Chapter 128 - A Part Of A Cult
Chapter 128 – A Part Of A Cult
Meanwhile, in the grand duke's office, Hugo was massaging his temple while sitting on the chair behind his desk. Inside the office were those present in the forest with Rinnie, scattered around the room.
"Alpha Hugo. I know our Luna is pretty, and she looks like an angel. But… is she actually an angel?! How can she glow like that?!" Mitch expressed in disbelief, revisiting the faint glow that enveloped Rinnie while praying.
That wasn't all that surprised them, because they also saw the faint glow from the burial mound. It was as if the soul of the bear was ascending. The sight of it could be called a miracle, although it was merely for a split second. Still, they knew what they saw and felt, even for that short time frame.
Nathan placed his palm across his chest. "Until now, I can still feel my heart racing. I felt like going to the temple and fast to show my dedication and devotion to the moon goddess."
"That's one thing. How she can communicate with that cub and it seems she is telling the truth." Ivo, who had this solemn expression, sat on the divan inside the room. "Luna is not the person to lie about something like that."
"Ivo, have you forgotten how she crossed the hazard zone in a short time? Can humans run like that? I'm not sure, but I don't think so." Kieran reminded him, leaning against the shelves with Cyran. The latter nodded in agreement. Although they ran with Rinnie before, Hugo and Rinnie would always run last. Also, they usually separated since they race.
So, only now did they realize how fast she could also run. Not as fast as a werewolf in its fastest gait, but she could keep up if they ran normally.
As they voiced out their confusion one after another, Hugo remained silent. He linked his hands in front of him, but he listened to everything they said. He had noticed it before that Rinnie could run fast without her realizing it.
At first, he simply thought she was a good runner. But now, even his pack members were pointing it out. It was not normal. They weren't very inclined in human capabilities, but they knew, deep down, a normal human wouldn't be able to catch up, even at the wolf's normal pace, unless they were incredibly trained.
But after seeing her earlier… myriads of questions arose in his head.
"Alpha, what is she?" Hugo snapped his eyes, raising his eyes at his men, who were looking back at him with the same question in their eyes.
What was she?
"Ivo, have that fourth prince from the Hendrik responded?" he inquired instead of giving them an answer he also didn't know.
"Not yet, Alpha. But since he is being discreet, I'm certain he can only send his reply once he found the chance."
Hugo rocked his head before exhaling. "Have you heard anything from the shadow you planted on Daniel?"
"He said there's nothing amiss in the palace. Although…" Ivo trailed off when Hugo quirked a brow. "… he said the crown prince seemed unwell lately."
"Unwell?" Hugo leaned back, eyes on Ivo.
"It's not really something to be worried about an illness since he said the crown prince only rests early."
Hugo's eyes narrowed, tapping a finger against the table. With that little information, he couldn't jump to a conclusion. Daniel, although would usually stay up because of his duties, also had times he had to rest and be mindful of his health.
"What you've all witnessed today will never leave this room. Keep it to your graves unless I say so."
"Yes, Your Grace."
"If this came out…" his eyes glinted while gazing at their faces. "… I will brand you as traitors and kill you myself. Rinnie went through a lot, and this information might put her in greater danger. I begged you to keep her safe by keeping this information to yourselves."
"Alpha Hugo, our Luna is just as important as the alpha in this pack." Nathan voiced out solemnly, glancing at the rest. "You can rest assured we'd rather die and have our tongues cut out than put her in danger."
Hugo nodded before Winter suddenly spoke. "Alpha, I didn't think I already said this, but… there is actually a silly rumor I heard in Everfell."
That caught everyone's attention. All eyes instantly shifted to Winter, who suddenly broke his silence after a long time. His brows rose, getting awkward at the undivided attention to him.
"Hey, don't tell us you will only speak if we look away from you?" Mitch snapped his tongue in irritation, knowing Winter usually go mute if the attention was on him. "Speak now! Goddamn it!"
Winter cleared his throat and looked away. "It's just… back in Clayburn, Althea, when we went to check Everfell as per Alpha Hugo's request. I heard these silly rumors about the royal family. I didn't believe it since I thought it's a way to blame the royal family for what happened in Everfell." he cleared his throat once again, glancing at Hugo behind his desk.
"The rumors are about the royal family being a part of a cult. They said it's because the royal family was worshiping another god that Everfell is punished. And there's another one that the royal family sought eternal life and immortality. It's a bit crazy and exaggerated. That's why I thought it's not important."
Silence. Did Winter know these rumors on top of the other rumors all this time? Although it was understandable that he didn't mention it since it was ridiculous, this caught Hugo's attention.
Hugo wrinkled his brows, carefully putting the pieces in his head. Although the truth was incomplete, he was somehow getting a vague idea of what lies behind Everfell. He just needed confirmation and a few more pieces.
"Tomorrow, we will set off to the northern border with Rinnie. She will come with us," he ordered solemnly, gazing at everyone with sharp eyes. "Let's hear what those bears have to say…"
BANG!
Everyone shifted their eyes towards the door as someone suddenly kicked the door open. Hugo raised a brow, setting his eyes to Tito by the door. Before he could ask, Tito walked to the side and revealed Rinnie behind him.
She was holding the cub in her arms, looking at him with unbending resolution in her eyes. Rinnie took a deep breath before her lips parted.
"Hugh! I want to talk to the bears beyond the northern wall!"