CHAPTER NINE

Jake hesitated, glancing around nervously. "I don't know if I should say, Alpha. They're powerful, and I don't want to cross them."

I hissed and took a step closer to Jake, my eyes locked on his. "You're under my protection, now tell me Jake. Tell me who it is."

Jake swallowed hard before speaking. "It's...it's Mark, Alpha. Mark, one of the elders."

My eyes narrowed, my mind racing with implications. Mark, one of the most respected elders in our pack, involved in Raven's attack? It couldn't be. Even with the glaring evidence, I knew I had to investigate further before punishing him.

"Thank you, Jake," I said, my voice firm. "You've done the right thing. I'll make sure you're protected."

Jake nodded, looking relieved, and I turned to Maria. "Assemble the elders for me, I need to write a new rule involving the assassin.” I smirked going to my room.

I smirked victoriously after the rules had been stamped. The assassin was to be locked in the cell with hard punishment three months before being prosecuted. I could sense the fear on mark and had immediately sent for him.

“Send a team out there and bring Mark in for questioning. I need to get to the bottom of this." I ordered 

Maria nodded and took off, leaving me to ponder on my next move. Mark, an elder I had trusted, involved in my attempted murder? The pack's dynamics were shifting, and I needed to stay one step ahead to protect my pack...and my mate.

As I waited for Maria to return with Mark, my mind raced with questions. Why would Mark, a respected elder, be involved in Raven's attack? What motive could he possibly have? And how far did his involvement go? Does he have other accomplices?

When Maria arrived with Mark, I could sense the tension in the air. Mark's eyes narrowed as he saw me, and I could tell he knew why he was here.

"Mark, we need to talk," I said, my voice firm but controlled.

"About what, Alpha?" Mark asked, his tone dripping with innocence.

"Don't play dumb, Mark," I growled. "We have a witness who places you at the scene of Raven's attack. What do you know about it?"

Mark's expression changed from innocence to shock, and he took a step back. "Alpha, I...I don't know what you're talking about."

I took a step closer to him. "Don't lie to me, Mark. I have evidence. You were seen lurking around the area where Raven was attacked. What were you doing there?"

Mark's eyes darted around the room, as if searching for an escape. "Alpha, please...you have to believe me. I wasn't involved in any attack. I was just...just out for a walk."

I raised an eyebrow. "A walk? In a black hooded cloak? With your face obscured?"

Mark's silence was telling, and I knew I had him cornered.

"Mark, you are coming with me," I said, my voice firm. "We are going to the pack's holding cell until we get to the bottom of this."

As Maria led Mark away, I couldn't help but feel agitated.

Turning a different direction. I could feel something was wrong with Raven. bursting into her room, my strong warriors were laid unconscious on the floor while a whitish kind of webs flowed around Raven. Her breathing had gone more unstable bringing more fear to my heart.

I slowly stepped away from the guards and moved towards her. She looked almost dead.

Bringing my hands up to my lips, ‘I did the only thing I could think of’ I cut deep into my flesh and opened her mouth. Squeezing my palm together, I slowly pumped the blood into her lips and watched her slowly sipped it. 

I smiled happily as color returned to her face and the whitish webs slowly disappeared. 

I growled angrily at the fact that someone had been using dark magic. Which means, if Mark is the assassin, that means he has an accomplice who is involved in black magic.

“Alpha Parez?” a voice interrupted me from my thoughts, making me look at them. 

"Yes, Maria?" I asked, with a low voice.

"The scent has been traced your highness" she bowed

“Who does it belongs to?” I spat angrily, unsure of why she’s staring at me in pity.

“You have to come see it for yourself Alpha, please don’t put me in a tight spot your highness”  I could see form of tears forming on her eyes making me perplexed, I had never seen Maria look so weak or close to tears so it was shocking? Yes! But not enough to hold me from getting my answer from her.

“Who does the scent belongs to?” I asked releasing my Alpha mode on her. Unable to fight it, she surrendered and slowly whispered the name.

“Raven?”