Nichs smiled, "To tell you the truth, I don''t care about power. I inherited the throne from my father and I see it as more of a burden than a privilege. However, now that I found out I have two sons, I want to make Riga a better ce for them. They are the reasons why I am doing all these, trying to make peace between our two races, to ensure they would have the right to the throne... if they wish for it."


    Lnd realized Nichs was a good father and his heart was in the right ce. This man before him only made mistakes in the past because he was young and cornered. Which,e to think of it, only worked in Lnd''s favor.


    Had Nichs made all the right decisions, Lnd wouldn''t be with Sophie now. And his beautiful children would never be born. He would still be alone and unloved.


    "That sounds good." Finally, Lnd spoke and there was no more animosity in his voice.


    Nichs''s worry suddenly felt like it was washed away by really cool and refreshing water when he heard Lnd''s reply. This was a really good sign. The usually fierce and unfriendly Alpha started to show a softer demeanor.


    This made Nichs think that Lnd was truly a good man. How could he not be? Sophie loved the man and so did the kids. They were not dumb. Nichs only hated Lnd because the Alpha took his family away from him... which, in retrospect, was not, by all means, Lnd''s fault.


    Nichs was d he took the high road and initiate this conversation. Perhaps, Lnd was not going to be a jerk and forbade Nichs from ever seeing his sons again.


    "I am happy you feel that way," Nichs was happy that he poured more wine into his cup and downed it. His alcohol tolerance was so high he could practically drink this much wine and it would feel like water.


    Lnd only watched him and still sipped his wine slowly. He was reminded of his own father who didn''t love him no matter how hard he tried to prove himself. Lnd looked away and thought about the happy Luciel and the quiet Jan who would be showered with love by two fathers.


    They deserved all the love in the world, Lnd thought. He was d that they would never understand what it felt like to be rejected by their own parents.


    However, could Lnd deal with having another man around his family on a regr basis? This man was not just any man, but he was Sophie''s first love. And this man still clearly loved her.


    He knew Sophie was loyal and kind. She would never hurt him by taking back Nichs into her life. However, the heart wants what it wants.


    What if, when Nichs had be a constant presence in their lives, Sophie would fall in love with him again? Lnd was extremely jealous of Nichs, even when he was not weed in their house. Even when he saw with his own eyes how Sophie asked Nichs to leave and never see her again...


    Lnd was a quiet man, and perhaps women found boring. It was very different with Nichs. He was charming, warm, he had his way with words and there was this sunny side of him that would make any women feel attracted.


    He could have any women he wanted, and he still only wanted Sophie.


    Lnd was moved from his reverie when Nichs started talking about his main mission, the reason why he came with Lily Moonchester to Hastings and see him.


    "I am d that we got that out of the way," Nichs said. "That is one of the reasons why I came here to offer peace agreement and cooperation to deal with The Obsidian Sand Pack."


    Lnd turned to look Nichs dead in the eye. He reminded him. "Don''t forget about Jack and Anne''s deaths."


    "That too." Nichs nodded. "I can give you all the evidence we gathered. My investigation concluded that they were killed by lycans. As to who did it... we have no clue. To us, all lycans are the same."


    ? He added, "Perhaps, you could tell one from the other when you saw victims from their wounds and the scent left behind. However, the Royal Lycan Hunters don''t have such capabilities and it happened a long time ago. Our information source was very limited back then."


    Lnd knew Nichs was right. Only lycans could tell from bite marks and scents left behind which werewolf did a killing. For humans, they would all look the same.


    "We don''t have any reason to kill them," Nichs said again. "I didn''t even know that Sophie''s mother was a lycan. I don''t think that''s the reason for their deaths."


    Lnd was silent. He started to piece things together and thought maybe Nichs had a point. Even if Anne Hansley and her husband were suspected by the court as lycan supporters, they wouldn''t be killed silently.


    They would be captured, tortured, and paraded to the public to serve as a warning to other humans who were supporting the lycans.


    However, they were killed brutally in the woods.


    So, was that true, that they were killed by lycans? Who? And why?


    Lnd''s heart stirred and he immediately felt so much anger rising in his chest. Whoever they were, he would find them and hunt them until the ends of the world and when he had found them, he would give them the slowest death he could think of.


    They didn''t deserve to die quickly.


    "I will find who did it," Lnd said with a very low voice.


    "Very well," Nichs was d to see Lnd was a reasonable man. He thought his mission to get the man to work together to fight the Obsidian Sand Pack would be sessful. "Now, let''s talk about the main reason why I am here."


    "Hm."


    "I will support you to be the next lycan king," Nichs''s words made Lnd furrow his brows.


    So, Nichs was quite informed about things rted to the lycans in thisnd, he thought.


    "I don''t need your help," Lnd brushed him off.


    "I know you don''t. I am just saying, we have the same enemy, the Obsidian Sand Pack," Nichs said patiently.


    He actually wanted to smack the man before him for being so proud and stubborn. However, he was on a peace mission, so he must be patient.


    "My kingdom is their next target and I want to make sure that everyone who has it in their best interest for Riga to be kept safe from Obsidian Sand Pack woulde together and fight them." Nichs looked at Lnd seriously. "If Riga fell, Luciel and Jan would be in danger. They are the rightful heirs to the throne. Alpha Elias would definitely want to kill them."


    Nichs'' words made Lnd realize that he was right. Luciel and Jan would definitely be the next target if that stupid and ruthless Alpha Elias took over Riga. Ugh...!


    Nichs added, "I know you want to attack Riga to make my family pay for the murder of Anne and Jack Hansley, but now you know that we are innocent, do you still want to waste your time and energy to attack us? If you want Riga, you can have it. I don''t want the power anyway. I n to give it to Luciel and Jan once they are grown up."


    "So, you see.. there is no point for you to attack a kingdom that is willingly given to you. However, it is in your best interest to keep Riga safe from the Obsidian Sand Pack, who wants to invade this country," Nichs sighed. "Do you see what I mean?"


    Nichs was not interested in holding on to power. In fact, once Luciel and Jan were old enough to be rulers, he would happily step down and go to the countryside to live a peaceful life.


    That means, Lnd would be the one to handle all matters rted to the kingdom''s safety if he wanted to ensure Luciel and Jan have a good life.


    "You can wait until they attack, or we can attack them first," Nichs said. "I know Alpha Elias hates you because he is eyeing the title as the lycan king, and he also wants to invade Riga. He is ourmon enemy."


    He added, "I have met the Alphas from many small packs in Riga and offered them a peace agreement. I will change thew and make sure humans and lycans could live side by side as equal citizens with the same rights and responsibilities, but I will also respect the Lycan''s hierarchy and would not interfere in any internal issues you have within your kind..."


    Lnd took a deep breath. He took in all Nichs'' words to heart and thought about it. The king was right, the main reason he wanted to attack Riga and took over power was to punish the Hannenberghs for their crimes toward Sophie''s family.


    However, now that he realized they might not be the culprits... what''s the point of attacking Riga now? With Luciel and Jan being the king''s legitimate sons, this kingdom was practically theirs.


    Lnd slowly smiled and shook his head. Nichs was truly a good diplomat and he had his way with words. He had now convinced Lnd to agree with him.


    The Alpha put down his cup and rose from his seat. He nced at Nichs, "I have heard enough."


    "Are you convinced?" Nichs rose too and asked him. "Is that a yes from you?"


    Lnd turned around and walked out of the door. He didn''t pay Nichs any heed when the king walked to his side and asked him more questions.


    "Does that mean you agree with me? Hey, why can''t you say something?"


    They had reached the outside of the inn and Lnd motioned his men toe with their horses. Without saying anything, he got on his horseback and rode away, followed by Duncan and Tre, leaving behind Nichs who stood in confusion.


    Lucas came to the king and bowed his head slightly, "My Alpha invited you for a tea in our castle tomorrow."