CHAPTER 73: _BEING CHASED BY FATE

Lucian’s POV

*****

"First line of business is reviewing both attacks..." Lucian began, swiping his right hand on the holographic projection from the table. "We’ll be using witness reports and also recordings of the incidents and aftermath gathered."

Suddenly, one of the men raised his hand, signalling Lucian who arched an eyebrow.

"Yes?"

"Sir, pardon but where’s the Beta?" The man asked, glancing at his comrades who silently seemed to back the question.

Lucian clenched his jaw, his mind racing back to the image of Axel on top of Elian.

If his mind went back to the Beta’s throbbing dick still deep inside Elian one more time, he might have to consider a lobotomy.

"Oh, the Beta was... Occupied last time I saw him this morning." Lucian remarked with a reassuring smile, clasping his hands in front of his chest.

But the younger man with a scar across his jaw spoke up next. "Today is officially the first day of our meeting and the Alpha King said Beta Axel is in charge."

Well, well...

Lucian locked his eyes on the young man, tilting his head. "What’s your name, lad?"

The man furrowed his eyebrows, obviously not liking being called "lad". But Lucian couldn’t care less.

"Fenros." The young man blurted, his jaw tightening.

Lucian smirked, leaning closer. "Well, Fenros. Axel might be the leader of the committee but I’m the Alpha Prince. Not to mention I’m assisting him with—"

Suddenly, the doors leading into the room burst open, forcing Lucian to whip his head backwards.

When he saw who stepped in, he smiled with pure sarcasm.

"Speaking of which..."

It was Beta Axel.

He was clad in sleek golden and blue armour, his expression serious and stern as if this was a war meeting and not just some dumb investigation.

The others bowed slightly, greeting with respect. "Good morning, Beta."

Lucian eyed the Beta, his nose catching the scent of lavender bath salts. An image of Axel and Elian in the shower flashed through his mind, adding to his frustration.

"That was a long bath." Lucian finally cleared his throat and remarked, ignoring the stares from the others.

Axel smirked, walking until he was standing beside him. "Well, what can I say? Had to be extra clean for our first meeting." He whispered, his tone suggestive.

Lucian glared at the Beta, his nostrils flaring. But the latter ignored him, facing the men and clearing his throat.

"So, have we done anything significant so far?" Axel asked, staring at the holographic projection.

Fenros was the one who spoke up. "No, sir. Alpha Prince Lucian was just about to lead us in reviewing both attacks to draw any similarities."

Who the fuck was talking about similarities? He only asked that they do that to buy Golden Boy Axel time. And now here he was, snagging all the glory effortlessly as usual.

"Oh, good idea, Lucian." Axel patted his shoulder, causing Lucian to eye him with contempt.

The others probably noticed the hostility, a few even coughing awkwardly but choosing to ignore it. Smart.

"Alright, we’ll start from the first assassin." Axel swiped, showing an image of the culprit. "Guards were able to trace his name in our records as: Thalor Veinguard. He’s a lower-ranking Soldier class wolf."

The image was the face of a man in his mid-thirties, with brown hair tied into a small bun.

"Did he have any family? Friends? Something we can use to gather more information on him?" Lucian asked, squinting his eyes. "And also, where did he get his assassination skills from?"

Axel glanced briefly at Lucian before nodding. "He had one daughter. A little girl named Imelda. But she’s currently under the custody of a friend of her father’s..."

Lucian drummed his fingers on his crossed arms, his eyes still slightly squinted. His instincts told him there was even more to this whole thing.

"Where’s his daughter?" One of the older men asked with a deep voice. "Maybe she could know a few vital things about her father."

Lucian scoffed, staring at the image of the little girl on the holographic projection. "Please, what’s the girl like... Eight? Not to mention her father was probably a deadbeat from the look of things."

The others stared at him but he ignored them, turning his gaze to Axel. "And even if we’re to go fishing for his daughter, I’m guessing she’s not within the capital."

Axel hesitated for only a beat before nodding with a light sigh. "You’re unfortunately right. She and the father’s friend, Elvor, live all the way in the eastern parts of the Empire. Silvervale City, to be more specific."

A shiver ran down Lucian’s spine at the name "Silvervale". That was the seat of the Eastern wolves, packs of wolves and Elders who were very loyal to the throne but also strict with traditions.

They were one of the sects in the Empire that he’d been scared of disappointing when he discovered Elian, an omega, was his mate. Strict keepers of the old ways.

But so far, he’s not heard from them and was hoping to be out of their radar for as long as possible.

"Heck to the fucking no." Lucian suddenly muttered when Axel was about to continue speaking, shaking his head.

The others gawked at him with confusion but he ignored them, turning his gaze to the Beta who seemed just as confused.

"I can’t go to Silvervale," Lucian whispered casually to Axel when the latter placed a hand on his back.

One glare from the Alpha Prince was more than enough to make the Beta withdraw his hand.

"But why? You’re the only wolf sovereign in here, other than me and I—" before Axel could finish that sentence, Lucian inched his face dangerously close.

He stopped just when he could smell the Beta’s breath on his face. "Well, this should be good news for you then. There can’t be two sovereigns running a kingdom now, can there?"

He faked one last smile, not sparing the others even a glance as he turned and headed for the door.

"Lucian?" Axel called out but he ignored, opening the door and stepping out.

Just when he was about to turn a corner and perhaps head to his room, a guard ran up to him holding a holographic flat screen and handing it to him.

"A message from the Eastern Wolves Council, sir."

He stiffened, his muscles twitching as he stared first at the guard and then at the small light blue holographic flat screen.

Talk about being chased by fate...