The Unknown Lycan Princess - Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Ethan’s POV
I feel so useless as I watch my mates lay on the bed holding each other crying over their loss. I knew they were heartbroken. I could feel it in the bond. Dex was whimpering in my mind also not knowing how to comfort them. I quietly walked out of the room and closed the door to give them time to grieve. At least they could share their grief with one another.
Ethan slumped down on the couch and placed his head in his hands and let his own tears fall. He felt so selfish thinking that he was glad he wasn’t going through the same loss as his mates. He felt like he didn’t deserve them because he was thankful it wasn’t Jessica who had been taken over. His shame came out in his tears as he continued to berate himself. It was a few minutes until he realized that he was not alone in the room. He looked up from his hands to see Ares sitting quietly in the armchair just staring at Ethan.
“Son, I know this is hard. Losing people is always a hard thing to go through.” Ares started before I cut him off.
“But it isn’t though. Not for me. For Beth and Alexi it is heartbreaking. I don’t feel that though. Yes I feel sad for their losses but what I feel most is grateful and thankful that it wasn’t anyone in my family. Even though by association Alexi and Beth’s family is my family, I just don’t feel the same deep seeded pain that they are going through and I feel like a horrible mate not to be able to comfort them.” I let out my worries.
Ares stares at me for a moment looking like he was measuring his words carefully before he spoke and said, “Just because you are thankful or grateful that it wasn’t anyone close to you doesn’t mean that you are a bad person or mate. I am sure if the situation was reversed Beth or Alexi would feel the same way. It is how you handle yourself with those feelings during their time of grief that matters. Being out here alone feeling sorry for yourself is what is going to make you a bad mate. Instead of sitting here feeling sorry for yourself that you don’t feel their grief the same way, show them that you care. It is the little things like holding them, being there for them to let their grief out, and picking up the slack that they can’t handle right now. That is how you help them. Stop being a crybaby about it and get up off your ass and do something. Anything to help them. Aren’t there some people to be arrested or something you could do?”
I stared at him in shock. It was almost sweet what he said and then he went all Ares on me. I couldn’t help but laugh internally a little at that. ‘He’s right, you know. We aren’t doing our mates any good sitting here feeling sorry for ourselves. Let’s do something to make this easier on them. Plus Beth still has the 2nd quest to do and our time is running out. We are already on day 4 out of the 14 we have and we still haven’t left the palace.’ Dex said to me. s**t! I forgot about that. We still need to go to the abandoned lands and look for that damned plant.
I straightened myself up and wiped the remaining tears from my face with a new found determination coursing through me. I think I will start helping them by making sure there is plenty for them to eat when they come out of the room. Then I can go seek out Roman or Alexander and get started on the arrests. Once everyone involved is arrested we can leave on this quest. It might do them both good to get away from the castle for a while too.
“Thank you Ares. That is just what I needed to hear.” I say gratefully to him.
He just nods and then he is gone as fast as he had appeared. I don’t think I will ever get used to that. I mentally shake my head and get started on my tasks. It didn’t take long to get food supplies for them and prepare a meal. I know Beth still needs to eat both human food and blood., but I am sure that Alexi can take care of feeding Beth the blood.
Once that is done I leave a note on the counter and head out to find Roman. I went to his room first but there was no answer and I couldn’t smell him in the room either. I followed my nose and was surprised to see him and Alexander both in his office. I walked in and they both stopped talking like I had interrupted their conversation. Which I guess I did really. I gave a sheepish smile and said, “Beth and Alexi are grieving too much right now. I want to help them by arresting the people whose names are on the list Lord Douchebag gave us.”
Roman let out a chuckle at the nickname I gave Dexter and nodded at me and said, “I think that is a good idea. Let them get it out of their system before we hold the funerals this evening. I know it is quick but I know you guys have a quest to get to as well.”
I looked at him confused, not remembering ever telling them about it. Then again a lot has happened in the last few days that it could have slipped my mind. Reading the confusion on my face he said, “Ares just popped in. I swear I will not get used to the gods just popping in on me. This is the second time the last few days one has snuck up on me. Anyway he said and I quote ‘Get your kingdom’s s**t under control so Beth can complete her destiny. She has a timed quest and her time is running out trying to solve all of your problems. Get it contained before I come in here and wipe you all out.’ So yeah. We were in the process of figuring out the best way to handle this. We were thinking about sending guards to go down the list, but we are afraid they will have a way to warn each other and if that happens we will have to hunt for them or worse they can do what Dexter and Anna did. I don’t want any more loss of life than needs to happen.”
I interrupted him and said, “Then do a simultaneous arrest. Make sure you have enough guards for each person and get them all at the same time. Or host some get together or something that requires them all to be at the castle in one room.” I was eager to jump in and help.
“We were thinking about that. I don’t think inviting them into the castle would work. They might get suspicious if we did that. The better option is to arrest them all simultaneously like you said. We were just trying to figure out who was going to lead each of the groups. So far I have myself and Roman and maybe one or two of the guards that we know we can trust.” Alexander said.
“I will volunteer as well. I need to be out doing something. I can’t sit here and watch my mates cry from their grief. This is my way of helping them. Get things done that they can’t right now,” I said.
They nodded and we got to work. It didn’t take long for us to gather all the necessary people to assist. After we briefed the guards we all went our separate ways to make the arrests. My group arrived at the house of a Noble and his wife who were both involved in the sect. After discussing our options I decided we should split up. Half stationed at the back entrance and the rest with me at the front. I have a feeling that one or both are going to try to flee.
I approached the front door as soon as I knew the men were ready at the back. With my enhanced hearing I could hear an argument going on inside. I waited a moment to see if I could hear what the argument was about but the words were muffled a bit and I could only make out bits and pieces. Mainly it was about how they were worried that they hadn’t heard from Lord Douchebag yet and if they should go into hiding until they knew everything was fine. I decided now was the time to knock. I knocked on the door and within a minute I was greeted by a servant that looked as if they had seen better days. They looked emaciated and from their scent I could tell that they weren’t a vampire or witch. I was horrified when I realized they were human. I couldn’t see Roman approving of such behavior and wondered how many other humans were like this in the kingdom. My blood was boiling at the thought of these poor people.
“Hello, I have been sent by King Roman to fetch the Lord and Lady Damphere. Are they available by chance?” I said. I was trying to stay as calm as possible. I didn’t want to spook anyone let alone the servant.
“The lord and lady of the house are not here sir. They had to leave for a family emergency I am afraid.” The servant said nervously. I could smell the lie and the fear coming off of them in waves.
“I am afraid I must insist we search the premises.” I said and then motioned for a guard to hold on to the servant, and the rest of us made our way inside. The house was immaculate inside and had very expensive furnishings. As I entered what seemed to be a sitting room I could see the Lady Damphere, but not her husband. She looked like she was ready to bolt out of the room when I said, “Don’t even think about trying to run. You will not get very far and I have been ordered to apprehend you and your husband dead or alive. If you would prefer to keep your life I would suggest you come with us willingly and tell me where your husband is.”