Erald returned her phone to her pocket and rubbed her temples. "I swear," she muttered, "if one more man sends a threatening love letter..."
Viola snorted. "You’re collecting red flags like trophies."
She rolled her eyes, but the smile that briefly appeared faded fast. Ares had a point... again. She wasn’t safe here, not entirely.
But safety had never been guaranteed in any pack she’d set foot in. At least here, she had control of the ga she was about to play.
And it was ti to start.
—
She went back inside, entered the private dining hall to find Lucien already seated. A pot of tea stead between them, untouched.
He looked up as she entered. "You stayed."
She took her seat opposite him, smoothing her hands over the folds of her dress. "I said I would."
His gaze lingered for a beat too long, and finally, he asked the question that’s been tugging at him. "Why did you call Kieran? Why not Darius?"
"I didn’t want to worry him," she said simply. "He’d have dropped everything to co get ."
Lucien nodded slowly, hiding whatever emotion flickered behind his eyes.
They sat in silence for a while, the only sound the soft clinking of porcelain as she poured herself tea.
Then Erald broke it. "I have an idea."
Lucien glanced up. "Let guess. It’s dangerous."
She gave him a dry look. "Take a walk with ."
He blinked. "That’s the idea?"
"Yeah... walk with ... in the village, just you and , no guards."
Lucien’s jaw flexed. "Absolutely not."
She leaned forward. "You’re never going to win their hearts if you keep hiding behind stone walls and ard escorts."
"They’ve tried to kill , Erald."
"They’ve tried to kill , too," she said pointedly. "Look, I’m not asking you to strip naked and do cartwheels through the market. I’m saying show your face, show them you’re not a monster."
"They don’t see as anything else."
"Then change that," she said. "We walk. We talk to them. I won’t let anyone touch you. Promise."
He exhaled. "This is a bad idea."
"I’m full of them. Co on."
—
They left through the east gate: no guards, no fanfare, just the two of them.
At first, it was awkward. The streets were quieter than usual, people pausing mid-step as the Alpha strolled into view beside the infamous outsider. So froze, others stared.
The only thing different this ti was that there was no fear.
Erald offered a small smile to the first woman they passed. The woman blinked, startled... but nodded back.
They walked further into the square, where a few rchants were already setting up stalls. A young man rebuilding one of the vegetable carts looked up as they approached. Erald stepped toward him.
"Need a hand?"
He blinked at her. "You want to help?"
She smiled and crouched beside the overturned crates, lifting one into place. "I don’t mind."
The young man hesitated, then nodded. "Sure... thank you."
Lucien remained behind her, hands tucked behind his back. But the mont the rchant noticed him, his face changed.
"I—I can handle it myself, actually," the man said, quickly stepping back. "Really. It’s fine."
Erald straightened slowly.
Lucien’s voice dropped low. "Told you."
She looked up at him. "And I told you it would take ti. They’re not going to sing your praises overnight."
"They might never."
"Then you’ll just have to walk with again tomorrow," she said, brushing off her hands.
Lucien raised a brow. "Tomorrow?"
"And the day after. And the day after that."
His lips twitched. "You’re relentless."
"Soone has to be." She started walking again. "Also, I’ve been thinking. You need to start making declarations."
He frowned. "Declarations?"
"Changes. Reforms. Things that benefit the people. Abolish an old tax, fix the housing problem. Sothing big enough to turn heads, small enough not to cause panic."
Lucien considered. "I’ll think about it."
"No," she said. "You’ll do it."
By midday, they returned to the Alpha’s quarters and headed for his study. Erald sank into the armchair by the fireplace while Lucien poured water.
"There’s sothing else," she said.
Lucien glanced at her.
"Kieran gave advice. Stir the pot... make them react, then watch who flinches."
Lucien folded his arms. "You want to provoke them?"
"I want to find out who wants you dead," she replied. "And I can’t do that from the outside."
He looked hesitant.
"I want to sit in on the next council eting."
He tilted his head. "They’ll hate that."
"Perfect," she said. "Let’s rattle feathers."
Lucien walked to the desk, picked up a small bell, and rang it. A guard entered within seconds.
"Send word to the council," Lucien instructed. "We’ll convene tomorrow evening."
The guard bowed and exited.
Erald stood. "Now... brief . Nas, positions, loyalties."
Lucien walked to a locked cabinet and withdrew a small folder. He laid it open on the table, revealing profiles of every current council mber.
"There are three, I suspect, the most," he said. "Elias Morn. Sera Tain. Gavik Holt. All served under the old Alpha. All publicly support , but only just enough to avoid suspicion."
Erald’s eyes scanned the photos, and two of them were familiar. "These two... I saw them the day I arrived," she said. "Whispering in the hallway."
Lucien nodded grimly. "That doesn’t surprise ."
Erald smirked. "Good. Then all we have to do... is rattle them. And see who bites."
—
Erald returned to her room shortly after, mind spinning with strategy. There was one more thing to settle.
Talia.
She’d sent for her right after leaving Lucien’s study. She needed soone on the inside. Soone subtle.
The knock ca minutes later.
"Co in," Erald called.
Talia slipped inside, moving with her usual quiet grace. But her eyes were worried, anxious. "You sent for ?"
Erald nodded. "Close the door."
Talia obeyed.
"I need your help."
The maid hesitated. "You’re... not leaving?"
Erald smiled faintly. "Changed my mind."
Talia stepped closer, confusion in her eyes. "Why?"
Erald leaned forward. "Because I want to help. But I can’t do that alone. I need soone who knows this place. Soone people don’t notice. Soone like you."
Talia stiffened. "You want to spy?"
"I want you to listen," Erald said calmly. "That’s all. You don’t need to do anything dangerous. Just... pay attention. To what the council mbers says when they think no one is listening. Who they et. What they say about the Alpha."
"I... I could get caught."
"You won’t," Erald said. "I’ll make sure of it. No one will know you’re helping . Not even Lucien."
Talia hesitated.
Erald stood and walked over to her. "You said once that I was the only one who asked like I cared. I ant it, Talia. I want to help your people. I want to stop the ones who are making life worse for all of you. But I can’t fix what I can’t see."
The maid stared at her lap.
Erald added softly, "You’re in the perfect position. You hear things. You see who cos and goes. I’m not asking for betrayal. I’m asking for your eyes."
Talia bit her lip. "Just listening?"
"That’s all."
A long silence stretched between them.
Then finally, Talia nodded once. "Alright. I’ll try."
Erald exhaled. "Thank you."
"I’ll be careful."
"And I’ll keep you safe."
As Talia stood to leave, Erald caught her sleeve. "One more thing."
Talia looked back.
"When you hear sothing... anything... co to first. No one else."
The girl nodded and slipped out the door.
Erald closed it behind her, locking it with a quiet click.
Then she turned back to the window, her arms crossed. It’s ga on...
Reviews
All reviews (0)