Chapter 20

Arabella’s POV

I stared at the ceiling.

The words Lucien had uttered played inside my head in a loop.

That asshole really knows how to mess with my head.

“Alpha Lucien said you’re already sleeping,”

I was pulled back from my train of thought when I heard Martha’s voice. My eyes darted to the door and there I saw the old lady who seemed to be carrying the world on her shoulders.

“You should rest. You almost died earlier,” she added.

Instead of listening, I sat on my bed. “What exactly happened, Martha? I was poisoned, right? Who did it? Did they catch the culprit?”

These are the questions I am dying to ask Alpha Lucien but I didn’t even get a chance. I was busy dodging questions about Adrian and forgot to ask about what happened.

Martha shook her head. “I heard they were searching the palace and even the nearest territory but up until now the culprit hasn’t been found,”

“The dress…” I pointed out. “Who received the dress?”

I looked at Martha then at Andrea who was just quietly watching us.

“We just saw it at your front door. We have no idea who left it there,”

So we have no leads? I let out a heavy breath. My life is on threat and I don’t even have any idea who my enemies are. Well, clearly Alpha Lucien was one of them, but at least I have an idea when he would kill me. I am still useful to him so I am sure he won’t discard me now.

No one will protect me inside this palace. Now that the word has spread that I am Alpha Lucien’s mate I know my life will always be in danger. I have to be careful with my every move and I have to catch whoever sent that dress.

“I saw a woman…” Andrea spoke.

My head snapped at her, anticipating more information.

“And?” I impatiently asked.

“I didn’t see her face but I saw a mark on her arm. I am not sure if she was the one who delivered that dress but she looks suspicious,”

“If it wasn’t her then maybe she saw who delivered the dress. Maybe she could help us find the culprit,” I looked at Andrea intently. “Can you draw the mark?”

Andrea slowly nodded.

“I will get pen and paper,” Martha volunteered before I could even climb out of my bed.

Martha grabbed a pen and paper from Lucien’s study table and handed them to Andrea.

Andrea started sketching while we flocked around her.

The symbol that she drew was a dagger with its handle shaped like a crown and it pierces the circle that is enclosed with two crescent moons.

I haven’t seen that kind of symbol.

“She was a servant of the pack that carries that symbol,” Martha uttered.

I looked at her. She stretched her arms revealing a symbol that was inked on her skin. It was two crescent moons forming an unconnected circle. One was smaller while the other one was bigger, as if it was swallowing the smaller one, and in the middle of it was a claw mark.

“This mark came from the Shadow Fang crest. It was a crescent moon. The pendant of the necklace you’re wearing,”

I held the pendant that hangs on my neck.

“So you’re saying that the family crest of the culprit was a dagger?” I stared at Andrea’s drawing. “Or a crown?”

“Or they might be a rogue,”

I looked at Martha, completely lost. “Rouge?”

Martha pointed at the circle Andrea had drawn. “No one dares to pierce the Moon. Only rouges do that. Only those who have lost faith on Moon Goddess,”

“So you’re saying a rouge manage to set foot inside the palace and no one even noticed?”

Well, I am a rogue too since I have no pack but Lucien brought me here. So that means someone powerful was helping that rouge too? Someone powerful was the culprit?

Martha smiled at me. “Maybe they had been living here the whole time. Maybe they have already formed a pack inside the palace without even being noticed by the Alpha King,”

I grabbed the symbol Andrea had drawn. Lucien needs to know this. He should know that there are enemies inside the palace.

“Where are you going?!” Martha shouted but I didn’t look back.

I stormed out of the room holding a piece of paper that would help us catch the culprit and the traitor. The King should know about this. Lucien should know about this. They should catch the traitors before they could even ruin the kingdom.

My body was still weak but I ran around the hall barefoot. I searched every room. Look at every corner. Run on every hallway until my feet brought me to a heavily guarded door.

“Is Alpha Lucien inside?” I asked, panting.

The Royal Guards glanced at each other then grabbed my arms, lifting me off the ground.

“Let go of me! I need to talk to Alpha Lucien!”

I squirmed to get out of their hold.

Before they could throw me out, I used my remaining strength to kick their sides and elbow their faces.

In a split second, I managed to put them down. They both groaned in pain as they held their faces.

I gave them an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. This is really important,”

Without wasting any more minute I pushed the door open.

eyes darted at me but a familiar pair of eyes caught my attention. Countless pairs of eyes darted in my direction but in the midst, I managed to find Lucien.

“Alpha Lucien—”

“Arabella?”

My words got caught in my throat. I slowly turned my head to where the voice came from…and I saw him. The man who abandoned me after everything I have done.

My feet instinctively took a step back as I stared at Adrian—the man I married. The man I served for so many years.

He started walking towards me, his footsteps heavy and hurried.

I was still in the middle of processing everything when he pulled me into his arms. “I have been looking for you, Arabella,” he gently pushed me away, just enough to see my face.

Tears were cascading down his cheeks, his eyes filled with regret. “I’m sorry for believing Stephanie’s lies. I know the truth now. I know you didn’t push her. Please come back. The pack misses you. I missed you, Arabella,”