around to enter the inn. That was probably the fourth man they met who was enamored by Lily. Nicholas shook his head and chuckled.
***
When he arrived at Wolfstone Castle, Leland went straight to the garden and found Sophie and the babies playing together. The hyperactive Anne was rolling around on the fluffy grass and tried to get the lazy Jan to play chase with her. The babies were one month old and very healthy.
Every time he saw them, Leland's heart was filled with a mix of emotions. Happy because they were alive and healthy, and sad because he would remember Emery and Morgan.
If only they lived, perhaps, they would soon turn five and could transform into human boys. They would play together with Anne and Jack and their crisp laughter would cheer up their home.
He pinched his arm. He realized he had become greedy. He was supposed to be grateful for the good life that they were having, and not cry over what they couldn't have.
"Hey, you're back," Sophie got up and brushed the dust off her dress. She reached out her hands and hugged her mate. "Where did you go?"
When she woke up from her nap earlier today, she couldn't find Leland. Max told her the Alpha went to town to meet some people. Since Leland didn't like meeting people, she was wondering what was the special occasion.
"Sorry, it was a sudden meeting. I received an important letter from someone and I had to see him to clarify the news I received," Leland explained. He was silent for a moment before he finally added, "It was Nicholas Hannenbergh."
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