Her Vengeful Lycan Alpha

Chapter Two Hundred-Sixty – Innocence

Stefan covered the sleeping Marino with a blanket, then packed his swords and balls into the basket. They made a soft racket so he picked them one at a time.

He stared at the little boy sleeping peacefully besides him, like he fully trusted him to protect him from anything. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

It made Stefan be at peace too.

He replaced himself on his seat and exhaled. Was the feeling of satisfaction in his heart related to fatherhood? Stefan pricked himself, he might be going too far.

He smiled at the thought. He couldn’t even get a partner and thoughts of fatherhood already swam in his head.

"Um... Alpha, that Princess’ Knight is coming this way."

Stefan sighed, the smile wiping off. Zeldris, right? He glanced at the little sleeping boy.

Was the knight here to take the boy back? All he had to do was make him unaware that the boy fell asleep, wasn’t it?

"I’m here to see the Alpha on Princess Laurel’s request—"

"Is it something serious? Stay there and say what you want." Stefan quickly demanded. Normally, he wouldn’t want to see his annoying face.

Zeldris shrugged at the harsh treatment. It was a shame that this lycan had a relationship with him by being his cousin’s half brother.

"Bebe feels okay now. Princess Laurel asks if she can take her back to our quarters?" Zeldris responded.

Stefan wanted to refuse but knew it’d be a debate next that might lead to him taking the boy away, or Laurel coming to debate and taking the boy away.

"The Princess shouldn’t be in danger because of Bebe, you know that, don’t you?" he asked before giving a reply.

Zeldris nodded, then met the gaze of the warrior who had been frowning at him. The warrior looked away, while grumping over why Zeldris bothered the Alpha’s evening.

"I am well alert, Alpha. Bebe is currently unconscious now, we will always take precautions." The knight replied.

Stefan gave a positive response and heard him leave before relaxing. He knew the boy wouldn’t pass the night with him, the child might get scared.

But it felt calm being around the young soul. He didn’t think children could be that calm, especially as Sorren wasn’t back then.

Meanwhile, his workload suffered because knowing he had someone around him made him relax instead of work.

When he began working, few hours later, he felt his mate’s scent by the door.

"Could you good men give us some privacy?" he heard her ask the warriors. He stared at the boy. The time might’ve come for them to part.

He told the warriors in mind link to listen and they did obediently, moving to the entrance of the King’s quarters.

"Alpha, can I come in?

Stefan exhaled. "You already chased the guards out, you may as well come in."

Laurel folded her arms. Didn’t he appreciate that she asked first? She strolled in and her eyes landed on Marino first.

She resisted the urge to run to the bed and fawn over how cute he looked while sleeping, her squeals could probably wake him up.

Stefan stared at his mate questioningly as she gazed at the little boy with wide eyes. Did it surprise her that much to see the child sleep by him?

How badly did she think of him?

"Did you come to take him back?" he regretted asking but he had begun to let go, they’d be other times.

Laurel exhaled softly, pulling her eyes from the adorable child to her mate, her gaze hardened. She remembered what Zeldris recently told her, and she looked down.

She didn’t plan to tell Stefan, that’d be silly and sound like she was trying to cause a rift between the brothers. Also, Sorren obviously couldn’t use magic.

Like Zeldris, he only had it in his blood so was no threat to the lycans at all, even the magic items wouldn’t detect him as the son of a witch so it’s all good.

However, that secret wouldn’t last forever because the Elder that followed the late Queen to Jappongi knew she was going to see a witch, just didn’t know the Queen’s connection to the witch, and knew it was a harmless visit.

And Zeldris would want to make Sorren know that they’re related, thereby revealing that he had a witch’s origin.

"No, but I might just do so since he’s asleep—"

"If you didn’t come to take him back, then why did—"

"The Gran... I mean the Rolling Stones’ witch, you mentioned that she targeted Sorren, right? Did she say why or did Sorren know why?" Laurel raised a brow.

Stefan thought back on the events of that day, because of how displeased he was with his younger brother, he didn’t let him speak to him about anything.

Still, all important things that should he shared had been shared. "I don’t think she stated it or Sorren will say and avoid the reason."

What if it was a reason that couldn’t be avoided? Laurel nodded to Stefan’s reply. Zeldris had said that Sorren’s mother was a would-be Alpha or witch.

When she dropped magic, at the point where she’d have become a witch that might someday be a Grand Witch, they all supported her thinking she’d take over the pack.

But she left it too, seduced a mated Lycan King and stayed with lycans in a foreign land. No reason given.

"That’s fine. I only wondered." Laurel brushed the question aside. "Did you like the snacks?"

Stefan placed the basket in the table, closer to Laurel’s reach. "They were the best I’ve eaten in a while." Which was probably because he ate it with Marino.

Laurel assumed he’s being modest since Jessika had said it wouldn’t be too good since it’s her first try.

The Princess carried the sleeping child carefully and placed his head on her shoulders.

She noticed Stefan watching intently and being ready to move if Marino positioned wrongly. He must be fond of the boy’s innocence and good heart... as he had none.

"Thank you for keeping Marino company today." She said it with an air of defiance. "I send his gratitude."

Stefan chuckled internally. The opposite had been the case, but he nodded and watched her leave. A veil of silence enveloped his world when they left.

But it still felt warm, like the little boy was still there.