The Wicked Werewolf Prince

10. No Food Wasted

[ELARA]

In order to get to Alec, I have to first get through breakfast with the royal family.

The King is absent since he's off at war. It makes me realize that Caelondor is not exactly in a comfortable position and that the warriors from my pack could be summoned at any time to provide military assistance.

I find it strange that King Eldric chose an independent pack, rather than any of the neutral werewolf kingdoms to marry Magnus into. It would support their cause and provide them with more benefits than could be gained from the Lunar Crest pack — although it is the largest and most powerful pack among the independent packs in the continent.

Or maybe, I'm overestimating Caelondor's friendly status as a kingdom. Perhaps they're desperate to form any alliances they can and given the rumors surrounding Magnus' reputation, I'm the best they could find.

While the dining table is long and narrow, spanning the entire dome shaped hallway overlooking the Cursed Gulf, most of the chairs are unoccupied. The members present are all sitting on one side that lets them watch the sea.

Ruelle smiles the moment her eyes spots me. "Oh, come on. Sit with me. We were just getting started," she says merrily.

I spare a glance at Magnus who was walking behind me, but he brushes past me and takes a seat at the head of the table.

"That's the King's seat," a woman sitting close to him protests, her voice sharp with warning.

Magnus picks up an apple slice kept in front of him. He watches it intently before he takes a bite. "I don't see him here, mother," he replies, tilting his head. "After all, it's just a seat, isn't it, Queen mother?" This question is directed at another woman sitting beside Ruelle. She's older than the woman who warned him, and her eyes are strange and unfocused. It takes me a moment to understand that she's blind.

"Magnus can sit wherever he wants. Don't bother him, Celia," the blind woman replies, chuckling. Ruelle's smile grows wider.

"Some might take that to heart, son," the woman he regarded as his mother remarks. Her eyes are blue, a hypnotic shade. It tells me not to trust her.

Magnus' reply is dismissive, "I can take care of them, mother."

Celia looks up at me, and her gaze seems to be sending daggers through my face. "Sit down, girl," she commands.

I don't hesitate. I oblige. She seems like someone not to be messed with.

Ruelle moves over and takes a seat beside me. A maid quickly replaces her and begins feeding the blind queen.

"Here, try this bread. It's filled with cream," Ruelle encourages me. I nod and let her place it on the empty plate in front of me. Because I'm starving, I tear a piece of the warm bread and eat it.

The royals really do eat better than anyone else. This is simply the best thing I've ever tasted and it's just bread.

My mind is, however, too occupied to simply enjoy the meal.

Has Alec eaten yet? What is he feeling like right now? Is he thinking about me? Are they torturing him?

My eyes move to look at my husband and find him watching me. I'm sure I hate him, but I have to convince him otherwise. I have no power here. I could never have any power over any of them here.

Magnus breaks the staring contest we maintained, smirking. He reaches out to a bowl filled with what looks like fruit pudding, before he asks, "Is the fruit custard any good, Queen mother?"

The old woman nods, replying, "I tasted it and made sure it is just the way you like it."

Magnus exhales, filling a spoonful before he serves himself. The servant beside him gets alerted and steps forward quickly to help him but he dismisses her with, "Not a child anymore."