The Crown's Entrapment

Morning came, and Gilas took in a breath of fresh air as he looked out at the window beside him. It had been a while since he traveled with his mother, and he was honestly looking forward to their two days and one-night trip… not only with his mother but also with his mate. It was like a much needed vacation after everything that the three of them had been through.

He unknowingly smiled as excitement filled his heart. In truth, he also had plans to treat Clara for the night on their journey ahead. They would be using another route on their way to Gideon's territory for a stopover at the Snow Moon Pack's Territory for the night, and from there, he would have fun with Clara at the Winter Lantern Festival.

"This is nice, isn't it?" his mother beamed in front of him as she sat opposite him and Clara inside the carriage. "How long has it been since we've traveled like this?"

"Far too long, Mother," Gilas smiled. "From what I can recall, the last time was for King Darius's coronation."

"That, indeed," his mother chuckled. "And that was with… him as well…"

"Right…" he trailed off.

Gilas couldn't help but sigh at the memory. It was a… pleasant experience, but Nasser's presence really put a damper on that particular event. His father had constantly needled them to be on their best behavior despite himself constantly seething at the sight of Darius taking the crown in front of him. At least his mother didn't take too much offense to it all if she was talking about the event with a smile.

Well, the past was the past. They didn't have to think about that man ever again.

"Anyway, we'll arrive at our destination in a day and a half's time," Gilas remarked, steering the conversation away from the distant memory. "As such, we'll be making a stop in the Snow Moon Pack's Territory for the night. There's an inn there that I'm sure will be suitable for our needs."

"Really now," Clara skeptically noted. "And we're not going to be late for this? I'm pretty sure that particular Pack is a bit away from the usual path we take."

Gilas quickly turned his eyes away from Clara, his tongue suddenly feeling like it was numb as he rapidly came up with an excuse.

"It's a nice place to have a stopover, Clara," he reasoned. "Besides, I'm sure that you and Mother will appreciate the rest."

"I most certainly will," his mother beamed. "I haven't been to the Snow Moon Pack's Territory before, and I've heard that there's a festival held there during the winter times."

"Really now?"

Gilas held his tongue as he fought the urge to try and keep his mother quiet. She was so close to spilling his secret, and Clara clearly had an idea as to why they were going there now in the first place.

Still, he wanted to salvage the situation. "Clara, I assure you that this won't be the case," he lied through his teeth. "We'll do some sightseeing, sure, but our main objective is still to make our way to the Black Claw Pack for our King and Queen's celebrations. We can't waste too much time."

"So as you say," Clara scoffed, her tone clearly unbelieving of his words much to his dismay. "We'll see when we get there then."

Turning to her, Gilas was more than prepared to see a skeptical look adorning her face. To his surprise, however, Clara gave him a smug smirk of anticipation before she turned to look out her own window. It was clear what she wanted to say to him…

'Mother would like to see the festival, so we're clearly going to see it no matter what,' he inwardly thought to himself, his mate's voice playing out in his head.

Sinking into his defeat, Gilas let himself fall quiet as their ride went on. A few hours later, and they arrived at the inn where they were going to stay at for the night.

"We're finally here," Clara remarked as they got off their carriage.

"It looks so nice and cozy, this inn," his mother beamed. "Why, I think I might just stay in for the night."

His eyes widened. "Are you sure, Mother?" He was so sure that she would've wanted to see the festival for herself.

"I'm rather tired from all of the traveling we just did," his mother shrugged with a warm smile. "Besides, I'm sure you two would like some time to yourselves."

Gilas didn't know whether to hug or console his mother when the older woman gave out her reply. And if he didn't know any better, he was pretty sure that his mother just winked at Clara before turning around to enter the inn.

"Now, let this old woman get out of your hair," his mother cheekily chuckled. "I'll see you two later for dinner."

He could only blink as he watched his mother disappear into the inn. Now left with Clara, he could only sheepishly smile as his mate gave him the same smug smile that she gave him earlier during their journey. Still, he didn't like that he was at the backfoot of this conversation.

No, he was going through with it no matter what she thought it might be.

"So I guess this is-"

"Clara, will you go to the Winter Lantern Festival with me?"

He didn't even give her the chance to call him out as he held her hand and raised it up as if to ask for her permission. Of course, he was also ready if she said no, but if he was correct in feeling out her emotions, she would say yes to him right here and no.

"I… I would love to, Gilas," she stuttered out, clearly taken off-guard by his suddenness.

"Excellent," he smiled. "I heard that there are a lot of things we can do for this particular evening, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

"I can- Woah!"

Once more, Gilas didn't let her finish as he all but dragged her by his side. He was going to make this work, and he wasn't lying when he said earlier that they couldn't waste too much time in this place.

They arrived just in time for the festival to start, and he wanted to do everything they could do before they returned to rest in their inn.