Chapter 7

Cassien's POV

Sterling has been moody from the moment he walked into the hall. Unusual for him. My brothers and I gave ourselves a knowing look before returning our attention to him.

“It seems the general is upset by our presence,” Ashton said, taking a sip of his tea. One thing we loved about our visits.

“You can say the word, and we'll leave,” Asher backed his brother.

The maid hands him a cup of tea. He leaned back, legs crossed, spreading an arm on the backrest of the couch he was seated on before taking a sip.

“It would be stupid of me to do that. It is an honor to have all four of you in my home,” Sterling said. He paused for a minute, then sighed. “One of the arrows got to my cousin.”

“The arrows weren't very deadly,” my twin brother said.

“Considering how you praised her, I'm sure she could stand such little poison,” I said, staring down at the reddish brown liquid in my cup. Sterling stayed quiet. It seemed there was more to it.

“You're reluctant to speak about your cousin, that's a first,” I pointed out.

Praising her at every gathering was one of the many things he loved doing. Unfortunately for him, my brothers and I do not view it the same.

“Enough with his cousin. She isn't dead, or you wouldn't be here. How is the investigation?” Ashton, ever so impatient, said.

Sterling didn't seem to mind as he elaborated. “Your guess was right, they are the bodies of the wolves who died during the war. Unfortunately, even the poison can only neutralize them. The only way to get rid of them permanently is to ensure they are burnt to ashes.”

I nodded, sipping my tea.

“Then again, we need to find out where the other bodies are. Getting rid of a few cannot do the trick,” he added.

That was an oversight on our part. After the war, there was a significant number of bodies missing. Even though I asked it be looked into, we didn't view it as something significant until now. How those corpses are controlled is yet to be figured out, but getting rid of them is the only option right now. Whoever was in charge would be caught soon enough.

“Our betas would deliver the progress on the investigation,” Riven said and received a nod from Sterling.

“Now, ready to tell us how you make this tea, or would you keep it hidden from us forever?” Asher said.

Sterling stayed quiet, looking around. “It was my aunt's recipe. I'm not in the right position to share the recipe.”

“Tell us who is, then. We would gladly go ourselves. I'm sure they won't refuse us,” I said, and the side of Sterling's lips curved up.

After enjoying our tea, it was time to leave, but even on our way out, we kept chatting. We halted just at the entrance. I passed a knowing look to my brothers, who as well could feel it.

There was a magnifying scent we picked up when we walked into the mansion. We've visited Sterling for years, and only once did we get that scent. However, it was gone before we could understand.

Now it was clear.

Our mate has been found!

It was already known to us, we would share a mate.

“Are we nothing to your cousin, Sterling? Not once did she acknowledge our presence,” Ashton said.

“She needs rest. When she is ready, I'll bring her to you,” Sterling responded.

“The poison would have worn off by now. She isn't special,” Ashton fired. Sterling stayed quiet.

“You need to calm down, Ashton. Sterling isn't hiding her from us. Am I right?” I said.

The blood drained from Sterling's face. He was!

Bold.

However, there has to be a reason.

He always claimed he would introduce her to us whenever she was around yet, now that she was, he was keeping her hidden. There was no way he could guess she was our mate. We've been silent about it. Keeping our wolves calm, even though they wished to find her.

“He is hiding her from us,” Asher pointed out.

“Bring her down!” Ashton ordered.

Sterling looked paler at this order. “Alpha Ashton she-”

I raised my hand, stopping him.

“We don't mind. We'll see her another time when she is rested up,” I said, and the smell of blood wafted through the air. All eyes went upstairs to the balcony, but it was empty.

A maid hurried down the stairs and bowed. “General Sterling, she…” the maid paused, her eyes reluctantly glancing at I and my brothers but did not dare look us in the eyes.

Without her needing to complete the statement, Sterling understood.

“I apologize, your Majesties. I cannot accompany you back.” he bowed, his hand on his chest.

I hummed, giving him the permission to leave. In haste, Sterling walked back into the mansion.

“It seems his cousin is nothing but a weakling,” Ashton scoffed.

Asher nudged him with his elbow. “That could be our mate.”

“We've been suppressing our wolves. What makes you think we'll accept her?” Ashton said.

“What do you think, Riven?” Asher asked.

“I think the warrior has been wounded. If the poison could weaken her so much, she isn't a good fit.” Riven responded.

“What do you think, brother?” he threw the question at me.

I stared at the door, my lips curved up. “We need a mate but we don't need a weak one.”

“The bond would have to be severed,” Ashton spoke as he tried to head back in.

Before I could stop him, Riven held his shoulder, stopping him.

“Another day,” I said in finality as our cars came to us.

They all got in the car, but I looked over my shoulder at the mansion. I had a feeling there was something else at play here.