Chapter 5: The Note

My hands trembled as I stared at the folded piece of paper.

Trust no one—not even Kael.

The words felt like ice in my veins.

I glanced toward the empty corridor. The hooded stranger was gone, swallowed by the darkness as though they had never been there.

For several seconds, I couldn't bring myself to open the note.

What if it was another trap?

Everything that had happened today had been carefully planned. Whoever had framed me seemed to be several steps ahead of everyone else.

Taking a slow breath, I unfolded the paper.

There were only three lines.

«You were framed.

The evidence was planted before your engagement.

Find the silver wolf before the next full moon.»

I read the message again.

And again.

"The silver wolf?" I whispered.

It made no sense.

Was it a person?

A place?

Or some kind of code?

Before I could think further, footsteps echoed through the corridor.

I quickly folded the note and slipped it inside the sleeve of my wedding dress.

The iron door opened.

This time, it was Kael.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

He looked exhausted.

His neatly styled hair was messy now, and the joy that had filled his eyes earlier that morning had completely vanished.

He stepped into the cell and quietly closed the door behind him.

"I asked the guards to give us a few minutes alone."

I stayed where I was.

"I wasn't sure you'd come."

"I almost didn't."

His honesty stung.

He looked around the tiny cell before his eyes settled on me.

Seeing me still dressed in my wedding gown seemed to shake him.

"You should change," he said softly.

I let out a hollow laugh.

"I was supposed to become your wife today."

Silence.

"I didn't exactly pack a spare dress."

He lowered his gaze.

"I never wanted this."

"But it happened."

"I know."

I searched his face.

The man standing before me was the same one who had once shielded me from cruel classmates.

The same one who had promised I would never have to face the world alone.

So where had that man gone?

"Do you believe I kidnapped Selena?" I asked.

He didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he walked closer until only a few feet separated us.

"I believe..." he began slowly, "...that something isn't right."

My heart lifted slightly.

"But..."

One word.

One terrible word.

"...the evidence is against you."

The hope inside me crumbled.

"Evidence can be planted."

"It can."

"People can lie."

"They can."

"Then why am I the one behind bars?"

He rubbed a hand over his face.

"Because she's injured."

I frowned.

"What?"

"She's terrified, Lyra."

"And I'm not?"

His lips parted, but no answer came.

Tears burned my eyes.

"I lost everything today."

"My name."

"My freedom."

"Our wedding."

"And somehow..." My voice cracked. "I'm the one comforting you."

Kael looked away.

"I've ordered a full investigation."

I laughed bitterly.

"The same council that condemned my father?"

His shoulders stiffened.

"They'll find the truth."

"They didn't last time."

The words hung heavily between us.

He knew I was right.

My father had been declared a traitor without solid proof.

History was repeating itself.

Only this time...

I was standing where my father once had.

Kael reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

I recognized it immediately.

Our wedding rings.

He stared at them for a long moment before placing the box on the bench beside me.

"I couldn't throw them away."

I looked at the box but didn't touch it.

"They don't belong to me anymore."

"They still might."

I slowly raised my eyes to his.

"No."

He frowned.

"If you truly trusted me..."

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

"...I would already be wearing one."

The silence that followed was unbearable.

A loud knock came from outside the cell.

"My Alpha," a guard called.

Kael opened the door.

"What is it?"

"The council has summoned you."

Kael nodded.

"I'll be there shortly."

The guard hesitated.

"There's... something else."

"What?"

"Selena has regained more of her memory."

I felt my stomach tighten.

Kael's expression darkened.

"What did she remember?"

The guard glanced briefly at me before answering.

"She says she can identify the place where she was held."

Kael turned sharply toward him.

"Prepare a search party."

"Yes, Alpha."

The guard hurried away.

Kael looked back at me.

"I have to go."

Of course he did.

Selena needed him.

Again.

He picked up the velvet box, hesitated, then placed it back on the bench.

"I'll come back."

I didn't answer.

Because promises had become difficult to believe.

He left the cell, and the heavy iron door slammed shut behind him.

I waited until his footsteps faded into the distance.

Then I reached into my sleeve and pulled out the mysterious note.

My eyes settled on the final line.

Find the silver wolf before the next full moon.

Just then, another sound came from outside my cell.

A low growl.

Not threatening.

Almost... familiar.

I slowly stood and peered through the bars.

At the far end of the corridor, hidden in the shadows, stood a massive wolf.

Its fur shimmered like polished silver under the flickering torchlight.

For one brief moment, its piercing eyes locked with mine.

Then it turned...

And disappeared into the darkness.