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Rosa moved quickly through the quiet hallway, keeping her steps light so she would not draw attention. Her heart thumped as she reached the old advisor’s hidden room. She knocked twice. The door opened at once, and the old advisor pulled her inside.

“You came,” he said in a low voice.

“I had to,” Rosa replied. “We cannot waste time. Things are getting worse.”

The advisor closed the door and locked it. Papers were spread across his desk, some old, some new. He pointed at a worn map that showed the palace grounds.

“I traced the movements of the king’s personal guard,” he said. “The one who died under strange circumstances.”

Rosa nodded. “I found items that belonged to him. A broken seal that matches the king’s missing envelope.”

The advisor looked at her sharply. “Where did you find it?”

“In an old storage box,” Rosa said. “Someone tried to hide it. But they did not destroy everything.”

The advisor exhaled. “This means the guard carried the envelope that night. The same night he was last seen alive.”

Rosa looked at the map. “Where was he before he vanished?”

The advisor tapped a point on the map. “Here. Near the king’s quarters. He was seen walking toward the king. He never returned.”

Rosa took a deep breath. “And Kevin?”

The advisor paused. “There are witnesses who saw Kevin near the guard not long after. But they were too afraid to say anything.”

Rosa felt her stomach tighten. “Then Kevin is connected to his disappearance.”

“We must find exact proof,” the advisor said. “Evidence that no one can deny.”

Rosa rubbed her forehead. “If we are right, then the guard died because he tried to protect the king.”

The advisor looked at her with tired eyes. “It feels that way.”

A knock sounded at the door. Rosa jumped, her heart racing. The advisor held up his hand and signaled her to remain quiet. He moved slowly to the door.

“Who is it?” he called.

“It's me,” Keegan said from outside.

Rosa gasped. The advisor unlocked the door quickly. Keegan stepped inside and closed it behind him. His clothes were wrinkled, his face pale, and his eyes tired.

“Why are you two meeting without me?” he asked.

Rosa walked to him. “Because we did not want to put you at more risk.”

Keegan shook his head. “I already confessed to something I did not do. There is nothing more dangerous than that.”

The advisor stepped forward. “We found something important. The king’s guard had the sealed envelope on the night he disappeared.”

Keegan’s eyes widened. “You found proof?”

Rosa nodded. “I found the broken seal. It matches the king’s mark.”

Keegan turned to the advisor. “What else do you know?”

The advisor pointed at the map. “The guard was seen going toward your father’s quarters. He was carrying the envelope. Someone saw Kevin near him hours before he vanished.”

Keegan clenched his fists. “Kevin was the last person near the king. And the last person near the guard.”

Rosa touched Keegan’s arm. “This is more than suspicious now.”

Keegan looked down at the map. “Kevin will not let us search freely. He ordered more guards to watch everything. I can barely step outside without being followed.”

The advisor nodded. “Kevin knows people are doubting your confession. His behavior shows he is nervous.”

“He should be,” Keegan whispered. “He is hiding something.”

Rosa sighed. “We must move carefully. Kevin is unpredictable. He has already shown that he is willing to hurt people.”

Keegan lifted his head. “I cannot stay quiet. We must find the exact details of the guard’s last steps.”

The advisor agreed. “There is one more thing. Someone said they heard the guard arguing with someone the night before he died. The voice sounded like Kevin’s.”

Keegan felt his muscles tighten. “Who said that?”

“A stable worker,” the advisor said. “He is afraid to talk. He said he would not survive if Kevin found out.”

Rosa shook her head. “Kevin is controlling the entire palace with fear.”

Keegan paced. “If he knew the guard was taking evidence to the king, he would have stopped him.”

Rosa looked at him. “If Kevin killed the guard, then he killed your father too.”

The room grew quiet. Keegan lowered his head. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths.

“I knew something was wrong,” Keegan whispered. “Father trusted Kevin, but he also worried about him. The journal showed that. I should have seen this sooner.”

Rosa touched his hand. “You were trying to protect us. That is not wrong.”

Keegan nodded slowly. “We must find witnesses who saw Kevin with the guard. People who will talk.”

The advisor shook his head. “Many are afraid.”

“Then we must start with those who trust us,” Rosa said.

Suddenly, loud footsteps echoed in the hallway. All three froze.

Someone pounded on the door.

“Open up!” a guard shouted. “The Alpha orders a search!”

Rosa gasped. The advisor quickly shoved the map and documents under the table. Keegan grabbed Rosa’s hand.

“Hide behind the shelf,” the advisor whispered urgently. “Quick!”

Keegan pulled Rosa as they ducked behind the large wooden shelf. The advisor unlocked the door.

Four guards stepped in. Their eyes scanned the room.

“By order of Alpha Kevin, we search all advisor quarters,” the lead guard declared. “Stand aside.”

The advisor stepped back, keeping a calm face. “What is the reason for this search?”

“No questions,” the guard said. “Move.”

The guards split into pairs and began tearing through the advisor’s belongings. They opened drawers, pulled out scrolls, and scattered old records across the floor.

Behind the shelf, Rosa held her breath. Keegan placed a hand over her mouth when she almost gasped. They stayed completely still, their bodies tense.

One guard walked closer to their hiding spot. He pushed the shelf slightly. A paper from the advisor’s hidden pile slipped out.

The guard bent down. “What is this?”

Keegan’s heart raced.

But before the guard could pick up the paper, another guard called out, “Come here! I think I found something!”

The guard turned and ran to the other side of the room.

Rosa released a shaky breath. Keegan held her close until the danger passed.

The guards finished searching and left after finding nothing that helped Kevin. When the door finally shut, Keegan stepped out from hiding.

“This is getting worse,” he said. “Kevin is scared.”

The advisor nodded. “That means he knows we are close.”

Rosa rubbed her arms. “We cannot stay in one place for long. He will start questioning everyone.”

Keegan took the advisor’s map. “We need to go to the guard’s last known location. If Kevin hid the envelope or something else, he may have missed clues.”

The advisor nodded. “Be careful. Kevin ordered extra patrols. You will be watched.”

Keegan looked at Rosa. “I need you to stay safe.”

Rosa shook her head. “You cannot send me away. I am part of this.”

Keegan hesitated. “If Kevin sees you, he will suspect something.”

“He already suspects everyone,” Rosa said. “But I am careful.”

Keegan sighed. “Fine. But stay beside me.”

The advisor handed Keegan a folded map. “This will help you. And Keegan… do not let Kevin corner you again.”

Keegan nodded firmly. “He will not. Not this time.”

They left through the back door of the advisor’s room. The hallway was quiet. Cool air drifted through the tall windows.

Rosa walked close to Keegan, her eyes watching every corner.

They reached the courtyard, then moved through the outer trail that led to the old guardhouse. The night was calm, but the palace felt tense, as if everyone sensed danger.

Keegan spoke in a low voice. “This is where the guard walked before he vanished.”

Rosa looked around. “If Kevin attacked him, there might still be something here.”

They searched the trail, bushes, and the guardhouse remains. Keegan found old scratch marks on the ground.

“These are fresh,” he whispered. “Someone tried to cover something.”

Rosa knelt beside him. “Kevin knows this area is important.”

Keegan stood. “He is covering the truth. And he is getting desperate.”

A howl echoed in the distance. Keegan froze.

“That is a signal,” he whispered. “Kevin’s wolves are searching.”

Rosa grabbed his hand. “We must leave.”

They moved quickly back into the trees. Keegan looked over his shoulder.

“We are running out of time,” he said.

Rosa nodded. “Then we must find the last piece of the truth before Kevin strikes first.”

They ran as the sound of wolves grew louder behind them.