Chapter 163


    Chapter 163 Probing


    CAS ANDRA


    When I arrived at Merliscire, I was greeted immediately by Lancel. The Alpha King’s most loyal and


    trustworthy guard seemed surprised to see me and remarked as such after I said hello..


    “Miss Ca ss andra,” he remarked curtly. “What brings you to the pce? The Alpha King is away on


    business-”


    “I know,” I interrupted gently. “He told me yesterday after our health check.”


    Lancel nodded. “I see.”


    “I was actually wondering, Lancel, if you could do me a favor?” I wondered, and when the older man’s


    thick eyebrows knitted together in confusion, I took a step forward and leaned in slightly. “I’ve been


    entrusted with a sample from Wild Crawler that may be beneficial to our research.”


    “Really?” he asked in surprise and then he regained his no-nonsense air. “And what would you intend


    to do with it, Miss Cas sandra?”


    I nced around the entryway of the pce to ensure that no one was around to overhear our


    business and when I was sure we were alone, I spoke candidly. “I want to take it to the dungeon. I think


    the imposter may have some insight into its properties.”


    Lancel nodded again, finally understanding my request.


    “I shall escort you,” he dered, and without further hesitation, he began to walk down the corridor.


    I followed suit and let out a small exhalo of relief. I hadn’t expected the guard to give me any grief about


    the matter, of course, but I knew any dealings with Spi ke set him on edge. I knew he didn’t approve of


    our current alliance with the viin, but


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    absolute, and he’d never sway from a decision made by Asher, no matter what.


    We continued down to the dungeon and a shiver ran through me as we descended the staircase. While


    I’d been here many times, I never got used to theck of lighting or the temperature of the prison. It


    was deste and dark, which made sense, but knowing that my father once resided here made it feel


    even more


    lonely.


    e we were th


    Lancel escorted me to Spi ke’s cell, and he stepped aside a


    little but remained alert.


    Spi ke seemed equally surprised to see me.


    “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” he asked me with a raised eyebrow. “More research?”


    I rooted around in my medical kit and retrieved the tube containing the water sample.


    “I need you to look at this,” I stated, and I held it through the bars. Spi ke approached with curiosity, and


    when he epted the sample, he stared at me nkly.


    “Water?” he wondered as he held the tube up. “That’s what’s in this, correct?”


    When I nodded, his frown deepened.


    “Why do you suddenly want me to study a water sample?” he asked.


    “It might be rted to the poison you’ve suspected,” I remarked.


    Spi ke’s eyebrow lifted and his eyes studied me closely. “Where was it taken


    from?”


    “It doesn’t matter,” I replied. “It’s not important for you to know.”


    He looked as if he were about to question me further, but when he caught a


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    I didn’t me him for being rmed. I was relieved that Lancel was here to help me.


    “Fine,” Spi ke decided. “I’ll take a look at it.”


    “Thank you,” I said, and without another word, I started to walk back down the corridor. Lancel walked


    beside me. Once we reached the top of the stairs and stepped out into the main corridor, I smiled at the


    guard. “Thank you foring. with me, Lancel.”


    “Of course,” he replied curtly. “I’m just doing my duties.”


    Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind and I frowned. Why hadn’t Asher taken Lancel with him? ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    “Lancel, do you know where the Alpha King was going?” I wondered. “He left so quickly that I didn’t get


    to ask.”


    The guard hesitated a moment and then shook his head. “I have no idea.”


    I knew it was a lie, but there was no way Lancel would tell me something Asher hadn’t. We may have


    been getting along now, but the stubborn guard would only be loyal to his Alpha and no one else.


    Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed someone standing not too far away from us. I turned in


    their direction and realized it was Kane. Asher’s stepbrother was leaning against the wall with a slight


    frown on his handsome face, but when he noticed us, he smiled and approached.


    “Well, well, well,” he mused. “What a pleasant surprise to see you here, Healer Cas sandra.”


    “Hello,” I greeted him pleasantly though I was confused by his being here. Encountering Kane Collins


    here was unusual, especially since our presence near the dungeon was supposed to be a secret.


    “What brings you to the dungeon of all ces?” he wondered, and before! could make an excuse and


    exin why we were here, Lancel spoke first.


    3/5


    “Healer Cas sandra was brought here to offer medical care to an important prisoner,” he stated simply.


    Kane’s eyebrow raised up. “How interesting. They must be important if they require her care.”


    Lancel opened his mouth to speak, but Kane raised his hand in the air.


    “Don’t worry, I’m not too concerned with the matter,” he said, and then he turned to me. “If you’re


    finished with your business, could I apany you back to the clinic, Healer Cas sandra?”


    I nced at Lancel and after he gave the tiniest of expressions, I nodded at


    Kane.


    I didn’t believe Kane would harm Asher or me, though I didn’t know much nim. Kane Collins was


    pleasant to get along with. Normally, someone from the privileged family in Wega wouldn’t be so


    friendly towardmoners from a smaller Pack, but Kane was different. I had noticed it since hisst


    visit to the clinic. Kane was genuinely affable to everyone there- Becky, Erika, and Hannah.


    Of course, perhaps it was because he was a  cyboy and knew how to make women feel at ease with


    his presence.


    I said goodbye to Lancel and then Kane and I headed to the clinic. We chatted freely about various


    topics like the weather and the clinic’s condition, until suddenly, Kane made a remark that almost made


    me stop in my tracks.


    “So, I’ve noticed that my brother has been visiting the clinic a lottely,” he said. “Is he sick or


    something?”


    His tone was so nonchnt, that for a moment, Ipletely forgot myself and spoke with less caution


    than usual.


    “No, Asher is fine,” I blurted out, and it took me a second to realize that I’d referred to him by his first


    name rather than his title of “Alpha King”


    As my heart throbbed in my chest from embarrassment and worry, I thought I


    caught a glimpse of darkness in Kane’s violet eyes, but it could very well have been my imagination.


    However, he merely smiled and nodded, seemingly unperturbed by the way I’d informally referred to


    the Alpha King. “I see. Well, I’m d he isn’t sick. That would sure be a shame.”