Abandoned by the Alpha, I Became the Lycan King's Mate-Chapter 296: Test

[Margaret’s POV]

After hearing Henry’s response, I said no more, merely tilting my head up slightly toward Ruth, who stood behind me, nodding at her to summon someone to prepare cutlery for Henry.

Soon enough, Henry was seated next to Donald, agreeably taking his place as they conversed about some matters concerning the wedding the following day.

"From the guest list you had drafted earlier, aside from a few elder Lycans, only those from Lilo Sea and the Alpha from the Demon Domain Forest weren’t present," said Henry.

As he spoke, he glanced sideways at Donald’s expression but, finding nothing out of order, he continued with his report, "Apart from the absence of attendees, no responses came back after the invitations were sent. I think..."

Before Henry could finish, Donald abruptly put down his utensils, wiped the corner of his mouth gently with a napkin, and interjected, "The werewolf packs from the Demon Domain Forest have never been too obedient to the Royal Family’s commands; it’s quite normal for them not to attend. But what about Levi, the Alpha of the Spirit Dragon Pack? He is my mother’s only living nephew. Why didn’t he come either?"

Listening to Donald’s question, I too turned to look at Henry, who was in charge of the wedding banquet guests, a shadow of deep color slowly emerging from the depths of my eyes.

Donald and I were fully aware of why Levi hadn’t personally arrived in the Royal City to attend the banquet; Levi’s political allegiances were unclear, and not long ago, he had even attacked the Lycan squad Donald dispatched to investigate Voyage Company. He surely wouldn’t dare accept a wedding invitation from Donald—unless he wished for death!

To end one’s life by poisoning, like Austin did, was the fate of those who betrayed the Wolf royal family.

As for why Donald didn’t reveal these facts to Henry but personally pressed him for information instead, I wasn’t quite certain, but I wasn’t foolish enough to expose Donald’s tactics either.

"The Spirit Dragon Pack resides far to the west, by the Lilo Sea. Could it be that the long distance is the reason Levi didn’t come voluntarily?" Henry seemed to have wracked his brains for a plausible explanation.

He suddenly paused as if another idea had struck him, and attempted an analysis, "However, tomorrow is your and Margaret’s grand wedding ceremony. Perhaps Levi is simply still on the road, unable to respond to us in time, right? It’s not that he doesn’t want to come."

"You, cousin, may not have been in much contact with him, but Aunt Licia has always been kind to us youngsters. Levi certainly wouldn’t overlook Aunt Licia’s face, would he?"

Upon hearing this, Donald slowly nodded, seemingly accepting Henry’s analysis, and replied faintly, "Let’s hope so. Speaking of which, I kind of miss him. The last time we saw him was at my Lycan King coronation, wasn’t it, brother?"

As I observed the exchange between Donald and Henry with an impassive face, a sense of oddity gradually surfaced within me. If Donald was testing Henry, wasn’t he being overly obvious?

With someone as perceptive and meticulous as Henry, there was no way he wouldn’t notice Donald’s probing! As to why Donald insisted on doing so, I was equally keen to know the answer.

But clearly, Henry and I were both in the dark about his reasons.

Henry seemed to freeze for a moment, locking gazes with Donald, and only after a long while did he manage a forced smile, saying, "It must be so. It’s truly been many years since we last saw Levi, how time flies!"

As he spoke, a strange look began to flicker in his eyes as he peered at Donald, filled with puzzled inquiry, "But why do you suddenly call me ’brother’? It sounds so ominous. Are you not feeling well? Tomorrow is your wedding, neither you nor Margaret can afford any problems!"

Thinking that Henry had finally caught onto something and might reveal something else, I remained silent, "..."

Donald, looking at Henry with a face of sincerity, stayed motionless but subtly arched his elegant eyebrows, "..."

"What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?"

Donald and I looked at Henry so intently and obviously that he touched his face and asked in return.

I believed Henry was likely without fault, for if he had truly done something to betray Donald, a reaction would surely have been triggered just now! Anyway, I didn’t see any signs of guilt or secrecy in him.

But if he had been acting just now, deceiving both me and Donald, it would be terrifying indeed...

Donald valued him above many others; I hoped he would not turn out to be like Austin or Angel.

"It’s fine now; once you’re done eating, you’d better leave quickly, you still have many things to take care of this afternoon, don’t you?" Donald’s skill in dismissing people was always profound.

Henry looked astonished as he glanced at Donald and then hesitantly pointed to the steak on the table that he hadn’t finished, stammering, "How can you be so cruel as a host? I’ve been toiling for a week over your affairs, and yet to be so heartlessly dismissed after just one meal?"