Chapter 228: Lycans in Werewolf Territory

Chapter 228: Lycans in Werewolf Territory
Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose, half exasperated, half amused. Then his expression softened.
“Alright, little spy… but save some energy for tomorrow.”

Loric blinked at him, curious.
“Why tomorrow?”

Caleb’s smile widened, that conspiratorial gleam in his eyes reserved only for his son.
“Because tomorrow, Ninnetta and her parents—the ones you met at Soren’s—will be coming to Sacred Moon.”

The boy let out a cheer, instantly forgetting all attempts at discretion.
“She’s coming to play with me?!”

Drake nodded gravely.
“And you know what that means, Agent Loric?”

The boy’s eyes grew wide.
“That Operation Toast becomes… Operation Super Beta!”

The next day

The morning sun bathed Sacred Moon in gentle light as the lycan vehicles passed under the great arch marking the pack’s territory. The guards bowed respectfully, and the visitors soon discovered the city.

Their eyes widened. It wasn’t what they had been told.

The streets, lined with vibrant trees, were perfectly maintained. The buildings, blending Art Deco lines with natural elegance, seemed woven into the greenery, their facades glowing in the sunlight. Children laughed in the alleys under the watchful eyes of their parents, while warriors trained on the grounds with exemplary discipline.

“I… I thought…” murmured a mother, unable to look away.
“…that wolves lived in dust and harshness,” her husband finished, uneasy.

Their gaze fell on Caleb, standing tall and welcoming, a hand resting on Loric’s shoulder.

But before any formal words could be spoken, a little whirlwind burst from the lead vehicle.
“Loric!!!”

“Ninnetta!” the boy shouted, letting go of his father’s hand to run toward her.

The two children collided in a joyful embrace, their laughter ringing like silver bells. Ninnetta, her long black hair tousled and her mischievous smile shining, instantly grabbed Loric’s hand and pulled him toward the training field she’d already spotted.
“Come on! You have to show me everything!”

Caleb exchanged an amused glance with Lya, who stood a few steps back, her protective hand resting on her rounded belly. Soraya and Myrria flanked the Luna with discreet smiles, ready to intervene if necessary.

The lycan parents, still unsettled, let their eyes wander—taking in the cleanliness, the serenity, and the clear evidence of strong organization.

This wasn’t the image of an inferior pack. This was a living city. A modern kingdom.

And already, some murmured, a little ashamed, realizing Sacred Moon had nothing to envy from Zéberta.

Laughing wildly, Loric and Ninnetta darted through the alleys of Sacred Moon, Drake trailing after them with theatrical flair:
“Attention! Secret agents on a mission! Anyone crossing paths with these two whirlwinds must show papers or surrender their snacks!”

The children collapsed into giggles before racing off again, leaving Drake to roll his eyes in mock despair.

Meanwhile, their parents were ushered into a bright lounge in the pack’s house. Tall windows opened onto inner gardens, flooding the room with soft light. The walls, painted with lunar and draconic motifs, radiated a blend of strength and serenity.

Caleb and Lya followed, Lya moving with the calm grace of a queen, her hand resting on her belly. Soraya and Myrria flanked her, their draconic gazes scanning every detail with natural vigilance.

“Welcome to Sacred Moon,” Caleb said firmly but politely. “We are honored to host Ninnetta’s family.”

The father, a broad-shouldered lycan with brown hair streaked with silver, bowed slightly.
“I am Aldren Veynar, and this is my wife, Selina. It’s an honor… and, I must admit, a surprise.”

Selina, a gentle beauty with amber eyes, offered a timid smile.
“We had been told your pack was austere. But… this is beautiful.”

At that moment, Arkin entered, for once leaving the manor’s kitchens. With the elegance of a maître d’, he set down a tray of fruit, pastries, and steaming tea.
“For our guests,” he said with a conspiratorial wink at Lya.

The mood immediately lightened. Soraya made a dry remark about the legendary appetites of Sacred Moon wolves, drawing a smile from Aldren. Myrria, more serious, added:
“You’ll see—here, your children will find more than a place to play. They’ll find a future.”

Selina’s gaze lingered on Lya, on the tender exchange she shared with Caleb, and hope glimmered in her eyes.

As Caleb and Lya spoke with Aldren and Selina around Arkin’s tray, a muffled laugh echoed in the hallway. Then a suspicious noise—like furniture being moved.

“Tell me that didn’t come from…” Soraya began, raising a brow.
“…the trophy room?” finished Myrria, perfectly calm.

Drake appeared in the doorway, hair slightly tousled, hands raised in mock innocence.
“Before anyone yells—I’d just like to point out that I had the situation under control. Well… almost.”

Behind him, Ninnetta dragged Loric in by the hand. The little wolf brandished a notebook proudly.
“Mission accomplished! We discovered the big bearded wolf eats hazelnut cookies in secret!”

“And he puts honey on them!” Ninnetta added with the enthusiasm of a seasoned spy.

Drake rolled his eyes dramatically.
“Agents, we’re not supposed to give our reports… in the middle of the council chamber!”

Caleb crossed his arms, pretending sternness as Loric and Ninnetta eagerly showed him their notebook full of notes and clumsy drawings.
“Hazelnut cookies with honey,” the Alpha repeated with mock gravity. “So that’s today’s crime.”

Soraya burst out laughing, covering her mouth elegantly. Myrria shook her head, half exasperated, half amused. Selina leaned toward Lya, whispering shyly:
“Is it… always like this?”

“Every day,” the dragoness answered with a tender smile. “And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

Meanwhile, Loric was already adding a new line under Ninnetta’s watchful eye:
“10:42: Dad looks serious, but his eyes are shining. Mission ‘Cookies’ successful.”

A few minutes later

“Special agents, gather round!” Drake whispered dramatically, crouched in the manor’s garden as though preparing a top-secret mission.

Loric and Ninnetta rushed over, eyes sparkling with excitement.

Their parents? Loric’s, of course, were still in the manor. Ninnetta’s were touring Sacred Moon, guided by a young warrior who showed them the bustling streets, shops, and training grounds. Caleb had insisted: they needed to see with their own eyes that the royal pack had nothing to envy from the lycan kingdom.

“What’s the mission, Uncle?” Loric asked, already pulling out his notebook.

“A quest,” Drake corrected solemnly. “Today, you’ll search for… a dragon feather.”

Ninnetta’s eyes widened.
“A real one?”

Drake’s grin turned mysterious.
“As real as your courage. But beware! They say the feather is guarded by ancient spells… and by a fearsome keeper.”

As if on cue, Lina, passing nearby, raised a brow and discreetly conjured a small silver feather, tucking it into the nearby forest. A harmless magical trinket—though of course Drake didn’t mention that part.

“The keeper?” Loric whispered, half anxious, half thrilled.

“A dragon,” Drake intoned dramatically. “She tests those brave enough to approach.”

The children exchanged a look of heroic determination.
“We’re ready!” they declared in unison.

“Perfect. Then follow me. And remember: discretion, courage, and… uh… try not to get me yelled at by your dads,” he added with a sideways glance at the manor.

Inside, from his office, Caleb suddenly looked up at Lya.
“I can already feel the trouble brewing,” he muttered.

Handres chuckled in his mind.
“Let them. If your son wants to be Beta, he might as well start early by learning to follow Drake’s madness.”