Chapter 46

46 The Alpha’s Unconditional Trust

It was a question that Annalynne was unable to answer, so she told Elder Luke straightforwardly that she did not know.

“All of them just rushed toward Kinnon and attacked him at the same time. There was no argument, no discussion. I don’t know where they came from.”

Another Elder spoke up. This time it was Elder Alan.

“Does Miss Clearwater know what happened to the corpses of the fallen werewolves?”

Annalynne nodded once. “Yes. Kinnon told me that they were nowhere to be found.”

Elder Luke spoke up again.

“They disappeared without a single trace. Even the blood was wiped clean off the ground. You must understand that the circumstance was extremely unusual.”

Unusual was not a good word in light of the situation. Lucien disliked talking in circles. He would rather hear the allegations right away.

“Beta, Elders, let’s go straight to the point. Do you harbor suspicion that my sister might be involved in the assassination attempt?”

.....

Bjorn cupped his hands together and looked at Lucien with a cold, hard gaze.

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Lucien drew a deep breath.

“In that case, we would like to inform you that Annalynne did not have a hand in the unfortunate attack. Should the Night Prowler Pack nonetheless demand a payback, I would like to see the incriminating pieces of evidence and or witnesses.”

Annalynne hugged her brother’s arm. She was terrified, not only for herself but also for her brother. While it might be true that there was nothing to prove Annalynne’s involvement, there was also nothing to prove her innocence.

Annalynne could not stop blaming herself. If not for her stubborn foolishness, she would not have dragged her brother into such a pit. She would rather die than let Lucien take the fall for her.

While the siblings and those from Night Prowler Pack were participating in a staring contest, the door of the audience hall opened with a dramatic creaking sound and revealed Kinnon Youngshaper. The Alpha stood there, supporting himself on a polished teak wood cane.

Kinnon swept a glance into the room, eyeing his pack members and also the two siblings in the middle of the room thoughtfully.

“Why, such an important meeting and I am not invited.”

Bjorn rose to his feet and walked toward Kinnon.

“You are resting. We do not mean to disturb you.”

Bjorn took one of Kinnon’s arms and helped him toward his throne. Kinnon lowered himself onto the seat with a sigh. The short trip that he took from his bedroom to the audience hall already managed to exhaust him, but he was glad to have made it in time.

“What is this about?” he asked the people inside the room.

“Alpha, we were discussing... the assassination attempt,” Elder Alan answered while shooting a look at the Clearwater siblings. “We are glad to hear the story from Miss Annalynne Clearwater herself.”

“Ah. Now that you heard it, I believe that the matter is settled. We shall no longer speak of it.”

“Alpha!”

“Alpha, we must take this matter seriously!”

“If this incident repeats itself...!”

Kinnon held a hand up to demand silence from his pack members.

“I am solely responsible for carelessly putting myself in danger. It will never happen again.”

“Alpha, does this mean that you are not even going to investigate?” another Elder queried.

“Elder Noah, the corpses disappeared. I don’t think there is any track we can pursue at this point.”

“Indeed, the corpses disappeared. A very convenient situation,” Elder Alan muttered darkly.

They all knew what Elder Alan was talking about. If Annalynne had organized the attack, it was easy to arrange for other werewolves to drag the corpses away while she distracted the pack with the injured Alpha.

“I believe it is best for Miss Annalynne Clearwater to remain with us until we have gotten some answers regarding this incident,” Elder Luke said.

“Anna already told you everything that she knew. There is no point keeping her here,” Lucien said. “Please let my sister go. I will stay here in her place.”

“Lulu, no!!!” Anna shouted. “I will stay here, please let my brother go!”

Kinnon closed his eyes and heaved a sigh.

“I trust that neither Annalynne nor Lucien had anything to do with this attack.”

“It can still be someone from the Silent Walkers Pack,” Elder Noah pointed out. “We understand that the Silent Walkers Pack has yet to answer our proposal regarding the post-war arrangement.”

“This has nothing to do with the attack,” Kinnon said in a sharp tone. “I will not accuse the Silent Walkers Pack of anything even if they reject our proposal.”

Lucien looked up at Kinnon in surprise. Kinnon shifted his eyes and met with Lucien’s gaze. A silent understanding went through their eyes. If Kinnon had wanted to, he could have forced Lucien into marrying her. If not to save his pack then to save his only sister.

And yet Kinnon readily let go of this golden opportunity.

Lucien was speechless.

Everyone was dismissed from the informal meeting, leaving only Lucien and Kinnon alone.

“Have you been avoiding me?” Lucien asked.

Kinnon let out a chuckle.

“Pretty much. I know that you come here to reject me. I just want to prolong the uncertain period. I don’t want to hear a ‘no’ as an answer. Not yet.”

“And yet here you are, out of your bed.”

Kinnon pulled his lips into a thin smile. “I do not claim to be kind or gracious. I simply dislike intimidating someone just because I can.”

Kinnon took Lucien’s hand into his and kissed the back of his hand. “You are free to go, Lucien. Take Anna back to Blue Hill City for the time being. Let’s talk about a new proposal once everything settles down.”

Lucien grabbed Kinnon’s chin and forced him to look up from his seat. “How are you so sure that I am here to reject you?”

Kinnon raised an eyebrow. A helpless grin spread on his face. “Aren’t you?”

Lucien didn’t even blink before he answered, “It would be my honor to serve as your Luna in the Night Prowler Pack.”