"Beta Asher, I thought it best I introduce myself since you wouldn’t introduce yourself to ," Claude said casually as he sized up Asher.
The beta had a striking resemblance to his younger brother. Their gray eyes had the sa gaze—soft but intense. Their jawlines were similar; the only differences were Asher’s black hair, his height, and the fact that he looked older.
The beta recovered from his shock at seeing the Alpha and bowed. He was not unaware of Claude’s presence in Verlassen. However, he didn’t expect the Alpha in charge of the Royal Army to visit him.
He didn’t know much about Alpha Claude, as Keenan avoided speaking about him except when absolutely necessary, and he could see why. Claude was not the type to be ssed with. He was charming and alarming.
He had no reason to go out of his way to co here, and yet, here he was. Even going as far as to be friendly with the children. Asher knew he had to put his guard up.
"I apologize," Asher replied as he stood to his full height. He had no excuse, and sothing told him it would be irrelevant to give one.
"No worries," Claude said casually and looked around, his eyes taking in everything. "I have been dying to see where your Alpha grew up."
The orphanage was a decent building, but it was obvious it had been recently renovated. The wood was new and shining, but the building itself didn’t feel new. The fence was also in the sa shape, and there was enough space for the little children to run around.
"Please co in," Asher replied and gestured into the house. "Is there anything I can offer you?"
Claude shook his head and walked past Theo. The children still surrounded him while Alaina kept so distance between them. None of the kids ventured in her direction.
"Is sothing wrong?" One of the children asked.
"No, keep playing," Theo replied. "I will be right out."
"Is there any particular reason you’re here, Alpha?" Asher asked as they walked in.
The first room they walked into served as the living room. It was a wide space with several mismatched chairs. Wooden toys were littered in the corners.
"Well, it is my first ti here. I figured I’d look around."
Hilbert hung close to his Alpha looking around with disapproval and as tempted as he was to make complaints, he held his tongue.
Asher made eye contact with his brother, who walked in last and shut the door behind him. Theo shook his head, and Asher’s gaze darkened slightly.
The fact that he had no prior warning ant this was unplanned and completely the Alpha’s idea. However, he couldn’t turn Alpha Claude away.
"Please excuse the ss, but have a seat. I’ll have the cook bring you sothing—"
"No need, Beta Asher."
"Would you like to show you around, then?" Alaina asked, moving herself to the middle.
"There isn’t much else to see," Asher replied, shutting Alaina down. "I’ll answer any questions you may have, Alpha Claude."
"Huh?" Alaina protested, but Asher didn’t even glance in her direction. She turned to Theo who didn’t et her eyes.
"Are you in charge here?" Claude asked. "Watching over the children."
"You could say that," Asher replied. It was awkward, but he couldn’t chase the Alpha away, and he didn’t like the uneasy feeling he had.
"There are only a handful of them, and they are all pretty young," Claude said and glanced at the door.
"The older ones work," Asher simply said without elaborating.
"I see. Is there anything the orphanage might need?" He asked with a bright smile. "I’d love to help."
"I will speak to my Alp—"
"That would be wonderful, Alpha Claude. It hasn’t been easy. Verlassen got the short end of the stick, especially since the war. Not only did we lose our parents, but even orphans from other towns are basically dumped here."
"That is most unfortunate."
"Our Alpha is doing—"
"Alaina, would you tell the cook to bring so snacks for our guests?" Asher interrupted.
Alaina shot him a look, but Asher paid her no mind and walked to the nearest chair. Claude followed suit and sat down, waiting to be served.
"Of course," she coldly stated and exited the room.
"Is there a reason you’re not in the main house next to your Alpha?"
Asher froze mid-seat and slowly lifted his head to look at Claude. "Why would you think that, Alpha Claude?"
Theo shuffled on his feet as the air in the room beca intense. Claude kept a simple smile on his face.
"Well, Alaina was upset that you don’t eat with them, and you’re the Beta. I figured you’d be next to your Alpha."
Claude’s sharp eyes took in every one of Asher’s movents and expressions. He kept his tone friendly, framing his question as simply curious.
"The orphanage needs more," Asher replied with a stiff smile. He didn’t like how casual the Alpha was.
"I understand," Claude said with a smile. "The younger generation certainly needs all the attention, especially with everything this nation has been through."
"I am glad you understand, Alpha Claude."
Asher looked from the Alpha to the huge man with a scar behind him. He didn’t catch his na, but he noticed the man wouldn’t stop glaring at him.
"May I ask a favor?"
Asher squinted his eyes, noticing Alaina walking back into the living room with the cook holding a tray. She placed the tray in front of Claude and hurriedly bowed before she exited.
"You may," he said, but his voice was hesitant.
"Would it be too much if I asked that you join us for dinner—just tonight?" Claude politely asked.
Asher gripped his chair. "I don’t think—"
"Beta Asher," Alaina squealed. "It has been too long. A simple dinner. It would be wonderful if you joined us. Frances can handle the children for one night."
"Frances?" Claude questioned.
"The new matron," Alaina explained.
"Oh, so Beta Asher. Would you join us tonight?"
"I will have to ask Alpha Keenan." His tone dropped and he stared at Claude with an unimpressed expression.
"Don’t worry about that. If you say it was on my orders, I am sure he would have no problem with it."
Asher’s brows grew taut. He glanced at his brother, but Theo didn’t have any signal to give him. Alpha Claude wasn’t being forceful, but Asher knew he couldn’t refuse. He knew exactly how important Claude was.
"Okay," he mumbled. He would have to find an opportunity to speak to Keenan either before or after dinner.
"Delightful," Claude replied and stretched out his hand to pick up a slice of cake.
"How long do you plan to stay in Verlassen, Alpha Claude?"
Claude nearly choked. Keenan’s Beta was just like him—direct. At least Asher softened his words.
"Not for very long," he said. "There is an important eting coming up in the capital in a few days."
"A eting?" Asher asked with intrigue.
Claude hid that he noticed he finally had Asher’s attention. "Yes."
"Is Alpha Keenan aware?" He pressed.
"It is the reason I ca by. I had reasons to believe that he might be excluded from the eting and it turned out I was right."
"Excluded?!" Asher’s gray eyes glinted. "He is an Alpha, isn’t he? Shouldn’t he be a part of the eting?"
"He should but..." Claude let his voice drift.
"Who proposed the eting?" Asher’s voice was cold as he asked.
Claude raised a brow. A few monts ago, he was certain Asher wanted nothing more than to throw him out, but at the ntion of sothing disadvantageous to Keenan, he seed more open and almost angry on his behalf.
"I am sure you can take a guess," Claude said with a loud sigh.
"Vilhelm wouldn’t dare! The Alpha King won’t allow it." Asher exploded.
"Well," Claude said with a shrug. Noticing that Asher had called the High Alpha by his na.
"Can he do that?" Alaina interrupted.
It was brief, but Claude didn’t miss the way Asher’s expression changed from anger to disgust as Alaina spoke.
"Not directly," Claude explained.
"Then how?" She asked.
Asher leaned back in his seat, squeezing the armrests harder than he needed to.
"By omission," Claude explained gently. "Or rather by not extending certain invitations."
"What do you—"
"Do you have any idea what the eting would be about, Alpha Claude?"
Claude shook his head. "I am sure Vilhelm is going to propose sothing likely to affect Alpha Keenan. Keenan’s presence will likely prevent that."
"You’d think he would leave us alone. Alpha Keenan should never have taken his daughter. I know they are both planning sothing together. Now that she has infiltrated our territory, who knows what she’s going to do," Alaina ranted.
"I don’t think there is any cause for alarm yet. Your Alpha isn’t alone, and he also has the Alpha King’s favor. You have nothing to worry about."
"Do I have your word?" Asher suddenly asked.
Claude tilted his head. This was pretty direct. Asher was practically asking about his loyalty. Claude almost laughed. He was as audacious as his Alpha.
Asher did seem easier to handle. While Keenan considered him a threat no matter what he did, Asher seed to take his words seriously.
"You have my word, Beta Asher," Claude smirked.
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