Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Alpha Who Married His Enemy: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

Harven survived.Barely.Lyssara had spent two hours fighting the poison while Maevra stood outside the infirmary with dried blood on her hands and the Duskreach token trapped between her fingers.When the healer finally emerged, exhaustion had carved shadows beneath her eyes.“He’ll live.”Maevra released a breath.Lyssara noticed.“You were worried.”“He knows who tried to kill me. I’d prefer him alive long enough to become useful.”“Of course.”The healer’s smile said she believed none of that.Maevra ignored her.“Can I see him?”“He’s unconscious.”“Then apparently not.”“Brilliant deduction, Luna.”Maevra was beginning to like Lyssara.That seemed dangerous.Footsteps approached from the corridor.Rhydan appeared with Taven beside him.His attention dropped immediately to Maevra’s scraped palms.“You still haven’t had those treated.”“They’re scratches.”“Lyssara?”The healer looked at Maevra’s hands.“Those are scratches.”Rhydan stared at both women.Maevra smiled.“Outvoted.”

Rhydan tore Councillor Orven’s proposal in half and left Maevra with more questions than answers.She followed him out of the council chamber.“Stop walking.”He kept going.“Rhydan.”That worked.He stopped beneath an archway leading toward the western wing and turned slowly.“You sounded less irritated when you were threatening Orven.”“I understood Orven.”“And you don’t understand me?”“Finally. Progress.”His eyes narrowed.Servants moved through the distant corridor, pretending not to notice their Alpha and Luna glaring at each other.Maevra lowered her voice.“You knew someone in that room might be involved.”“I know someone inside Ravaryn may be involved.”“That is not the same thing.”“No.”“Then why did you tell me half the council fears what I might discover?”Rhydan glanced toward the servants.“My study.”“I am perfectly capable of arguing here.”“I know.”“Then?”“I’d prefer Ravaryn not receive a detailed account of our marriage before dinner.”Maevra folded her arms.“Em

Caelen’s account sent a message six hours after he died.Rhydan read that sentence twice before looking up from the report.“Impossible.”Maevra stood across the strategy table, already dressed for the Vaelridge journey. Her dark riding coat lay over the back of a chair. Two knives had finally been returned to her possession after enough arguing to exhaust half the eastern wing.“People usually stop sending correspondence once they’re dead.”Taven pushed the report toward her.“A clerk found it in the diplomatic relay records this morning.”Maevra scanned the page.Sender: Prince Caelen Varek.Time: shortly before dawn.Destination: Vaelridge South Crossing.No named recipient.“Where’s the actual message?”“Encrypted,” Taven said. “The relay copied only the transmission record.”Rhydan’s expression had gone still.“Caelen was already in the mourning chamber at that hour.”“I checked,” Taven replied. “Three guards were present throughout the night.”“So someone used his diplomatic acce

Maevra recognized Rhydan’s seal before Taven finished unfolding the document.Black wax.Mountain wolf.Alpha authority.Her stomach tightened.“What is that?”Taven laid the paper across Rhydan’s desk.“An operation order from six years ago.”Nobody moved.Maevra looked at the date.Two days before her father died.The room became very quiet.Rhydan reached for the document.“Where did you find it?”“Military archive. Cedren’s name brought up an old investigation file.”Maevra stepped closer.She read the heading.Western Containment Operation.Her pulse began to pound.The order authorized a Ravaryn unit to enter disputed territory west of Thornmere, intercept a suspected command party, and prevent its return to Thornhall.Prevent its return.Maevra read the phrase twice.Then she found the location.Harrow Vale.The place where Cedren Sorn had died.Her gaze dropped farther.Authorization sat at the bottom.Alpha Rhydan Varek.His seal beneath it.Something inside Maevra went cold.

Maevra disliked leaving Varek Keep before sunrise.Dark roads favored ambushes.Secret travel favored spies.And Rhydan Varek had decided they needed both.Six horses waited beneath the eastern gate. No banners. No Ravaryn silver. No Thornmere green.Taven adjusted the strap on his saddle and looked at Maevra’s clothes.“You look suspicious.”She glanced down at her dark riding coat.“I’m wounded.”“You’re armed like you expect a siege.”“I’m traveling with Ravaryn wolves.”One of the guards coughed to hide a laugh.Taven pointed at him.“You heard nothing.”Rhydan emerged from the gatehouse carrying a plain leather bag.No ceremonial clothing. No Alpha crest.Without Ravaryn insignia, he could almost pass for an ordinary wealthy traveler.Almost.Maevra looked at him.“You still look like someone people should avoid.”“So do you.”“Good.”His gaze dropped to the two knives at her waist.“Are those necessary?”“You gave them back.”“I’m reconsidering.”“Too late.”Taven mounted.“If ev