My Sword Between The Alpha's Lips
Chapter 34: Alexander’s Pov: Shadow’s In The Hunt

Chapter 34: Alexander’s Pov: Shadow’s In The Hunt

Alexander summoned Dorian to his office by the next day. His mind raced as he paced back and forth, formulating a plan.

"Your Highness," Dorian stated, calling Alexander’s attention, but his voice didn’t even reach his ears.

Alexander continued to murmur toward himself, completely ignoring Dorian.

Dorian stood there for thirty minutes, growing increasingly frustrated as Alexander murmured to himself, seemingly unmindful of his presence.

"Maxim..." Dorian whispered the name he knew would get Alexander’s attention, and it worked.

"WHAT!?" Alexander shouted in surprise, and his eyes wandered around. He thought Maxim was there.

"Your Highness, is this about Maxim?" Dorian asked slowly, trying not to trigger Alexander. He was glad his plan worked.

"Oh... yes, yes," Alexander nodded, stopping pacing around. He stood before Dorian and grabbed his shoulders firmly. He wanted to say his orders, but when he opened his mouth, no words came out.

Dorian raised an eyebrow at Alexander. It was the first time he saw the Crown Prince acting lost and confused. "Your Highness, I can send Orion and Florian to search for Mr. Maxim’s whereabouts. We will deliver any information they can find and bring them to you as soon as possible."

"Oh..." Alexander was speechless and amazed by how Dorian knew him so well. He nodded his head and patted Dorian’s shoulder before turning his back. "Permission granted," he continued.

Dorian slightly bowed and entered the secret tunnel to do his mission. The hidden door closed, and Alexander was alone again.

"That guy is quite dangerous..." Alexander muttered, referring to Dorian while shaking his head in amusement.

Dorian and Alexander grew up together as close friends, which led Dorian to know most of Alexander’s actions and expressions even without a single word said.

"... but very efficient on his job," Alexander continued with positive approval. He went to his enormous window behind his desk and watched the grey clouds in the sky. "Where are you, Maxim?"

After a few days, Dorian’s team still couldn’t find Maxim, but they found tracks about him. However, that led to a dead end, as if Maxim had just vanished out of nowhere.

That caused Alexander’s mood to become abnormal, and just a tiny stimulus would send him to a raging Prince who would shout at everyone around him.

The palace staff trod carefully as Alexander’s temper darkened the atmosphere. His wolf, restless and on edge, mirrored his frustration. Even Dorian, known for his unshakable composure, began to feel the weight of Alexander’s simmering rage.

"After a fruitless search, your team returned with nothing, but vague leads and unconnected clues. Will this make me happy, Dorian?" Alexander stated firmly, even when he wasn’t shouting. His voice was sharp, like the edge of a knife.

Dorian looked down in shame. He didn’t expect Maxim to be so hard to find. "We are trying our best, Your Highness," he replied softly, trying not to trigger Alexander more.

"Then you should try harder. Maxim is just a nobody with no status, but you can’t find him at all!" Alexander snapped at Dorian. He bared his teeth to show his dominance, and lightning struck the sky simultaneously.

"Your Highness... I—" Dorian’s words were cut short when a mind link opened in their heads.

’Your Highness, we found Maxim at the gate arguing with the guards!’ Florian mind-liked in enthusiast that he finally found the man Alexander was looking for.

Alexander was struck in place after Florian’s voice echoed in his ears. He felt a huge, heavy torn was lifted on his chest.

Seeing Alexander was unmoving, Dorian stood up from his kneeling position. "I’ll fetch Maxim and bring him to you, Your Highness," he stated. He was about to leave when Alexander stopped him.

"No... no... Help whatever Maxim needs, but don’t bring him to me or tell him your identity. Everything must remain a secret until I’m ready," Alexander commanded with a smile on his face.

"Yes, Your Highness," Dorian bowed and hurriedly left Alexander’s office. He ran straight to where Florian was, which only cost him a few minutes by using the secret tunnels from Alexander’s room.

"Florian," Dorian called to the man standing behind the tree, hiding from prying eyes.

Florian snapped back and put his index finger on his lips, a sign to shut Dorian’s mouth. He gestured toward Dorian to come closer and pointed at the man which the guards kept harassing.

"I’ll take it from here," Dorian said, gesturing for Florian to leave since his job was done for the day.

Florian grinned widely and saluted to his Captain before leaving.

Dorian watched Maxim getting thrown in the mud by the guards, who kept shouting at him. He didn’t do anything at the moment and waited for the perfect time to meddle.

When Dorian saw Maxim give up on forcing himself to enter the Pack’s gate, he decided it was time to approach him. He put on his hood, covering his entire face to prevent Maxim from seeing his features.

Dorian approached Maxim stealthily. "Come with me," he whispered, handing Maxim a cloak. Then he went away to the other side of the border.

’Will he follow me?’ Dorian thought as he glanced back, seeing the hesitation in Maxim’s eyes, but in the end, he followed him.

Dorian went to the East side of the border, away from the entrance. He waited for Maxim to get closer.

"Hello, do I know you?" Maxim asked timidly.

Dorian noticed the distance Maxim spared for the both of them and was amused by it. ’This man really followed me, a complete stranger. He must be desperate to enter the Pack,’ he thought while observing Maxim.

"You told me to come here... so I followed," Maxim stated, stepping back.

Dorian raised an eyebrow as he didn’t want Maxim to run away. "Don’t be afraid. My master has tasked me with getting you inside the Pack," he stated, pushing a hidden lever against the wall.

"Oh, thank you," Maxim stated, bowing his head a little to show gratitude.

"Don’t thank me. Thank my master," Dorian coldly explained. He stood on the side and gestured for Maxim to enter.