Chapter 5

Nolan pushed me down when I tried to rise. The hood stayed over my face, and the tape beneath it kept me from calling out.

From the lectern, Marcus could see my bleeding wrists, but he could not recognize me.

With the entire Council watching, he turned to Nolan. “What is going on here?”

“Professor, we caught a traitor to the packs.” Nolan held up my research report. “She was also carrying my unpublished research.”

The security captain immediately recounted what had happened. I tried to speak, but my mouth had been sealed, leaving me able to make only muffled sounds.

Nolan handed the report to Marcus. “I planned to submit this work tonight, but she found an opportunity to steal it.”

Marcus said nothing. He knew exactly what Nolan could do. Nolan possessed a certain quick cleverness, but he was far too arrogant and lacked the patience for sustained research. Almost none of the reports he had submitted in the last five years had survived serious review. Why would a genuine spy choose his work, of all things, to steal?

Marcus opened the report, and his expression changed immediately. “Are you certain you wrote this?”

“Of course,” Nolan answered without hesitation. “I spent years on it and intended to give it to you tonight.”

Several senior researchers crowded around him.

“Marcus, this is your student? This report has found a new route through the regeneration problem that has trapped us for years!”

“If the experiment succeeds, warriors from every pack who have been wounded by silver may finally be saved.”

Nolan nodded calmly. “This is the result of years of research. Fortunately, we caught her in time. If the report had reached a hostile pack, the consequences would have been unimaginable.”

The researchers turned toward me with anger in their eyes.

“Such an offense cannot be treated lightly!”

“Marcus, surely Nolan must be appointed director of the new project now.”

“To achieve something like this at his age is remarkable.”

Nolan basked in their praise while arranging his features into an expression of modesty. “I only fulfilled my duty as a researcher. The achievement belongs to the entire field of lycan medicine.”

Marcus remained silent. After a moment, he asked once more, “Nolan, are you certain this report belongs to you?”

A trace of guilt crossed Nolan's eyes, but he quickly steadied himself. “I am.”

Brielle stepped forward to support him. “Nolan went without sleep for countless nights because of this project. It represents years of his work.”

One of the researchers looked at her.

“And you are?”

Nolan drew her to his side. “My mate, Brielle Bennett.”

Marcus frowned. “Wasn't Elara your intended mate?”

Only then did Nolan seem to remember that he had met Marcus in the first place because I had recommended him.

Brielle's eyes immediately filled with tears. “Elara left the territory with another man before the vow ceremony. I completed the ceremony in her place to preserve the agreement between our families. She has resented us ever since, which is why she broke in today to take revenge.”

Someone sighed approvingly. “Nolan is a talented young researcher. The two of you make a fine pair.”

Another professor was already too eager to wait. “If the report is yours, present it now. Let us hear whether this new direction can work.”

I kicked over the metal chair beside me. Marcus hurried over at the crash and pulled off the hood. His expression changed the instant he saw my face.

“Elara?” He tore the tape from my mouth and personally unlocked the restraints around my wrists. “Who did this to you?”

I endured the pain and pushed myself upright. “Nolan accused me of stealing research, then tried to claim my report as his own.”

“You still dare twist the truth?” Nolan shouted.

“Then present it, Nolan. This time, I won't be there to answer for you.”

The room fell into confused silence.

Marcus supported me and announced in an icy voice, “This report belongs to Elara.”