Chapter 127: The Demon's Mate

“Good evening, everyone,” the woman said. “I’m sorry for interrupting your dinner. Alpha Zoriana, could we speak alone?”

Zoriana nodded. She knew better than to reject a royal messenger.

“So Gael doesn't even have the guts to come himself after what he’s done,” Kalina hissed in her mind.

“Looks like it,” Zoriana muttered, leading the woman to a small private room at the back of the restaurant.

“Would you like something to eat or drink, Ms...?” Zoriana asked the moment they sat down.

The woman was clutching the fabric of her cloak nervously. “Brianna,” she replied softly, her eyes sweeping the room with apprehension. “I am the Royal Beta female. And I don’t want food or drink.”

Zoriana raised an eyebrow in surprise. She never knew Karel was mated; now, it seemed he was sending his own mate to run his errands.

“Congratulations on your mating, Beta Brianna,” Zoriana replied politely.

“Oh, I think condolences would be more appropriate in my case,” Brianna said with a faint smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Zoriana didn't flinch, but her mind was racing.

“Most likely, this is bait. She wants me to speak ill of Karel so she can report me, or she’s here to see what information I’ve gathered against him.” She thought.

“What brings you here, Beta Brianna?”

The woman exhaled sharply. “I’ve changed my mind—I want a drink. Something strong. Bourbon.” She paused, her gaze narrowing. “I am here because I believe the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and quite simply... I had no one else to turn to.”

Brianna leaned in. “I saw your confrontation with Karel in the hallway. You both hate each other, and you are my last chance. I hope—”

The waiter arrived, and Brianna bit her lip, cutting herself off to order her bourbon. Zoriana ordered a glass of wine to keep her awkward intruder company.

“Lady Brianna, ‘hate’ is a very strong word. I am indeed not a fan of Beta Karel; we are simply too different to get along.”

Brianna’s breath hitched. “Really? You don’t hate him for framing your beloved? Karel paid rogues to attack packs specifically to frame Alpha Tristan for funding them. Do you not hate him for that?”

Zoriana’s heart skipped a beat. The passion and hatred in Brianna’s voice felt raw—was this truly an act? If so, she was a fantastic actress. Or was it possible she truly loathed her own mate?

“Beta, that is a serious accusation. But without a proof, those are just poisonous words. Nothing more.”

“But I do have a proof,” Brianna said firmly. She reached into an inner pocket of her cloak and revealed a folder. “Here are copies of payment transfers and recorded phone calls with the rogue leader.”

Zoriana reached for the folder and scanned the contents. She couldn’t be certain the data hadn’t been forged, but if it was authentic, it changed everything. This was exactly the evidence she needed to clear Tristan’s name.

“There is also evidence here that Beta Karel helped Queen Calista arrange a rogue attack to murder King Arthur’s fated mate,” Brianna added. “It wasn't Bjorn they dealt with; it was a stray rogue with a small gang.”

Zoriana’s blood froze. Tristan had been right all along; his mother’s death wasn't an accident. Her fingers trembled as she flipped through the documents. She looked up at Brianna, her voice a whisper. “Why are you giving me these? Beta Karel is your mate.”

“He is a demon,” Brianna hissed. “And I want to send him back to his ancestors in hell. Karel is a vicious, evil, rotten wolf who poisons everything he touches. I didn't want to be his mate—my parents pushed me into it. I had no choice but to plaster on a smile and participate in the farce of being one of his ‘options.’ Unfortunately, I was chosen. And he... he did unspeakable things. He slept with other she-wolves in front of me. He beat me. He raped me.”

Her eyes burned with a mixture of pain and fury. In that moment, Zoriana believed her.

“He is corrupting the Prince’s mind and arranging attacks on innocent packs,” Brianna continued. “He is evil and needs to be taken down. I won’t stop until he is executed.”

Zoriana reached out and covered Brianna’s hand with her own. “I am so sorry for your suffering, and thank you for this evidence. My pack is not the safest place to stay right now, but I can ask my father, Alpha Clayton, to host you at Black Rose. It isn't safe for you to go back to the palace. If Karel suspects anything, he will kill you on the spot.”

Brianna shook her head. “If I don't return, he will definitely know something is wrong. He’ll start covering his tracks or perhaps even escape. I want justice. I want him destroyed.”

“The risk is too high,” Zoriana tried to reason.

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take to see him ruined. Besides, he thinks very little of me. He thinks I’m too stupid and too afraid to ever move against him. To him, I’m just a pushover to be humiliated and used for breeding.”

Zoriana didn't want her to leave, but Brianna had already made her choice.

Brianna gripped the steering wheel tight as she drove back to the palace. Later, the sound of her heels clicked too loudly on the marble floors, echoing through the empty hallways. She needed to reach her bedroom unnoticed. She quickened her pace, almost running, and only exhaled in relief when she leaned against her closed bedroom door, panting in the darkness.

She reached out to switch on the light, but suddenly, the room flooded with brightness. Karel was sitting on her bed, his hands folded, looking absolutely furious.

“Where have you been, mate?”

Brianna’s palms sweated. She swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice from trembling. “I drove to the forest... to let my wolf run.”

Karel narrowed his eyes, studying her from head to toe. Brianna held her breath, trying to steady her racing heart. He clicked his tongue.

“Well, I suppose you enjoyed yourself out there. Now it’s time to fulfil your purpose. I need a pup within the month.”

He began to undress, a cruel smirk on his face. “Brianna, do you need a special invitation? Undress and get on the bed. On your fours.”

Brianna unfastened her cloak and began to remove her dress. She was disgusted at the thought of him touching her again, but at the same time, she felt a wave of relief. He believed her. She wouldn't die. At least, not tonight.