POV Luella
I wandered between the tall shelves of the library, running my fingers along leather-bound spines until I found a book about the kingdom's military history. Settling into a quiet corner, I lost myself in accounts of ancient battles and strategic alliances.
This is peaceful. Better than thinking about complicated feelings.
I was so absorbed in reading that I didn't notice approaching footsteps until hushed voices drew my attention. Curiosity getting the better of me, I quietly moved behind a nearby bookshelf to observe who might be conducting private business in the library.
Someone doesn't want to be overheard.
Two figures stood near the history section—a woman I recognized as the one from the corridor encounter with Kyrell, and a man whose back was turned to me. Their conversation was already underway, and what I heard made my blood run cold.
"You understand exactly what you need to do," the man was saying, his voice low but commanding. "Accuse Prince Kyrell of forcing himself on you. Say that you're a married woman, that he showed no respect for your status or your protests."
What? They're planning to lie about Kyrell.
"But what if people don't believe me?" the woman asked nervously. "He's still a prince, after all."
"That's why you need to be convincing," the man replied firmly. "Throw a tantrum, create a scene that no one can ignore. Make sure your husband is appropriately outraged. The more dramatic the better."
This is the plan from the scroll I found in Tobias's room.
"And you're certain this will work?" she pressed, her voice shaking.
"Absolutely certain. Prince Kyrell's reputation precedes him—everyone already believes he's capable of such behavior. This will simply be the final proof they need to act against him."
They're going to frame him for something he didn't do.
The woman nodded, though I could see her hands trembling. "I'll do exactly as you've told me. When should this happen?"
"Tonight, during the royal dinner. Maximum witnesses, maximum impact."
Tonight. At dinner.
As they concluded their conversation and moved to leave, I pressed myself deeper into the shadows, my heart racing. The plan they'd discussed was identical to what I'd read in Tobias's chambers that morning—too similar to be coincidence.
Tobias must have intercepted this. He knows about the plot against his brother.
My mind raced with the implications. If Tobias knew about this conspiracy against his brother, surely he would intervene to prevent it. Despite their rivalry, they were still family.
He'll stop this. He has to.
I waited until I was certain both conspirators had left before emerging from my hiding place, but I couldn't shake the disturbing conversation from my thoughts for the rest of the day.
When evening came, the entire royal family gathered for dinner—the first time I'd seen the King and Queen together since the welcome ceremony. King Aldwin looked older than I remembered, his face drawn with the weight of ruling, while Queen Selene maintained the regal bearing that had made her legendary.
The whole pack is here. This is when it will happen.
"Lady Luella," the Queen said warmly as I took my seat beside Tobias. "We've heard nothing but praise for your performance at the combat trials. It's wonderful to have such a capable young woman joining our family."
She's being so kind. She has no idea what's about to happen.
"Your Majesty is too kind," I replied, grateful for her welcoming words. "I'm honored to be here."
Tobias squeezed my hand possessively under the table, and I noticed how tightly he held on. The artificial mate bond responded to his touch with its familiar warmth, but I found myself distracted by thoughts of the morning's discovery.
His scent is different tonight. More tense. Does he know what's coming?
Across the table, Kyrell sat in brooding silence, his black eyes scanning the assembled family with barely concealed disdain. When his gaze fell on me, something shifted in his expression.
His wolf senses something. He can smell Tobias on me from last night.
"Interesting," he said suddenly, his voice cutting across the pleasant dinner conversation. "Luella smells distinctly like my older brother tonight. How... intimate."
Heat flooded my cheeks at his crude observation, and I felt Tobias's grip on my hand tighten dangerously.
He's trying to embarrass me. In front of the King and Queen.
"Kyrell," the King warned, his voice sharp with disapproval. "That's quite enough."
"Is it?" Kyrell asked, rising from his chair to move toward the window. "I'm simply making an observation about the obvious changes in our household dynamics."
He poured himself a full goblet of wine, then grabbed the entire pitcher. "I find I can't stand the stench of false contentment that's filling this room."
False contentment? What does he mean by that?
Queen Selene laughed, the sound surprisingly indulgent. "Oh, my dear boy, your father and I were just as impatient when we were your age. Young love makes people do foolish things."
The comment drew chuckles from around the table, but the moment of levity was shattered when the doors burst open and the royal advisor rushed in, his face pale with urgency.
Here it comes. Just like they planned.
"Your Majesty," he gasped, bowing hastily. "I apologize for the interruption, but there's been a serious accusation made against Prince Kyrell. Alpha Marcus demands immediate audience—he claims the prince has... encroached upon his luna."
The words hung in the air like a death sentence. I felt my stomach drop as I realized the conspiracy I'd overheard was already in motion.
It's happening exactly as they planned.
Kyrell merely chuckled, the sound dark and bitter. "How predictable."
He's not even surprised. Does he know this is a setup?
"What did you say?" the King demanded, his voice thundering with royal authority.
"Nothing, father," Kyrell replied with mock innocence. "I'm simply amused by the timing of such accusations."
"You find this amusing?" Queen Selene's voice was ice-cold with maternal fury. "A married woman has accused you of assault, and you think it's funny?"
She's horrified. She believes it immediately.
"Explain yourself immediately," Tobias demanded, rising from his chair. "What happened with Alpha Marcus's luna?"
Why isn't Tobias stopping this? He knows it's a lie.
But Kyrell remained silent, that infuriating smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as chaos erupted around the dinner table. The King shouted demands for explanations while the Queen expressed horror at her son's apparent lack of remorse.
He's not going to defend himself. He's just going to let it happen.
"Bring them in," the King finally commanded, his voice heavy with disappointed rage. "Let Alpha Marcus and his luna tell us exactly what happened. We will hear their accusations directly."
As the advisor hurried to comply, I sat frozen in my chair, knowing that I was about to witness the execution of the plan I'd discovered. The woman would make her dramatic accusation, Kyrell would be unable to defend himself against something that hadn't actually happened, and his reputation would be destroyed exactly as planned.
But why wasn't Tobias intervening? If he knew about the plot, if he'd intercepted the correspondence as I'd assumed, why was he allowing this to proceed?
What if Tobias isn't going to save Kyrell?