Chapter 9 8: The Alpha's suspicion

"I'm telling you, Alpha. She purposely struck me!" Scarlet complained bitterly, her hand still pressed against her cheek.

Darius barely glanced up from the parchments on his desk. "What did you do to her, Scarlet?"

"I didn't do anything! I just wanted to see her, but she refused and slapped me across the cheek!" she lied, her voice laced with indignation.

Then it hit him.

A sharp pull deep in his chest.

His hands clenched. His breath hitched.

His vision blurred as his heart pounded erratically.

Something was wrong.

Before Scarlet could blink, Darius was gone.

He moved with inhuman speed, his body twisting as he lunged out of the window. Mid-air, bones snapped, muscles expanded, and in a heartbeat, his wolf emerged.

A beast of dark fur and lethal speed.

By the time Scarlet realized what had happened, he was already a blur disappearing into the woods.

---

Lena barely had time to scream.

The rogues lunged.

Then, out of nowhere, a massive black wolf crashed into the clearing.

It moved with terrifying speed, slamming into the first rogue before it could reach her. The rogue yelped, thrown aside like a rag doll.

The others hesitated, growling low in their throats.

Lena scrambled back, her chest heaving.

The wolf stood above her, its thick fur blending into the darkness, only its glowing red eyes piercing through the night. It was huge-larger than any wolf she had ever seen, its muscles rippling with restrained fury.

The rogues whined, stepping back.

One of them, foolish or desperate, lunged again.

The black wolf didn't wait. It struck with savage precision, claws slashing, fangs sinking deep. A strangled yelp. Blood splattered the leaves.

The remaining rogues bolted, vanishing into the trees.

Silence fell.

Lena lay frozen, her breath ragged.

The wolf turned its head toward her.

For a moment, all she could do was stare, her heart pounding.

Who-what-was this?

It had saved her.

It stepped toward her, its massive form blocking out everything else.

She tried to move back, but the wolf lowered its head, inhaling deeply near her neck.

Lena clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay still. Running was pointless. She had no chance against something this fast, this strong.

Then, before she could react, the wolf crouched and, with terrifying ease, scooped her onto its back.

A startled gasp left her lips as her hands instinctively clutched onto its thick fur.

The next moment, it took off.

Wind roared past her ears as the wolf sprinted through the forest, weaving effortlessly between trees. The world blurred around her, her body pressed firmly against the beast's powerful form.

Bare branches scraped against her arms, and her legs, dangling on either side of the wolf, ached from the force of its movements.

Panic clawed at her chest.

Where was it taking her?

And why had it saved her?

Reaching the clearing, the wolf didn't slow. The force of its speed had already stolen the air from her lungs.

Lena barely registered the towering sight of Darius's castle in the distance before the darkness swallowed her whole.

---

"Why are you suddenly quiet?" Darius mind-linked his wolf, pacing back and forth as his gaze stayed locked on Lena.

"Nothing," Draven responded.

"There's something you're not telling me."

"What use would it be if I did? You won't like it," Draven fired back.

Darius clenched his jaw. "Stop it. Just tell me."

"Figure it out yourself, Darius."

Then he was gone-shutting himself out of Darius's mind completely.

"Draven, you fucker!" Darius muttered under his breath.

Footsteps echoed through the hall. Cedric walked in, leaving the door slightly open. Outside, Milicent stood with her head bowed, not daring to step inside or meet the Alpha's gaze.

"Your wife was seen running out of the gate," Cedric reported. "The guards said she escaped into the woods."

Milicent immediately dropped to her knees. "The Luna and I were hiding from the mob on our way back. I stepped out to check if the roads were clear, but when I returned... she was gone. Forgive me, Alpha."

Darius scoffed and stepped aside, revealing Lena sprawled unconscious on his bed.

Milicent gasped. "Luna..."

Darius glanced over his shoulder. "She was trying to escape when this happened. It's her fault." His voice was indifferent as he walked out, Cedric following behind.

---

"There's something off about her," Cedric said, his voice low but firm.

Darius said nothing, his sharp gaze fixed on Cedric.

Cedric took a step closer. "She's not the same arrogant, reckless girl I remember. The Kara Voss everyone knew was impulsive, selfish-she never thought before she acted."

Darius's jaw tightened. "What exactly are you suggesting?"

Cedric held his gaze. "That she's not who you think she is."

A scoff left Darius's lips. "If that's true, then why hasn't she said anything? Why is she silent?"

Cedric exhaled. "Because she can't. Haven't you noticed? Every time she tries to speak, something stops her. It's not hesitation-it's restraint. Someone, or something, has a hold on her."

A flicker of something unreadable crossed Darius's face. His fingers curled into fists.

"Find out everything," he ordered. "I want the truth."

Cedric bowed slightly. "Yes, Alpha."

From the shadows, a maid who had been eavesdropping slipped away. She darted into a darkened corner of the hall, her breath quick. Whistling sharply, she watched as a raven swooped down from the rafters. With practiced ease, she tied a tiny scroll to its leg and sent it soaring into the night.

---

The three Park Leaders of the werewolves were High Lord Alistair Morvain, known for his ruthless cunning, High Lord Garrick Valehart, a seasoned warrior with an iron will, and High Lord Rhovan Duskbane, the most enigmatic and feared among them. Together, they held absolute authority over the werewolf clans, their word shaping the laws and fate of their kind.

Rhovan Duskbane had spies embedded in nearly every werewolf clan. Nothing escaped his notice.

His personal guard intercepted the raven that arrived at his chamber, its talons scraping against the polished wood as it landed. The other High Lords sat with him, their expressions unreadable.

Lord Alistair poured tea into his cup, his tone casual yet laced with intrigue. "I heard the Alpha of the Shadow Fang Pack has agreed. Seems there's some fear in him after all."

Lord Garrick smirked. "I wonder what made him change his mind after rejecting us for three years."

"What else?" Lord Alistair mused, setting his cup down. "He knew he'd be sanctioned for his blatant insult against the Park Leaders."

"Hm." Their leader, Rhovan, finally spoke, his voice smooth yet weighted. "Have you noticed? Ever since that night-since he woke from that sleep-he hasn't caused trouble or crossed us again."

Lord Alistair leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Are you suggesting it means something?"

"I'm saying," Rhovan corrected, his gaze unwavering, "there's more happening in that pack than we know."

Lord Garrick exhaled deeply. "That could be cause for concern... After all, he is of the ancestral royal bloodline."

Silence settled over the room.

Lord Rhovan's fingers drummed against the armrest of his chair. "It is, High Lord Garrick. We just have to watch... and see what other changes unfold."

After they dispersed that night, Varian, Rhovan's personal guard, stepped into the chamber.

"He's beginning to suspect that the bride he received was a fake," Varian reported, his voice low but certain.

High Lord Rhovan didn't turn immediately. Instead, he let out a quiet chuckle, swirling the dark liquid in his goblet. "Why wouldn't he? Lydia has never been careful with her schemes."

Then, at last, he turned, a slow smirk curling his lips. "Tell Lydia to come up with a better plan... something that will truly convince him."

Varian bowed his head slightly, his expression unreadable.

"As you wish, High Lord," he said smoothly. Then, after a brief pause, he added, "But if she fails again, shall I remind her what happens to those who disappoint you?"

Rhovan's smirk deepened. "No need. She already knows."