Chapter 223 - Noel's Suspicion

Note:

Thank you, dear Kelly Goodwin, for gifting a gachapon to this book yesterday. I'm still at a loss for words because of your kindness and support...

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The mountains in Frisia remained cold all throughout the year, the snowcaps didn't melt there, but the Alpha and Luna of the Blood River Pack only looked at each other and were immersed in their conversation.

"Unfortunately, not everyone who gives birth to children is meant to be parents," Leland said. With a mother like Isolde, he knew this all too well.

Sophie agreed with his words and yet she couldn't help but remember something that made her smile. A long time ago, her mother, Anne, told her of how some people had a great capacity for love and how it could be shared with other people.

Anne told that to Sophie when she was younger and jealous of the attention that her mother gave to Leland in his wolf cub form. It was something that she didn't think much of, but she cherished those lessons now.

Sophie looked at her husband and gently touched his cheek. "I think it's time to focus on the positive side of things. Luciel and Jan are incredibly lucky to have you, Leland."

Leland coughed and averted his gaze. He was a bit embarrassed to have the attention be suddenly on him. He loved how Sophie was looking up to him and it gave him pride, but he was still surprised by her affection.

The two of them were supposed to be talking about the dangers of getting involved with the witches. He wanted to think that those people might be able to heal his mate because he didn't want her to suffer, but after long consideration, he thought it was too risky. 

Even his own friend, Eloise was a tangible threat that had the chance of killing both her mother and even Isolde if provoked. Eloise got along with Leland just fine. However, he did not want to endanger anyone.

How Sophie still turned it as a chance to express her admiration to Leland made him want to blush. However, as an Alpha, he couldn't do such a thing. So he redirected the compliment instead.

"Sophia… I thank you for the compliments. However, I only learned from the best."

Sophie chuckled. "Give yourself some credit, Leland."

"I am." Leland insisted.

"I wish you could see yourself through my eyes, Leland," Sophie whispered. "You'd be able to wholeheartedly accept my praise if you did."

She didn't think that she'd see this side of her strong Alpha mate and yet what Sophie said was truly genuine. She gazed and watched the sight of multiple lycan children of different sizes all pounced together at Duncan.

The older lycan was now lying on the grass and laughed. "Okay, I give up. You guys are great hunters! Truly an asset to the Blood River Pack."

Luciel proudly strutted in front of Duncan's face. His tail swished happily. His brother Jan rested his paws on the Lycan's back and there was a sense of accomplishment written all over his cute face.

All of this was only possible because of how Leland came into Sophie's life. If it had been Nicholas instead… Sophie's smile faded slightly. 

She didn't want to imagine how much danger their children might experience if she was with Nicholas.

She didn't think that Nicholas was going to be a bad father. However, the man might have had trouble accepting their kids. Or there was a chance that they needed to defend themselves against the Royal Lycan Hunters.

And what would his family think of Luciel and Jan when they found out Nicholas fathered two… little monsters?

She bit her lip.

"Sophia?" Leland sensed her growing apprehension.

Sophie smiled sadly and leaned against her mate's side. "I've seen what it's like to be both a human and a lycan. It just makes me a little sad to see both sides fight against each other. Will this ever end, Leland?"

The Alpha didn't say anything. He knew the answer, but he didn't want to make her sad. He also didn't want to lie.

Some words were better left unspoken.

***

"Your Majesty, this will only end when all of the lycans are eradicated from this continent." Noel Gastrell commented as he blocked the king's sword. "If I may speak so boldly with you."

Nicholas frowned a little as he made a feint and the Royal Lycan Hunter didn't fall for it. The two of them were only sparring, but he could see how combat experience truly separated the two of them. 

"I understand what you are saying." Nicholas twisted easily and dodged against Noel's heavy ax that nearly cut off his head. "Unfortunately, even if Riga were to amass all of its military strength, it's one kingdom against multiple packs, don't you think?"

It was a strange and odd friendship formed between the King of Riga and the head of the Royal Lycan Hunter. When Nicholas had the time, he visited the secret quarters of the kingdom's elite anti-lycan unit and trained with them.

Nicholas took the opportunity to practice his sword. Unfortunately, it felt awkward in his grasp. A part of him wanted to drop the weapon and attack Noel bare-handed, which was a crazy idea. 

What kind of person fought without any weapons?

"We've dealt a major blow to them in the last war," Noel explained as he swung his ax and closed the distance. "Their Lycan King is gone and thus the packs have all become more autonomous. Mostly pillaging villages and towns, threatening travelers and wreaking havoc."

Nicholas blinked and received a small nick on the cheek. "Not killing?"

"Your Majesty!" Several Royal Lycan Hunters shouted and stood up when they saw that he had gotten injured.

Nicholas raised a hand and eventually dropped his weapon on the floor. "I'm fine. It's a small scratch. "What were you saying, Noel?" 

"One pack provoking an entire kingdom is usually a bad idea," Noel explained. "Unless the lycans under one pack are beyond a thousand members or have lesser packs under their control, they do not risk extermination, Your Majesty."

"That indeed makes sense," Nicholas said. "I suppose the strategy will be eliminating all of the smaller packs and preventing them from choosing a Lycan King, right?"

"Yes—"

Nicholas suddenly charged in and went for a sweeping low kick, and he succeeded to catch the Royal Lycan Hunter in surprise. This time, he made Noel fall off into the ground with a thud.

"Unorthodox methods, Your Majesty." Noel chuckled. "Your chivalrous knights will call this dirty."

Nicholas smiled and offered him a hand. "It's a good thing that I'm not with them then."

The Royal Lycan Hunter blinked in shock and glanced up at his king's face. The slight cut that was on Nicholas' face was already gone.

"Is there something on my face?" Nicholas asked, unaware.

"...No, Your Majesty." Noel slowly accepted the king's hand and stood up. "There's nothing there."

Noel was wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him. Wasn't the king injured earlier? Why did his wound disappear so quickly? As Nicholas turned his back on him, the head of the Royal Lycan Hunter couldn't help but stare at the king with confusion plastered on his face.

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From Missrealitybites:

I miss Sophie's and Leland's intimacy... Ahaha. A friend of mine, a fellow Webnovel author is reading this book, and her comment made me feel over the moon. She said she loved the intimacy part between Leland and Sophie, even the awkward one during their wedding night.

This made me think about Sophie and Leland again. I already told you that Sophie will recover and have Leland's child in the future. Now, I can't wait to write more snusnu for them.. AHAHAHAHAHA. Hope I can deliver.

By the way... THANK YOU SO MUCH to all of you for giving this book so much support! I am really moved. Your comments, votes, gifts, and golden tickets help this book to get seen by new readers.

I've been biting my nails since yesterday, waiting for the werewolf contest announcement. There are still no results. So, several hours ago, I asked the Webnovel staff about it. 

She told me due to so many unforeseen circumstances and the fact that the headquarters in China will celebrate the lunar new year for one week, the contest results announcement is postponed to mid-February or the end of February at the latest. So, still crossing fingers... ahahaha...