CHAPTER 30: SUSPICION

CHAPTER 30: SUSPICION
ZANE
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The moment she left, I leaned back against the bedpost, my thoughts racing. I'd told her to meet me in my chambers, but it wasn't trust that fueled the request. Trusting her wasn't an option, not yet.
Her actions last night didn't sit well with me. The way she froze when I caught her in the gardens, the desperate excuse she fumbled, the strange fainting spell—it all screamed guilt.
Leona was hiding something, and I was determined to find out what. I had hoped keeping her close would reveal her motives, but her defenses were maddeningly solid. Every time I thought I had her figured out, she found a way to slip through my grasp.
Still, the way she looked at me when she stepped out of the bath—cheeks flushed, eyes wide, vulnerability spilling out of her like an unspoken confession—was… unexpected. I wasn't sure if it was innocence or a masterful act. Either way, it didn't change my goal.
I wasn't a fool. I'd said I trusted her earlier, but the truth was far from it. That lie was simply bait. I needed her to believe I was on her side, to lower her guard, so I could see the truth she worked so hard to conceal.
But as I stood there, staring at the faint traces of her scent lingering in the air, I realized something troubling. She wasn't the only one falling into a trap. There was something about her that tugged at a part of me I thought long dead. It wasn't just her defiance or the challenge she presented—it was the way she carried herself, a broken fighter trying to keep the pieces together.
And that made her dangerous.
The knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts. I straightened, my voice steady as I called out, "Enter."
One of my guards stepped in, his expression grim. "Alpha, there's a situation at the eastern wing. A disturbance involving some of the elders."
I frowned. The elders rarely caused trouble unless they had a reason—or a grievance. And when it came to grievances, they usually had more than one.
"Explain," I demanded, already moving toward the door.
"They're claiming one of the packs has violated the treaty by crossing into forbidden territory," the guard explained, his tone cautious. "They're demanding immediate action."
"Which pack?"
"Alpha Kane's."
Of course, it had to be Kane. The man had been a thorn in my side for years, always testing boundaries, always seeking ways to challenge my authority without outright rebellion.
"Summon the elders to the council room," I ordered. "And send a message to Rowan. He has until sunset to appear before me and explain himself."
The guard nodded and left to carry out my instructions. I took a moment to collect myself, my thoughts momentarily shifting away from Leona. The elders' accusations weren't something I could ignore, not if Rowan truly had violated the treaty. A display of strength would be required—one that left no room for doubt about who held power.

—
The council room was already buzzing with tension by the time I arrived. The elders stood clustered near the long oak table, their voices a mix of outrage and indignation.
"Alpha Zane," Elder Marcius greeted. His gray beard bristled as he stepped forward. "We cannot allow this blatant disrespect to go unpunished. Alpha Kane has crossed the line."
I held up a hand, silencing him. "Enough."
The room fell quiet, save for the crackle of the fire in the hearth. I scanned their faces, taking in their flushed expressions and narrowed eyes. They were looking for a show of dominance, a reminder of who ruled here. And I would give them one.
"Tell me exactly what happened," I demanded.
Elder Vira, the only female among them, stepped forward. "Alpha Kane's men were seen on our lands two nights ago. Near the borders of the sacred grounds. It is a direct violation of the treaty, Alpha Zane."
I frowned. The sacred grounds were forbidden for a reason—ancient power lingered there, power that no one fully understood. Kane knew this. He wouldn't dare risk his pack unless he believed he had something to gain.
"And what evidence do we have of this trespass?" I asked. "Were they seen by anyone of credibility?"
Marcius bristled at my words. "Are you questioning the word of our patrols?"
"I'm questioning everything," I said sharply, my gaze cutting through him. "You should know better than to bring accusations without proof."
Silence settled over the room. Marcius clenched his jaw, but he didn't dare argue further.
Vira spoke again. "Alpha Zane, we do have evidence. One of Rowan's men was caught near the edge of the sacred grounds. He is being held in the dungeons."
That caught my attention. "And no one thought to inform me of this sooner?"
Vira bowed her head slightly. "You were occupied with other matters. We didn't wish to interrupt."
Her words didn't sit well with me, but I let it slide. "I'll question him myself," I said. "But if Kane's man speaks the truth, and this was a calculated move, there will be consequences."
The elders exchanged satisfied glances, their thirst for punishment barely concealed. I dismissed them with a wave of my hand. "Leave. I'll handle this."
As they filed out, my thoughts drifted back to Kane. If he was probing our defenses, he was either growing bolder or more desperate. Both possibilities required careful handling.
I headed toward the dungeons, my footsteps echoing in the stone corridors. The air grew cooler as I descended, the scent of damp earth and rust filling my senses.
The guard stationed outside the cell stood at attention as I approached. "He's inside, Alpha."
I nodded and stepped into the darkly lit cell. A man sat slumped against the wall, his hands bound with iron shackles. His clothes were torn, and blood stained his temple, but his eyes burned with defiance.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice cutting through the silence.
He looked up, a smirk playing on his lips. "Just a loyal pack member, following orders."
I stepped closer, towering over him. "Orders to trespass on forbidden grounds?"
His smirk didn't waver. "I was lost. Didn't mean to cause trouble."
"Liar," I growled. My patience was wearing thin. "You were caught near the sacred grounds. Speak the truth, or I'll ensure you regret your silence."
He chuckled, a low, hollow sound. "You think you scare me, Alpha Zane? I've faced worse than you."
I grabbed him by the collar, slamming him against the wall. His head snapped back, but the smirk still lingered.
"Talk," I demanded. "Or you'll find out what worse truly means."
For a moment, I thought he might hold his ground. But then his gaze flickered, a trace of fear breaking through his bravado.
"I was sent to scout," he admitted. "Alpha Kane wanted to know if the rumors were true."
"What rumors?"
He hesitated, then muttered, "About the artifact hidden in the sacred grounds."
My blood ran cold. The artifact—an ancient relic said to hold immense power—was nothing more than legend. Or so I had believed.
"If Kane thinks he can take what doesn't belong to him," I said, my grip tightening, "he'll pay for his arrogance."
The man winced but said nothing more. I released him, stepping back. "You'll remain here until I decide your fate. Guard!"
The guard appeared instantly. "Yes, Alpha?"
"Keep him alive," I ordered. "But make sure he understands the price of deceit."
The guard nodded, and I turned to leave, my mind racing. If Rowan was after the artifact, this was no longer just a violation of territory. This was war.