Stephan Buther confused me.
A Rosryal expedition would help me gain skills and knowledge. I knew he had a reason for declining the assignment, so I kept quiet.
The Alpha then orders supper.
Tonight was completely different from supper with Elizabeth. Luxurious dishes and utensils were used, and the event was formal.
Stephan Buther and Oku weren't close.
Oddly, Oku appeared just a few years older than Stephan Buther.
Oku sat at the head of the big dinner table, while Stephan Buther sat distant.
Silence made the supper even more boring.
Just when I thought the supper would be dismal, Oku approached me.
"Daina, don't be so shy. You helped us beat the rogues this time."
"Thanks, Mr. Buther," I smiled.
Attendants filled us glasses with wine.
I toasted Oku.
He said, "Sit down. Did you meet Mother last week?"
I was perplexed.
Why did the Alpha enquire about Elizabeth? Why me inscoffeed of Stephan Buther? Buther knew Elizabeth best.
I saw Stephan Buther's slight head movement and realized he didn't want me to reveal the truth.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Buther," I said apologizing.
Oku laughed unexpectedly.
"You two seem lovely."
Stephan Buther was surprised.
"Oku, you must be kidding. Even if I never find my mate, I won't casually date someone. Besides, I don't want to find a partner."
"Mr. Stephan Buther, I'm flattered. But I'm only a trainee. How could I equal the noble prince?"
Oku didn't mention our connection after we rejected it so vehemently.
I went to the bathroom while Stephan Buther and the Alpha spoke.
Darkness fell.
The palace's lights slowly came on.
I headed to the dining hall after using the bathroom.
There, I see a dark person.
When he jumped from a nearby rooftop, a familiar fragrance wafted toward me.
I wanted to follow him to see what he was doing, but he disappeared quickly.
I felt like I recognized his aroma.
Who?
Oku invited Buther and Daina to supper.
I hadn't sat with him since our father died.
Suspicious.
I recognized his goal when he spoke with Daina intermittently all night.
He wanted to dominate me through Daina? No shame. Daina cooperated by not revealing our connection.
She sensed we were in danger when I winked at her. So we both acted uninterested in one other.
Not sure whether Oku liked our act.
Oku's request to remain the night surprised me.
Tomorrow's training was my explanation for declining.
Daina and I separated on the way back. When the vehicle exited the palace, I grabbed her hand to intertwine our fingers.
Daina ignored my hand. She leaned back and folded her arms over her chest.
Why are you holding my hand if you're not interested?
Daina smirked.
"I didn't mean it, honey. I lied to Oku for a purpose," I said.
Daina inquired, "Is your connection with him bad?"
We have a father but separate moms.
I told Daina, expecting she'd avoid Oku.
My complicated connection with Oku had a deeper purpose, but I didn't tell Daina yet.
"He's sneakier than you think. Be careful with him," I cautioned her.
Daina didn't challenge my request and vowed to be cautious.
She sat on my lap and let me touch her hair.
"Something wasn't right."
Daina stood up and said, "I saw a man in black in the restroom earlier. He was hunting for something."
"Oh?"
I appeared to be interested, but I wondered whether she spotted the servant I'd dispatched to check the castle.
How did he look? I questioned.
"I didn't see his face, but he smelled familiar," Daina said.
I almost told Daina my idea.
After second thinking , I decided she shouldn't know for now.
I didn't tell Daina anything until she could defend herself.
First, I had to protect her.
"Nap now; I'll wake you when we arrive."
I coaxed Daina back into my lap and ordered the driver to slow down.
I stroked her hair to make her sleep.
Daina was sleeping when we arrived.
She rested her head on my lap and hugged me like a cushion.
She slept peacefully
I took her to her dorm since she hadn't slept well in a while.
I picked a less-traveled route.
As I tucked her in, I wanted to hold her. I got a message then.
My attendant told me the killer who tried to poison Daina was at the training facility.
I contacted the drillmaster and Dason downstairs and gave them the security tape.
The footage showed that Susan had disguised herself as a waitress and placed drugs in Daina's lunch.
She didn't expectto consume the poisoned food.
Copper powder killed werewolves. It rattled everyone.
Even the drillmaster was shocked by the trainee's she-wolf behavior.
My attendants controlled Susan.
Her messy hair and soiled clothing suggested she attempted to flee.
She was muddy. My servants shackled and hauled her to me.
I didn't put copper powder in their meal. What I purchased was a laxative. I didn't plan to murder anybody. I simply wanted to give Daina diarrhea to teach her a lesson. I didn't anticipate things to turn out like this!"
Susan attempted to shrug from my attendants to crawl to my feet and plead, but she was too weak.
"According to the video, you poisoned the meal. Do you have proof that you purchased a laxative and not copper powder?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Buther."
Susan sobbed and shook her head.
Dason said, "If not you, who?"
Susan lacked self-defense skills. Before me, she was desperate.
She didn't stop despite her bleeding forehead.
"Susan, did you consider the ramifications of poisoning your colleague?"
"Mr. Stephan Buther, this female-wolf has done something dreadful. She can't remain in the training camp. But if she swears she just laced the meal with laxative, there may be another perpetrator."
"You're correct, but she doesn't appear to know who the true mastermind is. For now, she should face trial in the Rosryal court for her crime. Play the surveillance film at the training site tomorrow morning on a wide screen."
Jason said "Yes, Mr. Buther" before leaving.
"Gag and remove her," I instructed.