Chapter 16: Secret Gathering

I did not see Valerian off when he left Calaren. He was looking for me in my inn, but he found out I had already left that inn.

I watched his carriage disappear from sight while I was on the rooftop of an establishment along with the luggage I had.

"Valerian looked pissed." I couldn't help chuckling when I glanced at the bangle I was wearing. "He surely couldn't smell me. That is a good thing."

It was better that we didn't say farewell to each other. I would see him in the Solacia, hoping he would also be there.

I had a feeling that the next time we met, Valerian wouldn't let me go.

"I guess I have to be prepared for his wrath." I took my luggage and placed it on my shoulder. I was prepared to depart to Pran.

That town was where the secret gathering would be happening.

It would take at least less than a day if using a wolf form and one day if using a horse or wolf speed in human form.

I arrived at the town using my wolf speed and jumping from tree to tree, roof to roof, to make an easier journey. Once I arrived there, I happened to go to the merchant market, where I heard from a merchant that he was selling incantation jewelry.

Since I was avoiding being involved in the temple and not wanting to meet any divine priest or priestess, it should be better that there was pre-enchantment jewelry that I should purchase here instead of going to the temple.

"Do you happen to sell that can conceal the wearer's identity?" I was talking about an incantation piece of jewelry that could change someone's gender. I was planning to wear one for this mission I needed to settle.

I needed to be a woman in disguise. I need to be a man for that time.

"We do have the rings that have the incantation to hide someone's identity." He showed me some valuable rings that had some impressive designs.

I had come to look for its design and came across the peridot ring. I took it and softened it since it reminded me of Valerian's chartreuse eyes. "I'll be taking this." I paid for the ring before I purchased a few man's clothing I needed to wear.

I even checked in to the nearest inn and wore the ring, which automatically adjusted its size to the ring finger on my right hand.

That was the effect of wearing a ring. There were some incantations that a ring could adjust its size depending on the wearer.

I instantly felt the adjustment of my body. I could feel that my chest flattened and became broad. Even my facial features became masculine, having a little beard on my jaw. That was what I saw on my face.

"It seems Valerian wouldn't be able to notice me with this, huh..." I wriggled my eyebrows at my reflection in the mirror. I even grinned, hearing my voice was feminine, so I had to clear my throat for a moment and change my tone into a masculine one. "Well, I am Dominic for now, not Dominixe."

I looked astonished after seeing how handsome I looked as a woman in disguise. It was truly fascinating.

With my scent being covered and my identity being changed, I was prepared to attend that secret underground gathering.

I only needed to do was to understand how things worked in this certain exclusive place that only allowed invited members could come. It was a certain establishment where an underground amphitheater conducted some auctions.

Valerian told me in the past that place was where they would head now.

It could accommodate more than a hundred Alphas residing in the Yuanzhong Kingdom. It meant that His Royal Highness had rented the underground amphitheater for this secret gathering.

With this information, I would be able to have a chance to speak to the next ruler of our kingdom.

To do that, I would pretend to be one of the personnel of that establishment—a server.

"Dominic... Dominic... Dominic..." I chanted my new name when I was preparing for tonight. I already dressed up and prepared for everything we needed to do after they briefed us shortly.

"Make certain His Royal Highness shall not be displeased with our service." Count Fortue of Pran, who was also an Alpha, had bestowed his last words before we could set off.

"Yes, my lord." All of the men said in unison, including me.

I was tasked to secure the platform first before I was needed to serve the meal and drinks for everyone. However, while serving a cup of water at every table, my wolf and I stirred when a hyacinth scent came to pass behind me.

It was also when my wolf whispered 'mate', which made my heart pound so fast. I looked behind me and saw Valerian, with all his mighty glory, wearing an expensive suit and a golden cane in his left hand as he greeted the other Alphas settling at a table.

I held my breath, seeing him, as I didn't expect that I would be able to smell his scent here. I was expecting that he would at least wear his incantation jewelry to conceal his scent.

It looked like he knew that I wouldn't be around.

I glanced at his bangle and saw that he was wearing my present. I also glanced at my bangle. It was a good thing that it was concealing my scent.

Great... That should be better because he didn't know that I was here.

"Dominic."

I turned my head when I was being called. "Yes?" I fluttered my eyelids when I approached one of the leaders handling servers.

He handed me a tray of more than five flute glasses with champagne. "Serve them to those Alphas over there." I stiffened when he pointed in the direction where Valerian and the other Alphas were there.

I gulped, slightly nervous. "A-Alright." I inhaled and exhaled to calm myself.

I knew that I must not feel nervous since I had prepared for everything. I even needed to wear a wig since my long hair did not affect the enchantment from the ring. I needed to hide my mid-length wavy hair.

As I approached them, they were laughing in their baritone voice. Seven Alphas were gathering at that table. That included Valerian.

"It seems that His Majesty has interrupted your vacation, Your Grace, Duke Leveaux," one of them said. "Have you enjoyed it?"

That was what I heard when I was serving their drinks. I glanced at Valerian, who was smiling. My heart skipped when I saw him tracing the bangle I bestowed on him.

"Indeed, I am..." There was a mischievous smile appeared on his lips. "And I have someone who keeps my company interesting."

"Company means... woman?" They chuckled.

Valerian nodded. "She happens to be my mate as well. She is indeed a mysterious one."

I almost faltered in serving their table when I heard that. My wolf couldn't even be allowed me to calm down upon hearing those words from Valerian. She suddenly wanted me to tackle him down and kiss him senselessly.

"Oh? Congratulations, Your Grace. It seems that it shall be a matter of time before we can see the future Duchess Leveaux."

I almost giggled, enjoying that I was listening to this conversation. So, this was what had happened in the past.

Ah, wait. No, it was not.

By this time, Valerian was not supposed to have a vacation in my previous life. He was dealing with his life in his pack and some matters as the Duke of Alsfield.

It meant that the future had changed.

"She will be. She will also be my future Luna. Soon..."

"Oh-ho... Your Grace must have been lovestruck."

I held my breath upon hearing that. The flute glass almost slipped from my hand when he had this furtive smile on his lips. Seeing that expression meant that he was obsessing over me.

I already saw that emotion before. Valerian wanted me so badly.

"Your drinks, my lord." I put the flute glass on the other Alpha before settling beside Valerian and placing his drink before him.

His eyes were still in his bangle when he looked up at his drink. He took it, but he accidentally spilled himself.

I gasped in no time, even the people who were with him.

"Ah... My apologies... It is so careless of me," Valerian said nonchalantly as he stood up.

Count Fortue also saw what happened and had come to tend him. "I have some spare clothing, Your Grace."

I slowly stepped back, not wanting to get involved there. I managed to comprehend everything since I saw that it was intentional that he spilled his drink on himself.

What reason? I had no idea.

"You there. The one who served me the drink."

I stiffened when I was already a few meters away but was still being called. I inhaled and exhaled before I turned around in their direction.

But I jumped when he was already in front of me.

"Y-Yes, Your Grace?" I ensured I was using my masculine voice while avoiding how my stomach somersaulted when he was right in front of me and his scent filled my nostrils.

Count Fortue appeared. "Escort His Grace to the changing room and bestow him a set of suits." Then he placed his hand on my shoulder and whispered. "Be certain that you pick a high-quality suit for him. He is the Duke of Alsfield, do remember that."

Not knowing what had happened but I just nodded. "As you wish, Lord Fortue." I turned at Valerian, who was looking at me intently. "This way, Your Grace." I ushered him to where the changing room was.

We had to leave the amphitheater so I could escort him to this changing room which Count Fortue had prepared in advance. In case of casualties, he really set this up.

As expected from someone chosen to have a secret gathering by His Royal Highness...

"Here is the new suit, Your Grace." I held the suit in my hands when he was undressing himself. I gulped when I happened to see his chiseled back that had some scars.

That suddenly made me reminded of the last battle he had when the rogues invaded his pack. He was injured and had some scars when he was being cornered.

I looked for the main scar I had inflicted in the past, but it was not there. I averted my gaze, feeling my heart constricted.

"Bestow me."

I looked up and almost had my heart jump out of my ribcage when Valerian was in front of me with his half-naked glory. I was left in a daze before I snapped back and bestowed his new suit.

"What's your name?" His tone was nonchalant and unfriendly ever since he had come to call me so I could escort him.

I still averted my gaze when he was changing, not daring myself not to look at his lower body. "Dominic, Your Grace." In my peripheral vision, I saw that he was dressed in his shirt.

"Dominic..."

I shivered when he whispered my male name with sensuality. Or was it just my imagination?

"Yes." I tried so hard not to panic but seeing Valerian in the same place as I made me want to lunge at him.

"You have almost the same name as my mate. Her name is Dominixe."

I turned at him. "I see. Such a beautiful name for your mate."

"I know." There was a proud expression lingering on his handsome face. His chartreuse eyes even sparkled. He took a stride in my direction and halted in front of me. "So, Dominic..."

I gulped when he was so close to me. Shit... Did he happen to notice me? It would be impossible that he would notice me since I had changed my identity and concealed my scent. There was no way he would notice that!

"Yes, Your Grace?" I tried so hard not to stammer since his scent was distracting me.

He stared at me for a moment. Somehow, I felt nervous that Valerian must have noticed me.

"Open the door. Someone is coming in."

"Huh?" I parroted before I glanced at the door beside me. "Of course, Your Grace..." I gulped, noticing that there was someone behind there.

When I opened it, I was greeted by a handsome, good-looking silver-eyed man with an apathetic expression. He had this empty smile that could send shivers down my spine. I stepped back a little, feeling frightened and threatened by his presence.

I could feel it. This man had a high-ranking werewolf status if my wolf and I were alarmed by this man's presence.

Who was he? Why did he look familiar?

That way, my back collided with Valerian's chest, and he immediately supported me and tapped my back.

Then Valerian made a deep bow before him.

"Greetings to the little sun of the Yuanzhong Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Henricus la Chandelier."