Chapter 48 048
LYKA
I turned around slowly, my heart jumping into my throat as countless scenarios flashed through my mind in a split second, each one ending with me getting caught, exposed, or worse, punished. But the moment my eyes landed on Scott standing behind me, tall and composed like he had been there for a while watching me, I forced a shameless smile onto my face, masking every ounce of guilt and panic bubbling inside me.
“I got lost while going to my room, and I found myself walking toward this,” I said lightly, my tone deliberately casual as if nothing was wrong, as if I had not just been trying to break into a locked room that was none of my business. My lips stayed curved in that false smile, but deep inside, I knew the lie was terrible, and judging by the way Scott’s sharp eyes stared at me, calm yet piercing, he did not believe me one bit. And honestly, if I were in his position, I wouldn’t believe that lie either. How could I possibly get lost in a place I had been staying for days? It was ridiculous. It was careless. It was suspicious.
“Really?” Scott asked, tilting his head slightly, his voice calm but holding an edge that made my stomach twist nervously.
“Then, did you need help going back to your room?” he added, and my eyes widened despite myself because his words sounded polite, but the meaning behind them was clear. He had caught my lie. He knew I was making excuses. He knew I had no business standing there.
“No,” I said quickly, forcing out an awkward chuckle as I waved my hand dismissively, trying to play it off. “I’m sure if I open different doors for some time, I will eventually get it right,” I added, laughing softly at my own words, but Scott did not laugh with me. He simply stared, his expression unchanged, his silence louder than any accusation, and irritation flared inside me at how cold he was.
I snarled inwardly, my pride bruised by his unreadable reaction. Colder than Derrick? I thought bitterly. No… no one was colder than Derrick. At least, that was what I wanted to believe.
“You should be careful about that,” Scott said after a moment, his voice dropping slightly, turning more serious as his gaze shifted briefly toward the door behind me before returning to my face.
“Because it’s not every door that should be creaked open in this place. Some doors are meant to stay closed… and only opened by certain people. I hope you understand what I mean,” he added slowly, his words deliberate, heavy with hidden meaning, and my smile stiffened as I nodded my head obediently, even though unease crept down my spine like cold fingers.
“Of course,” I replied smoothly, forcing composure into my voice.
“I understand you very well,” I said, and without waiting any longer, I turned around and began walking away, bidding him farewell over my shoulder, my steps quick and tense like I was escaping from danger. I could feel his eyes on my back, burning holes into me, and it made my skin crawl. My steps slowed, and I hesitated before glancing back, only to see him still standing there, still watching me, and to my surprise, there was a faint smile on his lips, one that did not reach his eyes. I scowled deeply.
Why was he watching me like that? Did he suspect something? Did he know something? Does he enjoy making me uncomfortable? I wondered bitterly before forcing myself to keep walking.
As I walked through the hallways toward my room, I noticed something strange. The maids I passed lowered their heads respectfully, greeting me politely, their voices soft and careful, their behavior unusually respectful compared to before, and confusion flickered across my face.
“Why are they suddenly being polite?” I mumbled under my breath as I reached my door and pushed it open, stepping inside before slamming it shut behind me. I stood there for a moment, leaning against the door, trying to calm my restless thoughts, but I eventually brushed it off, convincing myself I was overthinking things. Still, my mind refused to settle.
“If I want to attack Derrick…” I whispered quietly, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “…I need something powerful. Something he won’t be able to escape from,” I muttered, and a dangerous thought crossed my mind, one so dark it made my chest tighten with discomfort, but I quickly shook my head, rejecting it. No. I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t use someone’s weakness against them. That was low. That was dirty. I may want revenge… but I still had my pride.
A sudden knock on my door broke me out of my thoughts, and I frowned slightly, pushing myself away from the door and dragging my feet across the room before opening it.
I blinked in surprise when I saw Amanda standing there, her posture tense, her eyes darting around like a thief afraid of being caught. Suspicion rose immediately.
“What is going on, Amanda? Why are you sneaking around like this?” I asked, but instead of answering, she pushed past me and entered the room, walking straight to my bed and sitting down heavily like she owned the place. I stared at her in confusion before closing the door and walking toward her.
“What if the man was lying?” she suddenly asked, her voice serious.
“What if everything he told us wasn’t the truth?” she added, and I frowned deeply.
“What are you talking about?” I asked, but she grabbed my hand and pulled me down to sit beside her.
“The man at the lakeside,” she said firmly.
“What if he lied to us?” I raised my eyebrow in disbelief.
“Are you serious right now? What kind of nonsense is that?” I asked, but she shook her head stubbornly.
“Listen to me,” she insisted.
“I asked the Beta where they were during the attack on our pack… and he told me they were here. They never left,” she said, and my heart skipped.
“What?” I whispered.
“How could that be possible?” I asked, confusion and anger mixing inside me.
“Exactly,” Amanda said.
“How could they attack us if they never left? Doesn’t that sound suspicious?” she pressed.
I stared at her, my mind racing. Amanda would not lie to me. So that meant either she was lied to… or we were all being deceived.
“Don’t listen to that nonsense,” I said firmly, standing up.
“I know what I saw. I know what I heard. That man wasn’t lying,” I added, trying to convince both her and myself. Amanda stood too, her eyes searching mine.
“Why are you so sure?” she demanded.
“Why do you trust a stranger more than your own mate?” she asked, and I scoffed bitterly. Mate. That word meant nothing. Not after everything. Not after the pain. Not after the secrets.
“It’s not about trust,” I said quietly.
“It’s about the truth. I don’t know Derrick. I don’t know what he’s capable of. I don’t know if I can trust him,” I admitted, remembering the darkness in his eyes, the stranger inside him.
“But I trust Scott,” Amanda said suddenly, and I froze. Scott? Since when? “He’s honest. He wouldn’t lie,” she added, and suspicion rose in my chest.
“Why are you defending him?” I began, but before I could finish, loud, terrifying howls echoed through the air. My blood ran cold. Wolves. The pack was under attack.
Amanda’s eyes lit up with something dark. “This is the perfect time,” she said.
“Attack Derrick. Take your revenge,” she urged, and my eyes widened in horror.
“What? Are you insane?” I asked.
“Why would I do that now?” My voice shook.
“Don’t you want revenge?” she pressed.
“Choose, Lyka. Fight against him… or fight beside him and learn the truth,” she said, and tears filled my eyes as the impossible choice crushed my heart.
What was I supposed to do?