Oh My Beta!의 모든 챕터: 챕터 41 - 챕터 50

Olive’s POV The market was busier than usual for a Thursday afternoon. I wove through the crowds, basket on my arm, mentally checking off Luna Aria’s list, fresh herbs for the kitchen, candles, soap, thread for mending. Three weeks in the Cold Palace had taught me efficiency. Get in, get what we needed, get out before anyone asked too many questions about why the “exiled Luna’s maid” was shopping in town. I’d just finished haggling over carrots when I saw Claire. She stood at the far end of the market square, near the narrow alley that led to the older, seedier shops. The ones that didn’t advertise their wares openly. My heart kicked hard against my ribs. What was she doing here? Claire never came to the public market. She sent servants for that. She was always too refined, too important, too busy warming the Alpha’s bed to do something as mundane as shopping. But there she was, wearing a dark cloak with the hood pulled up, trying and failing to look inconspicuous. I should h

Aria’s POVThe knock came just after sunset, three sharp raps on the garden entrance, our signal.I was in the sitting room with Olive, going over her account from the market for the third time, trying to make sense of what she’d witnessed, when I heard it.My heart jumped.“It’s him,” I said, already standing.Olive moved to the window, peering through the gap in the curtains.“The patrols just passed. You have maybe twenty minutes before they circle back.”I hurried down the stairs and unbolted the garden door.Riven slipped inside, and immediately I knew something was wrong. His jaw was tight, his movements tense, and when his eyes met mine, they were dark with frustration and suspicion.“What happened?” I asked, relocking the door.“I need to tell you something. And you’re not going to like it.”I led him up to the study where we’d have more privacy. Olive brought tea, then lingered near the doorway, sensing this concerned her too.Riven paced the small room like a caged wolf.“Ye

Beta Riven’s pov Then Olive spoke again, hesitantly.“Luna… there’s something I should mention. One of the maids in the main house, her name is Beth. We grew up in the same village before joining the pack. We’ve stayed close over the years.”“And?” I prompted.“And Beth works the upper floors. She sees Claire’s movements, knows her schedule.” Olive looked between us. “If I asked her to keep watch, to let us know when Claire leaves the Alpha’s chambers… she would. She owes me a debt from years ago.”Hope sparked in my chest.“How reliable is she?”“Very. Beth is careful, and observant. She wouldn’t draw attention to herself, and she knows how to keep secrets.” Olive paused. “She’s also no fan of Claire. She see how she treats the maids in the lower floors, and how she dismisses them like they’re nothing.”Aria reached across and took Olive’s hand.“Are you sure you want to involve her? If this goes wrong, if Claire finds out Beth helped us…”“I’m sure. Beth deserves to know what’s rea

Beta Riven’s POV Marcus gestured to his notes, covered in symbols and formulas I couldn’t decipher. “The primary compound is a derivative of dreamroot, like I suspected. But it’s been processed in a very specific way, combined with moon orchid extract and trace amounts of silver sage.” “In plain language, Marcus. What does it do?” “It’s primarily a sedative and euphoric. Creates a state of deep relaxation, heightened suggestibility, mild euphoria.” He paused. “In the doses present here, it’s not immediately dangerous. Actually, it’s quite sophisticated, and designed to create dependency through pleasant associations rather than chemical addiction alone.” “So it’s not poison?” “Not in the traditional sense. Not at these concentrations.” Marcus sat down heavily. “But Riven, here’s the concerning part, long-term exposure, especially at increasing doses, can cause exactly what you described. The paranoia, the tremors, the dependency. The body develops tolerance, requires more to achi

Claire's POV The morning sun had barely crested the horizon when I woke, my heart racing with anticipation. Today. Finally, today. After weeks of careful planning, and slowly tightening my grip on Kade's mind and heart, everything was about to fall into place. I stretched luxuriously in bed, alone for once. Kade had spent the night in his study, reviewing maps and preparing for the hunt. Really, he'd been sitting in that smoke-filled room, breathing in the strongest dose yet while I'd planted suggestions about where we should go, how long we should stay, how wonderful it would be to finally have time alone together. Away from the pack. Away from prying eyes. Away from anyone who might interfere. A soft knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. "Come in," I called, sitting up. Three maids entered, led by the assistant head maid whose name I could never remember. They carried an array of clothing, boots, supplies, everything I'd ordered for the trip. "Good mor