Chapter 5 Alpha King’s Orderer

Smoke and orange flames swallowed the room when Celeste’s eyes snapped open from her deep sleep.

If the alarm on her phone had not jolted her awake, she would not have realized she was trapped in fire.

Springing from the bed, she coughed violently, the smoke clawing at her throat.

She tried the door, but it refused to budge.

Rushing to the glass window, she found it locked as well. She was truly trapped.

“That bastard!” she cursed Alaric under her breath, snatching the mini chair and vase nearby before smashing them against the glass window.

The windows were reinforced so they did not completely shatter but created a small crack.

She was weakening. Even her wolf had gone completely silent, using all of their joint energy to keep her awake.

The sound of someone breaking in was the last thing she heard before darkness claimed her.

When her eyes opened she let out a loud gasp trying to remember what had happened. If not for the swirl of wolf scents filling her nose, she would have believed she was dead.

“Celeste.” The familiar voice pulled her attention. Her gaze darted around the ward, taking in faces, the drip stand, and the oxygen mask strapped to her nose.

The fire had been real, and now she was surrounded by hypocrites.

Alpha Alaric stepped closer, his face scrunched with worry. “Are you okay?”

The audacity!

“Who would have thought you would attempt suicide just because you dislike me?” Teresa’s voice cut in as she approached. “If I had known, I wouldn’t have stayed with the Alpha. I caused this, I deserve punishment. I’m sorry, Celeste,” she blurted.

Celeste almost applauded her performance. Dragging herself upright, she removed the oxygen mask and cleared her throat.

“I’m sorry, I—” Teresa tried to touch her hand, but Celeste snatched it away.

“Don’t think I’ll fall for your fake sympathy, Teresa. Who knows if you orchestrated this?” 

Celeste spat, making Teresa gasp.

Before anyone could respond, the door opened and a man entered.

He bowed. “Greetings, Alpha. Greetings, Luna.”

“I’m not Luna anymore.” Celeste wondered why Alaric hadn't signed and announced their divorce.

She had had it enough with people associating her with Alaric when she had nothing to do with him and his bloodsucking family anymore.

“No need to be harsh, Celeste. Besides, Bill here was the one who saved you. Who knows what would’ve happened if he hadn’t?” Alaric added.

Celeste shifted her gaze to the man. “Thank you. If there’s any way I can repay you, let me know.”

“You don’t have to. I work for the Alpha King and it is my duty to catch rogues and keep packs safe.” The mention of the Alpha King made Celeste smile briefly.

So it was him.

Shaking the thought away, she asked, “It was a rogue?”

Bill nodded.

“He has been taken to the council, so you don’t have to worry.”

Celeste let out a sigh of relief though suspicion lingered in her mind.

“Can you ensure this rogue is investigated? Find out why or who sent him to set the fire,” she pressed, but Teresa chimed in.

“You’re already divorced, Celeste. The council will only listen if you’re still Luna. I do not think we should push this. What matters is that you are fine now.”

Celeste narrowed her eyes, reading between the lines.

Alaric noticed Teresa’s pale face and her fingers twisting nervously. He knew instantly who the mastermind was: Teresa.

Though he would deal with her later, escalation of this issue could cause damage, so he mind-linked his Beta.

“Find a way to execute the rogue caught at Celeste’s apartment immediately,” he ordered.

Then he waved Bill off.

Celeste’s voice rose. “I am still Luna. It hasn’t been announced that I divorced the Alpha, so I have every right.”

“That’s enough, Celeste. Let it go. You’re fine so stop clinging to grudges. He’ll be killed without delay and that’s your revenge.”

Celeste’s mouth fell open at Alaric's words. “How can you do this?”

Alaric smiled faintly. “You need to understand this is my pack. My reputation could suffer if this spreads, or did you intend to drag the entire pack into it?”

“I was almost killed! I nearly lost my life, Alaric, and you dare tell me it’s nothing?” Celeste snapped.

Just then, she noticed Teresa and her mother’s sly smiles. The entire picture fell into place. He was shielding Teresa. Even if she had died, he would still protect her.

Teresa’s mother cleared her throat. “You cannot blame Teresa. I won’t allow you to accuse my daughter,” she added, with a smirk Celeste longed to wipe away.

“What are you saying? That I am lying? That Teresa wouldn’t do this?” Celeste asked, seeking confirmation.

Teresa’s mother doubled down. “How sure are we that this isn’t one of your schemes to frame my daughter? Besides, I already reported you for colluding with rogues.”

Instantly, Alaric cut in, “That is not true. Celeste wouldn’t collude with rogues.”

“How sure are you, Alpha? She’s accusing my daughter, and I cannot let this slide,” Teresa’s mother said firmly.

Alaric's jaw clenched tightly because he seemed caught up in this mess. If he had the rogue investigated, Teresa might get exposed, which he couldn't allow since he had to protect her. But then, if he didn't, Celeste might get accused of colluding with the rogues, which might lead to her being executed or banished.

He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Bill entered with a bow.

“What do you want?” Alpha Alaric asked, frowning.

“I’m here to announce that the investigation about the Luna will be stopped, as the Alpha King passed the verdict.”

The room fell silent.

“Why would the Alpha King involve himself in a small case like this?” Teresa’s mother murmured, sweat beading her forehead.

Bill straightened and spoke in a solemn tone.

“I don’t have an answer, the one Alpha King ordered to investigate was you, Madam Maya.”