LORD WHITE RABBIT

Dan tried to stop being surprised by every damn thing and start acting with the grace and tact of a well seasoned diplomat, but it proved to be harder said than done. He had never considered himself a judgmental person, never considered himself a saint, God knows the sins that had blackened his hands and feet as he lived his life as his King's loyal puppet.

He did it to survive, at least he did at first, but overtime he started to enjoy it too - the impact and significance he could make to better the broken lives littered about him after the war, the constant learning of new ideas and information in the face of a changing world, all the times he outwitted his foes, all the times he cheated death... And subsequently, the looks of admiration and fear, and the feeling of power in his hands. If Dan were honest, he had enjoyed that too.

As he stepped into the warmth of the Langston, the plush carpeting underfoot, buffeted by his wolf and human entourage across the wide lobby and uniformed staff that bowed in welcome at their passing... It did cross his mind if he would be truly satisfied with just an ordinary and quiet life as an everyday man on the street, but he brushed it aside quickly.

Better a quiet meal in peace than a king's feast laced with poison - he had been there, done that, and look where he was now, plotting desperately for his own life.

He smiled at the sight of Lord Wolfgang appearing when the lift doors parted. He wasn't even aware of the expression on his face, to be honest, it just came out, the feeling of relief from his heart and across his lips. His nervousness melted away immediately.

Lord Wolfgang stepped out decked in what Dan felt was surely Betamen except that he was just as sure the silvery blue shade of grey was not in the Betamen catalogue. A custom suit perhaps?

The human, Sir Wilhelm, stepped out of the lift too. He was the one who won at cards on Dan's behalf the other night at the club, but now that Dan had enough time to prepare for this trip, he also now recognize the man as a human, like him.

But unlike him, Sir Wilhelm sported an unnatural agelessness so that he neither looked older nor younger than Dan, himself even though intel placed Sir Wilhelm in his 70s.

Dan was thankful that the data files he had purchased from Silver Mountain on Sir Wilhelm was a little more helpful than the one he had on Lord Wolfgang. Actually, every other file he got this round had contained more helpful intel than Lord Wolfgang's file. Dan felt quite sure that it was not so much a lack of intel, than a powerful hand that was blocking it from leaving Silver Mountain.

Dan's contact at Silver Mountain was an honest businessman and they had a good relationship. He knew because when he had passed his contact the list of files he hoped to purchase from their archives, the wolf took one glance and immediately informed Dan that all files on Moon Bell wolves would be a waste of his money. He would not get anything more than what was already on the internet.

It seemed that even his contact had not expected Wolfgang's file to be so lightweight, "My apologies. I've included as much as I could."

Which was very likely the extra sheet of paper slotted at the end.

Anyway, according to Sir Wilhelm's files, he was a human mated to a powerful wolf - a healer wolf known as the Water Pillar of the Snow Moon Kingdom.

Of course Dan had known about interspecies mating between wolves and humans. He had personally met such couples in his interactions as a diplomat. While it was not common among wolves to take human mates, it was known to happen.

Sir Wilhelm was Dan's first time meeting a MALE human mate. He supposed it made sense, if male wolves could mate with female humans, surely female wolves could mate with male humans too.

Along with an extended lifespan and some mindlinking powers shared through the mating bond with a wolf, the human would also be automatically accepted by law into the pack. No matter what the human's background. As long as the mating bond was proven, their transfer of citizenship (and life) was protected by the High Council Convention.

Once upon a time, this was frowned upon by his King (and himself too) as a sign that the wolves were tipping the scales a little too far in the balance power, but now it might just be the rabbit hole to save Dan Lion's life.

Ah, what was he thinking? Even if such a hole existed, would he be so lucky as to meet the white rabbit?

"I'm late." Lord Wolfgang complained, he checked his watch to confirm it, "I'm late."

"For an important date?" Dan felt his mouth tugging upwards. It was the White Rabbit's famous line, but would Lord Wolfgang know of the whimsical human tale?

He was vaguely aware of the Lycan soldiers bowing their greeting. Lord Wolfgang barely gave it a passing glance, but he stopped his steps at Dan's words and then answered without batting an eyelid, "No time to say 'hello, goodbye.' I'm late."

And then to the Lycan Captain, "My car better be ready."

And with the Lycan Captain's immediate affirmative, the White Rabbit left.

Should Dan Lion had given chase? But this wasn't wonderland and he wasn't Alice. Was it weird that he still felt a little shocked that Lord Wolfgang had played along? He knew he was the one who started it, but he was left just standing there staring mouth agape at the figure of Lord Wolfgang's departing back.

"He's going alone?" The words left his mouth quite on their own. He looked around at the soldiers standing around him. None of them made any move to follow their Lord, were they going to let Lord Wolfgang just leave on his own?

"Don't worry." Sir Wilhelm said from his side, "It's very safe in Gate City. Lord Wolfgang will be back by morning."

Wait, he was going out alone OVERNIGHT? Dan didn't know what expression he had on his face, but Wilhelm immediately felt he misspoke, "Ah, it's nothing you should mind. Don't mind it."

Dan nodded, he was a very good diplomat after all, "I understand, don't worry about it."

He kicked himself internally for all the greenhorn mistakes he had been making since reaching Gate City. If he kept bumbling like this, he was going to make a real fool of himself.

"I'll show you to your suite." Wilhelm tactfully changed the subject, "My name is Wilhelm. We met once, very briefly."

"Yes, Sir Wilhelm. Thank you for winning the game for me." Dan felt himself ease into his diplomat mode as they entered the glass lift, "I hope you'd allow me the opportunity to thank you over drinks later?"

Sir Wilhelm smiled and tapped his guest card on the security panel before pressing the button marked A1, "It's not necessary, but I would be happy to accompany you anytime during this trip."

Their lift stopped at the top floor of the hotel, "This is the Alpha Suite of the Langston. Lord Wolfgang felt that since we had been allocated the entire suite for our use, we might as well make the most of it."

Wait, the Alpha Suite? But there was no alpha in this delegation right?

"Your suite is here, I've allocated your men in the rooms on the other side of your hallway." Sir Wilhelm handed Dan the key cards still in its crisp white card folder, "Feel free to order room service or anything else you might require. I believe you and your men had a hard journey."

"Thank you, for your kind hospitality." Dan bowed politely. They were being beyond gracious towards his men and himself.

"Breakfast will be served in the hotel's dining hall, or if you prefer, via room service. We leave for Moon Bell at 8 in the morning." Sir Wilhelm informed Dan, "Our Captain has already relayed this information to your Captain of the guards."

Sir Wilhelm handed Dan a name card, "Here's my contact, if you're not too tired for drinks, drop me a text, or else I'll see you in the morning, Mr Lion."

"Thank you." Dan quickly returned the card with his own, "Here's mine. I think I can manage drinks in the lounge."

"After dinner at 8?" Wilhelm offered.

"Perfect." Dan smiled.

Both men bowed politely, even though neither were truly Lycan, and then Wilhelm left.

Dan shut himself inside his suite and sighed. He was really exhausted. It had been long and tense two weeks on the road, BUT he was also a workaholic and he wasn't someone who would turn down an opportunity to gain a potentially useful contact.

A knock on the door and servants, a few soldiers, and the Captain came to set down his luggage - there was a lot because of the sheer number of treasures he was planning to bring into Moon Bell as introductory gifts.

The horses and carriages have been put away, the Captain would check on the stables facilities and the horses before dinner. Yes, meal coupons have already been distributed to them by their generous Lycan hosts - they would be taking shifts to dine at any of the three hotel restaurants. They had six casualties from the ambush earlier, but they have been sent to the Gate City hospital for medical treatment and are all in stable condition. Two of them are expected to be discharge in the morning.

"Go find appropriate lodging and put someone trustworthy in charge." Dan ordered, "We'll set it as our temporary base and leave the servants and a few of the guards here to wait for our return. The injured can also return to this base when they are discharge."

It seemed like Lord Wolfgang and Sir Wilhelm were going to be very attentive hosts, and bringing in a large group would only be a financial burden on their gracious hosts. Dan could afford to pay lodging for his own people. Also, it was a good excuse to cut off his King's eyes and ears, and should he really die in Moon Bell, at least more than half of his people would survive this way.

At least Dan hoped they would survive. There was really very little he could do as a dead man should his King decide to exterminate his entire entourage, but this was unlikely. They might even be useful as live testimony of Dan Lion's unfortunate death.

"We leave tomorrow at 8." Dan told the Captain.

There was no turning back. If Dan didn't want to die, the only way was to keep moving forward.

The Captain was already informed of their early departure. The lycans here were extremely efficient, but the Captain promised that he would personally make sure everything is ready to go at the appointed time tomorrow morning.

"Thank you, Captain. Please get rest too." Dan said.

And so, Dan was alone again.