"Can I be honest with you?" Sophie looked at Leland sincerely.
The Alpha nodded. He could feel what she wanted to say, but he gladly still listened to her. He knew his decision to allow Nicholas to come and visit his sons made her feel really happy and her happiness rubbed off on him.
Sophie cleared her throat. She touched his cheek and caress it gently. "I am really proud of you. You showed empathy and support to another man that you don't even like because you think it's what's best for Luciel and Jan."
She added sincerely, "You are selfless and caring and Luciel and Jan are lucky to call you father. I know I feel so lucky and proud to be your mate and the mother of your children."
Leland looked at Sophie tenderly and pulled her head to his embrace. He kissed her lips deeply and then hugged her back. These were the words he needed to hear.
***
The next day, Sophie kept herself busy when Nicholas and his small group came to visit Wolfstone Castle. She took Anne and Jack to the terrace facing the garden at the back of the castle and played with them there, accompanied by Katherine.
After months of staying with the Salazars, Katherine finally showed Sophie some of her witchcraft possession that she inherited from her late mother. She brought a small wooden chest to the terrace and opened it to show Sophie.
"My mother left behind so many small trinkets," Katherine laughed. She took out a copper ring and showed it to Sophie. "This one serves as an antidote for any snake bites. If you wore it on your finger, if a snake bit you the venom wouldn't have any effect on you."
"Really? That sounds amazing," Sophie commented with a chuckle. "Is that real or is it just a made-up story that came with the ring?"
Katherine looked at Sophie with an expression of pretending to be offended. "Are you calling me a liar, Sophie?"
Before Sophie could answer, Katherine quickly smiled and brushed it off. She said, "I was just joking. To be honest, I am not sure. I have never tried it before. My mother just told me it has the antidote effect for snake bites and I am not willing to test it myself. Perhaps. an opportunity will come and we can test it."
She put the ring back into the chest and took out a blue scarf. It was made of fine silk. Katherine explained that the scarf was blessed with prayers of the grand witch from several generations before her.
"This is a gift from my ancestor. My mother told me it is so powerful that it can bring back the dead," said Katherine. "The grand witch blessed this with the blood of so many powerful creatures and she used it to bring back the man she loved from the dead."
This time Sophie could only smile. She started to think that Katherine was just joking and shared the stories of all the trinkets she brought to entertain her.
Katherine seemed to understand her feelings and laughed. "Yeah... this one does sound stupid. I don't believe it either, but I keep the scarf anyway because the color is so beautiful. Don't you agree? It also matches this sapphire bracelet that could keep the soul of a loved one."
She took out a blue sapphire bracelet and brandished it together with the blue scarf.
"It is beautiful." Sophie nodded. "Your mother sounds like a very interesting person, to have so many interesting items and stories that go with them."
"Thank you," Katherine smiled. "She was a special woman."
Katherine continued showing several more items and talked about the stories behind them while Sophie was nursing her babies. They had a pleasant afternoon enjoying snacks and drinks while talking about Katherine's family and her life as a witch.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the castle, as promised, right after the clock struck three, six horses entered the gate of Wolfstone Castle with Nicholas, Lily, and several lycans on their backs.
Nicholas wore his best shirt and he was all smiling. Lily sat on her horseback elegantly while her eyes were watching around them vigilantly.
"Welcome," Lucas rushed out to meet them after one guard reported to him that Nicholas and some lycans from the Red Moon Pack came for an audience with the Alpha. Lucas motioned them to follow him inside. So, they all got off their horses and walked together to follow Lucas.
The Beta spoke cheerfully when he showed them the way. It looked like he was no longer upset with Nicholas, in addition, to being charmed by Lily. He was much friendlier today than when they saw him in the inn.
"This way. We will have tea on the front porch over there. Young lords are already waiting for you."
Hearing Lucas' words, Lily stole a glance at Nicholas. She still remembered yesterday the king blurted about his sons when Leland came to see them. Were the 'young lords' mentioned by Lucas referring to Nicholas' sons? Well, it looked like Lily would find out very soon.
Nicholas puffed up his chest when he was reminded of his sons. His heart was full to the brim with happiness. He had not seen Luciel and Jan for months, and even though he was sure that the boys would be okay because they were in good hands, he still wanted to see them with his own eyes.
They walked toward a big porch on the right end of the main building and saw a table with a pot of tea, cup and cakes, and two very well-behaving boys sitting on the chair. When they got closer, Lucas suddenly grabbed Lily's arm and stopped her from walking further with Nicholas.
"Let's stop here," said the Beta politely. "Alpha Leland told me to let them have privacy."
"Oh..." Lily halted her steps and she could only watch as Nicholas walked farther and farther away from her, toward the two handsome boys that looked very similar to each other and to him.
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