Chapter 58

Ever since Alpha Samuel left the Silverstone Pack land, the pack has been unsupervised. Luckily for everyone, Jack stepped up and took charge. He managed the essential paperwork from the office and kept a watchful eye over the pack’s affairs. For a while, everything ran smoothly under James’s watchful presence.

One day, as James walked into the hall, he realized he needed to get into Samuel’s office. Unfortunately, the door was locked, and the hallway was empty. No guards, no pack members—just silence. Meanwhile, Jack found his opportunity. With careful stealth, he made his way into the office, puffing himself up to appear confident, though his heart pounded with anticipation.

Jack began to search the room, scanning every corner for anything out of place. He approached the desk, hoping to find information that could explain Samuel’s sudden absence. Opening the drawers, Jack discovered a folder tucked away at the back. Inside were curious items—a series of photographs featuring Queen Vanessa and Grace, and a birth certificate for someone named Anthony.

The appearance of these documents raised questions in Jack’s mind. Why did Alpha Samuel keep pictures of Queen Vanessa and Grace, and why was there a birth certificate for Anthony? Jack was determined to remember everything he found. Quickly, he pulled out his camera and snapped pictures of each piece of evidence to make sure nothing would be forgotten.

Suddenly, Jack felt a cool wind brush against his skin, though the windows and the balcony door were tightly shut. Unease crept in as he wondered about the source of the chilling breeze. He slipped the folder back into the drawer, careful not to leave any sign of his investigation.

Jack moved toward the bookcase, the cool air growing stronger. He suspected there might be something hidden behind the shelves, but the risk of being caught by the guards weighed heavily on him. Not wanting to expose himself, he refrained from further searching.

With the evidence secured on his camera, Jack quickly texted the Vampire King, detailing everything he had found in Lord Samuel’s desk. He knew that these clues might be the missing pieces to a much bigger mystery surrounding Samuel’s departure and the secrets held within the Silverstone Pack.

King Seth stared at the images Jack had sent him, his expression growing more intense with each swipe. The presence of Anthony's birth certificate, notably lacking a hospital of birth, unsettled him further. The photos of Queen Vanessa and Grace—his mate, whom he had saved at the hospital from a deadly blood disease—rekindled memories of that desperate night. He recalled how he returned to the hospital for Grace after her recovery, when she had purged the tainted blood from her body by drinking his. Yet, despite his efforts, Alpha France had not felt the mate bond shatter, a sign that Grace was still alive somewhere.

King Seth's suspicions deepened: Alpha Samuel was hiding something significant. After searching everywhere for Grace, only to discover she had vanished, and hearing rumors that Queen Vanessa body never been found either, Seth felt a storm of realization brewing. He began pacing his office, the pieces falling into place. With urgency, he pulled out his cellphone and sent a group text to both France and Theo.

“Queen Vanessa and Grace are still alive. Alpha Samuel has them hidden somewhere on the pack land,” Seth typed, his mind racing with strategies for how to investigate the territory without raising Samuel’s suspicion. At this moment, the only one he could trust was Jack, who remained in Samuel’s office. Seth resolved to coordinate with Jack, determined to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearances.

Seth acknowledged the need for a search warrant and the risk of evidence behind dismissed or destroyed, planning carefully to avoid alerting Samuel.

With the revelation of Queen Vanessa and Grace’s captivity, Seth’s mind raced with new concerns. He realized that, to truly bring justice, he had to ensure that no judge involved could be bribed or manipulated—especially given Samuel’s reach and influence. Seth suspected that Samuel might have loyal allies who could destroy crucial evidence before the council ever laid eyes on it, making it vital to secure a confession straight from Samuel himself.

Determined to safeguard the investigation, Seth began drafting a plan to outmaneuver any attempts at corruption. He resolved to personally oversee the collection of evidence and coordinate with trustworthy council members. Above all, he knew that for the case against Samuel to succeed, they needed to obtain his direct confession, leaving no room for denial or cover-up.

Back in the office, Jack hovered near the doorway, torn between leaving and following the persistent chill that seemed to be emanating from the bookcase. He considered whether the draft was simply a quirk of the old building—maybe the floorboards or the walls had shifted and were letting air seep in. Determined to investigate further, Jack quietly shut the office door to keep out prying eyes and crept back toward the bookcase, dropping to his hands and knees to feel for the stream of air. The cool current was unmistakable now, urging him to press on.

Nervously, Jack pulled out his cellphone, debating whether to call Seth or proceed on his own. With no response from Seth and his anxiety mounting, Jack decided to trust his instincts. He stowed the phone in his pocket and began examining the bookcase, searching for anything out of place. His keen eye caught sight of a book that didn't match the others—it appeared newer and was slightly askew. Carefully, Jack tugged the book toward him, and with a soft click, a hidden door swung open. A staircase, illuminated just enough to reveal its descent, beckoned him downward. Jack hesitated for a moment, then, keeping his wits about him, cautiously stepped onto the stairs, ready for whatever secrets awaited in the shadows below.

Jack paused, heart pounding as the voices floated up from the dimly lit room. He crept forward, his eyes adjusting to the gloom until he saw two women—one with regal bearing and the other pale but fierce—chained by their ankles to the far wall. The rattling of chains echoed as they stopped speaking, both turning to stare at him in wary silence.

For a moment, Jack could only stand there, uncertain and struck by the realization that these were Queen Vanessa and Grace, hidden beneath the packland all this time. He fumbled for his cellphone, trying not to alarm them, and hesitated before dialing King Seth. Just as he pressed call, Seth’s name flashed across the screen, the king quick to respond, desperate for any new development. Jack steadied his voice and whispered, “I found them. Samuel kept them locked in the basement—what do I do?”

The women exchanged anxious glances, hope flickering in their eyes as they realized rescue might finally be at hand. Jack knew he had to act swiftly and carefully, aware that any wrong move could put all their lives at risk.

Jack glanced around the shadowy room, keeping his voice low. “There’s a hidden staircase behind Samuel’s bookcase. I followed the breeze and found a secret door—Queen Vanessa and Grace are chained up in the basement, beneath the office.” His words trembled with urgency, hoping Seth understood the gravity of the situation.

King Seth releases the breath he was holding then he pushes the video button so he can see for himself as Jack turns the camera that is facing him.

“Jack, I need you to confirm that it’s really them,” Seth said, his voice taut with urgency over the video call.

Jack nodded, steadying his nerves before approaching the women. He kept the camera focused as he spoke quietly, “Queen Vanessa, Grace, can you tell me something only King Seth would know? We need to be sure.” Vanessa met his gaze, her eyes shining with both fear and relief, and recited a phrase Seth had shared with her in confidence. Grace added, “Tell Seth I never forgot the promise we made in the rose garden.” Jack turned the phone so Seth could witness not only their faces, but the unmistakable truth in their words.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Seth made a quick decision. He instructed Jack to safely escort Queen Vanessa and Grace out of the basement and bring them directly to the council chamber. Seth knew their testimony would be crucial—not just to expose Samuel, but also to shed light on the roles Noah and Evelyn may have played in the deception. Every member of the supernatural council needed to hear firsthand what had been kept hidden beneath the office for so long.

As Jack didn’t see the keys anywhere to get the chains off them so, lucky him he knows how to pick the locked. Once the chain came off. Seth guided the women up the concealed staircase, Seth hurriedly summoned the council, making it clear that urgent matters demanded their immediate attention. The stage was set for Vanessa and Grace to tell their story, ensuring that the truth would reach every corner of the supernatural world. No longer could Samuel, Noah, or Evelyn hide behind secrets; soon, their cover-up would be revealed for all to see.