Alpha Kaelan staggered back, his sharp eyes fixed on the mug that had fallen to the ground, its contents spilling across the polished floor. A faint, acrid scent filled the air, unmistakable to those familiar with its properties.
“Wolfsbane,” Liana said again, her voice trembling as she rubbed her neck where Kaelan’s grip had left faint marks. Her wide eyes scanned the room, her expression a perfect blend of fear and relief.
“What?!” one of the council members exclaimed, his voice breaking the stunned silence.
The murmurs began immediately, spreading through the room like wildfire. Several council members, who had been casually sipping from their cups, froze mid-motion and quickly set their mugs down.
“It was only his tea,” Liana added, her voice carrying the weight of certainty. “I heard the kitchen staff talking. They said it was prepared specifically for him.”
Kaelan’s gaze darted to the maid who had brought the tea. She cowered under his scrutiny, trembling as though the ground beneath her had begun to quake.
“Is this true?” Kaelan’s voice was low, dangerous, every syllable dripping with restrained fury.
The maid dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “Alpha, I—I didn’t know! I was just following orders!”
“Whose orders?” Kaelan demanded, his voice rising. The weight of the room shifted as every council member leaned forward, hanging on her next words.
The maid hesitated, her shoulders shaking as sobs wracked her frame. Finally, she whispered, “It… it was Mira. She told me to prepare the tea and bring it to the council.”
Gasps rippled through the room, a collective shock that sent whispers buzzing.
“That’s a serious accusation,” one elder said gravely, narrowing his eyes at the maid.
Kaelan’s mind reeled. The name hung in the air like a curse, twisting his thoughts and emotions into a storm of disbelief.
“Mira?” he said, almost to himself, his voice hollow. His mind raced, recalling every moment they’d shared, every promise she had made. Could it be true?
“Alpha,” Liana said gently, stepping closer. “I know how much you care for Mira. But we must investigate this. The evidence… it points to her.”
Kaelan turned away from her, his hands trembling as he clenched them into fists. Doubt gnawed at him, a relentless whisper in his mind.
“This doesn’t make sense,” he muttered, his chest heaving as anger and confusion battled within him.
“Sometimes the ones we trust most are the ones who hurt us the deepest,” Liana said softly, her voice carrying a calculated sorrow.
Kaelan’s resolve faltered as his thoughts turned to Mira, his mind clouded with conflicting emotions. Could the woman he loved have betrayed him so deeply?