6 Chapter Six: Suspicious Rumours

Adelaide scoffed as she observed the festivities. Imagine these fools celebrating when a lot was at stake. A thought crossed her mind, The blue wolf... Was it not convenient that she had appeared right here in front of them all? And what was that prophecy about the blue wolf? Something about the beginning of chaos? And was it her imagination or had something truly off about Artemis? Why did he have that expression on his face when that servant girl had wolfed out? And the servant girl, there was something off about her, something she couldn't quite wrap her head around and her silly chattering friend, Matilda was chattering nonsense, "Isn't it quite the show we had today? Imagine a servant disrupting the Alpha?"

Adelaide smiled at her friend, she knew just how she was going to clear the doubts that plagued her mind.

"Isn't that right, Malty? But is not strange she had blue fur?"

"I thought it was strange too but maybe that's just the colour of servant werewolves," Matilda shrugged, Adelaide hoofed, her friend could be so stupid sometimes.

"There's a prophecy about it, right? Something about chaos?" It was Sharon who had butted into the conversation. Adelaide smiled, Sharon was just who she needed for her plan to pan out nicely.

"The blue wolf is the beginning of chaos? I'm sure it's just some midwife tale, I don't think we should spread such gossip. It would only make the people panic," Adelaide said offhandedly.

"Are you sure it's a midwife tale? I heard when she appears Aysun will cease to exist as we know it," Sharon said as Matilda gasped.

"That's nonsense, some people even say the blue wolf is to be mated to the Alpha but of course that cannot be, Artemis will never marry a mere servant," Adelaide added.

"Surely, it cannot be!" Matilda's face was crestfallen.

"Of course not! It's just some silly midwife's tale," Adelaide said as she laughed it off but that did not wipe away the look of horror on Matilda's face neither did it wipe off the look of intrigue on Sharon's face.

"But the blue wolf, is that normal?" Matilda asked.

"Matilda honey, there's nothing to worry about. And the Alpha has commanded her locked up. What damage can she do locked up? I mean if it were even true?" Adelaide was fanning the flames.

"But if she's the Alpha's mate... He would not harm her even if she were dangerous," Sharon said.

"Artemis is not a weak leader, if it comes down to it, he would do right by Aysun," Adelaide watched the two ladies in front of her with glee, they were so naive.

"But people run mad if they..."

"Have you guys tried the gelato? It's some weird thing the humans eat but it's delicious," Adelaide had planted enough, and now it was time for her seed of gossip to yield fruit. By the end of the festivities, the fun carefree atmosphere would have changed to fear and uncertainty. She knew her tribesmen well, soon they would be demanding the public execution of the blue wolf if it would threaten the existence of Aysun.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Artemis and Vallus in what seemed like a heated conversation. She walked stealthily in their direction hopeful to catch snippets of their conversation.

Lord Cyrus was saying while tapping his cane, "What are you doing about the blue wolf? She's been taken to the dungeon, yes?"

"Yes. We'll begin an investigation."

"About what?" Vallus asked.

"Well—" Artemis began. He seemed unsure of what to say, "Err follow procedure?"

"Procedure for what?" Vallus raised a brow.

"Artemis is right," Cyrus said with a smirk, cutting his son off. "Vallus you should listen to your Alpha. He might be your friend but he's still your superior."

"Yes, father."

"It's late, we shall see tomorrow." Cyrus walked away, tugging at his son.

When Lord Cyrus and Vallus had walked away Adelaide stepped out of hiding,

"Where are you headed?" She asked him with a smile.

"Thought I might enjoy the late night breeze," he mumbled, walking towards the stairway. His hands trailed along the stone walls lit with torches. They walked down slowly together. The passageway was breezy; the wind whooshed through; flickering the fire in the torches. It seemed like it would rain that night.

He looked behind to see Adelaide following him. She pouted her lips innocently. "I hope you do not mind me following you. I wouldn't wish to be a bother."

"It is alright." He gave her a tight-lipped smile as they stepped out into the open. The red from the moon was fading slowly into a light pink colour. He wanted to be alone at the time but she was a welcome addition; Adelaide had been with him through tough times but then, she was his best friend's mate and he knew Vallus was the jealous type so he said, "But you should be enjoying the festivities with your family and friends, no? I think Vallus went that way, you should find him,"

"Trying to get rid of me? Better luck next time," she said and they both laughed.

"Is something bothering you? You look disturbed," she knew there was something, she was only goading him for information.

"Well, you know this and that," he responded evasively.

She could tell he was lying, something was definitely eating him up and she was determined to find out.

"People are talking you know," she said with a shrug.

"About?" He was trying not to sound curious.

"You know... The blue wolf. I heard someone even say she's your mate, can you believe that?" From where they stood, Adelaide could see in the distance Sharon spiritedly informing the Fishers about something that seemed to be of utmost importance; yes, people were talking.

"That's nonsense Adelaide, people are always matching me with someone," she noticed the information had tensed Artemis, so there was something more about the blue wolf after all.

"Of course, I'm sure it is. But you know how gossip can get out of hand, some even say the blue wolf is connected to some prophecy, can you believe that?" Adelaide laughed as she said this but her eyes never left Artemis. If he was bothered by what she had just said, he did not show it.