Chapter 6 6
Nathan’s POV
Why did Jericho decide to get suspicious now, of all times? The one moment when I actually needed everything to remain calm, because our lie was barely holding together, why did he choose this second to turn into the smartest man in the room?
And damn it, why did I forget how sharp he was?
Jericho wasn’t dumb, he’d always been the type to smell blood the second it hit the air.
But right now was not the time to be smart.
I tried to catch his eye, give him a subtle shake of the head, a warning to drop it. But instead of taking the hint, he leaned forward, suspicion curling in his voice like smoke.
“It happened just a year ago,” Jericho said, eyes fixed on Caesar. “How could you forget something that happened less than a year ago?”
My stomach dropped.
Caesar looked confused, genuinely confused, and I wanted to groan into my hands. “Probably because I don’t remember anything.” He said. “In fact…”
Before he could finish digging the grave deeper, Jenna leaned in, placing a hand on Caesar’s arm.
“No, no.” She cut in gently. “You don’t have to pretend you don’t remember it just because you don’t want me to get jealous.”
The room froze for a second then Alpha Rowan burst into laughter, and Elsa joined him, smiling wide as she playfully nudged her husband.
Jericho, however, did not laugh. He stared at Caesar like he could peel back every layer of skin and memory until the truth spilled out. I could practically see him putting pieces together in his mind, clicking them into place one by one.
‘He suspects you, Caesar.’ I thought bitterly because if Jericho suspects you, he’ll figure everything out sooner or later.
I swallowed hard and turned toward Jenna who was looking straight ahead, and I nodded to her, because damn, she was quick enough to keep us alive a little longer.
Then I glanced at Caesar, struggling to try and decide whether he looked more dazed or more enchanted. He followed Jenna with his eyes as though she were gravity itself, pulling him into orbit. If I didn’t know the truth, I would’ve believed the bond between them was the most natural thing in the world. But I did know the truth. And because of that, every soft smile he gave her only made my stomach twist tighter.
What scared me wasn’t Caesar forgetting, what scared me was how quickly everyone else might notice. One wrong expression, one confused answer, or one careless reaction, that’s all it would take for the entire room to sense the crack beneath the surface. And once they sensed it, everything I’d endured until now would crumble.
Hissing, I continued eating until everyone stopped and the maids came in to clear plates, stacking them quietly.
Elsa dabbed her lips with her napkin before turning to Jenna. “Jenna dear, why don’t you stay over tonight?” She suggested gently. “It’s quite a trip to return.”
Jenna straightened in her seat. “I’m fine, really. I’ll just get a cab back to my dorm.”
Elsa blinked. “Oh, you’re a student?”
“Yes,” Jenna said, “final year.”
“That’s wonderful.” Elsa’s face softened. “But even so, ladies shouldn’t be outside at night alone. And although the pack security is excellent, it would ease my mind if you stayed.”
Jenna tried to decline again, until Alpha Rowan himself chimed in.
“Jenna.” He said warmly. “You should stay the night.”
At that moment, I realized Jenna had successfully won both Alpha Rowan and Lady Elsa over. And once the Alpha liked someone the pack followed.
I watched as Jenna nodded, frantically then Alpha Rowan and Elsa excused themselves after that, heading down the hall as Caesar gently wrapped his fingers around Jenna’s hand.
“Let’s go to my room.” He said, already tugging her along.
I leaned in before they got too far. “His room is on the second floor, west wing, last door on the right.” She gave me a grateful look before Caesar led her up the stairs.
I watched them disappear, then turned and found Jericho's cold eyes fixed on me.
“Nathan.” He said, standing. “My office. Now!”
My heart stuttered, but I followed him because refusing Jericho wasn’t an option.
On reaching his dimly lit office, he sat in the chair behind the desk. “Sit.” He ordered and I did as I was told.
“Tell me.” Jericho began slowly. “Why is Caesar still alive?”
“Sir, I apologize.” I bowed my head immediately. “We believed the assassination attempt would succeed, but Caesar survived and the head injury caused partial memory loss…”
“Yes.” Jericho snapped. “I can see that.”
I swallowed hard. “I decided to keep contained because if Alpha Rowan learns that Caesar lost his memory because of an attack…”
“He will launch an investigation,” Jericho finished for me. “An investigation that could lead back to you.” His jaw tightened. “And if it leads back to you, Nathan… it leads to me.”
I felt the floor tilt under me as Jericho leaned forward. “I need you to kill Caesar and you better do it soon and quietly, or you will never see your family again.”
My fists clenched beneath the desk, but I forced myself to breathe evenly. “Yes, sir.” I said. “I’ll handle it.”
Jericho leaned back in his chair, satisfied. “Good. Because loyalty to the Alpha is admirable, but loyalty to me is survival.”
I stood slowly and bowed. Then I left the office with my heart tearing itself apart inside my chest.
I had sworn loyalty to Alpha Rowan, who depended on me and trusted me to keep Caesar safe. But my family, they were the only thing that mattered more.
I stepped into the hallway, trembling. “I’ll get you back.” I whispered to the empty corridor. “All of you. I swear it.” Even if it meant betraying the very person I was supposed to protect.