Five

Over the next few days, Caspian was present for every meal I had and tasted a piece of everything on my plate and in my glass before I touched it. He did this without being asked or it seemed without even thinking, and it both touched and tore at my heart.

There was no need for him to go to this extent, so why was he? Everyone has always had ulterior motives for the overly nice things they do for someone, those motives in my experience had never been the greatest.

So, was he planning anything? Or was he merely treating me nicely?

Despite this positive change, things still hadn’t changed drastically between Caspian and I. It was still difficult for us to hold a conversation and it often made our meals together somewhat awkward.

“There is something I’ve wanted to ask you,” he said suddenly.

I nodded for him to go ahead.

“You mentioned to the doctor that you have never shifted, but without a doubt, you are a werewolf. Why is that?”

I sighed and got up out of my seat to circle the table to him. I stopped and turned around to lift the back of my hair and reveal the small slave mark on the back of my neck, just under the base of my skull.

“What is that?” Caspian whispered.

“It is the slave mark placed on me by the Emery family when I was taken in. It prevents me from being able to shift on my own, and I am only able to shift on command from my Alpha, which has never happened.”

I jumped and spun around when I heard the shattering of glass and looked down at the table to see Caspian had crushed his wine glass between his fingers, blood oozing out over his hand.

“Oh, my goodness!” I cried and quickly grabbed a handkerchief to wrap around his hand. “Are you insane, what was that for?”

“How long have you had that?” he asked through clenched teeth.

I was almost afraid to answer. “Since I was a child before I can really remember. All the servants there had one, it isn’t anything strange.”

“Unbelievable,” he muttered. “If I knew it was this bad, I would’ve had my father do something a long time ago.”

Demolishing the slave trade would put all packs in an uproar. There was a reason the previous Alpha Kings always failed to abolish it in the past.

“I apologize if it’s bold of me to say this, but…you’re the King now, can’t you do something about it?”

I expected anger to flitter across his face, but not guilt.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that. I am not my father.” It sounded that like was all he was willing to speak on the subject.

There was a knock on the door and a large and broad man with a large scar on his right cheek walked in. He saluted and bowed to Caspian and me.

“This is my Beta Commander, Jax,” Caspian explained to me then turned to Jax. “What is it?”

“Apologies for interrupting, Alpha. I have updates on the task you sent me to do,” he said and kept looking at me. It was clear he wanted me to leave the room so they could talk.

“I’m pretty full, I’ll head back to the room.”

Caspian grabbed my hand to stop me from leaving and nodded to Jax.

“Go on, tell me what you found.”

“I was unable to find any vials or substitutes on the black market, but I was given useful information on where we might check again.”

“It sounds like you’ve stumbled upon something interesting. Where else can we look?”

Jax grinned. “An elf there gave me information of an illegal auction house staged as a gambling den, right here on Lycan territory. It is said that siren blood flows freely through their thanks to the hostages they frequently auction off. Sirens captured and kidnapped from their territories or ones who have gone missing while venturing out.”

Even though I was never able to read any of the newspapers or listen in on any pack meetings, I was still able to hear news of the outside world through gossip and rumours from those who had ventured out. Many times, I heard about the disappearances of creatures, Siren’s in particular. Is it just for their blood?

“Aren’t Siren’s famous for their vocal abilities?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” Jax asked.

“Well, I read in a book once that Siren are considered highly dangerous creatures due to their magical abilities that allow them to perform different acts, like putting people to sleep or even controlling a person, just by singing.”

Jax seemed to think over this information. “That would make sense as to why they have become a sudden attraction. Imagine what one could do if they controlled an ability like that?”

“That isn’t important to us. If you think this place exists, we can kill two birds with one stone. Where is this auction house?” Caspian asked.

“In the Rafina territory.”

I gasped. “That’s impossible. Alpha Emery despised gambling, he thought it was a waste of money and a stupid addiction.”

“Then, that means they’re also operating that illegally. Three birds with one stone, not bad,” Caspian muttered. “Make preparations, we will leave tomorrow.”

Jax bowed again and left.

“I’ll be away for a few days most likely. I’ll have Carlak give you a proper tour of the manor, so you aren’t too bored while I’m away.”

“I think you should take me with you,” I said.

“That’s a ridiculous idea.”

“You won’t be able to get information out of anyone looking like either of you two. It’s clear that Jax is a guard of some sort, he’s massive, and it won’t be hard for most to smell the Alpha gene on you. An unknown Alpha from another pack, that is suspicious enough.”

He sighed in irritation. “Why would you want to go back there?”

“You’re going through a lot of trouble just to help me. The least I can do is get you through the front door.”

Caspian stared at me for a long time, as if he was trying to pick apart my brain.

“We won’t be taking the carriage there; you will have to ride on me.”

I shrugged. “That’s alright.”

“On foot, it’s a long trip.”

“Nothing you say can convince me this trip is going to be a burden.”

He growled and narrowed his eyes. Although the hair on my arms raised in fear, I didn’t back down. I wanted to be as much used to him as I still could be, and maybe then I could avoid a swift death and live a peaceful life in a mutual marriage for the rest of my days.

It wasn’t a terrible idea compared to the life I have lived so far.

“You are to only help us get access if we need it, nothing more. Understood?” he asked.

‘Yes!’

“You have my word.”