DUSK'S POV
"Oh my God! The men are back?" Seline asked and left me standing. She raced down the stairs to approach the men in the large entrance hall. The men all came in, looking exhausted. Shortly, Lucius and Ethan joined them. I held my breath as I waited.
"Where is she?" Lucius asked, and from the way Marcus hung his head, I knew they hadn't found her. Lucius seemed to understand immediately but didn't ask again.
"When I speak to you, you give me a reply," he said, and Marcus sank to one knee. "Forgive me, Alpha. We couldn't find her. It seems she had escaped a long time ago. We searched everywhere in the Kingdom, but we couldn't find her," he said. Lucius put his hands on his waist.
"And outside the Kingdom? You stopped just because she wasn't in the Kingdom? She killed those guards and used me!" Lucius said, and Ethan put a hand on his shoulder.
"The funeral rite for the victims is tomorrow. Everyone should be available. It wouldn't be good if the funeral is done while they're away," Ethan said, and Lucius calmed down a bit.
"I'm just frustrated. They deserve justice," Lucius said, and everyone had sad looks.
"Alpha, I believe they know you weren't yourself. They don't resent you," Marcus said, and Lucius gave another sigh.
"Prepare for tomorrow," he said and turned away. I didn't even know whether or not to breathe a sigh of relief or to sympathize with Lucius, who felt they weren't getting justice. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice him coming up behind me. He saw the painting and took it.
"Oh," I said, a little bit startled.
"It's beautiful. I wish you could have painted them while they were alive," he said, looking at the painting of his men training.
"I'm not that good at drawing. I'm afraid it wouldn't have been nice," I said, looking at him and realizing one thing about him. If there was anything Lucius loved, it was his men – those loyal to him.
"Thanks for this," he said, taking the painting and leaving. I watched him till he disappeared before turning away.
The next day was the day of the funeral, and I picked out my best black dress and a black net beret to go with it. The funeral started early in the morning, and it was just as sad as the King's. It wasn't a person we were mourning; they were five. Five warriors. I watched Lucius with his hands holding each other in front of him, staring as the coffins were placed into the ground. I felt sorry for them also and bad because I had set their killer free. But maybe it was their fate. I knew it was bad of me to say that, but I felt like everything that happened had a reason.
When the ceremony was almost over, I spotted Lucius standing next to a tree, watching the people. I walked to him, and he looked at me.
"It's okay to feel sad, just don't feel bad," I said, and he smiled.
"I can't help it," he replied, throwing up a stone and catching it before it fell to the ground.
"It wasn't your fault your mind was deep when your father died. You tried to fight it, I saw it. Your mind just wasn't strong enough," I said, and he looked at me.
"I'll be fine."
"What about your father? Are you still focused on finding the killer?" I asked, and he looked away.
"I'm still working on it. I want to catch the killer unaware," he said, and I nodded.
"Alright. I'll leave you to it then," I replied, bowed, and walked away.
LUCIUS' POV
Shortly after Dusk left, Ariadne came to me in a beautiful black dress. She bowed and gave a sad smile.
"When I discovered the man I had donated my blood to had passed away, I was devastated. But watching you mourn here alone has touched me greatly," she said softly, and I looked at her sadly. She had also tried to revive Leo.
"Five of them. I heard about them. I wonder why Athena just had to take them. But I'm sure they've gone to a good place," she said, and I nodded.
"That's a given," I said, and there was silence before she turned to me fully.
"You're a good Alpha. Don't think you're not enough. Once you have a Luna, all this would be complete. We don't have to hide this fact from the other Kingdoms anymore. And I'm more than willing to serve you, Alpha, even as your Luna," she said, and I saw the determination in her eyes. She would have made a good Luna. She was beautiful, ambitious, and was the perfect Luna for the other Kingdoms to see. But even with her in front of me, I could not help but stare at Dusk, who was placing a rose on each of the graves. She was all I wanted.
"Don't you worry. This will be solved soon," I said and left her presence. However, on the way, the elders who saw me greeted me and asked to talk to me.
"I know there's a lot going on right now, but I feel we have to remind you, Alpha, of a Luna. The other Elders are getting quite impatient," the first one said, and I closed my eyes.
"I have my Luna. I'm just waiting for the right time," I said, and they exchanged weary looks.
"By the way, this is for you," he said, handing me an envelope. "It's from Dumaine," he said, and I sighed. Dumaine was one of the ally Kingdoms.
They were powerful and famous for winning wars. My father, when he was alive, had said being allies with them was something great, but I was also to beware because nobody was to be trusted. I went to a random room and checked out the envelope. In it was an invitation. They were having an event where they would discuss war strategies and Kingdom politics and also have parties. The whole thing lasted for two weeks, and I sighed because I needed a Luna to go with me. I could have picked anyone, but I feared I would miss Dusk. Not seeing her for days was something I wasn't ready to think about.
However, when I stood in front of her, asking her to go with me, the expression on her face changed immediately. She didn't look too pleased with the suggestion.
I began to think...
Was there something else behind it? She seemed to be avoiding being with me.