*Zander*
“Where were you last night?” my voice dripping with accusation as I asked my Beta.
Maddox’s brow furrowed as if he tried to recall.
“I was on patrol as usual as it was my turn,” he replied, his shoulders lifting in a shrug. But I wasn’t convinced.
“Are you sure?” I challenged, my voice sharpening with suspicion.
“Yes! Why are you interrogating me? Wait a minute! Do you suspect me of breaching the security system?” He furrowed his brows deeper.
“Maddox, I discovered your fingerprint on the door unlocking system,” I informed him firmly. His expression shifted to one of shock.
“I swear to the Goddess, I didn’t enter the data room yesterday. In fact, I never entered that room alone and never without you,” he insisted as his brows furrowed even deeper in desperation.
I took a step closer, my alpha instincts urging me to push harder for the truth
“Do you really expect me to believe you? Besides me, only you have access to the data room. And your fingerprint was recorded in the system the last time the door was opened,” I said, my face contorted with a grimace, as I confronted him.
“Zander, please, just stop!” he cried out in frustration, slamming his palms on the table. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to regain his composure.
“I’d rather die than be labeled a traitor. This pack is my home, and I’ve shed blood for it. I would never betray you or this pack, even if someone were to kill me. Please, believe me, or kill me, but don’t call me a traitor,” he pleaded.
I could see the truth in his eyes. As the Alpha King, the Goddess had bestowed upon me the ability to peer into someone’s eyes and discern whether they were telling the truth or lying. And in that moment, I knew Maddox was telling the truth.
“Then, Maddox, this is even more serious because someone has used your fingerprint, and we have no idea who it was,” I informed him, and he nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
“Who had access to the data room? Do you know who the thief might be?” he asked, his concern evident. I glanced at him briefly before turning my gaze elsewhere, contemplating the answers.
“We have something much more serious to uncover,” I muttered, my tone laced with severity.
“What is it?” Maddox inquired, his curiosity piqued.
“Someone is attempting to gain access to the complete security details of the werewolf community in the North,” I declared, the weight of the revelation hanging heavy in the air.
“Fuck!” he muttered under his breath, frustration evident as he raked his hand through his hair.
“We need to act quickly,” he mumbled urgently.
Maddox made his way back to the pack house, intending to head toward the training ground.
Lyon and I were filled with restlessness. The puzzle was growing increasingly complex with each passing day.
Needing to release some pent-up energy, I decided to go for a run. Swiftly discarding my clothes, I shifted into my large, black wolf and darted toward the woods.
As I bounded through the royal medicinal garden, Lyon’s keen senses detected a familiar scent, roses and peaches.
Without wasting any time, I shifted back into my human form and swiftly put on a pair of shorts. We had strategically placed clothes at regular intervals to ensure we didn’t end up wandering around naked during emergency shifts.
My eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for the source of the captivating aroma.
And there she was.
But what was she doing in the royal medicinal garden? I observed her from behind the cover of a tree. She let out a frustrated sigh and glanced around the garden, her eyebrows furrowed.
Then, her gaze settled in a specific direction, and her face lit up as she walked toward a row of herbs.
Oh, no! Shit!
I sprinted towards her with lightning speed.
Just as she was about to touch the herb, I swiftly grabbed her waist from behind and pulled her away from the plants.
She gasped, startled by the sudden motion.
“What the hell are you doing?! Let me go!” she began cursing, attempting to wriggle out of my grasp.
“What are you doing here, Selena Ardolf?” I asked, whispering into her ear while maintaining a firm hold.
I felt her body tremble in my arms as she took a sharp breath.
“I came to pick up some herbs for your fiancee’s face pack, as she instructed me,” she murmured, her words barely audible, her heartbeat racing so fast that even I could hear it without relying on my Alpha senses.
“So why did you want to kill yourself?” I questioned.
“What do you mean?” She tilted her head slightly, glancing back at me. Her face was so dangerously close to mine, her breath brushing against my lips, tempting me to do something I knew I would regret.