Where Is Daphne?

Alpha Edgar walked into the dining room. 

“Good morning, Alpha Edgar.” 

“Long live the Alpha.” 

The staff - maids and guards who were in the space, greeted at the sight of him. In response, he nodded and continued to walk. His family had settled since a while ago - waiting for him before they would begin to eat. “Good morning, all.” 

“Good morning, Father.” Ophelia smiled. 

“Good morning, my lord.” The Luna greeted with a bow. “I hope you slept well last night.” 

“Yes, yes.” 

Edgar settled into his seat. The smile on his face vanished all of a sudden. He looked at Adrian who happened to be with them, then he asked. “Where is your wife? Why isn't she here with us? This is the third day and no one has seen her yet.”

“My lord.” Adrian bowed. 

“Yes, speak.” The Alpha commanded. 

“I haven't heard from her since - since the other day. After the whole drama unfolded, my lord.” 

“You mean the day you were caught having an affair with my daughter, Adrian?” He smiled, ignoring the young man so that he could face his wife and daughter. “Has any of you two heard from her since the day Adrian was caught with Ophelia? It doesn't have to be a conversation you had with her. Maybe you saw her wandering—” 

The Luna shook her head. 

His daughter did the same thing. 

“That's strange.” He snapped his fingers. 

The maids in charge of serving the meal stepped forward. “She never misses a day in this dining room. I wonder what the matter is - really do.” 

When the maids were done serving, the family began eating. But the Alpha didn't stop thinking about it - so he looked up, his gaze directed at Adrian who enjoyed his meal. “Did you say you haven't seen her since the day the truth was revealed, Adrian? Is that what you mean?” 

“That's what I mean, my lord. I haven't seen her.” 

“Where have you been spending the night?” 

“With me, Father,” Ophelia answered. “Adrian has been sleeping in my chamber since that day. Apparently, my sister wouldn't let him in. The door is locked. He says he has tried to see if they could talk about the situation, but the door is locked.” 

Now the Alpha laughed. 

“There's no point trying to talk with the woman. She's not going to answer you - there's no need. I believe we should concentrate more on what we have at hand. My daughter is pregnant for you, there's a marriage to plan. Don't you think so?” 

Adrian choked - almost. 

“What's wrong, babe?” Ophelia grabbed a glass, handing it over to him immediately. “What is it?” 

“Did you say marriage, my lord?” 

“Yes—” The Alpha answered. “That's what I said. Didn't you know it would lead to a wedding at the end of the day, Adrian?” He sipped some water and chuckled. “Of course, it was. It has to - now that my daughter is pregnant for you. She's not having a bastard under my roof and you know that.” 

“I—I don't understand.” 

“What don't you understand, Ariana?” Luna asked. She dropped the spoon in her hand and faced him. “If Ophelia should have this child without a wedding, it's a taboo. A serious one and we wouldn't want it for her. You should have been careful so that it wouldn't get to this - but see where your carelessness has landed us all in. This is why you must get married to her. Do you copy?” 

“Yes.” He simply nodded. 

It was written on his face - the disapproval. 

He didn't want this - not now or ever. 

“I might have a question, Alpha Edgar.” 

“Go on, my in-law.” 

Adrian adjusted. He opened his mouth and let out. “What's the fate of Daphne in all of these?”

Edgar laughed. 

The Luna laughed. Ophelia laughed. 

They looked at the man and the Alpha continued. “Did you think I was joking when I said she would get married to that Alpha? Did you think?” He looked at the Luna and looked back at the man. “My daughter would have gone, but she's pregnant. You don't know what the Alpha of The Howling Abyss Pack is capable of doing, do you? This is why your wife - whom you have betrayed, will be going there on behalf of our daughter. To save the day.” 

Ophelia chuckled. 

“I cannot wait for all of these to end—” She looked at Adrian, bringing her hand to her stomach. “You don't know how much I love you, Adrian. I can't wait to be your wife and the mother of your child.” 

“When the wedding is over—” The Alpha interrupted. “We'll talk about how you'll take over this throne when I am no more. Since I don't have a son, it's right that my daughter's husband takes over when the time is right.” He smiled at Adrian who suddenly had a smile on his countenance. 

He bowed in understanding. “Yes, my lord.” 

Once again, there was silence. 

Everyone had thoughts going on in their minds. 

But they kept them to themselves. 

While the Alpha couldn't wait for all these to become over, Luna couldn't wait for her daughter to give her a grandchild. And Adrian, on the other hand, could not wait for the Alpha to die so that he could take over. How didn't he think about this? 

There was a gain in all of it, after all. 

“I think we should let Daphne know—” Adrian spoke up. He looked at everyone at the table. “It is only right that she knows what's coming - what's going to happen when she's gone from this pack. She's still my wife right now - I must tell her about it even though it's something she doesn't want.” 

Ophelia- she nodded. 

“He has a point, Father. I hate to admit but he has a point.” She smiled and looked at Adrian who smiled back. “Father will have them send for her so that we can tell her about it together. Although it's two different reasons - you're telling her because you want her to know - one sign of respect. I'm doing this because I need her to think about it when that beast of an Alpha takes her for his wife.” 

One snap of the Alpha's finger. 

A guard walked forward. 

“Have my stepdaughter brought to this hall immediately.” He commanded. 

“Of course, she would refuse to come with you. Make sure you force her down here. Do you understand me? Or should I repeat myself?” 

“Yes, my lord.” 

The man was out of his sight in moments. 

They continued to eat in awkward silence - waiting for the moment when Daphne would be brought to them. Then the news would be announced to her. 

“I cannot wait for all of these to be over.” 

Alpha Edgar, at some point, confessed. “The wedding between the Alpha of The Howling Abyss Pack and the one between Adrian and Ophelia.” He looked at his Luna who nodded, understanding his frustration. “I need some rest. Mental rest.” 

“You'll have all the rest you deserve when it's over.” Luna Whitmore touched his hand from where she was - smiling. “It'll be over soon, my lord.” 

At that same moment, the hall gate opened. 

In the same manner, everyone's gaze diverted to the entrance. Where was she? The guard didn't come with her and this made the Alpha sit up. “Where is the woman I asked you to bring to me?” 

“My lord.” The giant guard caught up with the large dining table, bowing. “I knocked and knocked, but she didn't open the door.” 

A sigh escaped the old man's mouth. 

He leaned against the chair and let out. “Did you break the door? That's what you should do—” 

“Father—” Ophelia called. 

“Yes, Ophelia? What would you have me do?” He snapped at her and looked at the guard. “Break that damn door and bring that bitch to me. It's of no use anymore, after. She'll be gone from this pack and my daughter's matrimonial room will be built from scratch when the time comes.” 

“I shall have the door broken, my lord.” 

“Good—” Alpha Edgar continued to eat. 

The guard was on his way out again - leaving the family in another awkward moment. The only thing he waited for was Daphne. As a matter of fact, he was already full from the meal he had. But at the same time, he needed to keep himself company while waiting for the bitch to be brought. 

Brought to him. 

It was taking too long. 

Alpha Edgar didn't have patience. 

The spoon in his hand hit the plate in a subtle manner once in a while - waiting for them. 

Her, rather. 

Soon enough, the hall's gate pushed open. 

Everyone darted their gazes.

Where was she? 

“Where the hell is she?” Alpha Edgar asked, command in his tone. “Where is that bitch?” 

The guard walked closer - catching up with them. One bow and he announced. “My lord. Princess Daphne isn't in her chamber. I broke the door.”