Mated To My Boyfriend's Dad

Chapter 103: _ Let’s Ask The Peculiar II

The fact that they found a peculiar creature as Cora had mentioned had made Rhett begin to second guess if Cora was really a bad guy. This meeting with Aceco would tell.

Rhett watched in fascination as Aceco’s gentle touch coaxed the peculiar creature back to its feet. With every stroke of hers, its whimpers subsided and began to get replaced by a low groan that reverberated somewhere deep within its chest.

Finally, it stood tall on its four legs, the vibrant green and blue fur shimmering faintly in the ethereal light beaming in the make-believe cliff.

"There," Aceco announced with a soft smile and a voice that was as gentle as the waterfall cascading behind her "All healed."

Wow. Just wow.

A collective murmur of impressed awe boomed through the trio as they watched the creature wiggle like it wasn’t formerly wounded. Even Darius who seemed to be apparently unwilling to give in to Aceco’s authority couldn’t help but be impressed by the swiftness and ease with which she had mended the creature.

"Excellent," he barked.

With a voice that was sharper than necessary. "Now, can we get on with the questioning?" He further impatiently pointed out.

Argh. Whoever gave Darius such a gut? Whatever was his gut?

Rhett winced inwardly. Darius’ brusqueness always grated on him, especially when dealing with someone as obviously powerful and sensitive as Aceco. He ought to know better since he was eldest amongst them - apart from Aceco, of course.

However, he held his tongue, knowing it wasn’t the time to pick a fight. He’d have his chance someday and put the idiot right where he belonged.

Aceco, however, didn’t seem fazed. With a gentle smile, she nudged the peculiar creature towards them. It looked at them with wide and curious eyes. Its gaze lingered on Rhett for a moment before it looked back at Aceco.

And then, it nudged her hand with its head in a gesture that could only be described as gratitude.

Wow, Rhett thought - Aceco wasn’t bluffing when she said it was intelligent.

"Now then," Aceco began "let’s see if we can get some answers from our little friend."

She used the word ’friend’ with such genuine affection that Rhett couldn’t help but wonder about the bond these creatures shared with their fairy companions.

However, Darius would never cease to be a dickhead.

"About time," he grunted with a voice that bordered on rudeness.

Rhett stifled a sigh. Dealing with Darius’ abrasive personality was another trial entirely.

Aceco, however, lived up to the fey’s peaceful reputation.

"Now then, tell me, little one, what is your name? And who are your owners?" She asked the creature, completely paying no attention to Darius who seemed to want a lot of it.

The creature tilted its head and its eyes gleamed with an intelligence that surprised Rhett.

To the untrained eye, it might seem like it wasn’t reacting, but Rhett could see the slight shifts in its posture, the twitch of its ears - all signs of it processing Aceco’s words.

Aceco closed her eyes for a moment, her expression concentrating. A faint golden light glowed around her fingertips, and Rhett could almost sense the connection forming between her and the peculiar creature.

They seemed to be in a silent conversation - a dialogue beyond words.

The moments ticked by, filled only by the chirping of the unseen birds in Aceco’s illusioned cliff and the whooshing of the waterfall.

Rhett had never been more impressed in his entire life.

Finally, Aceco opened her eyes and a thoughtful expression bloomed on her face. She cleared her throat and addressed the pack leaders.

"It says it’s been lost ever since the first day they arrived at the Ravenwood pack," she announced.

Rhett’s ears perked up. This meant Cora wasn’t a liar. It meant she might not be the one hiding things but – Liam.

"That doesn’t make sense," Darius blurted out, to Rhett’s surprise. "If it was lost, then what was it doing injured all the way out here?"

What the heck was his problem?

Both Rhett and the Alpha had been attentive and silent but Darius wouldn’t just shut his stupid mouth!

Aceco pursed her lips slightly. "It says young wolves found it soon after they arrived," she explained. "They hurt it, and it ran away. It’s been in the wilderness ever since, surviving on its own until it stumbled upon this place, injured from another encounter with a predator."

"What kind of predators?" Darius blurted out once again.

Aceco’s patience seemed to be wearing thin. "Why don’t you ask it yourself, Beta Darius?" she countered.

Thank you, Aceco! Rhett inwardly jubilated. It was about time.

While Rhett fought back a grin, Darius, for once, seemed to sense he’d overstepped his bounds. He mumbled an apology and retreated backward, avoiding Aceco’s gaze.

Good. He had been reminded of his place.

While disappointment settled on Rhett, he understood. He wasn’t particularly hoping for the creature since it’s been separated from its owners.

However, once again, an alibi to Cora’s claims.

They had an original plan for coming here. Someone might as well say it.

The Alpha cleared his throat, stepping forward. "Forgive my Beta’s impulsiveness, Aceco," he put forward. "We were hoping you might be able to help us locate the missing family. We believe they may be clues that could lead us to the vampire’s hideout."

Aceco nodded slowly. "I can help you with that," she said, placing her exceptionally pinkish hands on her lap. "But I’ll need something personal from each member of the family – maybe a piece of clothing, a treasured belonging, something that carries their essence."

Rhett understood. It was a common practice among mages. It was a way to use personal effects as a conduit, a bridge to locate the missing person.

Why hadn’t they thought of that before traveling all the way here? That meant they needed to go and come back. Yet again, since the entire family was missing, how were they to find something that belonged to each one of them?

Oh, Cora. Yes, they could use Cora, but that also left another question open. How were they to ask Cora for help without her getting suspicious about Aceco’s involvement?

Their visit to Aceco must remain a secret, hence, the fey might feel insecure and think that their opinions don’t matter. He wouldn’t want to be one of the people who turned out to be the cause of conspiration between their alliance with the fey.