I thought about how Warren had left the palace once with without telling anyone, and said he had done that in the past as well.
I squeezed Theo’s hand back and told both of them, “He may just need so ti for himself. I wouldn’t be too concerned. Theo, why don’t you talk to the scout and I’ll see if I can find Warren?”
I gave him an understanding smile, doing my best to be supportive.
“Alright,” he said. Reluctantly, he gave a quick kiss and left with Jake.
I let out a sigh and slowly made my way back to the palace.
A slithering sound in the leaves made perk up my ears and I saw Perceval coming toward . It imdiately brought a big smile to my face.
“Hey, Percy! It’s been a while!”
The snake slithered right up to and coiled around my ankles. I smiled and bent down to scratch his head. He closed his eyes and flicked his tongue at . I imagined him smiling a little as he bobbed his head back and forth, leaning into my touch.
“I missed you too,” I giggled.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and started slithering away, but didn’t get far before he looked back and hissed at .
“Is there sothing you want to show ?” I asked. I followed after him. So fond mories ca to , and I wondered where he would take this ti.
“Percy, this is...Sebastian’s old room?” Why would Perceval take here?
Then I realized that the door was cracked open and I could see soone inside.
My heart caught in my throat when I recognized him.
“Warren?”
He stopped dead and slowly looked at .
His eyes looked distant and lost.
“You’re here! I’m so glad to see you moving around. I take it you’re feeling better,” I said, walking into the room. “But why did you co here?”
Warren’s face was a little pale and he looked around quickly before he replied, “Yes, I’m feeling better. Thanks for asking.” However, he avoided looking at .
“Warren, you okay?” Sothing didn’t feel right.
He smiled, but I could tell it was strained. “I’m okay... I, um, I’ve always misunderstood my brother, but now, I’ve decided to let go of our past.”
“Really? That is great,” I grinned, relieved. “I knew you two could bury the hatchet. That’s what family does....”
Suddenly, Warren pounced at and struck behind my neck. I gasped and heaved for breath, the wind knocked out of .
What had just happened? Warren attacked !
Before I hit the ground, a pair of arms held and laid gently on the ground.
“I’m sorry, I lied again,” Warren said with a bitter smile. “Theo is not my brother. He never has been and he never will be.”
“Goodbye, Ciana.”
I lifted my head as Warren walked away. The bitter smile on his face disturbed right to the bones but also broke my heart. I tried to lift my arm to grab him but I wasn’t able to.
My head swam with dizziness and I couldn’t hold it up anymore.
Groaning, I collapsed on the floor fully as Warren left.
***
I blinked my eyes awake and imdiately realized I wasn’t on the floor or in Sebastian’s room.
“Urh...” I groaned, touching my head. I was still a bit dizzy.
“Ciana! Thank goodness you’re awake!” Theo’s voice rang, and the next mont, he hugged tightly against his body. His heart hamred in my ears.
“Th-Theo... I.... can’t... breathe...” I gasped.
“I’m sorry,” he said, releasing quickly. “I was scared to death!”
I felt sothing gently nudging and found Perceval perked up as soon as he saw my movent.
It must be the python who went to get Theo to help .
“Thanks, Percy!” I said, but my mind went to Warren. Why did he attack ?
Theo pulled into his arms again and I heard him murmur, “I’m glad nothing worse happened to you. Warren could have....”
I shook my head and stopped him.
“No, Warren won’t kill . I’m sure of that,” I said firmly, “I just don’t know why he did that.”
Theo didn’t argue with , only asked, “Did he say anything?”
“He said... you aren’t his brother. You’ve never been, and you never will be.”
Theo’s eyes widened. “What does that an? I thought... we kinda got past that.”
I had so suspicion about Warren and Maggie’s real father when Aurora told about their childhood, but that was just my guess. I had no evidence, nor did I think it was a good idea to cause any unnecessary confusion. But now...
“Theo, this is purely what I’ve heard. I have no other evidence whatsoever, but I think at least you should know.”
After I told him about my observations and what I heard from Aurora, Theo fell into silence.
“Theo, I’m sorry, I didn’t know whether this is at all related. I didn’t an to add more burden to your plate.”
He shook his head, “No, it helps. If your guess is true, it explains why he did what he did.”
“You an, why he attacked ?”
“No. Not that. He took the key that Sebastian used to wear and the sacred scrolls with encoded ssages in the texts.”
“So he knocked out simply because I happened to be in Sebastian’s room.”
Theo nodded. “No one was watching him. He’s a prince, there was no need to keep a guard on him. I know Warren and I had our problems but I didn’t consider him a threat or an enemy,” Theo said, a deep crease forming between his brows.
“Do we have any clue why he took the key and the scroll? Did you ever figure out what is on the scroll?”
Theo shook his head. “With Sebastian’s death and the coronation, I wasn’t even thinking about the key or the safe, let alone the scroll. Especially since Warren woke up on his own. The only reason we were after it was to find a way to save him.”
I nodded absently. “I assu you didn’t find him?”
“He disappeared. No one has been able to track him or find him. I’ve sent several scouts and trackers after him but they haven’t turned anything up,” Theo said, shrugging. “Well, there’s no use for us to worry about it yet. I’m sure, sooner or later, we’ll find out. I’m just glad you’re okay.”
A knock on his door ended our conversation. Jake poked his head in and he smiled when he saw sitting up.
“Glad to see you’re awake. I need Alpha, but he wouldn’t leave your side,” Jake teased, then his tone beca serious and professional when he turned to Theo, “More bad news, I’m afraid.”
He pulled a chair up to the edge of the bed. I thought Jake would take Theo away to talk but they stayed there with .
“Trouble always cos double,” Theo sighed, “What else is going on out there?”
“There are a lot of packs that are against your rule and are building a rebellion against the crown,” Jake reported.
“That is discouraging,” Theo muttered.
I grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. “You’re going to do great. I believe in you.”
Theo smiled at and patted the back of my hand. He turned his attention to Jake who went on to provide more details.
“We knew that Luther was gaining influence. Apparently, he’s spent years building loyalty in packs that oppose the crown. The Vaner pack is only one of them,” Jake told us.
I nodded. “He tried to get Raymond to convert my entire pack to support him and rebel against the crown too.”
“Correct, and he almost succeeded,” Jake said.
“I get why people may want to rebel against Sebastian, but Sebastian is dead. Now that Theo is the new king, wouldn’t things be much better?”
Theo answered my question. “It’s not that simple, Ciana. These packs aren’t rebelling against , it is against my entire family and what we stand for. ‘The crown’ just ans the current ruling regi,” Theo said with a sigh. “Especially since it’s not like I’ve always had a good reputation to begin with.”
“And Luther is trying to convince them that he’d make a better king. A lot of the packs are buying it,” Jake added.
Theo and Jake exchanged a look and I saw the worry in their eyes. My father had taught about pack leadership and politics. Whatever Luther was doing, it went far beyond politics.
Theo could prove he was fair, just, and rciful. He could stand as the strongest king, the protector of all packs, and show sincere gratitude and kindness. But it wouldn’t matter if Luther had conned hundreds of followers into being loyal to him with magic, trickery, and promises.
“We need to expose Luther for what he is,” I suggested.
Jake agreed, “True. The only problem is, it’s easier said than done. Hold on a second, please.” He went to open the door, and there was Brook, standing with her hand half raised, seemingly just about to knock on the door.
How did Jake even know she was out there?
“Oh, Jake, you’re here too.” The mont she saw Jake, her face flushed and she looked a bit shy. At least, she didn’t seem to be mad at him anymore. I had a feeling that the two had sorted out their issues about Jake’s unspeakable assignnt.
“Oh Ciana,” she ran to my side, “How are you feeling?”
“Much better. Just a little lightheaded,” I said, tapping my temple.
Brook smiled. “Well, I’m glad you’re doing better. I was looking for you—actually, to be precise, soone is looking for you.”
I searched all the nas I could think of, but couldn’t co up with anyone who would co all the way to the palace to look for off the top of my head.
“Do you know who that is?”
“Yes,” Brook said, “He says he knows you from your pack. His na is Thomas.”
“Thomas?” I asked, my heart fluttering.
I hadn’t seen Thomas since he showed up to bring my pack back to order. He’d arrived just in ti to save them after Raymond had been defeated.
What was he doing here, at the palace?
“I told him I knew you and I’d co and find you. He said it was kind of... urgent,” she said, shrugging.
I swallowed hard. Urgent news from Uncle Thomas? Was it about the pack? Or was it about my parents?
“He’s out in the gardens.” Brook nodded toward the door.
“Thank you, Brook.” I got up quickly. Theo gave a hand, but he didn’t stop .
“I’ll be back soon!” I waved and ran out of the door. I felt a little guilty about leaving them in the dust, but Thomas wouldn’t make a trip all the way here unless it was serious.
How did he even know I’d returned to the palace? I hadn’t told him where I was going and I hadn’t sent updates on my travels.
I hurried through the garden and found him sitting on a stone bench, heavily contemplating a sculpture of the Moon Goddess.
“Thomas,” I called, approaching him quickly. My heart raced as I scanned his features for any sign that he brought bad news.
#
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