Chapter 7

How was I lying? I thought to myself

I stared at the King, confused by what he'd meant. I had told him the truth. I genuinely didn't know whether Alpha Leo had a habit of punishing people before investigating their offences or was he referring to something else?

"I don't understand, Your Majesty," I said after a brief pause.

He studied me for a moment and scoffed.

"Perhaps lying was the wrong word. You did answer my question but you also didn't tell me what you actually wanted to say."

I got the memo. He wanted me to tell him my own side of the story.

What was I supposed to say? I was tired of defending myself to people who had already decided I was guilty? Well technically, he wasn't one of those people. At least not yet but I no longer cared whether Arthur admitted the truth because his betrayal had taught me exactly where I stood.

But at the same time I couldn't scrub lavatory floors for the rest of my life so something needed to be done.

Nothing I say would change my situation.

The King set his wineglass down.

"Your Alpha has ordered you to scrub the servants' lavatories." He read my thoughts.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And you intend to obey?"

"I don't have a choice"

His eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could respond, there was a knock on the door.

A man walked in and bowed. "Your Majesty, Alpha Leo is waiting for you in the eastern hall. Alpha Magnus has also requested an audience."

The King nodded and dismissed him with a gesture.

He turned back to me.

"Until we've all found out the truth, you will not be required to carry out that punishment."

I raised my head, "Your Majesty?"

"I will speak to Alpha Leo. Whether he chooses to listen is another matter, but he will not have you scrubbing toilets while this investigation remains unresolved."

The King didn't declare me innocent, nor did he promise to protect me from everything that might happen in Shadowclaw. He simply said my punishment could wait until the truth was discovered.

Yet, after everything that had happened, even that small reprieve made me relaxed.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

He picked up his wineglass again.

"Return to your quarters and wait for Alpha Leo's instructions. Do not mistake this decision for a declaration of your innocence."

"I understand."

"And Lucien?"

I paused at the door.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

I bowed and left.

Most servants had returned to their duties, so the pack was a bit calm and quiet.

I was halfway down the corridor when I heard a familiar voice coming from one of the adjoining rooms.

"You worry too much, Celeste."

I recognized Luna Ema’s voice immediately and I slowed.

The door was slightly open, and her next words made me stop altogether.

"Everything will fall into place once I get married to Leo. He trusts me that much to hand me authority over this pack. After that, I won't have to hide my relationship with Floyd anymore."

My blood ran cold.

Another man?

I knew I shouldn't be eavesdropping, but my feet couldn't move from where I stood.

Celeste gave a nervous laugh. “Ema, are you sure about this?"

Celeste was Luna Ema's closest friend from another pack.

" Of course, everything's already going as planned,” Ema assured.

"And what happens when Leo finds out? You can't expect to deceive him forever."

"He won't find out Celeste, until it's too late. And by then, I'll have nothing to lose."

Ema's voice had lost the sweetness I was accustomed to hearing whenever she addressed the servants. It was cold and calculating.

"Let him believe I'm devoted to him. Once we're married, I'll rule this pack alongside the man I actually love."

"And your lover agrees with this arrangement?"

"He's already doing his part."

A pause followed.

Then Ema spoke again but it was quieter this time.

"I've been giving him information about Leo's movements, his alliances, and the decisions he's making concerning the neighbouring packs. With the right information, we can weaken Leo without raising suspicion. By the time he realises what's happening, he'll have lost the support he needs to remain in power."

I was stunned.

She wasn't simply planning to betray her fiancé. She was helping someone undermine the Alpha who ruled Shadowclaw.

So her softness has always been an act?

"What if someone discovers the messages?" Celeste asked.

"I'm too careful, trust me."

Ema paused, and I heard the faint clink of glass against a table.

"Besides, no one can suspect me. Leo has already instructed everyone to address me as their Luna. The pack treats me like their future Luna, and soon enough, I'll have the authority to do whatever I please." She said with obvious satisfaction.

I took a cautious step backwards.

My heel struck a loose piece of wood and the sharp creak sounded deafening in the quiet corridor. There was a sudden silence in the room and they both turned toward the door.

I froze.

"Did you hear that?" Celeste whispered but Ema didn't answer.

Then her voice came, sharp and suspicious.

"Who's there?"

I quickly turned to leave, but the door suddenly swung open.

Luna Ema stood in the doorway.

Her expression changed when she saw me.

She gazed over my worn clothes and the red marks on my hands before settling on my face, then she smiled.

The same beautiful, fake and sweet smile she wore whenever the pack was watching.

"Lucien," she said pleasantly. "What are you doing here?"

I couldn't speak because I had no words. I'd heard too much but admitting it would be dangerous, and lying to someone who had just revealed how carefully she manipulated the people around her might even be worse.

"I was simply returning to my quarters, Luna."

She continued smiling but this time, a mischievous smile.

"It is rather unfortunate that you happened to pass by at such an interesting hour."

Celeste appeared behind her and studied me with undisguised concern.

Ema stepped into the corridor and closed the door behind her. "Tell me, Lucien," she whispered, her voice soft enough that only I could hear. "What did you hear?"