ALFRED POV
Andre and Marcus sat side by side in silence both having the air of seriousness as they watched me got up from my throne and with both hands behind my back, I started pacing from side to side.
"This is serious, Andre."
"Yes I think so too, Alfred, I feel it's more than just rebels, I think this is something bigger."
he replied.
"You said earlier that they are moving strategically Andre, what does that mean?" Marcus asked..
"I find this hard to believe that a spineless rogue will be able to poison a jar full of wine at a pub or a stall full of meat without been detected….nahhhh it's too smart for just a normal rogue to handle." Andre replied, adjusting his lens for he does that always, whenever he has a brain boost.
He was right, for someone to poison a big pub jar without getting detected and also a stall full of meat, he has to be smart and calculating.
"But what method do you think he used to poison the wine and the meat? Since it's wolfsbane, the poison should be in liquid form then mixed with another poison—a deadlier poison" I said and sat down finally, facing both of them.
"I think for the wine jar, the rebel poured a vial of the poison inside, while in the meat stall, since it's an abattoir, the meat are being cut into big chunks and hanged to the ceiling to dry so the rebel, no doubt will have no other choice, but to spray the meat with the poison." Andre thoughtfully answered. He has always been the smartest among us, since childhood and has saved me from making many bad decisions due to my temper.
"I feel they are taking orders from someone, like a leader" Marcus added, being unusually serious.
"Hmmm…in my pack?" I asked pissed, "Do you guys have any idea of who it might be?"
"No Alfred" Andre said while Marcus shook his head.
"Ok. Do we know anything about the rebel at all? Aside them being just rebels."
"Well, in my theory, the rebel can't possibly be poisoning stuff without he being detected—in daylight, so I think those goons operated at night." Andre replied.
"How many do you think they are? Can give me an estimate?" I asked him, but this time he had no idea.
"Ok, this is what we should do" I said, trying to think fast and smart. "First of all, it's information. We need to know what it's mixed with wolfsbane so as to know the antidote incase of any new cases, then we need to have an idea of the enemy because right now, we are fighting blindly, then we know their motives and how they entered my pack with poison because like you said, Andre, a large amount of the poison will have be used at the abattoir, so they are either smuggling it onto the pack or it's been manufactured here, thereby still committing a crime either ways."
"Yes… why didn't I think of that?" He asked and without waiting for an answer, he continued "I think we should split up and look into this, that way, we could achieve a lot within a short period of time."
"Yes. Andre, look into gathering information about the poison so that an antidote will be made immediately." I said and he nodded.
"Marcus, Secretly plant trusted spies all around the pack, to keep their eyes down for any suspicious person or action and that's should be our secret because we shouldn't trust anyone for they can be affiliated with the rogues. But, concerning the smuggling or manufacturing of the poison, I want you to work with Gulliver and I want these perpetrators found and apprehended immediately!"
"Yes my king" the both answered.
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"Where is my mate?" I asked the serving girl standing silently, waiting for instructions in my chambers.
"She is with the lady Simone, my king" she replied with a bow.
"Go get me something to eat and it should be brought to my chambers, not in the dining hall" I said, dismissing her and she bowed and left.
I stripped and took a shower, enjoying the chilled water trailing down my skin, soothing my scars in the process and I allowed myself to be lost in oblivion until—-
"My king, your meal is on the table." The serving girl was back.
"Ok. You can leave." I dismissed her and when I was sure I was alone, I left the bathroom still soaking wet and approached the mirror to see my form.
I glanced at the food, wondering what Hanni had for breakfast and if she is okay…I dismissed the thought immediately knowing very well she is in good hands.
Geo yipped suddenly and I directed my attention to him immediately, wondering what could be wrong for he hasn't been himself for the longest of time.
"What is it buddy?" I asked concerned, while he paced clearly unsettled.
"I need to go for a run" he suddenly said with urgency laced in his voice.
"Ok…let's have a meal first for we haven't eaten anything since yesterday and we will need our strength " I replied, trying to reason with him, but he just let out a hissing sound and ignored me.
That's it! I have had enough and I could feel my temper rising against my will. I do not understand why he had been acting distant for we have found our mate and I am just demanding a little time to be platonic with her first, in order to make her understand me, to trust me because I feel she is still on guard and I wish to give her time to let her defenses down so we can fully like and be free with each other.
But Geo, being Geo doesn't understand for he wants to claim her now.
"Buddy, I don't want to lose her for she still regards us as strangers. Any wrong move will set us back in the plan….so be patient, that's all I ask." I said to him, surprisingly calm for I'm so stressed from the whole events and the last thing on my mind right now, is a fight with my Lycan.
But that did the trick because he spoke to me in a voice I haven't heard in a long time, "I understand and I agree with you. Last night, I sensed her wolf as inexperienced and naive, so we shouldn't rush things Alfred."
I stopped eating immediately, shocked to hear Geo's words and I smiled, picked my fork and continued eating as waves of relief coursed through my body.
Then I heard her—faintly, laughing with Simone in the gardens and my ears perked eagerly with my senses sharp hoping to hear her more clearly and when I couldn't stand it anymore I stood up with a burning need to be close to her.
"How about that run buddy?"