Chapter 101 Debts to pay

Chapter 101 Debts to pay

Adler’s question landed heavily on both Evyths and Selena. Neither had expected to see the alpha in the library.

Evyths and Selena shared uncertain gazes then turned back to him.

“You are.. here,” Selena finally broke the silence with a forceful giggle.

“And why not?!” He offhandedly asked but his eyes were fixated on Evyths. Just her.

Selena sprinted towards him while Evyths remained still, her eyes skimming the books scattered around him — particularly the one that had fallen from his grip.

“I apologize alpha, it is just that…” Selena glanced at Evyths as if she needed her consent to proceed. “Evyths and I had a pressing matter.”

Adler scoffed, a half smile claimed his lips as he lazily picked the book from the ground and walked majestically to the desk.

“Suddenly, you are now acquaintances.” He raised a brow at Selena then Evyths. “How truly convenient could it get.” The book in his hand dropped on the table, the loud thud pierced the unnerving silence that had endured his resentment.

Evyths exhaled. Instinctively, her hand rested on her belly, feeling the subtle movements that gradually grew intense each oasding second..

Evyths moved towards them, steps measured. She sat across from Adler, holding his gaze.

“Are you here for answers too?”

Adler looked away, his jaw ticking. Still furious at her.

“Does it matter what I seek in MY library?”

“No.” She answered quietly. Selena split her gaze between them, sensing the tension that had quickly brewed.

Ignoring Adler’s attitude, Evyths stretched her neck, catching a glimpse of the book’s title.

“Dewwater!” She read out loud calmly. “I believe we are on the same path then.”

Adler's gaze narrowed, arms crossed.

“Earlier, I met her to talk about… all that has been going on and I tell you, Alpha, so many things are amiss.” Selena began impatiently. “Lady Blackwin seems to be more than just a political strategist around here,”

“You think so??” Adler's voice dropped.

Evyths could see it, the curiosity in his eyes. Like he didn't want Selena to be right either. From his finger tapping against his arm to his unblinking gaze, it all looked too familiar to her.

A cold chill spread across her spine. Not fear, not anger, not even anxiety, it was more than that.
Something about the cracks in Davendale didn't feel natural. Something was truly amiss, she thought quietly.

Selena dragged the empty wooden and sat. “Alpha Adler, what do you really know about the sorceress?”

Adler hesitated at first then his fingers raked his hair, his frustration palpable.

“Just enough to know that she is venomous.” He stopped, letting his words settle between them. Adler shifted his gaze to Evyths who patiently listened as she flipped through the pages of the book slowly.

“I did as you have suggested.”

Evyths paused. “What particularly?”

“The letter, I read it earlier.” He confessed. “You were completely right, I should have read the letter sooner. After my father confronted Luna about her… past, something about the sorceress surfaced.” Adler planted both hands on the desk, leaning slightly. “My father has a debt to pay…”

“A debt?” Evyths' brows furrowed. “What debt?”

Adler shook his hand. “He won't say. I believe you now Evyths, the king is not being completely honest which is why I'm here to find answers.”

The revelation stood heavily in the atmosphere, each to their dreadful thoughts about what was to come. If there was one thing that was collectively accurate at that moment, it would be the thought of Raven and what she wanted from the werewolves.

The air stilled, whispering something more discomfit than the first.

Evyths continued flipping through the book without a word, earning the muddled gazes from Adler and Selena. Deep down, she believed that Raven’s secret lay within the four walls of the Kingdom. Staring from the strange portrait on the wall.

Evyths stopped at a particular page. The same drawing that she had seen on the wall appeared before her. Unmistakably.

Her lips parted, her finger tracing the image.

“What did you find?” Selena asked curiously and Evyths pushed the book toward her.

Selena's breath caught, eyes wide. Adler, too, leaned forward again, staring at the image that not only looked familiar, but had been in existence, scattered around the palace ever since he was ten years old.

“This is the same drawing, Evyths, what does it mean?” Selena's voice cracked with urgency.

“The eye of the one who sees beyond, knows beyond…” Selena read out loud, scoffing with disbelief as Adler picked the book.

Reading. Rereading. Pacing. Rereading again.

“The eyes of the one who sees beyond…” Evyths whispered under her breath, searching through her thoughts. Her silent prayers to the goddess, longer than the first.

“That is not all,” Adler chimed in. “The veil that blinds mortal eyes. Every debtor to their borrower, every curse to their doom…” Adler halted, not sure whether to continue. Eyes blinking.

“Please proceed, what does it say?” Evyths urged, braving up.

“Every price to their highest bidder. The spell that binds them can only be broken by one…”

Finally, Adler lifted him to meet Evyths, his last words barely came out above a whisper.

“I do not understand this,”

“Neither do I. It does not make any valuable sense.” Selena added.

"I do not have the answers but it is related to the origin of Raven's backstory in Davendale." Evyths muttered.

Evyths, too, had tried to understand what it meant until her eyes shut. The thought of the letter flashed through mind like she was caught up in a trance

Raven's threat against King Leon. Harbouring the forbidden—which she knew was her—with hybrids, and finally the words from the book.

It couldn't be coincidence. It was the goddess leading her to the answers she sought after.

Given that Valerio had also tried to warn her about the danger in the Kingdom, it finally made plausible sense.

Evyths' lids flicked open, hitting the desk to draw their attention back to her.

“I think I understand what this is about.” She announced, the valiant werewolves looked at her, watching the strands of her hair, following her motion.

“Err, Alder, do you by any chance understand the nature of your mother's disease?”

Adler scoffed, frowning. “She’s been ill for as long as I can remember. Wolfsbane—”

“King Valerio experimented on Ryker, that was enough proof to know that it isn't wolfsbane at all.” she clarified.

“Well, she already mentioned that, didn't she?”

“Tell me something, Alpha,” she adjusted. “What were the early signs of this… estranged disease?”

Although Selena and Adler didn't understand why Evyths was asking those questions, they did not interrupt her.

“She's been confined to her bed for years. Many years. Although there was someone who constantly brought in herbs and concoction every fortnight until they suddenly stopped. That happened when I was… very young.” Adler explained, his hardened expression dissolving into curiosity.

Evyths didn't reply immediately while her thoughts flew back to late King Bathory. He had been pale just like Luna. He, too, had suffered from an estranged disease for decades.

Evyths could have shaken off the thought until something instantly clicked.

“The disease is similar to the late vampire king's. And that was orchestrated by Raven…”

Selena's eyes rolled. “Evyths, Lady Blackwin couldn't have cast a spell on Luna. Raven was not born yet, it could have been her ancestor or so—”

“You seem to forget something, beta…” Evyths cut in sharply. “Lady Blackwin isn't a werewolf like us. She's ancient just like the other vampires. It is either she caused the disease or her father did…”

“You are so sure.”

“That is because I've witnessed it.” Evyths stated firmly, her gaze pensive. “I know Raven. She may be pretty, sorceress and even tactical with words, but she could be extremely dangerous and unforgiving if she feels crossed.” Evyths clarified when she noticed the crack of doubt on their faces.

For a split second, Selena's head spun. Air tight dread. However, Evyths was right about the difference between both species, they thought.

On the other hand, the atmosphere seemed to suffocate Evyths, thought after thought. A silence that could have strangled her, had Adler not interrupted.

“You are saying that Lady Blackwin or her father could have been the one responsible for the disease?” His voice fell, almost as if he could tell that Evyths was correctly connecting the dots.

Evyths nodded knowingly. “Yes, Adler. I know that is the case with Luna. It never heals.” Evyths gently rose, her hand rustling over the book, tracing its insignia.

Then she said; “If we can… uncover what the alpha king and Luna had traded individually to the sorceress, we can save our kind.”

“You make it sound easy!” Selena snapped immediately.

“Because it could be,” her eyes split between the alpha Prince and the beta once more. “if I can rely on your unwavering loyalty to the goddess. Not to me.”

Evyths walked to the shelf, the thick smell of moist dust crawling up to her nostrils.
Adler and Selena glanced at each p
other, still confused.

Earlier, they had already concluded to be on her side, fighting for what seemed like Davendale's justice until her last statement.

It questioned everything. Their choices. Everything.

Yet, Evyths knew their thoughts—she could feel them. If she had to face Raven again, if she had to fight for Davendale's redemption, it had to be with the people that she could trust. Like she trusted Octavio to save Valerio.
But… was this fate repeating itself? The entire process?

“You have my loyalty, Evyths.” Selena, without hesitation, broke the walls of silence.

“Mine too. Always.” Added Adler.