147
Chapter 147
Duncan
I made my way towards where the elder was recovering in one of the Mansion's Annex.
I opened the door, giving a curt to the guard at the door.
He was on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
As soon he spotted me, he however stood
"Alpha, welcome,"
"Sit," I gestured.
He immediately did as I told him.
"So, the doctor tells me you are fully recovered,"
"Yes," he nodded.
"Great, I'll be sending you back by tomorrow..."
"But..."
"Let me finish. I'll send a few of my men with you to check out the threat I'm sure they can handle it,"
"Handle it? This isn't something a couple of men can handle. The land needs their hier."
"The pack needs someone to put an end to these threats and that is what I plan to do. If it's something above what my men can do, I'll be sure to visit but I will not be playing house with you or the other elders. I'm only doing this for Anna,"
"Your human bride?"
"She's not my bride yet but eventually she will."
He stared at me in disbelief but didn't dare to speak against it.
"Well, thank you to her."
"Tell me, what exactly is going on?"
I asked, realizing that I had never actually asked.
The grey head wolf sighed. "Well, uh, there's been a lot of attacks, Your uncle is unwell and so are the soldiers. Everything is falling apart,"
His voice cracked slightly, and I could see the weight of his words pressed heavily on his shoulders. "The border has been breached three times in the past month. Each time, they've grown bolder. Whoever they are, they know our weaknesses. They move like shadows fast, calculated and viscous," he sighed. He looked pained.
"We can't even cross the border for trades for fear of being killed or taken. We sought after a seer, he believes the land is cursed and requires his true Alpha."
I ran my hands through my hair and rose from the chair.
It was a sad thing to hear but they deserved it. For what they'd done to my father. For not believing him. I was never going to forgive them. Never but I had enough heart to hit what innocent kids to suffer.
"If the pack requires supplies, we'll take from here and take with you to the pack but I will not be returning with you. Not unless it's absolutely paramount."
"But Alpha!"
"I am not your Alpha, Elder Cedric." I snapped, my eyes boring into his.
"You chose your Alpha a long time ago."
He bent his head in shame.
"Anyway, Get ready. By tomorrow as early as possible, you'll be out of here,"
With that I worked out, feeling a little proud of myself.
I had not screamed, yelled or hit the old man. That was real progress right there.
As I entered the main house, Levi intercepted me.
"How is it going with the inspector?" I asked before he could get the words out.
"Well, he's identified three of our men with a leas than straight story. It doesn't mean much according to him but it's something to go off of. Besides, he has only interrogated twelve of them."
I sighed.
"Is h give?"
"Yes, he had to go to work."
I began to walk towards the breakfast room. I was starving.
Levi followed beside me.
"If he arrives later, make sure to call me."
"Of course," I entered the breakfast bar and my food was already served..
Levi sat next to me, Jonah was already seated. He murmured good morning.
After eating, I checked on Anna and we talked for a while. She was so fragile. I was starting to think I didn't deserve her.
I still had nightmares about that night, wondering what would have become of me if she had died. I wouldn't have ever been able to forgive myself.
I hoped she got better.
I stood by the window after leaving her room, watching the breeze rustle through the garden hedges.The morning sun bathed everything in gold, but I couldn't shake the heaviness from my chest. Anna had smiled, even laughed a little, but the fear in her eyes lingered. I hated that I put it there.
Levi joined me again silent as usual, but his presence grounded me. "We'll get to the bottom of this," he said, voice low.
"Which of the situations?"
"What?" Levi frowned.
"The pack."
"Right. The elder,,"
"Have you made a decision yet?"
"Yes, I've decided to help out,"
Contrary to what I had thought, Levi did not protest.
"How?" He asked after nodding thoughtfully.
"Well, I'll be sending a few of our men and foot soldiers with him. They can check and report back to me the situation,"
"You are sure you want to do this?" He asked.
"No," I shook my head.
Levi did not try to change my mind and die, I was very thankful.
I had made up my mind already and I wasn't planning on changing my mind either.
"Have you chosen the men that will go?"
"Not yet, I was hoping you would do that."
"Alright. I'll get right on it."
"Thank you "
It was noon and I was in my office going through some files when I realized something.
I stood up and ran to my basement
The door creaked open, and I flicked on the lights. The air down here was colder, heavier -as of the walls themselves remembered every secret ever whispered within the . I hadn't been down here in week. But now that I was, I realized that I was missing a few old documents.
I walked towards the cabinets and just as I had suspected, it was true. The blueprint of the mansion was missing.
Someone had stolen from me. Someone that knew about this basement
A growl escaped my lips and I began to look around for anything else that was missing.