6. Dane's Doubts

Dane's POV

Once I sat inside the car, I let out a breath of relief. We've won the war days ago, but the king had been MIA ever since. We had kept it a secret to avoid unrest within our nation. Our King doesn't have any heirs yet. It was up to me, his Beta, to make sure he was found while maintaining order in his absence.

I turned around to look at the woman in the back. She looked harmless, but we couldn't trust anyone where our king was concerned. He has many enemies who wished him dead. Who's to know they didn't send a beautiful woman like her to seduce him and deceive him. My men made a total check around the area but found no sign of anyone else there. Nevertheless, I still feel that she didn't work alone.

"mmmph." The woman protested. I had gagged her earlier because she wouldn't shut up. I was avoiding any more interaction with her until the Lycan King awakened. I was not going to be deceived by those innocent looking blue eyes as well. Harming women is not something I choose to do, but I was not going to take any chances.

As soon as we arrived at the pack, the king was rushed to the pack's hospital. I grabbed the woman from the back of the car. She was surprisingly strong for someone, so denty. She kept kicking and squirming, her muffled grunts echoing all the way to the dungeons. We went down the dark stairs to the underground cells. I could feel her heart thudding wildly on her chest.

I dropped her on top of the old mattress, inside a cell. Her eyes widened when she saw me pull out a knife. "I'm just cutting the rope, be still." I said. With one of my hands, I grabbed both of hers with ease. I cut the rope, and then I removed the gag from her mouth as well. "You're a brute!" was the first thing she told me. "Easy there, woman, or I'll gag you again!" She stiffened. I watched her rub her wrists were the ropes left red marks. I felt a sliver of guilt, but I shoved it away. She was supposed to be the enemy.

"Now, time to fess up, woman. With whom were you working? Why did you kidnap my brother? Were you planning to ask for a ramson?!" I growled, clenching my fists. That was the only reasonable explanation. If she wanted him dead, she could have done it already.

"What? Ramson for a warrior? Why do you keep insisting on incriminating me? I was just trying to help!" She was practically yelling. She kept referring to King Chad as a mere warrior. I don't think she recognized him. She was furious now. I was sure that, given the chance, she would have kicked me already. "Mr. Grumpy Warrior, you're so infuriating!" She grunted.

"Let's see if a few days without food refresh your memory." Her face paled. Well, I guess she loves her food. She will crack easier than I thought. I turned around and locked her cell. I looked at the 4 guards I left in place. "Nothing to eat, for...her." I didn't even know her name yet. Well, all in do time. "She could eat when she's ready to talk."

I headed to the hospital to check on the king. I came to an abrupt hault when I found Alpha Terrence pacing in the waiting area. Of course, he would be here. He was one of the eldest members of the parliament. "Alpha Terrence, I didn't know you were here." I sighed.

"Beta Dane! How did your men let this happen to the King?! This is outrageous! He still has no heirs. His safety should be of utmost importance! Chaos would ensue this country if we lose him. All the Alpha's would start disputing his title!" He bellowed.

I am aware of the implications, Alpha Terrence. We're handling it. It is not your place to meddle in the Lycan King's matters!" I loathed his ancient entitled ass.

"I agree to disagree. I'm an honorable member of the Parliament. As one of the Lycan King's advisors, it is my duty to see to the kingdom's best interests. When Lycan King Chad gets better, he should start considering taking a chosen mate and producing an heir. He is 36! How long will he wait for his fated?" He huffed. Padding his round belly. It was rare to see a werewolf so out of shape.

"Why don't you go to eat something, Alpha Terrence. Even if the king wakes up, he won't be allowed any visitors until the Dr. approves." He beemed when he heard the word food, making a B line for the kitchen. Even I was hungry. After all of these chaotic days, I was starting to feel more at ease. I minlinked the kitchen for some food to be brought up to me. My stomach churned with guilt when I thought of the petite young woman in the cell. Well, she knows the deal. No talk, no chomp.

"Beta Dane." the Dr. came out of King Chad's room. "How is The Lycan King Dr. Aaron? I approached him hastily.

"Well, he was badly wounded. He fought. He has signs of struggle. My guess is that he killed his attackers and barely managed to escape. His wounds were treated well, though. None of them got infected. He's under strong sedatives while he rehydrates. You know him. If he awakens, he'd be up and about in seconds."

I chuckled because that was Chad. Our Lycan king and my friend. He is made of steel. I still wondered how he got ambushed. Can the woman be telling the truth? Dr. Rick says his wounds were well treated. I will question her first thing in the morning. I was sure that her resolved would have wavered by then.

"The next morning, I got up earlier than ever. I couldn't sleep well at all. I grabbed a cup of steaming coffee and headed straight to the cells. The fresh smell of coffee should entice her. I was so close to uncovering the truth. When I arrived at the cells, I found her sitting on the battered mattress. Her long honey blond hair was a mess, and she had darkened shdows under her eyes. It seemed that she didn't sleep well at all, either. I sent 3 of the warriors for breakfast, leaving just one with me, while I conducted the interrogation.

"Do you want some coffee woman?" She looked at me with an unreadable expression. She was no ordinary woman. She looked dignified and well educated. Even sitting on that dirty mattress, she looked elegant and refined. What could a woman like her have been doing in a cave? Too suspicious.

"Open the cell." I ordered. She instantly jumped to her feet. My towering figured looked imposing compared to her smaller frame. Her baby blues looked straight to mine. Damn, she looked so fragil. I was about to just hand her the cup of coffee. I should have brought one of the female warriors to interrogate her. I wasn't capable of hurting a woman. I've got a mother and 2 sisters. Instead of conducting the ruthless interrogation, all I felt like doing was to take her to the kitchen and let her feast on Gamma Celia's delicious scrambled eggs and sausage.

"Do yourself a favor and start talking. You don't look good at all." She simply rolled her eyes with so much emphasis, I was surprised she managed to pull them back.

"I'm tired of repeting myself, and you won't believe me. I found him lying on the ground, and then I..."

A mindlink entered my mind at that moment. I let drop the coffee cup and round towards the exit. The Lycan King has awaken!