<h4>Chapter 222: Without Wanda</h4>


    <strong><i>(Third Person).</i></strong>


    The dining hall was calm, the morning sun filtering through the wide windows, casting soft golden rays across the polished floors and long dining table.


    Everyone was seated, breakfast underway, clinking of cutlery blending with light conversation—until Wanda spoke.


    "No one woke me when vampires attackedst night," she said, slicing into her pancake and not bothering to look up.


    The words hung in the air like an ill-ced cough.


    Draven slowly lifted his gaze to meet hers. Though it wasn’t harsh or sharp, it was enough.


    Wanda’s fork paused mid-air, then she nced up and met his eyes. A short silence passed.


    Her lips parted slightly, as if she might justify her words, but instead, she lowered her gaze and muttered, "My apologies, Alpha."


    Dennis snorted softly from where he sat next to Xamira. "Next time, you should learn to read the room," he said, stabbing a slice of sausage with casual ease.


    Wanda’s head turned just enough to nce at him from the corner of her eyes. "Must you always talk?" she muttered, more to herself than to him.


    "Must you always whine?" Dennis countered with a shrug.


    She rolled her eyes and returned to her te, saying nothing else.


    Meanwhile, Meredith satposedly, ignoring the tension. She smiled at Xamira, who was carefully cutting her roasted carrots into neat, triangr pieces.


    "Would you like more chicken, dear?"


    Xamira nced up and nodded with a small, eager smile. "Yes, please."


    Meredith picked up the serving spoon and ced a well-roasted chicken breast on the girl’s te. "Here you go."


    "Thank you, mydy," Xamira replied, still using the new formal title she had grown used to.


    A small warmth bloomed in Meredith’s chest. She reached out to gently smooth back a lock of hair from Xamira’s face.


    Across the table, Wanda chewed slowly, her gaze flicking between the two. There it was again—that bond—that impossible, sudden closeness between Meredith and the child.


    Wanda’s brow furrowed.


    After breakfast, Draven rose from his seat, pushing the chair back with a soft scrape. "Dennis. Jeffery."


    The two men stood immediately, almost in sync.


    Seeing this, Wanda stood as well. "Are we heading into a meeting now?"


    Dennis paused, then turned with a smirk. "Yes, but without you."


    The words were like a p.


    Wanda’s eyes widened just slightly, then narrowed. She clenched her fists at her sides, nails digging into her palms as she watched the trio walk out together, not sparing her another nce.


    Her thoughts raced. Was Draven shutting her out? Had he discovered something? Was her influence slipping?


    She bit the inside of her cheek as uncertainty gnawed at her.


    Meanwhile, Meredith rose with Xamira, taking the little girl’s hand in hers and guiding her out of the hall. Their pace was unhurried, their steps in rhythm.


    Wanda’s eyes followed them.


    The child—Xamira—her eyes... they had never looked at Wanda like that. Not anymore. Not since—


    Wanda’s thoughts broke off sharply. Her breath caught in her throat.


    Did she... Did she tell them?


    Wanda’s heart began to pound. Had Xamira said something to Meredith? Or worse, to Draven?


    She sat back down slowly, feeling a twinge of dread creep into her spine.


    And then another thought hit her like ice water: Meredith’s scar.


    Wanda’s brows drew together as she stared down at her te, now cold and untouched.


    She had almost forgotten about it. That wound on Meredith’s facepletely healed. Not even a faint mark remained.


    And suddenly, Wanda’s mind was no longer on breakfast.


    ---


    Inside Draven’s home office...


    "I will be leaving for Stormveil at first light tomorrow," he said, his voice even but firm.


    Dennis blinked, then nodded. "Right. But... what about the Human checkpoints at the Duskmoor border? They’ve been ramping up searchestely as you already know."


    "And how do we transport the vampire corpses?" Jeffery added, voice low and cautious. "Can’t exactly throw those in a bup sack and hope for the best."


    Draven’s lips curled faintly. "That’s why I made a deal with Brackham."


    Both men looked up sharply.


    "A few weeks ago," Draven continued, "I pressed him to ensure that my convoy would no longer be stopped or searched at the border checkpoints. It was part of a diplomatic trade arrangement for the proof he failed to bring. Remember?"


    Realization dawned on Dennis’s face first. His mouth opened slightly, and then he exhaled, grinning. "You sneaky, brilliant bastard."


    Jeffery gave a small nod, clearly impressed. "So, you were nning for this even before thest vampire raid."


    Draven only shrugged, walking behind his desk and finally taking his seat. "A leader doesn’t wait for chaos to happen before preparing for it."


    Dennis gave a short whistle and leaned back. "Remind me never to y chess with you."


    "I’d crush you, always," Draven replied simply.


    They all shared a brief chuckle before Draven’s expression returned to its usual seriousness.


    "Jeffery, you will being with me to Stormveil," he said, shifting his gaze toward his Beta.


    Jeffery nodded at once. "Understood, Alpha."


    "Dennis," Draven said, his attention turning, "you will oversee the estate in my absence. That includes every patrol and internal affair."


    Dennis straightened and gave a two-finger salute. "Consider it done."


    Draven leaned forward slightly. "The security of the estate must be tighter than ever. We’ve killed eight of them, but two got away. That’s enough for them to try again."


    "Got it. I will double the patrol rotations and increase guard presence at the fence perimeter," Dennis replied.


    "And how long will you be gone?" he added after a pause.


    "Five days max," Draven answered. "Enough time to deliver the bodies, meet with King Alderic, the council of elders, and finalize our next moves."


    Dennis gave a nod of approval, but before he could speak, Draven added, "You will also be responsible for Meredith’s training while I’m away."


    There was a flicker in Dennis’s eye, followed by a slow grin. "With pleasure."


    Draven narrowed his eyes, not in warning, but scrutiny. "Don’t test her patience. Or mine."


    Dennis raised his hands, grinning wider. "Noted, Alpha."


    Then, Draven’s tone dipped lower, more serious. "One more thing."


    The room stilled.


    "If the secretb is found while I’m gone, you are not to engage."


    Dennis and Jeffery both sat up straighter, eyes locked on him.


    "I repeat—do not move on it without me. Wait until I return to Duskmoor."


    Dennis exhaled and nodded. "Understood."