Chapter 57
As the guards led her to the secret room, Kathy couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. Doubts churned in her mind—why would Noah choose to stay behind at the packhouse while his parents traveled to the Lycan kingdom? And if Samuel wasn’t a Lycan, there was no way he could ascend to the throne, was there? None of it made sense, and every step Kathy took toward the mysterious room only heightened her unease.
Finally, they reached the door where Anthony was supposedly staying. A guard produced a heavy key, unlocked the door, and gestured for Kathy to enter. She hesitated for a heartbeat before stepping inside. Instantly, a chill enveloped her, as if an air conditioner had been blasting at full strength for hours. The room was pitch black—the door closed behind her with a solid thud, leaving her shrouded in darkness. Fumbling along the wall, Kathy’s fingers found a switch. She flicked it on, and the harsh fluorescent light flooded the room, revealing its sparse, sterile interior.
She took a cautious step forward, her breath visible in the frigid air. The cold wasn’t just physical; it seemed to seep into her bones, draining her courage. She scanned the room, looking for Anthony, bracing herself for whatever truth—terrifying or not—she might finally uncover.
The room was dimly lit by a single overhead light, which provided her with just enough visibility to look around, but Anthony remained hidden. By the empty bed, Kathy, afraid of Anthony's state, rubbed her hands, trying to warm herself, remembering Frances's warning of danger.
The silence was broken by her worried voice, "Anthony, where are you?"
Kathy realized she wasn't sensing Anthony's pain, which meant he must have been asleep—just not on the bed. Suddenly, the faint sound of running water caught her attention. She turned to her left and noticed that the bathroom door was slightly ajar. With quiet caution, Kathy approached, careful not to startle him, and gently pushed the door open. There, she found Anthony sitting on the floor beneath the shower, cold water pouring down on him as he remained motionless.
Kathy is aware of the potential risks, as exposure to water on the face can lead to drowning. She quickly turns off the water. Noticing that Anthony's body feels cold, she wonders why he remains in freezing water. She tries to wake him but he does not open his eyes. Kathy listens to his chest and observes that his breathing and heartbeat are normal. Anthony appears to be reducing his body temperature, and he is not wearing any clothing.
Kathy said, “Anthony, please open your eyes if you can hear me.”
Anthony’s eyelids fluttered, and when they finally opened, Kathy caught her breath—the irises were a striking, unnatural gold. Max was in control. She knelt beside him, her hand trembling as she reached out to gently cup his cheek. He leaned into her touch, eyes softening with a wordless plea for comfort.
Kathy tried to help him sit up, but as she lifted his arm, a wave of weakness surged through her, forcing her to steady herself against the cold tile. Max noticed, supporting her with surprising gentleness, and together they managed to shuffle to the bed. The chill in the room was relentless, making Kathy shiver. She remembered the icy blast and crossed to the wall, switching off the air conditioner before pulling a heavy blanket over Anthony’s shoulders.
Without a word, Kathy slipped off her shoes and crawled beside him, her body drawn to his warmth. Anthony—maybe Max—pulled her close, nuzzling into the curve of her neck. Kathy thought of her mother Grace, of gentle hands and quiet nights, and she began to stroke Anthony’s hair, running her fingers through it with tender care. As his breathing slowed, she leaned in and whispered softly into his ear, letting her words be the last thing he heard before drifting into sleep.
"You are going to be a father," Kathy whispered. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
In the living room, Theo and Frances listened intently as Samuel spoke, unaware that Kathy had secretly placed a recording device, anticipating everyone conversation. She knew she couldn't use her power around the lords because they would quickly discover her true motives. Maria couldn't spot Anthony or his group, no matter how hard she looked around. The servants came with drinks and put them on the table for the guesses to drink but Maria didn’t drink or eat because she might thinks some of the servant might poison her. Frances see that and smiles at her.
Frances leaned forward, her eyes gentle but probing. “Maria, is something wrong with the food or drinks? I can have my servants make you something else,” he said with a reassuring smile.
"I'm fine; the baby just makes my stomach sensitive," Maria said.
“Alpha Samuel what brings you here? And Who is taking care of pack while you are while you are here?” asked Frances
Frances regarded Samuel with measured calm, nodding slowly as he took in the gravity of the accusation. He folded his hands together, casting a quick glance toward Theo and Maria before responding. "I did hear about the incident, and I understand how serious this is for your pack," Frances replied, his voice low and deliberate. "I won’t be sending my best tracker to your pack due that it’s happening on your land. But we must proceed carefully—there are many eyes watching, and justice must be served with fairness, not vengeance."
Theo leaned back, arms crossed, studying Samuel’s tense posture. "We’ll work together to ensure Anthony is found and brought back safely," he lied, offering a look of solidarity. The room grew quiet as the weight of the situation settled over them, each person aware that the next steps would shape the future.