For Usher, Vione’s welfare was above all else, inextricably bound up with the interests of the pack. He couldn’t choose between the two, but for now he was forced to postpone his meeting with his trusted advisors because of the report from an Omega watching over Vione.
Usher hurried off and met Scott on his way to the room. They went together, and the worry they felt vanished in an instant when they saw that Vione was awake.
At least they were relieved that Vione seemed to be all right. After a quick but thorough examination, Scott was able to assure them that Vione showed no signs of illness. So, the only reason for Vione’s expression of anger must be that something had happened. That was their conclusion.
Vione looked at Usher. Can we talk alone?
Alone? Usher’s eyes narrowed slightly. Then he answered. Of course.
Usher turned and ordered everyone to leave the room. Now it was just the two of them.
“What do you want to talk about?” Usher asked bluntly a moment later. “Tell me.”
Vione looked very serious as she unconsciously took Usher’s hand and gripped it tightly. “Do you know when the pack stopped having a watcher?”
“Watcher?” Usher repeated, furrowing his brow. He looked at Vione, confused. “Why are you asking about that all of a sudden?”
Vione didn’t answer directly, instead she said, “I’m sure I know the story of why the Frostholm Pack no longer has a Watcher.” She nodded. “Yes, I remember Ayla telling me the story during the preparations before I moved to the palace. It was exactly six months before we were blessed as the new Alpha and Luna.” Then her eyes widened. “Walter Mendoza.” But soon her eyes narrowed. “Didn’t he commit suicide because he was accused of treason?”
“Yes, I think you’re right,” Usher replied with a single nod. “If I’m not mistaken, that happened when I was a baby, just before the war with the Nimbria Pack.” He paused for a moment, then added, “There were accusations that he was a traitor. He was supposedly planning to poison the pack with magic, but no evidence was ever found, so-wait!” He froze and stared at Vione in disbelief. “So, what are you saying?”
Vione nodded. “It seems that Walter was framed, or if he planned or even committed the act, he may have done it without realising it.” She took a short breath. “I have a memory of the future Vione. In it, Lily clearly said that she never thought Walter would betray us. Instead, she suspected him of having an affair.” Her grip on Usher’s hand tightened. “That strategy is exactly what you experienced. Mireya bewitched you, made you submit to her, and I’m sure there’s a woman in this palace who did the same to Walter.”
This conclusion shed light for both Vione and Usher on the possible culprit behind the Bernathra magic afflicting the Frostholm Pack. It wasn’t Walter, but a woman.
Unfortunately, their suspicions were still too wide. There were so many women in the palace and they had no other leads. However, something occurred to Vione.
“This woman must have gotten close to someone with access similar to Walter’s. Someone with authority over all the accommodations and logistics in the Palace, as well as the pack.”
“As you know, after the Palace stopped employing a watcher, the Palace Management Team was formed, consisting of five members, and to this day it’s headed by Weldon Burton,” Usher added, suspicion forming in his mind. Especially as he realised something. “He’s married to Mariah Patel and they have a daughter who also works at the Palace, Greisy Burton.”
Vione’s eyes widened. “Greisy?”
“Yes.” Usher nodded briefly. “I once suspected her because she was very close to Mireya and extremely protective of Phillip. But I put those suspicions aside because I thought her actions were related to me. I thought she was just following my orders while I was still under Mireya’s spell. Especially since the Burton family has served the palace for so long.”
Vione could understand Usher’s reasoning. Therefore, her focus was now on a woman who might have had a secret relationship with Walter. If they compared Walter’s and Usher’s situations, they should soon uncover the infiltrator of the Nimbria Pack.
On the other hand, Usher, sensing the direction of Vione’s thoughts, wasted no time. He immediately summoned Garth and ordered him to call Mariah.
Vione and Usher didn’t have to wait long. Mariah arrived in less than five minutes.
Mariah approached Vione and Usher who were sitting on the sofa. She stood politely, her appearance neat, her hair in an elegant bun. “Alpha, Luna. Why did you call for me?”
Usher spoke, “I need to ask you something.” He knew Mariah would be shocked, but they had no choice. “Is Weldon having an affair?”
Just as Usher had expected, the question shocked Mariah. Her eyes widened and she froze for a moment. “A-Alpha, what do you mean? A-Are you-”
“Listen, Mariah.” Vione joined the conversation, causing Mariah to turn and look at her. “I know you must be shocked, but…” Their eyes met. The words Vione was about to say vanished in an instant.
Vione fell silent. Usher was confused. So was Mariah.
“Luna?” Mariah called softly. “Are you all right?”
Usher reached for Vione’s hand and squeezed her fingers gently. “Vione? What’s wrong?”
But Vione didn’t answer. She remained silent as her mind raced. All her memories seemed to be rushing to the surface, begging her to examine them carefully.
Vione frowned. The Palace Management Team was led by Weldon Burton, with five Omegas responsible for various tasks. One of them was Mariah Patel, Weldon’s wife, in charge of the palace’s logistics and support of the pack.
Vione’s breath caught in her chest. She froze, realising that she had never really known all the members of the palace management team. Most of the time she only communicated with Weldon, and Ayla always accompanied her on her pack duties.
Vione vividly remembered the first time she had entered the palace. Jemma had given a brief introduction to the Palace management team. They had met each other, but that didn’t mean they interacted on a daily basis. There were many duties and responsibilities to attend to, and it had all passed without much thought.
Now, because of the unsettling feeling that was gnawing at her, Vione remembered events from long ago. Voices echoed in her mind as her eyes locked with Mariah’s.
“What is it?”
“I thought I saw someone over there.”
“Who? I didn’t see anyone.”
“Did I miss?”
“I’m sure it’s just a small deer that almost fell into the trap of those naughty children yesterday.”
Vione’s heart stopped. A chill ran through her, enveloping her entire body. She blinked repeatedly, trying to breathe. She tried to control herself, but she couldn’t stop herself from standing up, her face pale and her lips trembling. Then she spoke, “It was you.” Her hand rose and pointed at Mariah. “It was you who tried to kill me and Usher at the lake.”
*