6. The truth

Theron’s Lycan stirred to the surface as he clutched the clothing so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Flashes of how her presence had nearly made his Lycan lose control tightened his chest.

How her scent stirred something in him.

How he couldn't sleep that night they shared the same room.

She... She had been the one he claimed in that cave?

A door cracked open somewhere behind him. Luna Maren’s voice pierced the fog in his head.

“Have you done what—”

She froze at the sight of him. Her face paled like that of the dead.

“My Lord?”

“Is this true?” Theron could barely recognize his own voice. For the first time, it trembled. His chest heaved as though he had just been stabbed violently.

“This dress,” he said, almost in a whisper. “Was it truly hers?”

Maren staggered as if she had been struck by lightning. Her throat bobbed, and her face turned even paler.

“I… I have no idea what you are talking about.”

Theron’s pupils dilated. Heat started in the center of his chest and flooded upward to his throat and face, making his ears burn.

He took slow steps toward Luna Maren. The edges of his vision blurred as he fixed a predatory gaze on her.

“I. Dare. You..." he swallowed her space. "...To say that again.”

Maren's lips trembled.

“My Lord, please—”

“Inside.”

His voice left no room for argument.

Moments later, Maren was on her knees before him, tears streaming down her face.

He did his best to keep his Lycan at bay, for all it wanted was to rip the woman to shreds.

“Moon Veil Spell.”

The words echoed like poison on his tongue. The tasted like ashes that made his throat tight.

He almost laughed at the absurdity as the pieces finally came together.

So this was it.

This was why Eryndra fucking Tarianne had been avoiding him throughout their journey.

Why her wolf had been restless.

Why his own beast had reacted so violently to her.

It had been her this whole time.

'My mate?'

“You. Ingrate.” He bit out the words with rage. “Not only did you lie to the Crown, but you also cast a spell to deceive me.”

Maren jolted with each sob.

“Please, my Lord. I was only doing what was best for her. I had no idea it would turn out like this. I had no idea it was you.”

But Eryndra had known.

She had recognized him.

And yet…

Theron’s eyes turned the deepest shade of gold.

“What else is she hiding?” he asked.

The female swallowed in terror.

“What is her origin? Surely you adopted and raised her as your own. I’ll let that part slide. But you need to tell me where she really came from. I want to know every bit of her. Who were her real parents?”

Maren grew paler, as though she might pass out at any moment.

“She’s part of Dor, my lord.”

Silence.

Hard, heavy silence.

The kind where even breathing felt like a crime.

Theron rose from his chair, making the female shrink against the floor. He was very much aware of what his expression was capable of—the kind of danger it emitted and the effect it had on its target.

He crouched, locking a death stare onto her.

“I shall tell you one thing about myself, woman.” His voice was low, each word dripping with venom. “When my beast is at the edge like this, lying to my face is one of the most terrifying affronts—one worthy of a gruesome doom.”

Maren’s lips trembled.

“I will go out there and drag your son. The pack’s heir, to be precise, to the Citadel. I’ll make him a slave and work him until every bone in his body gives out. Then I’ll cut his skin, bit by bit, and force him to eat it. And when he dies, his head will be hung on a spike as a disgrace to the realm, leading to the downfall of this pack.”

Luna Maren looked as though her soul had just left her body as she absorbed his threat.

He. Meant. Every. Word.

“Now, let’s try this again, shall we?”

He gripped her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his.

“Tell me every single fucking thing about Eryndra Tarianne.”

~~~~~

Theron rode his horse through the forest, the wind harsh against his skin, blowing his long, tied hair behind him.

He rode back to the Citadel at a mad speed, taking the dangerous shortcut through the forest.

His head reeled, and his body burned with Maren’s words. His jaw clenched, his eyes reddened with insane anger.

Eryndra.

That fucking deceiver.

He had to reach the palace before the ceremony. He had to tell the prince exactly what kind of snake had sneaked into the palace.

There was still time.

He would get there and drag her out before the ceremony tomorrow.

Suddenly, the air turned chilly.

Consumed by his anger, Theron noticed it too late.

An arrow struck his chest, sending him flying off his horse. His back slammed against a large tree with enough force to make his spine crack.

With a groan, he glanced down at the poisoned arrow and ripped it from his chest before the deadly toxin could spread further.

He scanned the surrounding trees but couldn't see who had shot him.

His spine snapped back into place as he staggered to his feet, his knees weak, his stomach twisted, and his vision blurred.

The poison was already turning the blood around the wound purple.

This wasn't a random attack.

Could that wretch Eryndra be behind this?

Theron struggled to breath as darkness started clouding his vision...