ALPHA LOGAN

Chapter 4

Elena was unable to sleep well that night.

She kept thinking about it and was unable to understand it well. The red color in Logan's eyes that changed to Gold and was gone before she could even give a second thought that it was real.

Wolves didn't have eyes like that, not any wolf she had ever heard of.

She sat awake in her chamber turning over and over and by morning she finally came to a decision.

She was going to find out exactly what her father had been keeping secret from her.

She started with the guards who had served him the longest, most of them only gave her polite bows and courtesy and nothing much, this was the kind of loyalty that protects secrets more than people.

But one old servant, a woman named Petra who had worked in the royal kitchens since before Elena was born, hesitated when Elena asked her about the night in the forest.

“Your father didn't go to that forest by accident, my lady” Petra said quietly and she glanced at the door as she spoke.

“He had been riding out through that same Forest for almost a year with few of his guards and nobody understands why.”

“What was he looking for?” Elena pressed.

Petra's hand shook slowly

“It's not what he was looking for but who?”

Elena's chest became tight immediately. “Do you mean he had actually been looking for Logan , before that night.”

“I'm saying your father knew exactly who that boy was long ago before a snake ever bot him” Petra's voice dropped into a whisper.

“There are things about the boy's blood that….”

The door flung open immediately and a guard stepped in, immediately Petra's mouth snapped shut like a trap.

She dropped into a bow and hurried out without another word, leaving Elena with more questions than before.

********

Logan's eyes felt different now, since the moment his eyes had flashed red on the balcony, the servant moved around him with caution and the guard Garrick had planted watched him like he might grow a second head.

But the more he tried to ignore it, the bigger problem he faced.

One evening he was in the east courtyard alone thinking about his life when he heard a sound coming towards him.

Then suddenly an arrow whooshed past him.

The arrow missed his throat by less than the width of a hand.

Logan bent on instinct and rolled behind a stone wall immediately two arrows followed suit.

Suddenly three masked men appeared from the shadows and drew their places out and attacked, they moved like trained Soldiers and not thieves.

Logan, who was trained and specially prepared for this kind of challenge, quickly grabbed a spear from the weapons rack close to him.

He stepped to the side and ducked the drove the spear sharp end into the ribs of one of the men that was close to him and he dropped instantly.

The second one approached him faster and he was well trained. He tore a shallow cut out of Logan's side arm before Logan could disarm him and twist his bone.

The third one never expected what Logan just did and he hesitated but Logan wasn't leaving any loose ends he picked the spear he had dugged in the first man, aimed at his targed and throw.

The spear pierced the third man from the back and he landed on the floor with blood spilled.

Guards finally arrived at the scene, but they were too late.

Two of the attackers were unconscious while the other one was already dead with a poison blister forming at the corner of his mouth, just like the assassin from weeks before.

The same person was actually behind this.

Elena arrived in time just as the guards were dragging the bodies away.

She stared at Logan and he was bleeding and breathing hard.

He was still standing but was slightly bent.

For the first time since her father's death, compassion plastered all over her face.

“Did they just try to kill you?” She said asking nobody in particular.

“They've tried twice now.” Logan answered.

“And both times, the ones who failed do before they can even utter any Statement, that's not a coincidence, that's a plot by someone in this palace.” Elena muttered, staring at Logan.

And for the first time, Logan saw something other than distrust in her eyes when she stared at him.

*******

The next day the court had never even settled from the previous attack when new visitors arrived at the palace.

It was a full procession of banners in silver, black and red which signifies the mark is Lustblood pack, one of the strongest packs in the northern territory.

At the front rode a young man with sharp eyes and an easy smile, which was a kind of smile that had clearly gotten him whatever he wanted.

He came down in the courtyard from his horse like he was the owner.

“Adrian Lustblood,” he announced, introducing himself to the gathered court, he bowed low towards Elena with a practice grace.

“I'm the son of Alpha Damon Lustblood and I came to honor the passing of our great Alpha king Cassius, My condolences Princess.”

Elena stared at him carefully. “Your father didn't send condolences when my father was alive and struggling, this is a wrong timing now that he is gone.”

Adrian's smile still plastered round his face

“My father sends his regards, I actually came on my own.” His eyes flickered briefly and willingly towards the crowd of onlookers.

He then stared deliberately towards Logan standing at the back of the crowd with plain clothes and bandaged arm and the way the court keeps distance from him.

“Though I admit, I expected the future Alpha king to look more….strong and prepared for the role ahead.”

Laughter erupted round the hall and everyone stared at Logan.

Logan was silent and he let the shame and humiliation fall on him and he had learned to withstand all of it the way Cassius taught him to.

“I'm simply here to pay my last respects to a great king and I'm here to remind you that I pledge my allegiance to you, my queen.” He turned towards Elena and bowed slightly.

The words landed at the right spot.

This was a challenge to the will and an offer concealed In condolences which was aimed straight at the crown meant for Logan.

Elena didn't take that seriously but she also refused to dismiss that.

*******

Elena returned to Petra's quarters and she was determined to finish the conversation the guard had earlier interrupted.

But immediately she knocked, no answer came, she pushed the door open and found out that the room was empty.

The bed was made and all belongings were gone like none had ever lived in the room.

A single piece of parchment was on the table and it was half burnt at the edges, it looks like someone had tried to destroy it and changed their mind.

Elena carefully picked it up.

It was a kind of letter that was already faded and old and in her father's handwriting and was torn on both ends.

*....found him near the border exactly where the bloodline records said he would be, the boy had no idea of what he carries, if Lustblood ever leaves the truth about Logan's father the entire…..*

The rest was burnt.

Elena froze on the instant and she stared at her father's handwriting and at the word Lustblood sitting right next to Logan's name.

The same family that just came into the courtyard smiling and offering her a way out of marriage.

Something her father had planned more than gratitude.

The door immediately cracked behind her.

She turned expecting Garrick again but instead Adrian Lustblood stood at the doorway.

The smile on his face disappeared completely.

“You shouldn't be reading that.” He said quietly.