"Max, where's Leland?" Sophis asked breathlessly as she looked at the faces of the ten lycans one by one. Her heart suddenly filled with anxiety, thinking that something bad had happened to her mate.
"Ma-Max what happened? W-where's Leland?" She asked in a trembling voice.
"Alpha is fine. He asked me and the others to come home and tell Luna that he is fine. He asked Luna not to worry because he will be home soon," said Max.
"Really…? But why doesn't he come home with you guys?" Sophie asked with tears slowly forming in her eyes.
"Sorry I have to interrupt, but it's better if we talk inside," Nicholas said when he approved them.
Sophie said turning her attention to the king and then looking at the people around who were watching them.
"Come on," Nicholas said turning and leading the way. He led them to a room that was often used during meetings.
"What exactly happened there? Why did you guys only come back now and why didn't Leland come home with you?" Sophie immediately asked questions as soon as they all sat down.
Max glanced at Nicholas, a little hesitant to tell him given that their mission was a secret one, but it seemed they'd been gone for too long now it was no longer a secret.
"The king knows everything. I was really worried about you guys so I told him you were going to Armeria," Sophie explained, understanding what Max was thinking.
Max nodded. He could understand and take Sophie's anxiety as something very natural. Her mate went to the enemy's lair and did not return for more than a month, of course, she would feel very anxious.
So, Max then began to tell her everything that had happened while they were in Armeria, including the duel that had taken place between Leland and Elias.
"After a fierce battle, Alpha Leland finally won the duel and managed to kill Alpha Elias," explained Max.
"What? He actually killed Alpha Elias?" Nicholas was surprised. This was a good surprise, but now he was worried about what happened afterward.
Max nodded then he added, "However… because of the duel, Alpha Lelandwas seriously injured and was in critical condition."
This time it was Sophie's turn to be surprised. "Critical?"
She thought her heart stopped beating for a second.
"Yes, Luna."
"So, where is he now? Is he okay or....?" Sophie immediately feared for the worst.
Max hesitated for a moment but he finally decided to tell everything without hiding anything. He informed Sophie that Leland had been under Eloise's care for weeks. And now he had recovered.
"…"
Sophie fell silent. She was relieved that Leland was fine but she felt uncomfortable hearing that Leland was being cared for by Eloise for weeks.
"Didn't Leland tell any one of you to come home and notify me what happened?" she asked after a long silence.
Max was quite understanding of Sophie's feelings. In order for Sophie not to misunderstand Leland, Max told him about him and his friends being held captive in the pavilion surrounded by magic.
"The grand witch Eloise said that Alpha was in intensive care and couldn't be visited. Because we insisted on seeing Alpha she held us there."
"Why would Eloise do that? It should be fine to just take a quick look." This time Nicholas spoke up. According to him, Eloise's actions were excessive and seemed unnatural.
Max also felt that way but he didn't dare to comment.
He looked at Sophie, hoping that knowing that they were being held, Sophie wouldn't think that Leland was deliberately keeping the news out of the way. Unfortunately, one of his stupid and innocent friends replied, "I was also confused when the witch forbade us to meet Alpha but the thing that confused me, even more, was when Eloise said that decision was actually Alpha Leland's decision."
Sophie was surprised again. Nicholas looked at Sophie worriedly.
Max felt like hitting his friend on the head.
"That's just what Eloise said, wasn't it? We don't know what really happened. I don't want to think negatively about Leland's friend named Eloise but I feel she is suspicious," Nicholas said.
Max stared at the king intently. He was surprised to hear those words. If another man were in Nicholas' position, he would definitely take advantage of the opportunity to incite Sophie into hating Leland and get Sophie to come back to him. However, King Nicholas didn't do it.
When Max focused on Nicholas, his stupid friend spoke again. "But why didn't Alpha Leland come home with us right away? As we were leaving Armeria capital, I saw Alpha Leland turn and leave with the witch, Eloise. I was very confused because Alpha's attitude was strange. He didn't seem like his usual self."
Sophie was stunned to hear this remark.
Max glanced at his friend sharply but the lycan only raised one of his eyebrows while putting on an innocent confused face.
The lycan's words really made Sophie's heart feel uncomfortable. What really happened to Leland? Why didn't he go home with the others if he had already fully recovered? Leland must know that she was very worried about his situation. Did Leland not care about her feelings?
Sophie felt sad and confused by Leland's attitude, but she decided to keep her feelings to herself. Sophie would ask Leland what happened when he finally came home. She faked a smile and said, "I am sure he has something urgent to do. I am just glad he is okay now."
"Luna, I think there are still issues to be resolved and Alpha has his own considerations. After the matter is resolved, he will go home as soon as possible," said Max to soothe the Luna. "He told me to tell you not to worry. He will be back soon."
Sophie smiled faintly when she heard Max's words.
"I know," she said. Sophie added, "You can rest now, tomorrow we will return to the manor."
Her words surprised Nicholas. He didn't expect Sophie to leave the royal palace this quick. Why didn't she just wait for her mate here, until Leland returned?
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on fre ew𝒆bnovel.com