Liana stumbled into the council chamber, her face pale and her chest heaving as she gasped for breath. Her disheveled appearance and wide eyes drew immediate attention, and murmurs rippled through the room.
“What is the meaning of this?” Veyron demanded, his brow furrowing in irritation.
Liana pointed at Kaelan, her hand trembling. “Don’t drink that!” she cried, her voice desperate.
Kaelan froze, the mug inches from his lips. He turned his sharp gaze to Liana, his patience wearing thin. “What are you talking about now, Liana?”
She took another step forward, her voice breaking. “The tea—it’s poisoned.”
The room fell silent, the weight of her words crashing down like a thunderclap. Kaelan lowered the mug slowly, his eyes narrowing.
“Poisoned?” he repeated, his tone dangerously calm.
Liana nodded frantically. “I overheard someone in the kitchens. They laced your tea with wolfsbane.”
Kaelan’s gaze flicked to the maid who had brought the tea. Her face turned ashen, and she began to tremble under the scrutiny of the Alpha and the council.
“Is this true?” Veyron demanded, his voice sharp.
The maid dropped to her knees, her hands shaking as she clasped them in front of her. “I-I didn’t know, Alpha! I was just following orders!”
“Whose orders?” Kaelan growled, his voice like thunder.
Tears streamed down the maid’s face as she stammered, “It was Mira! She told me to prepare the tea and bring it to the council!”
The room erupted in gasps and murmurs, the council members exchanging shocked and suspicious glances. Kaelan’s mind raced, his chest tightening as doubt crept in.
“That’s impossible,” he said firmly, his voice cutting through the chaos. “Mira would never—”
“Would she?” one of the elders interrupted, his expression grave. “This isn’t the first time her motives have been questioned. Perhaps she saw the council as a threat to her bond with you.”
Kaelan’s heart pounded, his thoughts a whirlwind of anger, disbelief, and confusion. Mira’s face flashed in his mind—her quiet strength, her unwavering loyalty. Could it be true?
Liana stepped forward, her voice trembling with feigned concern. “Kaelan, I don’t know what Mira is capable of. But if she’s involved in this, you need to find out the truth.”