Chapter 209

His words struck a chord in me, and I appreciated the offer despite the lingering uncertainty about Kendrick's true motives.

It was a stark contrast to the man who had dragged me into this supernatural world against my will.

My mouth fell open in surprise as I was unsure of what to say.

I couldn't shake off the nagging confusion about Kendrick's sudden display of kindness. How could he flip from being the stern, manipulative figure to wanting to play the role of a fatherly figure?

Was it because he felt bad for me? Or did he just want something from me now that he knew I was the White Wolf?

"I know things have been difficult between us," Kendrick began as if sensing my internal struggle. "But introducing you to the Alpha King has changed the game. I feel a sense of responsibility now. I want to ensure the right choices are made. Don't forget, I've opened the door to possibilities for you."

His words hung in the air, carrying an undercurrent that felt like a subtle form of blackmail.

What did Kendrick expect from me in return?

I couldn't quite decipher his true motives, but for the moment, I decided to thank him for the effort.

"Thank you for arranging this," I said cautiously. "It's... appreciated."

"No problem, Shana."

The flight attendant returned with some ice for Kendrick, and he mumbled a thanks under his breath. I watched as he dropped a few cubes into his glass and then took another sip.

My gaze turned to Lucas, and I was surprised to see his eyes already on me.

"I'm sorry if he's making you uncomfortable," he said under his breath. "I don't know... why he's acting like that."

"It's a little... confusing," I confessed in a low voice. "Do you think he's serious?"

Lucas shrugged, not saying anything further in case his father overheard us talking again.

The flight attendant, having delivered the ice, discreetly retreated to her duties.

Even though Kendrick's kindness was confusing... the alternative was a journey to the Ethereal Palace all by myself, and that seemed infinitely worse.

With Kendrick's presence, I at least had a whole staff of security, not to mention Lucas, ensuring my safety. The situation, however, remained perplexing.

Lucas, sensing my unease, squeezed my hand reassuringly. "I'll be there as much as I can. If anything feels off, we can leave."

Kendrick, overhearing our exchange, interjected confidently, "There won't be any need for that. The King simply wants to get to know you, Shana. It's a great opportunity for you and for us."

His emphasis on "us" only fueled my suspicion about his underlying motives.

I nodded in acknowledgment, unsure of what to make of his sudden interest in playing a protective role.

Lucas's hand provided a comforting anchor as Kendrick continued to outline the history of the Ethereal Palace.

"The palace is an ancient establishment," Kendrick began. "It was constructed centuries ago, guarded by potent spells and the most powerful werewolves. The Ethereal Realm, as it's called, serves as a bridge between our world and the supernatural. Its history is rich with magic and tradition."

My eyes flickered between Kendrick and Lucas.

The tales of such a mystical place sparked a mix of awe within me.

As Kendrick delved into the palace's storied past, I couldn't shake the feeling that our journey was venturing into realms beyond the ordinary.

"And how much longer until we get there?" I asked, shifting the conversation towards a more immediate concern.

Kendrick consulted his watch, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "We've got a few more hours. They'll be serving dinner for us soon and then everyone should take the time to get some rest. I don't know how busy our schedule will be at the palace."

"How many hours is a few hours?" I asked, raising a brow.

"We have about ten more hours," Kendrick said bluntly.

I wanted to scoff at his response. That was a lot more than a few hours. We had an ample amount of time left, and just thinking about it made my skin itch with curiosity.

I wanted to get to the palace as soon as we possibly could. The anticipation was killing me.

"The Ethereal Palace is situated in a space where time behaves differently," Kendrick continued. "Our plane can only take us so far, and then we'll need to rely on alternative methods to cross the remaining distance."

"Can you tell us more about the portal?" I asked, curiously about how it affected time. "It only lets you travel directly to the Ethereal Palace?"

Kendrick's eyes sparkled with a knowing glint, appreciating my curiosity. "The portal is a unique creation of ancient magic. It's a passage that connects specific points in our world to the Ethereal Realm."

"Does it manipulate time?" I questioned further.

"It's not a mere shortcut... In a way, I suppose it manipulates time itself. Once we step through it, time will seem to move differently. What might feel like hours for us could be mere minutes or vice versa."

I exchanged a glance with Lucas, and we both wore shocked expressions.

Time manipulation—magic that transcended the ordinary understanding of the world.

The mystical nature of the portal added a layer of intrigue to our journey.

"As for where it leads, it's directly to the palace," Kendrick continued. "The Alpha King maintains control over who gains access to this portal. Not many are aware of its existence, let alone understand the intricacies of time travel involved. It's a well-guarded secret."

Lucas's brows furrowed in contemplation. "So, we're essentially time-traveling to another realm?"

Kendrick chuckled. "In a sense, yes. But don't worry, the effects are temporary. Once we arrive at the palace, time will resume its normal flow for us."

I nodded, absorbing the information.

"Does the portal allow people to travel to whatever place they desire?" I inquired. "For instance, if the Alpha King needed to travel, would he be able to just simply walk through the portal?"

"I'm not sure... I wish I did." Kendrick sipped his drink. "Like I said, not many people know about the portal, and it was hard information for me to come by myself. However, the two of you must keep this to yourself."

I wanted to ask Kendrick how he was even able to figure this out. I didn't know what kind of contacts or resources he had, but maybe it was more impressive than I could've ever imagined.

Curiosity burned within me, and I couldn't help but press further. "How did you even discover this? It sounds like highly classified information."

Kendrick's eyes flickered with a mysterious gleam. "Let's just say I have connections in places you wouldn't expect. The supernatural world is vast, with many secrets hidden in its folds. It took time and effort to unveil this particular mystery. Remember, knowledge is power."

Lucas shot me a glance, and I could tell he was just as intrigued and skeptical as I was.

Suddenly, the surreal nature of our journey intensified, leaving me with a mix of wonder and anticipation.

The revelation that such extraordinary magic existed, hidden from the knowledge of many, added a layer of mystery.