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King Romulus' POV

To what had started as a wonderful morning, filled with a delicious spread of meats and grand company—Given that his Royal Beta and Delta had joined him. Since they have a long day filled with meetings, it was a peace offering for what would fill the better half of their schedule.

The only disappointment is that Wilhelm was among them.
Even now, Romulus wanted either Clive or Ray in his place. It made no sense to keep him much longer, but then again, Romulus didn't trust anyone in their position in watching for the Queen.

The updates have been growing, even if it has only been a given week or so since the rediscovery. Romulus was patient, and bringing the Queen in right now would tip the tides.

The council would have a reckoning, especially with how things have recently been acting up—The laws that his wolves were trying to pass were undoubtedly to suppress humankind.

And that was something that he could not do, not even when the higher-ranked humans were pushing for the same agreement. It was troubling to think that there was something that one was holding over the other.

"You look too calm, sir. Please, it's starting to make my beast uneasy." Romulus smirked at his males, nodding as he tried to return his more stoic expression.
"It's a fine morning, besides, I'm receiving updates on the Healer more frequently. It has put me in a better mood." The Delta had nodded and titled his coffee cup.
"Have you decided when you would be taking her from the pack? I understand that she is a Healer, but she could do wonders in figuring out what happened to the Rogues." It hadn't been a true thought as to when, but the reason why.

And that very reason was running through the castle walls right now—Though this time at wolf-like speed, considering Marrow hadn't allowed the human to take the initiative to deliver the message.

The doors had burst open and the wolf had skidded to a stop and shifted with ease, only to fall down to his knee in greeting to his Alpha King. "I thought I changed your orders to protect—"

"Sir, it's reported that Alpha Stephan has hurt Healer Rhea." It all happened so quickly, so much so that Romulus didn't even feel the table erupt from under him. How the entire thing had been flung towards the farthest wall without much thought.

"WHAT?!" He roared, and Marrow flinched once more as he hadn't only been crowded by both Beta and Delta, but the Alpha was stalking forward to get an answer.
Thankfully Delta Lyall managed to settle between the two.

"Let the male speak, Alpha. He comes with news and we need to hear the entirety of it." It allowed him the moment to pause, take a few deep breaths, and groan in damnation as he hadn't truly thought that things would escalate so quickly.

"Tell me." He commanded, and the poor Enforcer bowed his head. "We've infiltrated the pack as requested, it's been rather easy to disguise as travelers. Same with the humans. But this night, Petilo and I were rounding through the neighborhood where Rhea resides—The Alpha had come for a nightly visit after a pack meeting, one that hadn't gone very well." That piqued the King's interest further.

"The entire pack knows of her return?" Marrow sighed.
"I do not think that they know who Rhea truly is, no. But it seemed as though things are tense between the Alpha and her. We hadn't known he would make this visit, but he entered her home, and there was yelling and a slam before the Alpha was demanded to leave."

"Does she live alone?"

"No sir, she lives with a wolf couple and her lover." Romulus' jaw clenched as he heard the term, though it made sense, didn't it?
That Amory would take a human lover.

"What was this dispute about?" The Beta Elias pushed forward, but there wasn't a way to come closer to the house without causing suspicion. And what place does an Enforcer have in a pack or under the ruling of an Alpha that was already working against the crown—Goddess, he couldn't even fathom his males being hurt under his order.

Alpha Stephan had already shown his dislike for the Enforcers, even if they were circling to influence protection and security. There was no telling what could happen in the meantime!

"Call two dozen Enforcers, we're leaving for Red Moon pack—NOW!" The order had spiraled things out of command, what had been scheduled for a noble house meeting was now in shambles.

If Romulus was in his right mind, he would've laughed to see just how red in the face Wilhelm had become. But he couldn't think about that, no, all he could think about was Amory's fear.

It was a dangerous combination to fuel his own, but goddess bless him with the courage to inform the hand-selected Enforcers of what is at stake—And perhaps it was better for his Beta and Delta to oversee things in the castle, as even then he was starting to get dizzy from the over repeated drawl of court.

He wasn't sure how much more they will allow for his nonsense hunting, but clearly, they would rather go on and on about small trivial errors in the grand scheme of things. No, he needed to see this through to the end, and he didn't bother packing his usual traveling gear—If it weren't for his ranking members handing him a cloak and shoving at least some supplies into his arms.

There would be no more waiting, he would be absolutely damned if he left Rhea in such a situation—How could he possibly keep to his promise then?

Without saying much more than he needed to, Romulus shifted and plowed through the back fields—The very place Amory herself had directed to be the fastest way out of the castle grounds and out into the open.

It caused a wallowing tug as he passed through the dozens of flower beds, the ones he diligently kept intact following the remains of the fire. The restoration of the castle was not cheaply done, and it was meant to be a symbol of the humans that both he and his father cared for the history of the lands.

The power of an Alpha's endurance allowed him to make it to the inn in record time, yet this allowed him to direct half the Enforcers to patrol the outside of Red Moon and told the rest to meet him at the inn.

When he arrived, he was thankful that there was already a male awaiting him—Clive to be exact. "Sir! Thank the gods you're here."

"Report, boy." Usually, the young male would voice his distaste for not being called a boy, but the look the King gave didn't leave much room for playfulness. "Ray had just relieved me within the last hour so I could greet you. The Alpha has not returned, but Rhea has not left her home for the entire day—As far as I know." He growled at the boy's inability to not link, but he remained thankful for the constant loyalty from these two—Who he didn't doubt wanted to protect Rhea in their own rights.

"Good. Get the carriage prepped, we are headed over there now. Things are done here." Clive's eyes widened as he followed the Alpha's movement to replenish himself with the quickest thing the Innkeeper could muster up.

His impatience was getting the better of him, but he decided it would do him well to calm his nerves, and in doing so it allowed Romulus the moment to enjoy the ride to Red Moon with Clive. "We should be arriving by early evening...No worries, sir."

"I have plenty of worries, Clive. Too many to burden you with."

"But I thought I was in a position to learn to be an advisor, surely that gives me the means and the clearance to hear those burdens?" Romulus titled his head with curiosity. "You are right, and I apologies."

"For?"

"For calling you a boy. I cannot express my gratitude, and if you truly do want to join my court—I will do my best. Though I do recommend enrolling in some sort of education. Perhaps find a wife?" Clive groaned towards the ceiling of the buckling carriage, but Romulus could only grin. "I hear wonderful things from my Beta and Delta about the mated life."

"Then why haven't you found yourself a wife? I know Wilhelm has pressed that multiple times." Was it wrong for him to bring up that topic, but after being called a boy, he thought he could be given a pass?

And the smirk allowed Clive to rest easy.

"Tell me, what else has Amory been doing?"
"She is doing very well, all things considering. I cannot wait to see her again."

"And this lover?"
"Lover? I don't believe she has a lover..." Clive squawked, and if anything, it was difficult not to call him a boy since this was very naive of him—Of all things.

Yet the young human had whispered the conversation in the opposite direction, talking about his curiosity about the idea of going into academics before taking the role of an advisor.

It certainly passed the time well enough, but it didn't settle the ache. Nothing would until he rested his eyes on Queen Amory.

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Date: 06/12/23

Time: 9:29

Words: 1614

Author's Note:

Romulus is on his way to Red Moon, are we ready for the reunion?
Next chapter coming right up!