Lilith’s P. O. V
I stood there clearly unable to move and filled with confusion. The guard had whispered his words like a bad sign and when Raoul turned and left, I was left thinking about this silent warning.
Alone, I stared at the guard with the tension between us heavy and thick.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked while trying to keep my voice calm despite the mess in my head. “What’s happening about me in the pack?”
The guard moved while looking uncomfortable as he wouldn’t meet my gaze. He cleared his throat and mumbled “It’s just… there are stories, Your Highness.”
“Rumors?” My heart pounded as I moved in closer while giving him a tough look. “What kind of rumors?”
He spoke quietly. “They say you’re… seeing the Alpha King’s brothers… Having an affair….”
I was stunned, almost like I got knocked down, then I felt furious. “An affair? With his brothers? How did this happen? Who’s telling these lies?”
He paused while looking around as if he was scared the shadows would listen. “I… I don’t know who began it, Your Highness. I just heard it at the tavern this morning…”
“Tavern?” I interrupted quickly while frowning. “Why were you there?”
He squirmed under my gaze and stared at the floor tiles. “I… I had a drink. I shouldn’t have left so soon but… I was stressed. It’s been a tough few weeks.”
“Do you think your stress lets you leave your post and frolic at the tavern?” I replied with my voice icy.
“I’m sorry your Highness,” he said nervously while looking scared. “I just wanted to tell you about the rumors. Just… please don’t tell the Alpha King about the Tavern. He won’t like this.”
I was losing my patience. “I don’t care about your trips to the tavern or your worries about the Alpha. What I want to know is who started this terrible rumor. Why am I suddenly at the center of all this talk?”
The guard shook his head while moving from feeling guilty to feeling helpless. “I honestly don’t know Your Highness. It was just people chatting too many voices in the tavern…”
Anger burst out in me like a strong fire. “Then you’re not helpful,” I said sharply while waving him away. “Leave.”
As he hurried off, anger surged through me. This was more than just gossip, it felt like an attack on me.
Who would gain from ruining my name? Probably Ben trying to bring down both me and Adams.
If I could just find out who was behind this, I could stop the harm spreading through our pack.
“Cara!” I shouted with my voice bouncing off the walls of the empty room. My maid rushed in looking worried.
“Yes, Your Highness?” Cara tilted her head with excitement showing in her eyes.
“Pay attention,” I said firmly. “If someone looks for me, say I’m in my room and don’t want to be bothered.”
“But Your Highness-”
“No excuses,” I said firmly. “It’s important that I have privacy. I need to work alone.”
She nodded and did what I said while leaving me alone with my thoughts. I needed a disguise.
If I wanted to find answers, I couldn’t do it as the Luna Queen. I had to stop the rumors and discover the truth.
A wave of resolve filled me as I found my old common clothes. It felt odd to wear them again, but I tied my long hair up in a bun hiding my nobility under layers of fabric.
Once dressed, I wrapped a scarf around my face to hide my identity even more.
As I walked into the hallway, excitement surged within me. I felt more alive than I had in months. The outside world called to me-strange but inviting.
As I got closer to the soldiers’ quarters, I heard laughter and talking from afar. I felt a surge of determination. I was set to face the darkness hiding around me.
“Hey, where are you headed beautiful?” a soldier shouted, and I braced myself against the loud cheers from his friends.
I looked back with a grin on my face, not bothered by the clueless people around me. They didn’t know who I was-just an ordinary woman in plain clothes.
But inside my confidence was strong. “Maybe I’m looking for some fun.” I joked with my voice full of boldness.
The group burst into laughter with a strange mix of teasing and show-off talk that didn’t affect me. I walked by them, head held high, ready to ignore their rude jokes.
I quickly found Dale one of the few people I’d trust around here. She was busy sharpening her sword on a stone table, completely focused on her task.
I walked up to her and when our eyes locked, her face changed from focus to surprise.
“Your Highness!” she exclaimed while letting the sword drop onto the table as she struggled to gather herself. “What are you doing here?” The words spilled out of her quickly.
“Be quiet!” I said while looking around to make sure no one could hear us. “We need to chat. Step over here.”
Dale didn’t hesitate and led us to a quiet spot between two tents. Once we were out of sight, I pulled down my scarf to show my face. Dale’s shocked breath showed I was right to worry.
“Don’t kneel,” I quickly said, with my voice full of urgency. “I’m not here as your queen. I need your help.”
She became more confused with her eyebrows knitting together. “You want me to help? But… why?”
“Pay attention.” I urged, with my heart pounding. “There are untrue stories about me. I want to go to the tavern, but I don’t want to go alone. I need you to take off your armor, wear a dress and come with me.”
“Are you really sure, Your Highness? If someone spots you-” Fear crept into her voice.
“Do you want to track down the REAL person who caused the massacre in your village or not? This might be our chance.” I insisted while staying strong in my resolve.
Dale paused for a moment, feeling the pressure of the situation. Then I noticed it-the spark of determination in her eyes.
“I already know who murdered my family, but okay…. I’ll come with you. Let me disguise myself too. It’ll take me a little time. Let’s just hope the others don’t figure it out.”
I nodded with my heart racing with excitement about what was coming. Dale was the answer to finding the truth, and together we could maybe break down the twisted lies that were trying to take over us…