Outcast: The Alpha King's Beloved

Chapter 287: Childhood Playmates 

Jennifer's POV:

After having breakfast, I checked my phone.

Apparently, Jerome had sent me a message the night before.

It was a picture of a Skylar smiling by the seaside, wind blowing through her hair.She looked beautiful.

Smiling down at my phone, I quickly replied to Jerome.

After hitting send, I held up my phone in front of Anthony and sighed.

"Look, Anthony.Jerome and Skylar look like they're having the time of their lives.Their pain and suffering are finally behind them."

Anthony glanced at the picture and his expression softened. RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

"I'm happy for them.Jerome is as determined and kind-hearted as you.I knew God wouldn't treat him unfairly."

Knowing that Jerome and Skylar were safe and happy, I felt relieved.

Thinking about them reminded me of something.

"Honey, how are the wedding preparations going? I'm so nervous, I'm going to be sick.What if I make a mistake?"

Anthony walked over to me and took my hand.

"Relax, Jennifer.The invitations have been sent out; the venue has been set up; and the dress has been tailored to fit you.Everything is ready.You don't have to worry about anything.Plus, for us, this

ceremony is just a bonus.Everyone already knows that you are my queen—and a reasonable, elegant, and dignified one at that.

Hearing Anthony's words, I blushed shyly.

"You flatter me!"

Anthony just smiled back at me reassuringly.

Embarrassed, I quickly changed the subject.

"I haven't heard from the pack in days.I'll call Simon."

I then dialed the elder's number.

"Hello, Elder Simon? This is Jennifer.How have you been? How's the pack doing?"

"Hello, Alpha Jennifer.I'm fine, thanks for asking.The pack is as peaceful as before you left.We're all doing great.Don't worry about us," Simon said proudly.

"Tony and I have promised that we would take care of things, didn't we?"

"Thank you so much, Elder Simon.Please rest assured that I will return to our pack as soon as the wedding ceremony's over," I said gratefully.

"Without your and Elder Tony's support, I really don't know what I would've done."

"Alpha Jennifer, there's no need to rush.We will take care of the Rainbow Pack.It's our duty."

After a few more words with Simon, I hung up the phone with a sigh of relief.

Anthony reached for my belly and stroked it gently.

"Honey, you've been tiring yourself out lately.I'm worried about you and the baby."

I could see the concern in his eyes.

To reassure him, I put my hand on his and smiled.

"I have responsibilities, Anthony.I'm your queen, and also the Alpha of the Rainbow Pack.I can't slack off.After we get married, I'll have to go back and see how the pack is doing." Anthony pulled my hand to his lips and kissed it.

"It's up to you, my queen." I giggled.

"Oh, please, Anthony!"

Just then, an attendant hurried over, carrying a booklet in his hand.He gave it to Anthony and explained, "This is the guest list for the ceremony, Mr.Jones.Please have a look."

Anthony began to leaf through it.

"There are a lot of guests.We'll need to be careful.You'd better strengthen our security on that day to prevent anything unexpected from happening."

Peeking from over Anthony's shoulder, I saw that the booklet was densely packed with names.

Just as I was about to sigh, a familiar name caught my eye— Carl.

"Wait, Anthony!"

I pointed at the name.

"Carl...I wonder how I know this name..."

I thought for a while and suddenly, it came to me.I had a very dear playmate when I was a child.

His name was Carl.

No wonder I felt that the name was familiar.I was but a toddler back then, and I played with Carl every day.

But sometime later, Carl moved to another pack with his parents.I always thought of him fondly.I sometimes wondered how he was doing, hoping he was living a good life.

Not long after he left, the misfortunate events took place at the Rainbow Pack.

My father was murdered, and Arthur stole the position of Alpha.

My brother and I were exiled, and I lost contact with most of the werewolves I knew before.

Anthony's POV:

Jennifer frowned, puzzling over the name Carl.

"What's wrong, honey? Is there someone on the guestlist who looks suspicious?" I took Jennifer's hand and looked at her with concern.

"Oh, no! It's nothing like that.I just remembered that I used to have a playmate named Carl.He was a good boy,"

Jennifer explained with a sheepish smile.

I eyed Jennifer cautiously.

"Do you think this is the Carl you played with as a child?" Jennifer shook her head and scratched her chin.

"I don't know."

Not wanting her to see that name again, I hurriedly closed the booklet.

"It's probably someone else.It's too much of a coincidence."

"But maybe it's him..." Jennifer smiled at me.

"After all, fate is sometimes a funny thing.Why? Do you know who this Carl is?"

I looked at her and answered honestly, "I've never met him before, but I've heard that he is the Alpha of the White Lily Pack.It is a newly established pack, but it has progressed very fast."

"Oh! Then this Carl can't be my old friend.He was a very shy werewolf.I can't imagine him as an Alpha of a pack."

Jennifer shook her head.

"We used to pretend to get married.Whenever he played the groom, he was always so shy!"

At the mention of this story, I couldn't sit still anymore.

I wrapped my arms around Jennifer possessively.

"Honey, don't you know how possessive I am? I'll be unhappy if you mention another man's name in front of me."

Jennifer's eyes went as wide as saucers and she burst into laughter.

"Are you serious, Anthony? He's just a little boy in my memory!"

"But you regret having separated from him, don't you?" I whispered in her ear.

"Yes, a little bit—but he's only a friend, I swear!"

Jennifer crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.

"Anthony, there's no one out there for me other than you.Why are you so jealous?"

Despite her spoiled child act, her words made me extremely happy.

"Fine," I said, a smile playing at the corners of my lips.

Then we both burst into laughter.

When we calmed down, I planted a kiss on Jennifer's forehead.

"Well, I guess we'll find out if he was your childhood playmate at the wedding ceremony.I'll take you to him."

Jennifer sat on my lap and clapped excitedly.

"Anthony, you're so good to me!" I smiled playfully.

"Who else would I be good to?"

"Honey, I love you!"

Jennifer threw her arms around me, kissing me over and over again.

I looked at her happily, grateful for any kisses sent my way.

This was awesome.The beautiful girl sitting in front of me was about to become my wife.In that moment, I swore to love and take care of her with my life.