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Sophie blinked at Leland and frowned a little. She knew that the Village Head and the villagers truly didn\'t let Sophie look at her parents because of the way that they were found in the forest.

"Do you really think that they would be so gruesome about killing?" she asked.

"These people are ruthless assassins that are employed by the royal family," Leland explained. "Once they hear of the verdict about your parents, these people will not bat an eye in ending them. I am sorry, but humans can also be quite cruel."

Sophie squeezed her arm and smiled sadly as countless memories flashed in her mind on the word cruelty. Aunt Helga, Lucia, and Valencia were at the forefront of her memory.

"I know that, Leland. I will not defend my people or say that humans are saints or angels. They can also be ruthless as you said… but the idea that we lycans will reign over them? It still doesn\'t sit well with me."

Leland gently touched his mate\'s shoulder. He could feel her weariness in the situation that hadn\'t even come to pass, and now he felt her reluctance to push forward.

Leland needed to reassure his mate.

"I assure you that I will do everything within my power to ensure equality between the lycans and humans." Leland looked her in the eye.

Sophie breathed deeply at his words and knew they were a difficult thing to promise to anyone at all. She wished that she didn\'t care about what happened because she was burdening her husband, but she still had to ask.

"And how will you do that, Leland?"

"For those who are like your father, Jack Hansley? I will make sure that they are welcomed and accepted by lycan society."

"You… Do you promise?" Sophie looked at her husband with a serious look on her face.

Leland smiled and clasped her hand. "I do."

***

After the conversation between Leland and Sophie in his study, the plans quickly set off in motion. The pack currently in Hastings soon traveled towards the capital of Riga Kingdom.

Along the way to the capital, Duke Romanov and his wife would attend numerous galas and events that they were invited to. Duke Romanov\'s wife would quickly charm the nobility.

Sophie proved herself to be a great asset in the pack as she warmed and softened the hearts of the people they encountered during the parties. She was brilliant, well-spoken, and most importantly attracted the eye of many during such events.

The identity of Duke Romanov already opened many doors because of his business reputation, but they were able to gather more favor and warm welcomes with the help of Sophie at his side.

Blood River Pack finally arrived in Livstad and quickly settled there in the outskirts of the capital. The Alpha bought a manor even larger than Lord Ferdinand\'s castle and welcomed his family and pack to the estate.

"This place is secluded enough for Luciel and Jan to have space to run around freely," Leland explained to his mate with a warm smile. "I will simply have my guards watch over them."

"Thank you." Sophie smiled and looked out of the vast expanse of the land that stretched out as far as her eyes could see. She could see that there was truly a lot of space to roam around.

However, her eyes suddenly sharpened and then she saw past her current vision.

The Luna thought she could see something over the valley they were in, above the hills and that was another manor. Sophie blinked and rubbed her eyes, losing concentration before she looked at her husband.

"Is something the matter, Sophia?" Leland asked.

"Uhh… is there another reason why you chose this place?"

***

Anticipation filled the hearts of the pack members who joined their Alpha in this journey and mission. While their Alpha and Luna were currently discussing and conversing together in privacy, the pack also talked amongst each other.

"So our next-door neighbor is the royal family right?" Duncan asked excitedly. "I\'m super excited to finally clash with the Royal Lycan Hunters. They\'re a feared group, but we\'ll beat them down."

Max rubbed his face at his fellow lycan\'s words. "No. Not exactly."

"Then why did we move here and not the capital\'s heart then? We need to be closer if we want to launch attacks on them." Duncan frowned.

Max shook his head at his rather near-sighted friend who couldn\'t see all the cards perfectly laid down by their leader. Duncan was among those who liked the challenge of combat, but failed at strategy.

"Our Alpha has chosen this location wisely. It would be too suspicious if he settled close to the royal palace and we started our attacks… but the manor right next to us is the royal family\'s villa."

"What\'s the difference between the palace and villa?" Duncan raised a brow. "The size?"

"The royal family is secure in the palace and is surrounded by a lot of people from all sides. We\'re not only talking about the Royal Lycan Hunters, Duncan. The population of humans is much greater than ours."

Duncan shrugged. "It is the capital city after all."

Max\'s brows furrowed at his friend. "Even if we are able to slay them there in the palace itself, we would be hard pressed by the garrisons and army. They will surround us."

"Oh, so the royal villa is less secure than the royal palace." Duncan rubbed his chin.

"Exactly!" Max sighed in relief that the other lycan finally got it.

"Then why would the royal family even come here if it\'s less secure?"

***

"Some people wish to get away from the troubles, stress and pressure of their daily life." Sophie folded her hands together and thought of the villa that she saw. "That is why they will come here."

"Yes." Leland nodded. "When they wish to ease from responsibilities and relax, they will come here to avoid their people."

Sophie and Leland were also discussing the same situation and right now, she still looked a bit uncomfortable. It was easy to enjoy the nobility parties and gatherings, and pretend that she was the wife of Duke Romanov.

However, when it pertained to bloodshed, she was a bit uneasy. Sophie\'s arms were crossed together unsurely as she looked at her husband. She understood what her husband was discussing.

She saw the brilliance of his plan.