Chapter 22 spy
I paused when I heard what he said and frowned deeply, because in that moment it became clear to me that he was purposely avoiding me. His tone carried a coldness that told me everything I needed to know, yet he pretended as if nothing had happened. He simply returned his attention to his food, eating slowly and calmly, as though my presence did not matter in the slightest.
A wave of irritation crawled across my skin, making every breath feel heavier. Why was he like this? Why was he so rude? I was only asking a simple question. Any normal human being would be concerned if someone disappeared for days without explanation. It was basic courtesy, basic respect, yet he acted as if caring was a crime. And now he was proving exactly what I once thought of him. Rude. Proud. Dismissive. Exactly the type of man who never bothered to explain himself to anyone.
I almost rolled my eyes so hard they could fall out of their sockets. I wanted to twist my face in pure disgust.
“Look, I am not trying to ask about you,” I started, irritation bubbling in my voice. “I am only asking the way normal people ask. Do not think it means I care about you. I do not care about you, okay?”
I thought he would snap at me like he usually did. I expected coldness, a cutting glare, or a harsh retort. But instead, a slow and evil grin stretched across his lips. His eyes sparked with something dark and unreadable.
The sight of that grin made a chill crawl the length of my spine. Why was he smirking like that? What was he trying to imply? His expression confused me even more than his silence.
Then, without warning, he dropped his spoon. It fell against the table with a sharp clatter that echoed through the room. He turned toward me slowly, and his golden eyes locked with mine. His gaze pierced me with an intensity that made my body stiffen.
I could not hold his stare. It was too fierce, too bold, too dominating. My heart thudded painfully and I flinched before I could stop myself.
“If you do not care about me,” he asked with that same dangerous grin, “then why are you asking?”
My cheeks burned immediately. The heat rushed across my face so fast I felt dizzy. I looked down quickly, unable to withstand the weight of his eyes. My fingers trembled on my lap. Why was I reacting like this? Why did my heart behave this way each time he stared at me?
“I do not understand what you are talking about,” I replied quickly, my voice weaker than I intended.
He leaned back in his chair, his long hair falling over his chest in soft waves. I could not help the way my eyes lingered. He was too handsome, unfairly handsome, the kind of man whose beauty felt intimidating. His hair was even longer than mine, and somehow that made him appear even more powerful.
“Are you sure?” he asked slowly.
The air thickened immediately. I swallowed hard. For a moment, I wished the ground would open beneath me and swallow me whole because the tension in the room was suffocating.
I nodded too quickly, like someone who had lost their mind. “Yes, I am sure. Why would I care about you? You hate me.”
A cold smile appeared on his lips, a smile I had never seen before. It was empty, dangerous, and enough to send shivers down my spine.
“I do not know if you understand table manners,” he said suddenly.
The abruptness of his words irritated me. Why was he so strict? Why did he act even more controlling than my father?
I frowned and forced myself to focus on my food. But something prickled at the back of my neck, and when I slowly turned my head, my heart skipped. At the corner of the door stood Candice, her gray eyes fixed on me. Her expression twisted with jealousy and anger. She looked at me as if she wanted to pierce through my soul.
I quickly looked away, uncomfortable.
Unknown Point of View
The roaring sound of horses racing across the ground echoed through the dark forest. A shadowy figure gripped the reins tightly and whipped the horse to run even faster. Leaves trembled and scattered violently as he passed, drying and curling instantly as though his presence alone drained the life from them.
The night was cold, silent, and dangerous.
The rider wore a black cloak that swept behind him like a trail of darkness. He pulled the hood lower over his face, which was already hidden in the shadows. Minutes later, he reached a large iron gate towering over the path.
The guards stationed there recognized him immediately. Without hesitation, they opened the gate, bowing their heads as he rode inside. His horse slowed, and he finally pulled it to a stop. He jumped down with practiced ease, brushing dust from his cloak.
A soldier dressed in black armor walked toward him and gave a silent nod, signaling for him to follow. Together they walked through a long hallway lit with dim torches. Their footsteps echoed against the stone floor until they reached a heavy wooden door.
The guard pushed it open, revealing a grand courtroom illuminated by glowing lanterns. At the far end of the room stood a magnificent throne, and sitting on it was Alpha Simon.
The cloaked man stepped forward and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Alpha Simon.”
Simon smiled, a deadly smile that did not reach his eyes. He raised the apple he was eating and took a slow bite.
“You do not come here without reason,” Simon said calmly. “So for you to appear today means you have something important to report.”
The spy lowered his head. “Alpha Kaelrix already knows you were the one who attacked his pack. He has sent people to kill fifteen of your men. The moment I received the information, I had to escape the pack to bring the message to you before it is too late.”
Simon stood abruptly, shock flickering across his face. He stepped slowly around the room as he tried to digest the information.
“How did he find out?” he demanded.
David, Simon’s trusted advisor, stepped forward. “Sir, I have warned you before. Kaelrix is more cunning than anyone. Rumors say he is a hybrid. If he truly is, then that means he can detect the scent of a wolf or the pack they came from with ease.”
Simon’s frown deepened.
Kaelrix was far more dangerous than he had ever imagined. Simon had placed a spy inside Kaelrix’s army several years ago, a clever move that had always helped him stay one step ahead. That spy had informed him about Kaelrix’s sudden return, a detail that already irritated him.
But this new information made his blood burn with anger.
What other hidden abilities did Kaelrix possess?
The fact that he could easily detect Simon’s warriors made Simon furious. His rage rose like a storm, and he clenched his fists tightly.
“Alpha Simon,” the spy continued cautiously. “There is another matter I must tell you.”
Simon raised a brow, curiosity sparking. “Speak.”
The spy swallowed. “A girl was recently sold to the three alphas. The girl is disrespectful toward Alpha Kaelrix. What is even more surprising is that all three alphas appear to be in love with her, including Kaelrix himself.”
Simon and his beta exchanged startled glances.
“Whenever the three alphas find each other near the girl, they grow jealous and angry. The girl seems to prefer Candice, which makes the rivalry worse.”
The information settled in the air like a bomb ready to explode.
Simon stepped closer, his eyes glowing with excitement. “Whose daughter is she?”
“Ramen,” the spy replied. “Alpha of Dravenclaw Pack.”
Simon burst into an evil laugh that echoed across the entire courtroom.
All these years he had been searching for a single weakness, a loophole, something that would help him destroy the three alphas. And now the opportunity had fallen right into his hands.
This was his chance.
This was the perfect moment to strike.
And Simon intended to take full advantage of it.