14. Hot Drinks & Discussions


    SKYLA.


    It’s a few hourster and Dad, Ri, Liam, and I are in the human city, in a small coffee shop that is


    nestled away in the corner of the town on a quiet street.


    Country music is ying softly in the background and although it isn’t my type of music, I can’t deny


    that it makes me want to tap my foot along to it.


    Raihana has put a spell around us, so no one can hear what we are saying as we discuss the goings


    ons over hot drinks and a variety of desserts including cream cakes, donuts, and biscuits. A


    conversation which ispletely the opposite of the warm ambience of the café.


    “The body was in a bad state.” Liam says, pulling a face from where he’s sitting beside me. Dad is


    opposite me where he is sitting next to Ri.


    Malevolent is under the table, rubbing against my legs as Ri stirs her coffee, her head resting on Dad’s


    shoulder.


    Neither Ri nor I had seen Zayn’s body as she had said she didn''t want to. I had wanted to, but both


    Dad and Liam agreed I didn’t need to see it.


    “So uncle, was it that bad?” I ask Liam.


    “Yeah, it was… but I still feel the piece of fabric in his hand was not torn in a struggle. It could have just


    been put there…” He says and the other two nod their agreement.


    “What colour was it?” I ask as I take a donut from the centre of the table.


    “It was too grimy to see, but I’ve got pictures and the body will be viewed again.” Dad says as two men


    walk past and shamelessly nce over at Raihana’s boobs as they walk past, but one cold re from


    Dad makes them pick up speed and move along.


    Idiots, but got to give them points for bravery considering that even with our auras reigned in, humans


    can still sense our abilities, and everyone has been casting nces our way.


    “He’s been dead for far too long to be fucking overlooked. Didn’t his parents bother to check up on


    him? That’s shady-as-fuck,” Dad says.


    All rights ? N?velDrama.Org.


    “I’ve already contacted Rayhan, the investigation team. They’ll look into it.” Liam says.


    “And Leo’s requested for the body to be sent to him to run some of his own tests.” Dad says.


    “Oh? Was the council ok with that?” Raihana asks.


    Dad smirks. “They’ve taken an excellent liking to him, to the point I’m hearing; what does Alpha Leo


    think or suggest? The fucker’s smart, I’ll give him that.”


    Liam smiles slightly. “Yeah, he is, once you get past his anger.” He says.


    I nce up at him as he smiles down at me, knowing he was the one who had found Azura after her


    rejection.


    In fact, after he had felt the pack link break, the first person he had tried to make sure was safe was


    her… Mama Red had calmed him down, saying Azura was fine… yet… Azura told me that when Liam


    had found her in that state, she’d never forget the look in his eyes…


    Leo fucked up and although he’s perfect for her, for Liam, that memory will stick, but then again, he’s


    always hard on himself.


    I know from a convo I had overheard between Aunty Raven and Mama that he still feels guilty and


    regretful for the way he had marked Aunty Raven.


    The only difference is, Leo was angry and held resentment towards our packs, but Uncle Liam? He


    was fucking cursed by a god, heck how do you fight that?


    His actions were because of darkness through a curse. Yet even though he was cursed by a god, he


    managed to break it.


    Ironically that God was Helios, and he cursed him for something his ancestor did.


    Helios… isn’t it interesting? Helios cursed my uncle, yet blessed Royce. It’s interesting how gods


    worked.


    Another thing that worries me is what the witches said regarding Apophis. What if somehow, I’m


    cursed, or end up cursed and… I don’t even want to think about it.


    “Sk?” I look up when Dad calls me. “You ok?”


    “Yeah, I was thinking…”


    I nod, clearing my thoughts as I try to think back to what colour I was wearing the day I lost control, but


    I can’t fucking remember.


    “I shifted on school grounds one of the days before Royce got to me. What if they used my clothes from


    that day. I mean, we leave our clothes lying around everywhere, it could have been any time.” I say,


    taking a cream cake.


    “Ok Royce, hold that thought. I’ming back to it.” Raihana says, pointing one of her long acrylics at


    me. “But also, that is a very valid point regarding your clothes.”


    “I do agree, especially since it doesn’t make sense. The reports show he was in a lot of pain before he


    died. His nails contained bits of his own flesh and blood. So, for him to hold on to a scrap of fabric is


    more than a little strange.” Liam says as I look into his vibrant eyes.


    “So, then someone is trying to fucking frame Sk.” Dad states.


    “So, you think someone framed Sky?” Raihana asks.


    “Well, we already know that.” Liam says.


    “Can be an assumption, but if someone is setting her up… there’s more to it.” Raihana muses, stirring


    her already frothy coffee.


    Dad and I exchange looks and I nod. We can trust them both without a doubt.


    “Well… about that…” Dad begins, and both look at him as he begins filling them in. I gave my input and


    told them about Royce, and I had pulled down the high neck top I had put on before leaving Leo’s pack


    earlier to show them my mark.


    When Dad’s done, they are both beyond fucking shocked and I don’t really me them. It is a lot to


    take in and Raihana definitely looks a little shocked, and by that, I mean really shook.


    “But what ites down to, is - is Keh in on it? And if more’s at y, what does Dante think?”


    Liam asks, picking up his mug.


    “He can’t say much, and he told me he’ll be gone for a few days.” Dad sighs. “It’s not easy being him.”


    He adds quietly.


    I frown, feeling as if there’s more on Dad’s mind, but he doesn’t go into it.


    “You said Keh had a n for luring Sk into his family with one of his sons. I wonder if he knows


    his son’s shenanigans.” Raihana says, running her fingers through her long hair. “The Sris King…”


    She shakes her head as if trying to clear her mind.


    “By the look of it, it’s hard to fucking say, but we’ll wait on Royce, and when he returns, we’ll be able to


    take it a step further.” Dad says as he drinks his hot chocte.


    “Only there’s someone else dead too, and I wonder…” Liam trails off.


    “What is it?” I ask, slipping some little bites of the treats on the table to Malevolent.


    “If Aleric is behind it, then maybe tomorrow he ns to speak in her favour or maybe y the hero? I


    mean, why kill someone who already had a sh with Sk? If he, of course, killed him, that is.” He


    says, tilting his head. “It doesn’t make sense, especially if they wanted Sk. Would they really try to


    tarnish her reputation?


    “Well, he fucking killed his own beta and brother, or he thought he did anyway. I wouldn’t put anything


    past that fucker.” Dad says coldly.


    We fall silent, pondering over the thought.


    “Let’s see what tomorrow brings.” Raihana says, sighing. “And Sky… when they probe your mind ...


    although they will target the time of events, Janaina will be the one to do so, and she is trustworthy but


    try to focus on that night on thest time you saw the boy, it’ll help nothing else seep out of the cracks.


    Especially since everyone will get to see those images.”


    “Understood. But I guess this means they’ll figure out I’m a Lycan?”


    “Well, if they haven’t already checked the girl’s mind, then yes, they’ll know.” She says. “Perhaps it’s


    good, I mean, maybe it’s your Lycan that scared the girl. Her mind will be probed too.”


    “I do agree. Maybe it’s not a bad thing.” Liam adds.


    “If Royce stood witness, it would have made things fucking easier. His proof was pivotal.” Dad growls.


    “True, but a Lycan is supposed to be born every few centuries to rule. This will show people her


    importance, and wouldn’t this put Sk as the next heir?” Liam asks, looking at Dad.


    “No, I don’t want to be a ruler.” I say grimly.


    Dad is quiet for a moment.


    “Inevitably, Royce is the Sris King, so that makes you a ruler anyway, and I feel like I can see you


    moving to Americater in life. I’m assuming Dante will be our next king?” Raihana points out now,


    turning to Dad, who looks deep in thought.


    I never thought of that… move all the way there?


    That’s… intense.


    Silence falls over the table until Dad sits back. “The pack is Dante’s as firstborn, and an Alpha God or


    whatever shit he is, but as for the title of the next ruler… A Lycan is born every few centuries, since I’m


    still fucking here, it''s not necessary that Sk takes that role. And well… I think I already have my heir


    chosen.”


    Those words shock us all, making us stare at him.


    “And he’ll make an excellent fucking leader, because he was born a fucking king.”