Chapter 111 Don’t put her in danger again ASHER What the f uck did he just say? I sat there in disbelief, but surprise soon gave way to anger. Meanwhile, the king of Yurene seemed surprised. “I didn’t realize she hadn’t mentioned it to you yet,” he mused, and then he sat back in his seat casually. “I suppose you may wish to discuss it with her next time you see her. Perhaps speaking with her directly would be best-” “There’s no need,” I said shortly as my hands curled into fists at my sides. “Healer Cas sandra will not be going to the North with you.” I expected Kaleb to have a different reaction. He remained quite calm and gave me an interesting expression. “I had heard that the current Alpha King of Wegalla was less arbitrary than the former ones, but it seems like that isn’t true,” he stated, and then he smirked. “You can’t decide this for Cas sandra. She told me she would think about my offer instead of denying it at once, so clearly it’s something she’s taking under serious consideration.” “I don’t see why she would leave Wegalla,” I countered as I fought to stay collected. “Cas sandra has work to do here, and besides, her son is here. Why would she uproot her life to go to a more barbaric country?” Kaleb opened his mouth to speak, but I knew that if he said anything further, I Cild only lash out further. So instead, I rose to my feet and gestured toward the dcr. “If you’ll excuse me, Alpha Kaleb, I have some urgent matters to discuss with my councilors,” I announced. “I’m afraid I have to ask you to leave at once.” 1/4.

My volume was loud enough to trigger the guards, who immediately entered the room without permission. Normally, I didn’t allow that kind of behavior, but their stry was welcome. I needed the king of Yurene to go before I lost all control and gave into my more primal nature. Kaleb didn’t put up a fight, and instead, rose to his feet. He bowed, and just as he was leaving the room, he turned around and smiled once more. “If you’re so confident, Alpha ASher, why don’t you ask her for yourself?” I didn’t reply and simply allowed him to leave. The king of Yurene was only trying to bait me further, but I wouldn’t fall for it. I knew there was a reasonable explanation for all of this. Kaleb was conniving, but I trusted Cas sandra. There was a truth that I wasn’t seeing right away, and I knew if I spoke with her, I’d get the answers I needed. I would bring it up when I had the right chance after I dealt with some of the more pestering issues around us. I would be direct with Cas sandra, but I wouldn’t push her too far. She’d just started to be more frank with me, and I didn’t want to force her. I turned to one of my guards. “Please send Councilor Jacoby in,” I announced formally, and the guard nodded and left the room. Not too long after, the guard returned with not only Jacoby, but Kane as well. I was surprised to see my brother. His visits were far more frequent lately than they’d ever been before. For probably the first time in his life, Kane’s attitude wasn’t cavalier. His hands W balled into fists at his side, and his mouth was set in a harsh, straight line. I Ein’t seen him this worked up before, so I knew I was in for a mess of trouble. “Mother is confined,” he stated the moment he walked in. I raised an eyebrow and then glanced at Jacoby. The councilor nodded and then retreated, giving my brother and me a little privacy. 2/4 I “Yes, she is,” I confirmed, and I crossed my arms against my chest. “Because she did something

wrong. Her violence was completely unnecessary and out of bounds. So what are you doing here, Kane? Are you here to interrogate me, brother? Make a case for her release?” “She told me her confinement was indefinite,” Kane replied, his violet eyes deadly serious as they stared into mine. “And that if she wants freedom, she has to apologize about what happened with the maid. Mother won’t do that. She wants to see you.” “I don’t have time for that,” I said shortly as my head pounded. Besides, you and I both know what she did was wrong. If she didn’t want to face punishment, she shouldn’t have done anything to Erika in the first place.” Kane shook his head slowly. “All of this for a maid who is suspicious of poisoning your wife and son?” he asked as his nostriis flared. “I don’t understand, Asher.” “No, not just the maid,” I sighed. “This is complex-” “Well, of course, but don’t you see the problem here, brother?” he pressed. “What problem are you referring to exactly?” I replied as my head pounded. I wanted nothing more than to sit down, but I knew this was about to get heated. Kane exhaled heavily and shook his head. “Cas sandra Keller.” The room fell silent for a moment. “Don’t you see why Mother and Adalyn did that?” Kane spoke again after a ment. “Can’t you understand?” I shook my head. “I don’t think Cas sandra is a problem-” Kane cut me off immediately. “No, brother, I don’t mean she is the problem. The problem is how much you care about her” 3/4 I frowned and forced myself to remain calm. “The more you care about her, the more Adalyn and Mother will go up against her,” Kane said softly. “Tell me this. If Erika wasn’t Cas sandra’s maid, would you have done the same? Would Mother be

confined and awaiting further punishment if the maid worked for someone else?” I remained silent and looked at my brother. As much as I tried, I was unable to read the complexity behind his eyes. “Can you be sure that they won’t turn even further on Cas sandra after this?” he continued. “They will blame all of this on her, not you. It’s always like this, Asher.” “What do you mean by ‘always like this”?” I asked, and my frown deepened as I stared at Kane. “Speak plainly, Kane.” “I mean Cora,” my brother blurted, and my face suddenly grew hot. My eyes narrowed at him as I tried to understand what he was trying to say. “This has nothing to do with Cora,” I said. “The situation is completely different than it was five years ago-” “What’s the difference, brother?” Kane retorted, and he shook his head. “The fact that you’re king now? You always overestimate yourself.” Anger swelled up within me and I gritted my teeth. Why was my brother speaking to me like this? Everything he said was so ambiguous and strange as if he was speaking in riddles. “What are you trying to say, Kane?” I sighed as I pinched the bridge of my nose between ry fingers. “Speak it straight.” Kane shook his head. “I have nothing to say, Asher,” he said, and his eyes narrowed. “It’s just a reminder. You could put her in danger again,” 4/4

Chapter 112 He didn’t love anyone The nights in Anemond were always bustling. Much to my surprise and confusion, plenty of shops remained open late well into the evening hours. Citizens moved about the streets happily and mingled with one another in an almost picturesque sort of manner. Their laughter, music, and conversation melded together to create a disjointed yet delightful chorus. As I roamed the streets with my guards, I took care to smile at anyone who made eye contact with me. My gestures were always met with a friendly expression. To the citizens who lived here, I was just another friendly foreigner. It was a relief to go about my stroll calmly. I’d taken extensive measures to appear to be just another kind face. I continued to stroll through the town until I entered a sea of greenery at the very edge of it. Lush plants and trees with long branches that loomed over the path like a curtain were plentiful, and I took a long, deep breath. The plant life filled the air with a sweet floral perfume that brought a smile to my face before I could stop it. I couldn’t help but admire the beauty of this place. I took a long deep breath as I stepped onto a small wooden bridge. Just beneath me was a man-made lake called Selene’s Tear. Its waters glittered and gleamed under the light of the glowing moon, and as I walked along the bridge, stared out in awe. It was quite expansive and rather impressive to look at. I had been told the lake had been constructed by the former Alpha for his first me, Asher’s mother, Selene Collins. It was a touching physical display of love but sl htly tainted by the fact that the former king had wedded another woman quickly after Selene had died. I smirked. It was unsurprising, really. Despite their outward appearance and feigned kindness, Anemond was a cruel, bitter land that lacked courtesy and 1/5 commitment. At the very least, I had to admit that it was indeed a beautiful park, extravagant, even, considering how

much Asher’s father likely spent to build it. As I studied the view, my guards remained posted at the entry of the bridge. Their gazes were steady, and their eyes were sharp as they peered around. They had been given strict orders to surveil the area in case any unexpected visitors arrived. Just as I considered the possibility of someone showing up, a black shadow appeared right before my eyes.

My guards tensed up immediately and their hands fell to the weapons at their sides. But before they could strike, I raised my hand in the air. “Relax,” I called out to them in a tone somewhere between stern and calm. “He’s a friend. We have something to discuss. Allow him to remain.” The guards beat their right fists against their chests in unison, a symbol of obedience in my country, and then retreated a few steps back. Once I was certain our conversation could continue on in privacy, I turned to the shadowy figure. “It’s been a month, Anubis,” I said in a low voice. “What happened? I began to think you’d forgotten about me.” The figure stepped out of the darkness and removed the black hood of his cloak, revealing a handsome but rugged face. “My apologies, Your Majesty,” Anubis replied with a small bow, and his dark eyes dart d around. “After I burnt down the house, I was nearly caught by a guard e Alpha King of Wegalla-” “And yet you’re here,” I pointed out, and then my lips curled into a smile. “So, you weren’t caught after all.” “Such is true, I suppose,” he remarked. When his full, lower trembled, my eyebrows knitted together. 215 “Why do you appear worried?” I asked him outright. “It is just the two of us alone. What do you have to