60. Refusing To Believe YILEYNA After meeting Charlene, we had gone our separate ways. I had first walked around the city for a while trying to relax my mind before I requested a meeting with the king. I now waited patiently for the guard to tell the king that I had requested an audience.
âThe Alpha said he is busy, but what is it regarding?â The man asked me coldly.
âI wanted to see the evidence against my parents.â I said quietly, knowing the king obviously didnât want to see me anymore. I just wasnât worthy of his time.
The man quirked an eyebrow before looking at me scornfully.
âAre you actually wasting the Alphaâs time with your pathetic requests? You should be grateful he hasnât demoted you to an omega.â He muttered scornfully.
I frowned, about to reply when I heard footsteps.
âThat is not your place to decide, Gerald. Iâll let the Alpha know and I will take miss DeâLacor where she needs to go. You are speaking to a Zeta rank guard, even if you are an Epsilon... treat her with respect.â Raidenâs smooth, calm voice came, yet it held a clear warning. 1 I turned, feeling relieved to see him. Although I donât think he realises Iâm nothing, not a Zeta rank or anything, so I had no idea why he said that.
He gave me a small smile before motioning for me to follow him. I gave Gerald a small nod before following Raiden. He was quiet, and I had a feeling he was mind linking the king.
âCome on, he said I can show you the proof.â He said, giving me one of his killer smiles.
I forced a smile back, not missing the concern in his eyes. âThanks, did the king agree?â
âHe said you can take a look, besides, I was actually going to come find you later. The king has decided to make you a Zeta rank warrior. Congratulations. I think your wit onboard The Siren Killer must have reached him.â He said, giving me another smirk.
I nodded, wondering why the king had done that. It wasnât like him to care. Had Theon said something? Maybe I was being hopefully, but it just felt too coincidental... I followed him through to the wing which had our old quarters, the Gammasâ quarters, as well as the kingâs personal library, office, and other important rooms. The wing next to this one was the Alphaâs personal living quarters. âSo, the evidence is kept in the restricted area, but I will have to stay with you whilst you check it.â Raiden explained.
âOh... Iâm sorry, you probably have a lot to do, right?â âItâs not much, Iâll get it done. Besides, I didnât have to come find you myself. That saved me time.â He winked at me, and I nodded as he entered the library.
There were many people scattered around, some searching for books, others mulling over maps and records. Far more mages than werewolves. They all lowered their heads to Raiden, I remembered a time I had been shown that same respect.
I looked down, thinking I was ok with the insult and rejection, but I wanted at least my parents ânames to be cleared.
Raiden told me to wait before he went over to the desk, the man behind the table was a serious elder mage and his hard eyes turned on me before he nodded to whatever Raiden had said. He took out a key from his huge ring of keys, as well as taking another bunch and removing one small one from it.
Raiden thanked him before returning to my side. âI got the keys, come on.â He said, leading the way. Once inside, he shut the door after us. The room was a lot smaller, yet it was far fuller. Boxes and chests were also stacked to one side. The shelves and cabinets were all locked and labelled.
âYileyna.â
I turned to look at him and he walked over to me, making my heart skip a beat at the seriousness on his face.
âRaiden.â I said, narrowing my eyes. He chuckled before crossing his arms. âTell me whatâs wrong? You arenât your usual sparkling firework self tonight.â He said softly. I shook my head.
âI am fine, really. They say you reap the consequences of your actions. I paved this path for myself and now Iâm walking it.â I replied with a humourless smile.
âHe hurt you again, didnât he?â He questioned sharply, his eyes flashing green. 1 âIt doesnât matter, can we get to the evidence?â I asked, turning away.
âYileyna.â
I looked back at him, and he frowned slightly. âWhat is it? I said Iâm fine.â I said, trying not to sound irritated. âHmm you did, but I just wanted to say, Iâm here even if you just need a friend to listen. No judgement, no expectations, just someone to listen.â He said quietly. My heart squeezed and I looked down at the ground. âIâll keep it in mind, but Iâll be ok.â I said, turning away. That was a lie I was telling myself again and again even when I felt like I was crumbling inside, I wouldnât admit it... âAlright, letâs get to this.â He said, briskly walking past me and unlocking one of the small metal cabinets.
The mood became darker as he took out a bunch of letters, maps and reports. âItâs all here, from the letters he received, and sent, as well as the blueprints and maps of the city and castle.â He said quietly.
âHe didnât do it.â I replied firmly. âI know my parents.â
I took the things from him not wanting to hear anything more, and turned my back on him Walking over, I sat down at one of the three tables in the room and placed everything down carefully.
I could feel him watching, but I refused to look at him.
I came here for a reason...
I looked at the letterâs Dad had apparently received; plans for an attack, plans to usurp the alpha from the throne, to take over the middle kingdom...
Lies. Dad considered Alpha Andres his best friend, there was no way that he would have done this.
I stared at the letters, taking a calming breath before I picked up the first letter. Although I knew it just couldnât be Dad, the fact that everyone said it was him made my stomach churn.
I looked at the letter I had just unfolded. This was a letter he was meant to send soon it seemed. It was Dadâs handwriting, or extremely close... but, no Dad couldnât do this.
I skimmed the letter, a letter that stated he was enclosing the maps and a clear route into the castle. Stating that he needed more time, and that the planned attack needed to be delayed.
I read it quickly âWe need to hold out... I fear that the king may know something... Yours W...â
I frowned, staring at the last part.
It just didnât make sense. If Dad was planning to send this letter out to tell them to hold off the attack, then why was it even here?
Shouldnât he have posted it as fast as possible?
I know one could argue he didnât get the chance, but... but still, something wasnât right.
I stared at the writing, trying to find even one small sign to tell me it wasnât Dadâs, but even after staring at it I found nothing. It looked just like his...
I folded it away, picking up the letters that were sent to Dad, not that even one was addressed to him. They talked of plans to storm the capital from the sea, how the kingâs time had come and how the Obsidian Shadow Pack would take their rightful place.
There wasnât much, as if they were speaking about casual topics, but there was no deeper evidence, none that referenced any solid plans and dates.
Maybe they were destroyed, but if that was the case, why would Dad even keep these? He was a Beta rank, he wasnât stupid enough to get caught... âIf Dad did this, he wouldnât keep such files in our home.â I said, my voice coming out icy and angry.
Raiden was silent for a moment before he sighed, âThey said itâs the one place that would never have been raided or found.â
âYet they somehow received a tip-off? Do you know who it was or how?â
âThatâs classified information Iâm afraid, my ice queen.â 3 1 glared at him before sighing. I felt guilty, I was taking my frustration out on him. âProbably one of the kingâs own spies.â He replied after a moment, âbut itâs not something we should be discussing.â âI still donât believe my father did this.â I said, standing up. I wanted to swipe a letter. Raiden might be charming, but he was sharp, and his eyes were currently on me.
âMe neither.â He said quietly, a small frown on his face.
I looked at him, my heart skipping a beat, and I gave a small smile.
âThank you.â
He gave a curt nod before we put everything away and we left the room.
âSo... Iâm assuming you donât have a date for the upcoming ball?â I frowned, Theon becoming beta was becoming a grand affair, wasnât it?
âNo, I donât,â I said quietly. âI wonât attend.â
âBut as a Zeta rank, you should be there; besides, I donât have a date either. Want to go with me?â
âReally? Have you already been through all the single women in Westerfell?â I remarked with a smirk He pouted. âIâve been behaving rather well actually, especially since that voyage.â
I couldnât resist a smile.
âOh, have you now? Iâm proud of you, but has that changed since we returned?â I asked, slightly amused.
âYeah, I even refused the she-wolf on board. However, on a serious note, I realised that thereâs a huge difference between love and lust.â He winked at me and my smile faded.
Love and lust...
Had I been blinded when it came to Theon? Was there really nothing more than lust between us? My heart sank and Raiden stopped.
âCome with me to the ball, if not as a date, as a friend. You donât need to suffer alone, Charlene will be at the Alphaâs table. You need someone by your side, and Iâm sure my brother would love to see you again. So, what do you say?â
I hesitated, before sighing in defeat.
âAs a friend. Donât expect more.â
He smiled and nodded.
âI wonât.â He winked, before taking my hand and placing a soft kiss on it.
âRaiden.â I warned.
âAs friends, I promise.â He became serious, letting go of my hand. âBesides, I wonât take advantage of your emotions and try to pull a move.â âThank you. I donât want to hurt you or use you.â I smiled softly, his words making my heart skip a beat.
âWhat if I want to be used?â 2 âRaiden!â âSorry.â He chuckled âAnyway, Iâll send a messenger with your duties from Monday. Make sure you go to the pack tailors and get your uniforms.â I nodded before he paused, clearly being mind linked. âEverything ok?â I asked when he frowned.
âYeah, I just need to go, Dad and the king want to see me regarding some security plans. Will you be ok going from here?â I nodded. âI grew up in these halls too, remember?â âYeah. I know, we played together, remember?â He replied in the same tone that I had used.
âYes.â I smiled slightly.
He gave me a final smile and wink before he walked off, and I decided to take the shortest route out of here.
I didnât want to go anywhere near Theonâs room. I made my way down the hall, passing some guards, and took a left from the gamma quarters.
It was a lot quieter here; I was about to open a door that led to a staircase, which led to a side exit, when I paused hearing familiar voices talking. My heart skipped a beat when I realised who that was...
Theon...
â... you please.â
Charlene?
âIâm done with Yileyna. I think itâs high time we told the entire kingdom about us, that we are to be mated. Donât you agree, Charlene?â Since when did Theon call Charlene by her name?
Wait... mated?
I calmed my heart, realising what was happening. Charlene must have come to try to talk to him for me.
Goddess, didnât she realise heâll just be mean to her? Worried for her, I made my way towards the room where the voices were coming from. I stopped at the door, shocked to see Theon was holding Charleneâs chin. Confusion filled me and I looked at the side profile of the man before me, having to confirm if it really was Theon. âTheon, we need to-â Charlene was cut off when Theon bent down and claimed her lips in a deep kiss. Shock slapped me in the face, accompanied by the sharp pain of rejection and betrayal. I wasnât able to stop the sharp intake of breath, my heart pounding as I backed away.
He kissed her...
What was going on?
I.... No... he...
Nothing made sense... My head was about to burst, I turned and fled, unable to stay here any longer. The pain in my chest was overwhelming, crushing me painfully. Theon kissed Charlene...
I was halfway down the stairs, when I froze, turning back towards the open door at the top, fear enveloping me. I knew my best friend enough to know she wouldnât do that... but what if Theon forced her?
He isnât like that...
But still, I was scared, I need to make sure she is ok. I heard the sound of a door slam, my heart pounding in fear, then hearing Charleneâs sobs as she ran down the hall.
I pressed myself against the wall, hoping she wouldnât sense me. Thank the goddess she was ok... I looked down at the stone steps, trying to fight back my tears. Theon really was done with me...
The urge to comfort her was overwhelming, but I knew sheâd also feel terrible if she knew that I saw what had happened...
I couldnât go to her... Theon, of all women; my friend?
I wonât cry.
After a moment, I quietly made my way down the steps and out into the cold.
My heart was racing painfully fast, and I felt that sharp pull within me once more.
It hurt.
The image of Theon kissing her was screaming in my head, and my eyes prickled. âItâs high time we told the entire kingdom about us... that we are to be mated?â Confusion was bubbling within me but the pain that was overpowering everything was unbearable.
The howling wind and the vicious rain that began pouring down drowned out my soft sobs as I rushed toward home...
A home that wasnât mine... Would I ever find where I truly belong?
Comments(0)
Join the discussion — sign in to leave a comment
Sign In to CommentNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!