Chapter 76: _Seeking Answers

Chapter 76: _Seeking Answers I drove back to the pack house, leaving Marcellus and my uncle at the crime scene. However, when I parked the car inside the compound and stepped down, I didn’t linger around for long. Yes, I needed to see Odessa and see if I could get any information on the witch from the welcoming ball last night, but there’s been something I’ve been meaning to do for a while. I headed to Elder Davina’s residence on foot; ignoring the looks and glances of the elite members of the pack, I walked past. After the chaos last night, subtle whispers and speculations were going around about what happened. "I’m telling you, there’s something fishy about the witch the Alpha king calls a wife." A man remarked to his friends, who were all drinking on the balcony of his mansion. Another one blurted with a whisper. "You’re telling me. I don’t know how true it is, but I heard there was a murder case a week or so ago. Pack soldiers were gathered at Elder Davina’s residence that day." "Outrageous! There has been no murder case in this pack for years." An elderly voice nearly exclaimed until the others shushed him. "I don’t think the Alpha King would be pleased with us–" Before he could finish that statement, I turned my gaze to them while reducing my walking speed, a smile plastered on my face. The men froze like deers under headlights but soon began clearing their throats. "Good morning, Alpha King!" One of them stood up and bowed despite the distance. I merely nodded my head in response even though I still had a smile on my face. But beneath that smile, Damon was already growling at the men and urging me to tear them to pieces. And for once, I agreed with him but I couldn’t let myself lose control. ’I’ll like to see them say shit about our mate to our face.’ Damon growled in my head while I merely grunted silently in response. Apart from that, I just didn’t like people gossiping like that. Gossip and rumors were dangerous. They could easily spread, and soon, the people would take them as fact, and then chaos and disorder would emerge. I couldn’t afford that, especially not now that my head was all over the place. Anyway, I finally got to Elder Davina’s residence and stepped into the compound, where I met her walking around with two maids who were silent as she tended to some flowers. Her white robe blew into the wind while her staff, which was made of blood-red wood, was held tightly in her right hand. "Alpha King, what a welcome surprise." She suddenly blurted, taking me a bit by surprise. I thought my footsteps had been silent enough. "Oh, don’t be surprised, dearie." Elder Davina chuckled softly as she turned around to face me, a warm smile etched on her wrinkled face. "I could recognize the scent of your cologne before you even got here." Curse my expensive taste... Just then, the two maids standing behind her bowed before they greeted me. "Good morning, Alpha King." I gave them a nod, gesturing for them to raise their heads before I stepped forward with a solemn expression on my face. Elder Davina seemed to notice my inner turmoil and tilted her head before she asked. "Is something wrong? Are you okay after..." She paused, glancing back at the maids. They didn’t even need her to say anything and quickly bowed before they scurried away, leaving me and her alone in the compound. The only sounds that could be heard were the soft ruffling of leaves as the breeze blew, the chirping of birds, and the water that flowed from a fountain at the center of the compound. "Anyway..." Elder Davina cleared her throat, focusing her attention back on me. "I was about to ask if you’re okay after last night. I heard the South American Alpha king left earlier." I sighed heavily before I nodded my head. "Yes, he did. I don’t even want to talk about that but I’m fine, Elder." She dimmed her eyes with a knowing look but eventually nodded after a few seconds of silence. The way she checked up on me as if she were my mother was both heartwarming and annoying. But I wasn’t complaining... After all, she’d watched me grow and I’ve always looked up to her. Anyway, I glanced around before I stated my reason for being here. "I’m here concerning Odessa and our... Mate bond." I said those last two words with such a low voice that I was certain no spies would be able to listen. The fact that there was the possible threat of a witch hiding within the pack had me on edge. Meanwhile, Elder Davina’s face became more serious as she nodded, urging me to go on. "I’ve been thinking about your theory that the mate bond is some... It is a divine sign from the moon goddess, and I want to ask if perhaps she’s revealed anything about it to you. Anything at all." Elder Davina’s mouth formed an ’o’ before she shook her head with a wry smile. "I’m sorry, but I’ve gotten nothing yet, Alpha King." She said, causing my shoulders to slouch with disappointment. I mean, it made sense. Knowing Elder Davina, it would make sense that she would report any news from the moon goddess to me if it arrived. However, just when I was about to step away, she raised a finger, causing my eyes to light up. "Usually, I don’t divine the goddess for situations like this because I believe if she wants to reveal anything, she would without any effort from our end." She explained calmly, her eyes squinted as if she was considering something. "But since you’re so eager to find something out, I think it’s only fair that the goddess makes an exception." She blurted, nodding her head. "I’ll do it. I’ll channel the moon goddess and then you can ask her any questions you might have." A smile curled up my lips as Elder Davina turned around and walked toward her residence while gesturing at me to follow. I drew in a deep breath, scanning my gaze around the compound briefly before I followed behind her. Here goes nothing...