Chapter 105 - Favorite
Chapter 105 – Favorite
VOLUME 2
We only rode the carriage halfway through the road to Belcoot before the pack ran towards it. Hugo let me run with them on the first day, but as we got closer to our destination, all I could do was cling to Hugo's back as he ran. Belcoot was situated in the far north, where it was cold all year round.
I underestimated their warnings. I thought the capital was already cold, but approaching Belcoot proved me wrong. It was freezing. Fortunately, Hugo had a large physique and was very warm. He didn't shift, though. Although the members of the pack already shifted to their wolf's form when Belcoot came into sight.
"Are you cold?" he asked, leaning his face over my shoulder to check on me.
"It's bearable." I smiled subtly while looking back at him. He nodded and tugged my hood slightly.
"We're almost there."
Night was about to fall, and we were entering the territory. Earlier today, Hugo asked Tito to shift into a wolf's form so we could ride him. The latter was more than happy, and now we're riding on Tito's back in his wolf form. I looked to my left and right, seeing the rest of the pack run just as fast as Tito.
It was quite a sight to behold — quite intimidating sight to say the least. But that was how we entered Belcoot; large wolves running through the street. I heard a few people call the grand duke's name to greet him with a mix of shock and excitement. Just that alone already told me they had high regards to their lord.
Soon, we stopped at the large castle that stood out even from the plaza. I gazed at it carefully and I only had one thought upon laying my eyes on it up close.
Gloom.
The exterior of the castle was painted in dark colors, standing out even more with the white snowmelt across the land. Still, it wasn't like it appeared haunted. More like… it was a castle of those villains in some of the stories I read.
"Bambi." I snapped my eyes, gazing at Hugo standing beside Tito. He extended his arm to help me get off of the wolf's back. I reached out to him and jumped, landing in front of him safely. While we exchanged smiles, we turned our heads when we heard a frantic voice.
"Your Grace!" A middle-aged butler rushed towards us, jogging his way down the stairs. "Your Grace! Why didn't you tell us you will return?"
"Watch your steps, Cuthbert. You might trip and hit your head." I glanced at Hugo and saw him sporting a gentle yet playful smile.
Cuthbert, the old butler, and I assumed the head butler, panted for air as soon as he stopped in front of us. "Your Grace, how can you return without telling me? I rushed here when I heard the pack is sighted entering Belcoot!"
"There, there." Hugo just patted his shoulders before glancing at the wolves around us before his eyes settled on me. "This is Rinnie, my luna. How you treat her is like how you treat me, understood?"
"Lu — Luna?" The butler gazed at me, and his eyes instantly lit up. "Yes, your grace!"
"It's cold. Let's head in first." Hugo placed his arm across my shoulder and leaned to my ear. "I'll properly introduce you to everyone inside."
"Alright."
With that being said, the butler lead the way while Hugo kept holding my shoulder and walked slowly to match my pace. On our way inside, there were a few maids who greeted Hugo in a hurry. They had some fabric draped over their arms. When I looked back, I saw some of them handing it to the rest of the pack, who were still in their wolf form.
I didn't think much about them knowing once they shift to their human form; they were all naked. After treading carefully not to trip or slide from the ice on the floor, a lot more people were by the castle's entrance. I jumped in surprise as soon as I stepped inside, as they all greeted Hugo with enthusiasm.
"Alpha Hugo! Goodness! How can you return without saying a word? We barely manage to prepare!" A long-haired, middle-aged man approached us with open arms. "But we're all glad that you finally returned, Your Grace!"
"Good to see you too, Nathan." Hugo accepted the brief hug from Nathan as the latter patted his back.
"Your Grace, you didn't change a bit! You surprised us all!" this time, an old lady complained as she hurried and stood beside Hugo and Nathan. "You didn't even give us a chance to prepare for a proper banquet to celebrate your return."
"Nana, I'm sorry, alright." Hugo let go of Nathan, only to spread his arms even more to embrace the old lady. "I was in a hurry, but I'm here now."
"Goodness! This silly child! It's been three years since you returned to Belcoot and you come back without telling us!" Nana continued to complain like a child while Hugo hugged and shook her lightly to appease her. "You underestimate us, Your Grace! We're preparing for a small dinner banquet already and it will be ready in a bit."
"Alright, alright. The pack is still rolling on the ice. You should scold them too."
Nana huffed as she slapped Hugo's arm before her eyes suddenly landed on me. As soon as our eyes met, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Your Grace, who…?"
"Oh, right! Everyone, listen." Hugo finally broke away from Nana as he took a step back. He gazed at everybody around us, smiling as he planted his hands on his hips.
"This is Rinnie, she is my –"
"Alpha Hugo!"
I backed away on instinct when a figure suddenly came out from the crown to Hugo. My eyes dilated when a young woman suddenly jumped to Hugo and wrapped her slender arms around his waist.
"Alpha Hugo, I missed you! How can you not write me a letter?" she complained as she looked up at him. "You're so unfair, like always. Aren't I your favorite?"
'Favorite?' my brows rose as I darted my eyes between her and Hugo. To my dismay, Hugo just smiled and patted her head gently.
'So…. she's his favorite, huh?'