CHAPTER 276: STRANGE BEAST III

"Why did the vampire not kill you?" the Lycan King asked me as we settled in a room akin to a common room in the main palace building. The others in the room with us were Diana, Raul, his sons, and his two trusted advisors—his Beta and Gamma.

"He said it was not the right time," I replied, my appetite refusing to wake even when the servers brought lofty dishes before me and Diana, who shared a two-seat sofa with me. "I wasn’t sure what he meant. I only wanted to escape, so I didn’t stay for more discussion, or to find out if he had been telling the truth."

The King nodded slowly and shared knowing glances with his men. What message passed between them I wasn’t aware, but I knew I wouldn’t be treated as anything less than a dignitary in this pack all through my stay here.

"Okay," he said at last. "But can you trace the magic used on it?"

I frowned at the question, then looked at Raul, a brow cocked. Was there something like that?

Raul must have understood, because he gave a small shrug. He didn’t know.

I looked down at Diana. No answer there either, if the tiny shake of her head was any indication.

"There is something like that," the King said, as if confirming it to himself. "My first wife, bless her soul, could do it when she was alive... trace magic, or people, by touching something of theirs."

A pause, where he collected himself. A weary sigh.

He must have loved his wife—was probably missing her.

How had she died again?

I bit my lower lip when I remembered Peter had mentioned the King killing his wife, something that had sparked the war.

Could it be true, though? The sorrow that crossed the King’s eyes as he mentioned her argued against it.

"My men are yet to burn the beast," he continued gently. "Maybe if you touch it, you can know something about it?" His eyes were hopeful.

Of course they were—this incident had shown the pack wasn’t as impenetrable as he had thought. If there was more from where that beast came, then there was a problem.

I opened my mouth to tell the King to lead me to where the beast had been carried to; to maybe try my luck—but El held my tongue.

Don’t bother, she said. I already checked. It’s untraceable. Apart from giving the beast strength, the vampire’s blood erased it. The only ones who can find it are the Ancients. You could have been able, but you haven’t unlocked that part of your powers yet.

I was shocked, to say the least. I have the power of an Ancient?

I didn’t say that, El countered, then went silent.

"Ms. Dora?" the Lycan King called, catching my drifting attention.

"No, there’s no need," I said aloud, folding my hands to steady them. "The vampire’s blood has eroded the scent. It can’t be traced."

"And how would you know that?" Beta Phillip asked, arms folded across his chest. "For a moment there, you looked like you didn’t understand that magic can be traced."

I licked my lower lip, nervous. How did I get myself out of this?

"She just remembered," Raul said quickly, stepping in. "And she’s right... from what we learned in our classes, vampire blood erases magic traces."

The werewolves before us nodded slowly, the triplets inclusive. The Beta, however, still carried skepticism in his eyes. Fair—up until a minute ago the three of us had, with our body language, made it clear we knew nothing of that phenomenon.

"So," the King asked, meeting my gaze steadily, "what do you suggest that we do?"

"Form a barrier around the pack with magic," I said, shrugging like it was the most obvious solution. "Especially the areas that separate this pack from any neighboring witch communities. The Queen can help with that. It should only answer to a werewolf, although I am not sure what a werewolf would be doing leaving the pack."

Raul and Diana concurred with a nod.

The King exchanged another bout of glances with his men. From the glazing of their eyes, I knew they were communicating through the mind link.

"We want you to do it," he said at last, "before you leave."

I frowned. "The Queen has better magic than I do."

"True," the King agreed. "But I would rather you do it, preferably before you leave the pack after the festivities."

"Why?" The question slipped out before I could call it back and think.

"That’s just what I want," he said evenly. "We will pay any amount to get it done."

I looked at Diana. She looked as surprised as I was—probably why she threw up the veil, cocooning us in soundless magic.

"I think he doesn’t trust the Queen," she said as soon as the shimmer sealed.

We knew Raul would notice he’d been left out; we knew the King and his men could see we were talking. It didn’t seem important to consider.

"Same here," I muttered. "So... should I do it?"

"I think you should," Diana concluded. "It would gain you favor among his stupid people, and also make us very rich."

We smiled at each other, and Diana dropped the veil.

"I will do it," I told the King. "Although you have to pardon me if it doesn’t hold."

He laughed in response, surprising me. His laugh was as beautiful as Adam’s. Why then did they frown so much?

"I think we can manage," he said, amused. Then he turned to his subjects. "Leave us for a moment."

He faced Raul. "You too. I think your girlfriend is waiting outside."

Raul frowned—a good response to such a statement, I believed. What girlfriend? he must have thought. But I knew it was Levina. She had dumped her attraction for Sinclair and latched onto Raul, intent on being a princess.

I was curious to see how that would turn out, even as I watched Raul leave the room without a fuss.

The King turned to Diana, but I shook my head. "She is staying with me."