"One would think you both are lovers," it was Vallus who had sneaked up on them.
"Don't be ridiculous, friend. I'll leave you two to have your lover's quarrel," Artemis smiled at his friends and left.
"Care to explain?" Vallus asked in a jealous tone. He did not mean to sound like an insecure mate but he could not help it especially when he had heard rumours that Adelaide was cuckolding him.
"Don't be silly Vallus, Artemis is our childhood friend," Adelaide placed emphasis on the our.
"Childhood friend, Adelaide. Let that friendship end in childhood, people talk. It won't look good," Adelaide narrowed her eyes at this, she wondered who was spreading wicked rumours about her.
"You have nothing to worry about, I was only concerned about Artemis," Adelaide shrugged.
"It's not your duty to worry about him," Vallus said.
"Come on, he's the Alpha and there are all this rumours, I just wanted to check... But you're right, it's no place of mine to be worried," Adelaide said with a sigh.
"What rumours?" She smiled on the inside, Vallus was her mate but she needed him to be Alpha and she was aware of his greed.
"You know... The blue wolf and the blood moon. Can you believe someone even mentioning that the blue wolf might be Artemis mate? Isn't that funny?" Adelaide scoffed.
"Why would anyone think the blue wolf is Artemis mate?" Vallus asked watching Adelaide carefully.
"Naturally, the blue wolf should have been executed on spot but if Artemis were to execute his mate, then he would run mad... But that's just hearsay, I'm sure none of it is true," Adelaide said offhandedly as Vallus planted an unexpected kiss on Adelaide's mouth.
"Vallus..." She withdrew from his kiss.
"What is the matter? We're mated to be..."
"You know I can't until all the rites are complete and..."
"It's driving me crazy that I can't be with you," Adelaide scoffed upon hearing this. She was aware of Vallus many sex escapades.
"I know... But..."
"What do you say we complete those rites this week? What's stopping us anyway?" Vallus asked with a frustrated hiss.
"We'll talk about this later, okay?" Adelaide replied as she walked away from him.
Vallus eyed her departing figure with suspicion. He knew Adelaide was as cunning as he was. She had just told him valuable information in which he could use to ruin Artemis. This was not the first time she had done so but if she was sleeping with Artemis just to... He shook his head at the thought. There was no way Artemis would betray his trust like that. He laughed at himself, he was fooling his supposed best friend and heaven knew he would stab Artemis in the back if it was going to be advantageous to him so what was stopping Artemis from doing the same? Some misguided loyalty?
He saw Artemis walking towards the party but he moved quickly to stop him from doing so. He intended to pursue Adelaide's lead.
"Artemis," Vallus called his friend's name, he observed that Artemis looked worried.
"Vallus! Settled your lover's quarrel?" Artemis teased.
"Of course but there are more serious matters at hand," Vallus said not taking his eyes off Artemis.
"Yes,yes... The blue wolf? I have it under control," Artemis expression remained the same. If it had changed at all it was that the look of worry that masked his face earlier had faded.
"As your right hand man, I say it would be in your best interest to execute her here right now in front of everyone," Vallus was hoping to provoke a reaction from Artemis but all he got in response was a nod of thoughtfulness from the later.
"I was thinking the exact same thing but I think it will be in our best interest to investigate the lady...servant, she might be a spy or might be working for someone," Artemis said.
"Is that why you would not execute her?" Vallus was sure Artemis was hiding something, the problem was that he was too darned good at it.
"Yes, yes. If she is to bring chaos it would profit us to know who she's working with,"
"The rumours are causing more than a commotion, Artemis. If something is not done before the night ends we'll have a mob on our hands," Vallus was pushing his luck and he knew it.
"I see, then I have less than three hours to draw out information from the blue wolf," Artemis replied as if in deep thoughts.
"So you'll execute her?" Vallus queried.
"Ofcourse,"
"Why don't I start the questioning while you address the people?" Vallus asked.
"I will deal with that myself," Artemis replied in a firm voice.
"Of course, uhm... So how can I help?" Vallus asked.
"By quelling the rumours. It would be nice to know who started them," Artemis said.
"I... Why is that important?" Vallus was taking off guard. He knew instinctively that Adelaide was responsible for spreading the rumours.
"To make an example of them, I cannot have someone questioning my authority," was Artemis reply.
"I don't think that was the intention, the people are just worried and..."
"If someone is worried, they come to me with their burdens. Instead this person has chosen to spread malicious rumours... Do you know what that means Vallus? Such a person is doubting my sovereignty... My power to protect the pack... I must make an example of such," a shiver ran down Vallus' spine. Artemis could be scary sometimes.
"I just think this is going too far, the focus tonight should be on..."
"If you're incapable of finding out who did this just say so, I'm sure it would be much easier for Adelaide to..."
"I can handle this," Vallus was angry. He had meant to corner Artemis but he had been cornered instead. He wondered if Artemis knew the truth already and was only playing them.
"I'm glad I have such a trustworthy friend," Artemis said as he patted his best friend's shoulder.