In the dimly lit hallways of his castle, Ethan's heavy steps echoed menacingly as he made his way to the war council room. He experienced a whirlwind of feelings, his rage over Adrian's betrayal simmering just below the surface. He was both perplexed and furious at the brazenness of the assault on Lily. Garrett was fortunate to arrive when he did, but it still enraged him. He wasn't as impenetrable as he thought.
One of his most dependable and devoted warriors, Adrian had frequently stood by his side and guarded him and his family. Ethan was deeply confused as well as outraged to witness him turn against his own, especially to target Lily.
The warriors he had called were already gathered in the council room as he entered, their faces a picture of worry and disbelief. Despite being skilled fighters who had faced danger numerous times, they felt helpless and lost in the current situation.
It was impossible to miss the intensity on Ethan's face as he took his usual seat at the head of the long oak table. His voice broke through the deafening silence with firmness and resolve. "Sit. Some of you are unaware of what has transpired, so I'll be brief. There was an attack that occurred the previous night."
He started to describe what had happened and some of the warriors began muttering as they were also in disbelief. Ethan spoke with a mixture of annoyance, rage, and an underlying sense of betrayal. "This is not the Adrian we know. Something has changed him, and I need to understand why he threw away years with our pack for a chance at power."
Selene, a warrior known for her wisdom and insight, raised her hand, her voice steady with concern. "My Alpha, a few days prior to the attack, I observed Adrian's strange behavior. He was muttering to himself, and it appeared as though he was speaking to someone who wasn't there."
Ethan nodded in appreciation of her willingness to share her observations and acknowledged her. He scanned the room and asked, "Did any of you see similar behavior? Did anyone see him talking to someone he wouldn't normally talk to?"
Marcus, a warrior known for his astute instincts, spoke up as several others exchanged wary looks. "Yes, my Alpha, I also noticed it. He presented a distracted and hazy mental state. I didn't give it much thought since he appeared to return to normal after I called out to him."
Ethan started to pace as his annoyance mounted along with his boots softly echoed on the wood floor. "My rule has always been to report anything that seems out of the ordinary. Isn't that correct?"
His warriors answered, "Yes, Alpha."
"So why wasn't this reported?" Ethan demanded.
"You also taught us how to have discerning eyes. Adrian continued to perform his duties without putting anyone in danger. We didn't anticipate any wrongdoing," Selene said, drawing a glare from Ethan. He could see why she was feeling that way. Like the others, she was defending her comrade. They had no idea if he was ill, and it was dishonorable for a warrior to be demoted, even if it was out of his control.
"Because of our delay in seeing this immediate threat, we need to figure out what happened immediately," Ethan stated.
"My Alpha, could it be a curse?" Another warrior asked, "I've heard there are spells that can cloud one's mind, causing them to commit acts they would never consider under normal circumstances."
With his brow furrowed in thought, Ethan gave this possibility some thought. "It is a plausible theory, but witches have never had problems with the community of were," Ethan admitted. "However, we would smell magic on him if that was the case. We would know immediately. No, I think this may be a poison of some sort."
"Summon my private doctor immediately. Adrian should receive a thorough examination, including a blood test." Ethan ordered, "We need to figure out if there's a medical explanation for his behavior or if something more sinister is at play. I want everyone to carry on as though nothing happened. Outside of the people in this room, don't discuss this with anyone. I'm still not sure if we currently have a traitor among us." As soon as their Alpha gave the order, the warriors quickly departed.
Ethan and his Beta sat in anxious anticipation as the minutes turned into hours, each of which seemed to last a never-ending amount of time. His Beta questioned, "Do you really think there's a traitor?"
Ethan answered, "No. But it would be stupid of me not to rule this out as a possibility. Some did not support my becoming the Lycan King, and I do believe the timing of this is not a coincidence, given the revelation that we have a she-wolf with royal blood under our protection."
Finally, there was a knock on the door. The doctor was escorted inside the room by two warriors. The doctor had a grim expression which made Ethan even more uneasy.
"Leave us," Ethan commanded his warriors. They bowed and left the room, leaving only Ethan, his Beta, and the doctor. "What have you discovered?"
"The blood sample has revealed the presence of a herb-a rare and potent one not native to North and South America," the doctor explained.
"What kind of herb are we dealing with? And how could it have found its way into Adrian's system?"
The doctor hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Although it is difficult to say with certainty, my Alpha, this herb appears likely to have been consumed or inhaled. It has very unsettling side effects, including hallucinations, paranoia, and erratic behavior."
"Could this have been an intentional act?"
The doctor gave a somber nod. "This herb is used in some narcotics. This wouldn't be something the kitchen would have on a shelf. With how much is in his system, it would have been administered by syringe, or he must have consumed it."
"Find out exactly what Adrian consumed over the previous week, including where he ate it and who brought it to him." Ethan commanded, "I want to know his every move for the past month."