Chapter 5

*Logan*

I sat in the farthest corner of the tent with a baseball hat on my head, trying to hide from the prying eyes. This task bordered on a miracle because my aura, not only as a royal but as a Lycan, was more intense and noticeable. From the moment I parked the car, I attracted curious eyes. I only hoped they would mistake me for Mr. Bernard in disguise, not someone of royal blood.

Albert explained everything to me, or at least what he knew, suggesting that much more was hidden beneath the top that needed to be revealed. I already know that the woman I am picking up is Poppy Hopkins, a former Luna or current one. She was a member of the Larch Grove Pack, who was allowed to use Luna's Law to bring justice and punish Alpha and his Luna for their wrongs against the pack members and his rightful Luna and heir.

I must admit that I greatly admire a woman who decided to challenge the stronger one and intends to fight him for the sake of her daughter. Gunnar shuddered to hear that any Alpha would deny his child the right to be an Alpha just because of the gender. This is different from how the law of inheritance was created. It does not matter who is born to whom; the first-born child has the right to the title. And this alpha not only deprived them of it but also destroyed their mother in the process.

My mother would skin him alive if she found out about it. That's probably why Lex keeps his mouth shut and doesn't inform our parents about this situation. Unaware of the violation of rights, they lounge on paradise beaches, using the abdication as a second honeymoon. A honeymoon that has been going on for quite a few years now.

"Excuse me. That's my chair." The girl's voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked to my left.

"It says Trevor Thompson on it, so it belongs to me."

A small, slightly chubby, blonde girl with the bluest eyes I know stared at me with a brave face. Gunnar moved at the sight of her, and I felt a shiver as I inhaled her citrus scent, clashing with intense mint and chocolate. I stared at her like an idiot, not knowing how to react to this little creature demanding I give up my seat.

"And you are Trevor?" I finally asked, straightening up in my chair.

"NO." The little girl shook her head, making her blonde ponytails move. "But I'm his best friend, and he always gives me his chair," she added, crossing her arms in a determined pose.

I would have laughed if it weren't for the fact that she looked so sweet in her self-confidence. But strangely, her determination to confront me made me proud.

"And his dad is my best friend, and he's the one who let me sit in that chair." I leaned forward and placed my elbows on my knees, clasping my hands together in front of me. "And it seems that Alpha has the final and decisive say here." I prompted her, wondering how she would get out of this situation.

"Trevor is the future Alpha, and he's been letting me sit here for two years. I'm rooting for Trevor today, and it's my lucky place. And I haven't seen you here before. Are you sure you're invited to the Alpha tent?" The girl took a step forward, defiantly.

Her big blue eyes suddenly squeezed together as she gave me what she considered an intimidating look. But I found it cute and smiled broadly at her, cheered by her challenge.

"You're right. I haven't been here lately, but I'm here by invitation. Maybe we can share a seat?" I offered playfully.

The girl was about to give me all her reasons to decline when she heard her name somewhere in the distance. Scared, she ran out of the tent behind my back without a word. I didn't know what happened, but I didn't have time to chase after her when suddenly a woman ran into the tent, obviously sweaty, tired, and highly irritated, looking around.

"Gemma, are you here? Gemma, this isn't funny. You're suspended. Mom's looking for you, and she's worried."

The woman began to look under tables, chairs, piles of backpacks, clothes, and even portable refrigerators that would undoubtedly not accommodate a child.

"Haven't you seen a child here? A five-year-old blonde girl with the face of an angel and the demeanor of a devil?" The woman finally turned to me, but I quickly shook my head, staring at the phone I had taken out of my pocket.

"Where is she? Little Devil." The woman sighed and ran out of the tent, screaming for the little girl.

"Gemma." I repeated her name, "For a devil, she has a pretty nice name." I laughed.

'And the most beautiful face I've ever seen.' Gunnar added dreamily.

I was struck by his vanity toward this little girl, and my heart leaped in panic, thinking I might have missed something Gunnar had sensed.

'Just don't fucking tell me she's our mate,' I broke out, almost screaming at him in fear.

'And why not? She's pretty, sweet, and has the makings of a good fighter. Isn't that the kind of woman you want?' Gunnar blurred until his mouth watered.

"But it's a child!" I screamed as I got up from the chair, almost roaring at the top of my lungs.

'I wish I could see your face, you probably look like a total moron.' Gunnar laughed and began to shake with amusement.

"Asshole," I commented and blocked him as I left the tent through the same exit as the little girl.