Thomas POV

I moved through the palace gates before the moon reached its peak. The Alpha had given his order. I had to find the royal physician.

My job as a man of secrets is to find what stays hidden. I ran toward the physician's residence on the edge of the palace grounds.

I reached the small stone house. The door stood open. This was the first sign of guilt. I stepped inside. The air smelled of panic.

I saw her trunk open. Her clothes lay scattered on the floor. I touched the wick of a candle on the table. It was still warm. She had left less than an hour ago.

I stepped back outside. I knelt on the soft earth near the door. I saw the trail immediately. Her footsteps were deep in the mud. She was carrying a heavy load. She was running toward the northern forest.

I followed the trail into the trees. I did not use a lantern. I used my eyes and the moonlight. I am a predator. I do not need fire to see my prey.

The forest grew thick. The ground became rocky. I lost the footprints for a moment. I stopped. I closed my eyes. I listened.

I breathed through my mouth to stay silent. I watched two figures in a small clearing. One was the physician. The other was Morgana.

Morgana is the trusted maid of Lady Elara.

"Thank you for coming." Morgana said.

She held a dark cloak.

"Thank you for agreeing to flee the palace. It is the only way you can be safe."

"I will do anything to save my family." The physician said.

She was crying. Her voice shook.

"I understand." Morgana said.

She stepped closer. She reached into her hair.

"But the master does not like loose ends."

I saw the flash of metal. Morgana pulled a long silver hairpin from her head. It was sharp. She aimed for the neck of the physician.

I picked up a stone from the ground. I threw it with all my strength. The stone hit the hand of Morgana. She cried out. The pin fell into the grass.

I stepped out from behind the tree.

"The Alpha wants a word with both of you." I said.

Morgana did not run. She turned toward me. She reached for a dagger hidden in her belt. She lunged. She was fast. She moved like a snake.

I stepped to the left. I blocked her arm. We fought in the dirt. She tried to claw at my eyes. I grabbed her wrist. I twisted it. She kicked my shin. I did not let go. I saw an opening. I hit her on the side of the neck with the edge of my hand.

Morgana went limp. She fainted. I did not waste time. I took a rope from my waist. I tied her to the tree.

I turned to the physician. The woman sat on the floor. She was hyperventilating.

"Who is behind all this?" I asked.

I stood over her.

"I did not do it!" The physician cried.

"They made me do it. They threatened my family."

"Who?" I asked again.

I leaned down.

"Give me a name."

"They were many." She whispered.

"Not just one person. It's a circle. It goes deep into the court."

"Mention their names." I commanded.

She opened her mouth. She was about to speak.

A sharp sound sliced through the air.

Twhip!

It was the whistle of an arrow. The physician jerked.

A black arrow buried itself in her neck. Her eyes went wide. She slumped to the ground. She died before she could say a single word.

I stood up. I looked into the dark trees. I saw a shadow move. I ran after the killer. I jumped over logs. I pushed through thorns.

The person was fast. The person knew the forest than I do. I reached a rocky place. I stopped. The trail was cold. I lost the killer.

I walked back to where Morgana is tied.

My heart felt heavy. I looked at the dead physician. I looked at Morgana. She was still tied to the tree.

Since she was here to kill the witness, she must know the names.

I untied her from the tree. Tied her hands behind her back. I dragged her toward the palace. She woke up halfway there. She struggled. I did not stop. I pulled her through the mud.

We reached the palace gates. Cassian was waiting with a squad of guards. He held a torch. He saw me dragging Morgana.

"Is this not the trusted maid of Elara?" Cassian asked.

"Yes." I said.

"What does she have to do with this?" Cassian asked.

"I would not know until the suspect tells us who sent her." I replied.

I took Morgana to the palace prison. The walls were cold. I threw her into a cell. I locked the iron door.

I went to the Alpha chamber. Alaric sat by the fire. He looked at me. He saw the blood on my tunic.

He stood up slowly. His golden eyes glowed. The air became heavy.

"Thomas." Alaric said.

His voice a low growl.

"Tell me you have the physician."

"I have bad news, Alpha." I said. I bowed low.

"The physician is dead."

Alaric slammed his fist into the stone mantel. The rock cracked under his strength.

"How?" He roared.

"I found her in the forest." I said.

"Morgana was there. She was trying to kill the physician with a silver pin. I intervened. I fought Morgana. I knocked her out. I tried to question the physician."

"And the names?" Alaric asked.

He stepped closer. I could feel the heat in his rage.

"She said there were many." I replied.

"I told her to give me names. Just as she opened her mouth, an arrow came from the dark. It hit her in the throat. She died instantly. I chased the archer, but they were too fast."

Alaric turned away. He grabbed a glass decanter. He shattered it against the wall.

He was shaking with fury.

"They are killing my witnesses!" Alaric screamed.

"They are trying to cover their tracks because they know I am close! They touched the woman I love. They tried to frame Sophie for a murder they planned. They thought they could execute her while I was weak!"

"I have Morgana in the cell, Alpha." I said.

Alaric turned back to me. His face was a mask of cold death.

"Morgana is Elara's shadow." He said.

"If Morgana is there, Elara is behind the curtain. They targeted Sophie because she brings me peace. They targeted my brother to destroy me."

"What shall I do with Morgana tonight?" I asked.

Alaric gripped the edge of his table. The wood groaned.

"Torture her." He commanded.

"Torture her! Until she says the truth. I do not care if she screams. We must get the names. If she refuses to speak by morning, prepare the execution square. I will execute her tomorrow in front of everyone."

"She is a high servant, Alpha." I reminded him.

"The court will watch."

"Good." Alaric said.

His voice was a terrifying calm.

"Let them watch. I want every person in that circle to see her die. I will make her speak, Thomas. If she does not give me the names of those who frameed Sophie, she will be the first of many to fall. Prepare the square. Tomorrow, the blood will flow until the truth is washed clean."

I bowed. I left the room.

The Alpha was no longer just a King. He was a monster hunting for justice.

Elara POV

I paced the floor of my chamber. My silk skirts hissed against the cold stone.

I heard the whispers through the heavy oak door. The servants were talking. They said Thomas caught Morgana in the northern forest. They said the royal physician was dead.

"A simple job I could do in the blink of an eye." I hissed to the empty room.

"This stupid girl got caught doing it."

I gripped the back of a chair. My knuckles turned white. I hope the whispers I hear are not true. If Thomas has Morgana, the thread leads directly to me. This stupid girl wants to destroy me.

I do not tolerate failure. Morgana was my shadow. Now she has become a noose around my neck.

I walked to the center of my chamber. I stopped in front of my mirror. My face looked pale. My hands trembled. I tried to smooth my hair. I needed to appear calm. I needed to maintain my mask.

If the rumors are true, my life is in danger. Alaric is no longer the man I controlled. He is a hunter.

The heavy doors to my chamber flew open. The wood hit the stone wall with a loud crack.

Alaric stood there. He did not wear his crown. His golden eyes glowed with rage.

"Alaric." I said. I tried to make my voice soft.

"You look tired. What has happened?”

I did not move. I did not show fear.

He did not speak at first. He walked toward me. Every step was a threat. He stopped an inch from where I stood.

"Where is your maid, Elara?" Alaric asked.

His voice was dangerously low.

"I do not know where she is." I said.

I met his gaze. I did not blink.

Alaric grabbed my wrist. His grip was firm. I gasped.

"Don’t you dare lie to me." Alaric roared.

"Thomas caught her. She was trying to kill the physician. She was trying to bury the truth in the dirt."

"I know nothing about it." I sobbed.

I looked into his eyes with innocence.

"Why would Morgana do such a thing? Someone must have tricked her." I lied.

He leaned closer. I could feel his breath on my skin.

"Your tears are useless now." He said. "The game is over Elara.”

I forced my hand out of his grip.

"You have been accusing me without evidence for days." I said.

I smoothed my dress.

"You blame me for everything that goes wrong in your kingdom. It is beneath you, Alaric. You are chasing ghosts because you cannot control your own kingdom."

He looked at me. His eyes widened. I felt the rage radiating off his skin.

"The evidence is in a prison cell." He said.

His voice was a terrifying whisper.

"Thomas is beginning the interrogation. When Morgana speaks, you will be brought to book. You will be exposed in front of the entire kingdom."

“I am leaving now to watch your shadow bleed. Enjoy your last night of freedom." Alaric added.

He pushed past me. He walked out of the chamber. He did not look back.

I stood there in the silence. I had to act. If Morgana talks, I die. I cannot let them torture the truth out of her.

I waited till it was dark.

I grabbed a dark cloak. I pulled the hood over my head. I took a small leather bag. It is full of gold coins. I moved through the secret passages. I reached the palace prison.

A guard stood at the gate. I stepped out of the shadows. I did not say a word. I held out the bag of coins. The coins cling.

"I was never here." I said.

The guard took the bag. He tucked it into his belt. He nodded once.

"I understand, my Lady." The guard said.

He turned the heavy key. He let me into the cell block. The air was damp. It smelled of blood.

I walked past the empty cells. I reached the end. I saw Morgana. Her hands were chained together. A wood was placed on her neck. Her face was bruised. It was swollen.

"My Lady." Morgana said faintly.

Her voice was a dry rasp.

"Oh, my love." I said.

I rushed to her where she was. I knelt down in the straw.

"Look what they have done to you."

"They have tortured me." Morgana whispered.

She coughed.

"But I did not say anything. I can never betray you."

"I know you would never betray me." I said.

I brought out a small bowl of water. I had hid it in my cloak.

"Take. Drink. You look thirsty."

I held the bowl to her lips. She drank greedily. She did not see my other hand.

I reached into the pocket of my cloak. I removed one of Morgana's silver hairpins. It took it from her dresser. It was long and sharp.

"Thank you, My Lady." Morgana said.

She finished the water.

"It is alright, My love." I said.

I leaned in close. I pressed my cheek against hers.

"I will get you out of here. I promise."

“Will you get me out of here tonight?” Morgana asked.

“Yes I will. I can't watch you suffer. I can't let them torture you like this.” I replied.

"Thank you My Lady. I will be forever loyal to you." Morgana said.

I gestured to hug her. I smoothed her matted hair.

I found a soft spot on her neck. I drove the silver pin deep into her throat. Morgana stiffened. Her eyes flew open. She tried to breathe, but her lungs filled with blood.

"M...my l...ady." She whispered. Those were her last words.

The light left her eyes. I pulled the pin out. I took her cold hand. I placed the hairpin in her palm. I closed her fingers around the metal. It looked like suicide. It looked like she chose death over the Alpha's questions.

"I am sorry." I said to the corpse.

"This is the only way I can get you out of here."

I walked out of the cell. I did not look back. I signaled to the guard. He locked the gate.

I moved back through the shadows toward my chamber. My hands were clean. The witness was gone. I have survived the night.

Alaric POV

I stomped out of Elara's chamber. The heavy wooden doors slammed behind me.

I headed for my quarters. My boots struck the stone floor with a rhythmic thud.

It had been a long day. I needed to rest.

I entered my room. I sat on the edge of my bed. I could not rest. I was restless.

I paced the floor. I watched the shadows of the flickering candles on the wall. Elara seemed to look innocent. She was firm. She did not show fear. Her eyes were like stone.

Could someone have paid Morgana to do this to the young prince? I asked myself.

The air in my room felt thick. Who could they be? Thomas said the physician did not mention names. She said they were many. This implies a network of traitors.

I called for Thomas. He came almost immediately. He stood by the door. His leather armor was dusty.

"Have you been able to get any information from Morgana?" I asked Thomas.

"I have tortured her enough to make her talk." Thomas replied.

He looked at his hands.

"But it seems the person she is working for is paying her enough to make it worthwhile."

"Go and torture her more." I roared.

I felt the wolf inside me growl.

"If she refuses to talk, prepare the execution blade. Maybe that will make her change her mind. I must know the people behind all this."

Thomas bowed and left. I sat in the dark of my room. I did not light more candles. I did not call for wine.

I could not sleep. It had been a week of chaos. Sophie is always caught in the middle. She is the woman I love. She is also the target of every hidden blade in this palace. I need to end this once and for all.

I watched the hourglass on my desk. The sand fell slowly. Just then, Thomas returned in a haste. He did not knock. He burst into the room. He was panting.

"Your Majesty, Morgana is dead." Thomas said faintly. He tried to catch his breath.

I stood up immediately. My chair fell backward.

"Dead?" I asked.

"How is that possible? She was under guard."

"I don't know, Your Majesty." Thomas responded.

"It looks like suicide. She preferred death than to face your wrath. She chose the silent grave over the rack."

My heart felt heavy. The weight of the kingdom pressed against my chest. The only lead remaining committed suicide. The trail was cold. The truth was buried in a prison cell.

"Who was the guard on duty at the prison entrance?" I asked.

My voice was a sharp edge.

"It is Ryker." Thomas said.

"He confirmed nobody visited her. She was alone. She chose death over punishment."

I dismissed Thomas with a wave of my hand. I did not want to see anyone. Thomas left.

I sat in the silence of the night. My thoughts were louder than any other sound in the palace.

Indeed, it is not just the work of one person. Many people are working together. They want to make sure the truth does not come to light. They are organized. They are close.

I did not know the sun was already rising. The light began to bleed through the window. My thoughts overshadowed me. I could not sleep. I could not even close my eyes. Every time I did, I saw the physician with an arrow in her throat. I saw Morgana cold on the floor.

A knock distracted my thoughts. Cassian walked in. He looked tired. He held a scroll in his hand.

"Your Majesty, the elders are gathered for the morning assembly." Cassian said.

"They say they must see you today. You have been too busy. You have not attended to the affairs of the Kingdom for a long time now."

I looked at him. I knew he was saying the truth. I had neglected my duties to protect Sophie. Maybe I should address the matters of the Kingdom. This is the only way to get to the root of this matter. I need to see who speaks and who stays silent in the Great Hall.

"Give the Alpha some minutes to get ready." I said to him.

Cassian nodded and left. I washed my face with cold water. I put on my royal tunic.

I headed for the Great Hall. The halls were filled with the smell of morning incense. The whispers stopped as soon as I got there. The elders stood in a semi circle. I sat on the throne. The wood felt hard against my back.

"Update me on what is happening so far in the Kingdom." I commanded.

They began to speak. They talked about the Young Prince. They talked about tax and levy. They talked about the concerns of the pack.

I did not hear much of what they said. My mind was distant. I thought about the hairpin in Morgana's hand. Something felt wrong about her death.

I heard the last thing the elders said. It snapped me back to the present.

"The envoy of the northern clan arrived yesterday for their annual reckoning." Elder Hrothgar said.

"Alpha Stone from the Moon Crescent Pack has requested the same offerings given to them last year."

I turned to him slowly. I narrowed my eyes.

"The northern clan arrived yesterday?" I asked.

"How come I am just hearing about it now?"

"You have refused to attend to any palace duty for more than a week now, Alpha." Elder Matthias replied. He sounded bold.

"Is that why they are requesting that we give them the same offering as last year?" I asked with anger.

"Are we not the one to give them what we please?"

"M...maybe they like what we gave them the last time." Elder Hrothgar stuttered.

He looked at my uncle.

"Grand Prince Magnus?"

"Ha..ha..ha" Magnus made his drunken laugh. The sound filled the hall.

He smelled of cheap ale.

"Ermm. Yes. You are correct. What did you say again?" Magnus asked.

"You are drunk this early morning, Uncle." I faced Magnus.

"Anyways, how have you received them so far?" I asked Elder Hrothgar.

"They have refused to eat the food made by the chef of Blackwood Kingdom." Elder Hrothgar said.

"In fact, Alpha Stone came with three of the finest chefs known in this time. He said he cannot eat the kind of food we eat here."

"Then let him starve!" I yelled.

I stood up.

The hall became noisy. The elders whispered among themselves. They looked worried.

"Silence!" I roared.

The room went still.

Elder Matthias cleared his throat.

"Ermm, Your Majesty, letting them starve is a bad reception. It might bring war between both Kingdoms. We need peace for the harvest."

"If he refuses to eat what we eat, should he be forced?" I asked.

"He brought three of the finest chefs known in this time." Elder Hrothgar replied.

"I doubt he would starve."

"Better for him." I said.

I prepared to dismiss them.

"But Your Majesty, he has requested a competition." Elder Matthias stated.

"He wants a match between his chefs and the chefs of Blackwood Kingdom. He said he had heard of the ghost chef. He said he doubts she is competent enough to compete with his chefs."

I opened my eyes wide.

My heart hammered.

I have not finished unraveling the mystery that Sophie is entangled in. Now they want to put her life at risk again.

They want to put her on a stage in front of our enemies.