Chapter 197 Let them play
Trixie’s POV
The palace felt unusually calm as we made our way down to the main dining hall. The echoes of our footsteps bounced softly along the marble walls, a subtle reminder of how large this place truly was.
Normally, we ate here every day, but the tournament and the chaos surrounding Clarence had kept us busy. Tonight, the hall was filled with warmth, candlelight, and the smell of roasting meats and freshly baked bread.
Coban walked to my left, Caden to my right, their presence grounding me. Behind us, Kevan and Mark followed, and the children scuttled ahead excitedly. Cassian and Atlas waddled toward their high chairs, their small hands grasping the tray edges as they climbed in. Kael, Selene, Elias, Orion, and Theron were already settled in their own high chairs, bright-eyed and babbling happily, completely absorbed in the bustling atmosphere.
Calvin and Margaret joined us at our table. Both had been spending considerable time with the boys, keeping them entertained while the tournament demanded our attention. Soon, they would return to White Claw Pack when the tournament is over.
The first platters of food were set before us, and Darien and Lucian took their seats with Roxie between them. The three of them began eating while casually checking on matters from their plates. Darien reached for his laptop and opened it, pulling up the camera feeds from Clarence’s compound.
The screen flickered to life, showing the front yard. My stomach tightened as the camera revealed the bodies of Clarence’s men strewn across the ground. Ten men lay piled at the entrance, and five more blocked the narrow path that had once been cleared through the minefield. Smoke curled above the blasted earth, and the remnants of small fires glowed orange in the dark.
Coban’s hand froze over his bread, his jaw tightening. Caden leaned slightly forward, studying the screen. Lucian’s eyes narrowed. “They tried to leave through the only path,” he said quietly. “They didn’t make it.”
Darien scrolled through additional angles, showing the sequence of events. Shots had taken out the men at the doorway, then the men furthest down the path, forcing the last five into the mines. The explosions had torn the corridor apart, scattering bodies and leaving the minefield dangerous and unpassable.
Around the hall, the whispers began. Some alphas leaned close to each other, speaking in hushed tones. “Those children are remarkable,” one said. “They are stronger than any I have seen in years.” Another voice replied quietly, “Yes, but they are dangerous. Too dangerous for the kingdom if they are not controlled.”
Not every comment was cautious admiration. A few of the more conservative alpha packs looked uneasy, their glances toward our table sharp. They muttered that the boys’ power, particularly Cassian and Atlas, might upset the balance of the kingdom. Others quietly nodded in agreement, praising the way our group had neutralized Clarence’s forces without loss to the palace.
Coban finally spoke, his voice calm but edged with authority. “The attack is coming, and it will be soon. We need to be prepared.”
Darien closed the laptop and leaned back “They’ve learned the hard way that no path is safe.” He chuckled as he took another bite of his meat.
Caden added softly, “Which means we’ll know what to expect when Clarence strikes next.”
Meanwhile, the children remained oblivious to the tension. Cassian and Atlas were giggling as they reached for each other’s bread rolls, using the edge of the tray as a makeshift barrier. Kael, Selene, Elias, Orion, and Theron babbled happily, reacting to the sounds and movements around the table, their tiny hands grasping fingers or the edges of high chairs.
I watched them for a moment, letting a small smile tug at my lips. Despite the looming threat, the palace still felt alive. The boys were safe here, and for a brief moment, we could eat in peace.
Even with the whispers and the tension in the air, the warmth of the hall, the laughter of the babies, and the smell of food reminded me that we were ready. Whatever Clarence tried next, he would find us prepared.
"Trix Love, tonight we're going to need to make preparations for the attack. You and the women can get together as well." Coban said in between bites.
"Yay! A play date. I can't wait." Tina bounced in her chair, lightly clapping her hands.
"Oh no. Not again. The last time we did this it was complete chaos." Roxie said as she wanted no part of it.
"Your no fun at all. They were just being babies." Tina said as she booped one of their noses.
I looked around at the women and shook my head. "Roxie, you do realize if you let them play and get some energy out then you will have a much easier night."