Chapter 165 The Reactions
Caden's POV
The palace never truly slept, but after a night like that, it held its breath.
The banquet hall was dark now. Chandelier's dimmed. The echoes of laughter and music long gone. What lingered instead was awareness. The kind that crawled along the back of your neck and refused to let go.
We were back in our private sitting room. The doors were closed. Guards were posted farther down the corridor than usual. The fire crackled low in the hearth, throwing slow shadows across the stone walls.
Trixie sat between Coban and me on the couch. She had her legs tucked beneath her. Her shoulders finally relaxed, but not fully.
Coban's hand rested on her thigh, his thumb moving in slow, grounding strokes. He leaned in every now and then to press a kiss to her temples, her cheek, and then to the corner of her mouth. She responded with a quiet smile each time. Her fingers curled into his sleeve, like she was anchoring herself.
Atlas and Cassian we're on the floor. They were surrounded by cushions and toys meant to distract them. They should have been exhausted, but they weren't. They were still unsettled from tonight.
Atlas sat unnaturally still. His gaze fixed on the fire, as if he could see something inside of it the rest of us couldn't. Cassian paced in slow, uneven circles. His fingers brushing the stone floor. His eyes glowing faintly before dimming again.
Kevan broke the silence first, his voice was low. "They didn't mean to do that, did they?"
"No" I said immediately. Coban's jaw tightened. "They reacted."
Mark leaned against the far wall, his arms were crossed over his chest. "What did they react to?"
That was the problem. It could have been anyone. It was probably a person, a threat. At least that's what I think anyway. Coban, Trixie, and I tested this theory. It's usually people they react to. The real question is who?
"They have been restless since we left the hall." Trixie exhaled slowly.
As if summoned by her words, Cassian stopped pacing and looked up at me. Not like a child. But like a soldier who hadn't learned how to speak. A pressure rolled through the room, soft but unmistakable. The fire flared once then it settled.
"Yeah, that's definitely comforting." Kevan muttered as he shook his head.
"Easy little king." I said, as I crouch down meeting Cassian's level. His shoulders eased slightly. Atlas finally blinked and turned towards us, lifting one hand. The candle on the side table flickered and then went out completely. No smoke. No heat. Just gone.
The room went still. Coban's thumb paused on Trixie's thigh.
"They weren't showing off?" Mark said as he let out a small breath.
"NO. They were responding." I said, quieter this time. Trixie nodded. "Something or someone in that room made them feel uncomfortable." she said and sighed.
"An Alpha" Kevan frowned.
"Maybe. Or could of been anyone." Coban said as he shrugged his shoulders.
The palace had been full of powerful wolves. Dominant ones as well. Confident ones. None of that alone would've been enough to bother our sons.
"Fear. They react to fear." Trixie said softly.
"Or intent" I added.
Atlas suddenly crawled towards Trixie. He climbed into her lap with a clumsy determination. She wrapped her arms around him, instantly, one hand smoothing over his hair. Cassian followed pressing his back against my leg.
Coban shifted closer, his free arm coming around Trixie's shoulder. He held her just a little tighter.
"We double patrols again." Kevan said. "They're already doubled." Mark replied as he rolled his eyes.
"Then we overlap. No gaps. No predictable rotations." Kevan shot back.
"I want internal checks. Quiet ones." Coban nodded. Trixie looked up at him. "You think someone is on the inside?"
"I think Clarence wouldn't be stupid enough to stay outside the walls forever." I said, as I looked over at my boys.
The fire popped sharply sending sparks upward. Cassian's fingers dug into my pant leg. Atlas whimpered once. Then stilled as Trixie murmured to him under her breath. Something only mothers would know how to say.
Kevan rubbed his hand over his face. "So the banquet did exactly what Clarence would want."
"No. It did what we needed." I said. They looked right at me, both arching a brow.
"He hasn't seen them yet. But when he hears about tonight, he won't just hear power, he'll hear uncertainty, fear, and doubt."
Coban's mouth curves slightly. "And that alone makes people rush."
"And makes people make mistakes." Mark added. Trixie's fingers tightened in Coban's sleeve. "And when he does."
"We will be ready." Coban said firmly, kissing her hair. "For him and anyone foolish enough to help."
Atlas yawned finally. Exhaustion winning out. Cassian followed moments later, slumping against my leg with a soft huff.