As expected, Gideon and Adeline arrived at the palace well before dinner time. What they hadn't anticipated was the sight greeting them in the main hall: the Alpha King and the entire royal family were already assembled, waiting for their return.
Adeline immediately lowered her gaze to the floor, trying to shield herself from the sudden scrutiny. Gideon, maintaining a cold and rigid demeanor, greeted only his father, completely bypassing the Luna Queen as if she were not even in the room.
Huxley stood up from his seat, stepping forward with his arms open. The two men shared a firm embrace, and the King clapped a supportive hand against his son's shoulder.
"You did a wonderful job," Huxley said, stepping back to look his son in the eyes. "Wiping out those rogues and completely neutralizing the threat was a massive undertaking. It was no easy feat, but you handled it flawlessly."
