'Look for mate!"

This was the third time that Rick came to Eric's dream, and punched him in his face.


'Don't be a bother, Rick. I have checked twice that little one is at Liam's place. Julian also confirmed it in person."

'No, you go and look over it."

Rick's nonstop growling caused him to abandon his soft bed, Eric warned him before leaving.


'I am going there just to shut your mouth."

He fixed the cover over Melinda and cursed Rick the whole way to the forest.


'Little one!"

He inhaled deeply, but there was no scent of her outside.

'See, she hadn't stepped out in the last five to six hours. Are you happy?"

'No, I want to see her."

Rick's pointless suspicious baffled him, but his heart also desired to see her. So he barged in, as Julian on the duty had a spare key to the Liam's cabin.

The calming scent of Charlotte finally relieved Rick's agitation, but the scene of the empty living area angered him.

'Why are they sleeping together in the room?"

Eric kicked the door open, his worst nightmare was alive in front of his eyes.

'Little one!"

He searched for Charlotte frantically in the room and bathroom, but found no trace of her.

'Where are you, little one?"

…

'You are getting good at crafting sympathetic stories. Spare sometime and write a journal about your failed relationships. I will love to read it."

Charlotte laughed, and her worry vanished in thin air. Casper really lived up to his name, using a joke to make her comfortable with him again.

'First thing first. This is your box that I described in the message."

Casper placed a large wooden box on the floor,

'Crystal table will break if place it over there. You know I am quite tight on budget."

'Oh really, Your Majesty?"

Charlotte rolled her eyes at him.

'Don't even get me started about the Royal family's assets. You can easily afford this whole hotel."

Charlotte trailed her fingers over her mother's name, and replied to him.

'Actually, you are right. I bought this hotel tonight."

His sly grin made her laugh again, she shifted her attention towards the box.

'Ouch!"

Charlotte didn't notice, and a long, pointed iron needle punctured her hand.

'I am so careless."

She immediately put her finger in her mouth.

'Is there any need to state the obvious, Star?"

Charlotte hardly stopped herself from thrashing that wooden cover over Casper's head, as he was her King now.

Under the thick layer of the dirt, Charlotte found her mother's real pic, her eyes welled up with tears. The emptiness of her heart filled with the handmade portrait of Scarlet Adino, she felt a wave of relief washed over her.

Casper gave her a moment and poured a glass of crimson drink for her.

'You have fresh stack here."

Charlotte sniffed the glass before taking a sip.

'No, I have arranged it for you. I don't offer my delicacies to commoners."

Charlotte savored the drink and brought out the wrapped parcel, carefully placed over the countless letters. She unwrapped it cautiously, and found a wedding gown drenched in the scent of roses.

'Mom!"

Unable to conceal her emotions behind the response of Casper's efforts of cheering her up, she broke down. Tears rolled down her eyes, seemingly unstoppable. Unshed tears of barrenness flowed like a stream, her anguish was beyond the words.

Anxious by her misery, Casper removed his glasses and crouched down in front of her.

'Look at me, Star! It's fine, you are not feeling any pain."

Charlotte flinched and looked away.

'Not now, Casper. Don't compel me. I don't want to forget my first meeting with my Mom."

Helpless to relieve her sufferings, he handed her the bottle.

'Drink! It helps."

Charlotte chugged the bottle, then pain in her heart didn't subside an inch. Hugging that dress tightly, she looked at the letters, which were mostly the daily routine of Scarlet Adino.

Crying profusely, she kissed that fragile paper, her words got stuck in her throat.

'Thank you so much, Casper. I have no words to express my gratitude for this favor."

'There is no need to say thanks, Star. The Royal family has already caused you irreparable damage. This is nothing as compared to your loss."

Casper stretched out his arms to hug her, but refrained himself from doing it.

'You need to be strong, Star. Being an orphan is not easy."

He also sat down with her, his eyes glistening with tears. Casper's fresh wound got back her to the normal, she consoled him with great sympathy.

'I can understand your pain, Casper. Time will pass, and new things will be added in our lives, but no one can ever fill the void of their absence."

She paused for a moment to clean her face and then continued.

'There was a time when I thought that Royals live their lives so comfortably, but in the end, we all are same emotional creatures. Kingdom affairs may have buried you under them and diverted your attention, but you need some time to heal properly. Try therapy sessions if it is convenient for you."

Charlotte's sincere suggestion curled up Casper's lips in a smile.

'I am a psychologist, Star. I know how to deal with my sorrow."

He sighed and finger combed his already smooth hair.

'Sometimes a doctor also requires a specialist. I was suffering from chronic insomnia. Fortunately, a very good doctor solved my problem. Although, I thought that my illness was untreatable."

Charlotte looked at Casper's stunned face and giggled.

'You are using my words against me, Star. Good job!"

He helped her in packing the box again.

'That boyfriend was Eric, Star. You lied to me before."

In an instant, he was serious, Charlotte shuddered under his intense accusing gaze.

'We lie when we are ashamed of our past. That was also my case, Casper. Nothing personal."

'You should never feel guilty of being open and straightforward, Star. Trusting some asshole and not sleeping for ten years is certainly not your fault. You deserve the best."

Suddenly, Casper's cell phone rang, and before he could answer it, the door flew opened with a loud thud.

'Long time no see, Alpha Eric."

Casper's unpleasant impressions welcomed the enraged intruder, his voice was low but vehement. His attempt to provide a body shield was terribly failed, as Eric grabbed his collar and punched him.

'Stop it, Alpha. Attacking on a King is considered to be an invitation for a war."

Casper balanced himself and sneered.

'To hell with your status, Casper. You are just a bastard I am dealing with."

Charlotte moved swiftly and stood between them.

'Don't try anything stupid, Alpha."

But it was too late to say anything.

'You stay out of it!"

Eric tried to pounce at Casper again, but Charlotte held his arm firmly.

'I came here…."

'So, you were not kidnapped?"

Eric bellowed ferociously.

'I really underestimated you, little one."

His voice degenerated into a guttural rasp. Grabbing her arm, Eric gave it a yank.

'Alpha Eric!"

Casper retaliated as Eric's diverted victim of fury was distressed.

'Some other day, bastard. I will snap your neck for sure."

…

On their way back, Charlotte couldn't explain herself as Eric drove a separate car, leaving her under watchful eyes of elite warriors. She was embarrassed on creating a scene at the hotel, Eric's temper was causing her a headache. Melinda and Luna Lily were waiting for them in the living area of the Pack house.

'Eric!"

'Not now, mother."

Eric's throaty growl and with Charlotte on his shoulder, Luna Lily had a vague guess about the situation with this display. She placed her hand on Melinda's shoulder, who was about to follow them.

'It's their personal matter, Maddy. Come with me, you will sleep with me in my room tonight."

As the whole Pack was perturbed with Charlotte's disappearance, Luna made an announcement about her safe return in the Pack's link and retired for the night, although several thoughts regarding the Pack's future kept harassing her in the sleep.