chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

What if this is her plan to make me pity her, and turn against my pack? What if she's trying to manipulate me? I nodded my head at the possibility, and my heart tightened as I fixed my gaze on the door.

No one would dare to poison anyone in the palace, under my watch. Why did it start to happen now? Isn't it obvious?

And to sum it all up, she's found in my library. What took her there? My mind wandered back to the day I first met her. She was mysterious, beautiful, and seemed to be hiding secrets. I remembered the way she looked at me, the way she smiled... and I wondered if I had misjudged her all along.

I gulped down, pushed the door open, and walked in. '' Not under my watch,'' I muttered, shutting the door behind me with a bang. My eyes drifted to Madam Nelly, who quickly sprang up from the chair as soon as she saw me.

'' My Alpha, you're here. Welcome to my abode.'' She greeted me and bowed her head, but I ignored her and began to stride towards Alisha.

I found her lying on the bed, her eyes closed and facing the wall, her fragile form almost swallowed by the large bed. My heart sank as I took in the sight of her pale skin, her chest barely rising with each shallow breath. A faint sheen of sweat coated her forehead, and her dark hair was matted and tangled.

I reached out a hand, hesitating for a moment before gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Her skin was cool to the touch, and I could feel the faint tremors of a fever running through her body.

"Alisha," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Can you hear me?"

But she didn't respond. I scoffed, '' Could this be true?'' My eyes narrowed as I stared blankly at the wall, different thoughts sliding into my mind.

If this is true, then no one is safe in the palace either. There's a betrayer that must be fished out.

'' She will be fine, my Alpha. I've done everything I needed to do.'' madam Nelly said, drifting me off my thoughts.

This made me turn to her with furrowed brows. '' Does she think I'm worried about Alisha?''

She must think I'm carried away by her innocent, beautiful face. But what she doesn't know is that I'm waiting for her to wake up and explain this to me.

As I opened my mouth to speak, the door opened and my Beta walked in. '' My Alpha,'' he bowed slightly and continued, ''I came to inform you that I've gathered everyone around the palace for questioning. They await your presence, my lord.''

I looked away immediately and strode towards the window. '' Why do I feel like this has nothing to do with my people? Why do I feel like Alisha is pretending, just to make me forget about her punishment?''

I took a glance at her, and the report I got earlier about her being a rogue wolf slipped into my mind. I needed to find out.

'' Meet me in my chambers,'' I said to Wren before storming out of the room.

When we got to my chambers, I settled down on a chair and poured myself a drink, my gaze fixed on the wall as I awaited Beta's presence.

Almost immediately, he walked in and closed the door gently behind him. With a bow, he said. '' You ask to see me, my Lord.''

I cleared my throat and gulped down the remaining drink in the glass, then turned in his direction.

'' What do you think about the earlier incident? Do you think Alisha was poisoned? Or it's her plan all along to manipulate me?''

I rose from the chair and began to head to the window. '' I received a call from someone, and it's revealed that she's a rogue wolf.

'' Huh?'' My Beta blurted out, surprise etched on his face.

'' I feel like it's her plan to divert attention from her. Making it look as if someone else is the enemy here.''

My Beta nodded his head, probably finding the truth in what I said.

'' You're right, my Alpha. But we also need to look at the two sides. Because, she's spitting a lot of blood when I got there, and...''

'' Don't underestimate anyone, Wren. Anything can happen behind your back. She's not to be trusted.'' I said with a tightened face but eyes blazing with fur.

'' Why don't you kill her then? Or do you want to investigate?'' he asked and I hesitated for a moment, pondering over his words.

Alisha is my breeder. But I can always get another one, whenever I want. However, I don't want her to die quickly.

I'll rather keep her to lure the rogues, and eventually kill her at my convenient time. I gnashed my teeth at the thought of this, then turned to Wren with determination in my heart.

'' Find out more about her, and bring me the results. I need it as soon as possible,'' I ordered, and with a bow, Wren turned and walked out of my room.

****

The night had drawn, yet I found myself restless. I turned from side to side as I lay on the bed, unable to sleep.

Although I'd sent my Beta to find more information about Alisha, I found myself impatient to wait for his feedback.

I sprang up from the bed and headed towards her room. In a swift, I pushed open the door and walked in. Running my eyes around.

I found a bag in the corner of the room; assuming it was hers, I began to walk towards it.

I decided to investigate Alisha's belongings, searching for any clues that might explain her hidden motives.

I rummaged through her bag, and to my utmost surprise, I found a small, hidden compartment. My brows furrowed when I realized what it was, and my heart clenched instantly.

'' Where did she get this from?'’