Chapter Six — Bring Her Here

Elliott

Alpha Corvian Drawolf personally met me when the royal convoy entered his estate.

“Your Majesty.” He bowed before stepping aside. “I wasn't expecting you to come here yourself.”

“You requested a meeting.”

“I expected to travel to Courtland.”

“I was already nearby.” That was all the explanation I gave him. Corvian wisely didn't ask for more.

Alaric followed me inside while the rest of the royal guards remained outside with Corvian's men.

We went directly to his office. For almost an hour, Corvian briefed me on the forbidden-black-magic investigation.

There had been unusual movements near the border, reports of unfamiliar witches passing through surrounding settlements, and several incidents he believed could be connected. Nothing was strong enough to prove who was responsible yet.

“I don't want assumptions,” I told him.

“I understand.”

“Find names. Movements. Witnesses. Anyone providing shelter or supplies.”

Corvian nodded. “I'll increase the investigation immediately.”

While he spoke, Alaric stood near the window. His expression didn't change when his voice entered my mind through our private link.

‘We still can't find anything useful.’

I remained focused on Corvian.

‘No one saw a woman matching what little description we have. The trail from the forest is completely gone.’

Disappointment settled heavily inside me.

Setra stirred and he kept calling ‘Mate’.

But I had nothing yet. No name, nothing. 

I ended the meeting shortly afterward.

Corvian rose with me. “You travelled here early, Your Majesty. At least join my family for breakfast before returning to Courtland.”

My first instinct was to decline. Then I reconsidered.

Every additional hour inside Silvercrest was another chance for Alaric's investigation to turn up something.

“Fine.”

Corvian smiled. “This way.”

The breakfast room was bright and much less formal than his office. Two women were already waiting. 

Luna Lumina stood when I entered. Beside her was the daughter she had apparently taken great care to prepare for my visit.

“Your Majesty.” Lumina bowed. “My daughter, Selianna.”

Selianna lowered her head gracefully. “It is an honour to finally meet you.”

I acknowledged her with a nod and took the seat Corvian indicated. Then breakfast began without unnecessary ceremony.

Lumina tried several times to involve Selianna in the conversation, mentioning her education, responsibilities in Silvercrest and the work she had done beside her father.

I answered when politeness required it and nothing more. Then something Corvian mentioned months ago returned to me.

“You once spoke about a daughter who was about finishing university and was looking for employment.”

Corvian looked surprised that I remembered.

“Yes.”

My gaze moved briefly toward Selianna. “Is this her?”

“No.” Corvian shook his head. “Selianna is my biological daughter. I was speaking about Esteria Silvermoon.”

The name was unfamiliar. “Silvermoon?”

“My late Beta's daughter. Solren Silvermoon.”

I remembered the name.

Corvian continued. “Her parents died years ago. I brought her into my home and raised her with my family.”

Before I could ask anything else, Lumina spoke. “Esteria is hardly someone His Majesty needs to concern himself with.”

I looked at her. “I asked your husband.”

Her smile disappeared slightly.

Corvian's expression tightened. “She graduated recently. Business Administration. Very intelligent young woman.”

“Is she here?”

A strange silence followed my question. But Selianna was the one who answered. “Technically.”

Corvian frowned at her. “What does that mean?”

Selianna glanced at her mother before looking at me.“Esteria disappeared last night.”

My attention sharpened immediately. “Disappeared?”

“She went out after being rejected by her chosen mate and didn't return until this morning.”

Something shifted inside me. But I kept my expression neutral.

Selianna continued, apparently pleased to share the information. “And when she came back, it was obvious she'd spent the night with some unknown man.”

“Selianna,” Corvian warned.

But she ignored him. “She doesn't even know his name.”

My fingers tightened slightly around the coffee cup. Last night. Unknown man. And around this territory? Coincidence did not mean proof. But it was enough to make me listen.

Corvian looked angry.

“What exactly happened after she returned?”

Lumina answered quickly. “She created a security concern. She admitted she spent the night with an unidentified wolf and couldn't tell us who he was.”

“A wolf?” I asked.

Selianna nodded. “She claims he wasn't a rogue, but apparently she knows nothing else about him.”

I looked at Alaric. His eyes met mine for only a second. And he understood.

“Where is Esteria now?” Corvian asked.

Lumina hesitated, but his expression changed. “Lumina.”

“I had her kept away until the royal visit ended.”

“You did what?”

“She disappeared from protected territory and returned after spending the night with an unknown male. I wasn't going to allow her to embarrass this family in front of the King.”

Corvian pushed his chair back. “You locked her away without speaking to me?”

“It was temporary.”

Their argument no longer interested me. So I spoke. “Bring her here.”

Lumina looked at me. “Your Majesty?”

“I want to see her.”

Selianna's face tightened. “There is no reason for you to trouble yourself with Esteria.”

I turned toward her. “I'll decide what is worth my time.”

She lowered her eyes. But Lumina still hesitated and that bothered me. “Is there a problem?”

“No.”

“Then bring her here.

Corvian called one of his guards immediately.

“Release Esteria and bring her here.”

The man left. Several minutes passed. Setra became increasingly restless inside me.

I couldn't decide whether it was because we were still searching for our mate or because of the strange coincidence I had just heard.

Then footsteps approached outside and the door opened.

A young woman entered.

Dark-brown hair fell around her shoulders, still slightly damp. She wore a simple cream dress and looked like she would rather be anywhere else.

She stopped near the doorway. Her green eyes lifted, and the moment they met mine, something inside me stopped.