The Crown's Entrapment

Calypso and Aurelia, together with Lord Hebron and the rest of their convoy immediately headed back to enter Ebodia's territory. They didn't want to get caught up in the danger of encountering Helion's armies with them roaming around the borders just waiting for the opportunity to attack.

"The sun would set soon," Lord Hebron noted, turning to face his two companions just as they've once again entered Ebodia's territory, specifically his own lands. "How about instead of staying in an inn, let me take this opportunity to have you all stay in my manor instead? It would be an honor to give you accommodations befitting of your stature tonight."

Calypso remained quiet despite hearing the offer, instead simply looking in Aurelia's direction to gauge her reactions. He didn't want to take it…

He wouldn't want any man trying to flirt with his mate. And knowing how this Hebron's eyes twinkled whenever they landed on his mate, of course he wouldn't want to accept! Still, it would be very impolite of them if they turned down the offer after all of the assistance and good gestures the Marquess had just extended to them. It was only proper to accept his invitation instead of staying in an inn inside his territory.

Just as he thought of this, Aurelia gave him a nod. As such, Calypso plainly answered, "It would be an honor to accept your hospitality then, Lord Hebron. We'll be staying for the night before leaving at dawn to continue our journey back home."

With that, Lord Hebron led them back to his manor. As soon as they arrived, Calypso immediately felt irritated as he witnessed how effortlessly the Marquess unintentionally flaunted all his properties to Aurelia.

"Our kingdom has a total of four Marquesses, each one owning the Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast of Ebodia's borders," Lord Hebron explained to Aurelia.

"Who owns the Northern and Southern borders then?" Aurelia asked in turn, Calypso noticing the curiosity glimmering in her eyes.

"The Northern and Southern parts are both owned by the Royal House of Ward," Lord Hebron replied. "The Northern lands are owned by the Grand Prince of Ebodia, Prince Ezekiel, while the Southern lands are owned by the Duke of Danovia."

Calypso rolled his eyes as he pressed his lips together and controlled himself from interrupting the brewing conversation. Indeed, Ebodia had a different kind of peerage system compared to Cordon. In terms of rank, however, he and Lord Hebron were probably just about the same, right? He was the Great Justiciar, after all.

Axel burst out in a fit of laughter at the back of his head. [You just got promoted, remember?] he snorted. [And that's not to mention how you just got back after a decade of being missing in action! Feeling intimidated, huh?]

Him feeling intimidated? Of course, not. He was too arrogant to get intimidated! No, he was simply annoyed with how easily this Hebron was managing to have a smooth conversation with Aurelia, as opposed to him who had failed tremendously with each attempt he made.

[So what if I just got promoted? I'm still an official,] Calypso rebutted with confidence. [Besides, I'm also wealthy enough to own huge tracts of land inside the Moonlight Pack territory. And that's not to mention the Black Stone Pack which I'll soon be the Alpha of.]

[Hah! Counting your eggs before they hatch, are we?] Axel scoffed.

Calypso didn't bother answering his wolf. The Black Stone Pack was his next target, specifically assigned to him by his cousin Darius should he decide to accept it.

From what he could recall, there have been a lot of complaints about the Alpha of the said pack, but Avalon was a very strong individual, and none from his own pack dared challenge him for his position.

While some Alpha hopefuls from other packs tried to challenge the man not one of them had succeeded thus far. Add in the fact that Avalon was one of Nasser's pawns, and it was clear why the Alpha was well-protected.

Due to all of these compounding elements, Darius wanted Avalon wiped out, and he believed that Calypso would be the one capable of overthrowing the man from his position. Still, he would have to think more about whether or not to accept the mission.

Calypso honestly wanted to rule over the pack where his mother was born, which was the Midnight pack, but that very same pack was currently being led by Clara, and he had nothing against the woman at the moment to try and fight her. Also, he wasn't greedy enough to challenge the woman without a valid or viable cause. Clara was a good and just Alpha of the pack, and he honestly respected her as a leader.

But having had enough of his own thoughts, Calypso sighed deeply as he sneaked glances towards Aurelia's direction. He observed her every expression, and he was pleased to see that she had remained expressionless towards Lord Hebron even as he busily toured them around his manor.

'It's so hard to read her,' Calypso inwardly voiced out. 'I had thought I already mastered wooing every kind of woman, but this is the first time I encountered someone of her kind,'

It was a experience. He was so used to women who would easily offer themselves to him that he had honestly forgotten how to work for his food. Some would play hard to get, of course, but they would still easily give in by the time he was done with them.

Aurelia was a challenge he didn't see coming… Still, he was absolutely enthralled with the prospect of pursuing her. She was his mate after all, and not to mention how he was greatly attracted to her not just because of the Mate Pull.

Once they finally reached the entrance to Lord Hebron's house, they as a group immediately got off their horse. And before Hebron could even tour them some more, Calypso took the opportunity to interrupt with a pointed remark.

"Lord Hebron, surely our ladies are tired…" Calypso commented with a polite smile. "Could you please let us first situate ourselves in our respective chambers to have a quick rest before dinner?"

It was a calculated request. The least he wanted to do was to act like a lovesick puppy being overprotective of Aurelia. He had to keep his composure intact no matter what.

Hearing his request, the Marquess scratched his head. Still, he agreed and said, "But of course… Come now. Let me and my servants show you to your respective chambers."

With a wave of his hand, the Marquess signaled for his servants to tend to them.

One of them approached Calypso and said, "I'll show you the way milord."

Calypso frowned as he looked in Lord Hebron's direction, the latter of which was currently personally leading Aurelia to her bedchamber.

"Which room would you prefer?" the servant next to Calypso asked.

"I want the one next to Lady Aurelia," he firmly demanded.

The servant looked up at him like he was taken aback. But before the servant could say a word, Calypso immediately walked to follow Aurelia.

"Lord Hebron," he called out, making both the Lord and Aurelia turn around and face him.

[Are you sure about this?] Axel hesitantly voiced.

[Dead sure!] Calypso confidently replied.

There was no way he would let this Hebron get a closer chamber to Aurelia. His chamber must definitely be the one closer!