195. Days of mourning
Alpha King Vincent
Dark clothes worn by the wolves and complete silence in the air, it is the complete opposite of the last time I visited the West. Gone are the cheerful greetings or the happy faces of the warriors from this region, now it is replaced with a grief-stricken expression on everyone's face.
"I am honored to have you back with us Alpha King Vincent."
His shoulders are stiff, and with his furrowed brows and rough voice, I already know that he doesn't sleep since Beta Kasim die. He is too young to be handling such a difficult circumstance which is why I am here for his support.
"I'm so sorry for your loss Alpha Xander, your Beta did not deserve to die."
I held out my hand and squeeze his tense shoulders, hopefully, making him feel that I care about them. "You need to get some sleep, now that I am here everyone should take a rest, my warriors and I are going to make the rounds and keep the territory safe."
The grateful howl echoed through the air coming from the grieving family of Beta Kasim appreciate my words. "May warriors can rest but not me Alpha King Vincent. I am the ruler of this pack, how can I even sleep in this situation. I cannot do that."
I took a deep breath in and wave my hand to the warriors of the West who have their knees bent to the ground out of respect for me.
"Let's talk this over in a glass of something to drink if that's alright with you Alpha Xander."
He nodded and walk beside me into the huge entrance of the Alpha mansion in the West. My warriors followed us with all the things that we have brought from the Royal pack. The surroundings change, from being lively to something solemn and crucial.
"Did you have any lead on who it was that poisoned Beta Kasim inside the mansion?"
I saw how his knuckles turned white and his face grim. "I have my doubts, I need more concrete evidence to convict the suspect."
We headed to the path leading into his private office, the servants of the mansion immediately moves to bring us the bottle of vodka and a shot glass. Alpha Xander is not drinking, so it is only mine.
The office looks neat, with one long couch enough for a person to sleep on and two single ones side by side. The wooden table in the middle is where the servant put the drinks, after that he bows to me and I nodded.
"Kindly close the door on your way out, I meant to have a private conversation with Alpha Xander."
"Yes, Alpha King!"
When the door is tightly shut I followed Alpha Xander who remains to stand, watching the glass window outside. There is a huge training hall not far from the mansion house where his eyes rested.
"Beta Kasim's burial is in the training hall for a much bigger space that could accommodate the wolves and other visitors who know him."
I look at what he is watching and then waited for a few seconds until he turns around and face me. When he does, I acted quickly by twisting his neck with one hand and then taking his body weight in my arms.
"I apologize about this Alpha Xander but you need to get some rest and regain your much-needed energy before we talk about the plan I have to keep this pack safe. A war is coming and you can't fight on your state right now."
I let him down on the long couch and watch his breathing even. His eyes are closed tightly, I notice the dark polo shirt and slacks that he is wearing made him look a bit older than his age but everybody knows that he has just turned twelve.
I decided to call Calib who is just in the other room fixing the things we brought from the Langston palace.
"Calib, I need the warriors on the hall now. Alpha Xander is resting so we can have time to investigate and also monitor the borders."
"Yes Alpha King Vincent, right away!"
I walk towards the door and look back at the sleeping form of Alpha Xander before I got out of the room to the hall in which I instructed Calib. I close the door gently and head to the hallway.
The six lead warriors and Calib are there, two of them from here and four are from my pack in the Langston palace and Calib who has to stay with me. The sun has already set and the darkness has spread throughout the area across the lands. However, for our wolves, the night is not a hindrance to wolf eyes.
"Good evening Alpha King Vincent!"
The warriors greeted me in unison, I wave my hand to make them sit back on the couch. "Thank you all for being here as fast as you could. Alpha Xander is now getting his much-needed rest as we all know he is still young and already doing intense training. So, I decided to persuade him to sleep, it wasn't easy but I am glad he agrees."
I walk near them and remain standing while I continue to explain the plan I have for this evening.
"Four of the warriors from the Langston palace must lead the four groups each group with six wolves to search and investigate the four areas covered by the Western pack."
A soft growl of protest is heard inside the hall coming from the two lead warriors of Alpha Xander. "Your majesty, at least let one of us be with the Royal pack warriors."
One of them stated with his eyes looking directly into mine. He is an old warrior and his eyes held strong determination while he meet mine. The corner of my lips twisted, I think it is easy to comprehend the reason why Beta Kasim died.
"And who are you to give your suggestion when I didn't ask for it?"
Calib stand and growled at him which showed the fear in his eyes. Calib is taller and twice his size even if he is old and experienced but his strength will diminish before he can defeat Calib.
"I am sorry your majesty, please I did not mean to question your plan. We will do as you say, please forgive my tongue for speaking."
I look at him and the exchange of glances he makes with the other lead warrior beside him.
"You two stay with Calib and me here in the mansion, we are going to discuss the whereabouts of the possible suspect that poisoned Beta Kasim."
Calib sat back on the single couch but keeps his eyes on the two warriors of Alpha Xander. Alex did not report to me about this two. "By the way Calib, where is Alex? I did not ask for him to be called out, but I expect that you two were together."
Calib shook his head. "Alex is with the prisoners your majesty, he is the lead security that checks them every evening. But I did mind link him and he said he will be here soon. I humbly apologize your majesty."
"It's alright as soon as he is coming. Now the four lead warriors can go and start the search for a potential enemy. Be wary of strange scents and human scents as well."
The four warriors stood up and bow to me before heading out to the exit doors of the mansion. With three more warriors with me, I must wait for Alex to come and then we start the conversation. I have a lot of questions for these two and perhaps Alex could answer too.
"Can you call Alex again, Calib? I do not want to keep waiting."
I watch at the halls leading to the room where Alpha Xander is sleeping. Hoping he will stay asleep until the next day comes.
"Yes your majesty, I will try to call him again."
I close my eyes and observe the surroundings then notice the presence of Alex near the door. So I signaled Calib to stop.
"Come in Alex, you are late for the meeting."
He pushes the door open and steps inside. "Good evening your majesty, please forgive me for being late and for not meeting you when you arrive."
He looks weary and exhausted, I can tell by the way his eyes look that he hasn't slept in days. His support for Alpha Xander is undeniable.