Chapter 56: Searching for evidence

Lena.

My vision had improved significantly overnight, allowing me to see Kieran's sleeping form with far more clarity than the day before. He looked younger in sleep, the constant weight of Alpha leadership temporarily lifted from his features.

I watched him for a moment, memorizing the planes of his face, the slight furrow between his brows that never fully disappeared even in rest. Despite our tentative reconciliation, a sense of foreboding lingered in my chest. Today's audit could expose Matthias's conspiracy—or trigger something worse.

Kieran stirred, his eyes finding mine immediately upon waking, a faint smile touching his lips. "Your vision is better," he observed.

"Much," I confirmed. "Still not perfect, but improving quickly."

He sat up, running a hand through his sleep-tousled hair. "Good timing. You'll need clear sight for today's audit."

We prepared for the day with a renewed sense of partnership, discussing final details of our approach while Maya helped me select appropriate attire for the formal audit—a tailored navy suit that conveyed authority without ostentation.

"Remember," Kieran advised as we walked toward the council wing, "the audit itself is legitimate. We have genuine reasons to question Matthias's management of the northern border expenditures. Keep focused on those financial concerns, regardless of what else we discover."

I nodded, appreciating his strategic approach. "What about the safe? How will we access it without raising suspicion?"

"Leave that to me," he replied cryptically. "Just follow my lead and be ready to act when the opportunity presents itself."

The council wing occupied the eastern section of the fortress, its ancient stone corridors lined with portraits of previous pack leaders. I felt their painted eyes following our progress, generations of Alphas who had navigated their own political minefields in their time.

Matthias's study was located near the main council chamber, a spacious room designed to reflect his status as senior elder. As we approached, Kieran squeezed my hand briefly—a silent reminder of our alliance—before his expression shifted to formal Alpha authority.

He knocked firmly on the heavy wooden door, the sound echoing in the stone corridor.

"Enter," Matthias called from within.

Kieran pushed the door open, gesturing for me to precede him. I stepped into the study, immediately scanning the walls for the landscape painting Selene had mentioned. There—on the west wall hung a large oil painting depicting the mountain ranges surrounding our territory.

Matthias rose from behind his ornate desk, surprise briefly flickering across his features before he masked it with formal courtesy. "Alpha King," he bowed, then added with noticeably less warmth, "and Alpha Queen. This is an unexpected honor."

"Elder Matthias," Kieran acknowledged, his tone perfectly balanced between respect for the elder's position and the inherent authority of his own. "We're conducting the quarterly financial audit. I believe you received notification from the council secretary."

"Of course," Matthias nodded, though his expression suggested otherwise. "I had expected Elder Sophia to handle the review, as is customary."

"As Alpha King, the ultimate responsibility for pack resources rests with me," Kieran replied smoothly. "And Alpha Queen Lena has expressed particular interest in the northern border expenditures, given recent security concerns in that region."

I maintained a composed expression despite the elder's sharp glance in my direction. "The protection of our borders affects all pack members," I added calmly. "I believe it's important for me to understand the financial aspects of our security measures."

Matthias's smile didn't reach his eyes. "How... conscientious of you, Alpha Queen. I wasn't aware you had developed such interest in pack finances."

The subtle condescension in his tone confirmed everything I'd suspected about his view of me as an outsider unworthy of my position. Rather than showing offense, I smiled pleasantly.

"There's much about me you aren't aware of, Elder Matthias," I replied, my voice honey-sweet with an edge of steel beneath. "I contain multitudes."

Kieran suppressed what might have been a smirk as he moved the conversation forward. "We'll need to review the complete expenditure records for the past quarter, including contractor payments and materials procurement."

"Of course," Matthias agreed, moving toward a filing cabinet near the window—notably distant from the landscape painting. "I keep meticulous records of all official transactions."

As he retrieved several folders, I allowed my gaze to wander naturally around the room, taking in details while appearing merely curious. The painting was hung at eye level, large enough to conceivably hide a wall safe behind it. Getting to it without Matthias noticing would be the challenge.

Kieran and I took seats opposite Matthias's desk as he spread the financial records before us. For the next half hour, we maintained the pretense of a thorough audit, questioning specific expenditures and requesting clarification on various entries. Matthias answered each inquiry with practiced precision, his initial surprise at our visit giving way to confident authority on the financial matters under discussion.

"These contractor rates seem unusually high," Kieran noted, pointing to a specific entry. "Particularly compared to similar work done on the southern boundary last year."

"The northern terrain presents unique challenges," Matthias explained smoothly. "The rocky substrate requires specialized equipment and expertise, justifying the premium rates."

I leaned forward, examining the document more closely. "Yet the materials cost is nearly identical to the southern project," I observed. "Wouldn't the challenging terrain also affect materials requirements?"

A flicker of annoyance crossed Matthias's features before he controlled it. "An astute observation, Alpha Queen. The difference lies in the labor allocation rather than materials quantity. I have the detailed breakdowns in my secondary records."

He rose, moving toward a bookshelf on the far side of the room. "If you'll allow me a moment to locate the supplementary documentation."

As he turned his back to search the shelves, Kieran caught my eye, a subtle signal passing between us. This was our opportunity—perhaps the only one we'd get. But how to access the safe with Matthias still in the room?

My question was answered when Kieran suddenly stiffened, his head tilting slightly as though hearing something beyond human perception.

"Elder," he said sharply, "I believe there's a situation developing in the council chamber. Can you hear that?"

Matthias paused, turning back with a frown. After a moment of concentration, his expression shifted to concern. "Indeed," he acknowledged. "It sounds like an altercation."

"Please investigate," Kieran commanded, his Alpha authority unmistakable. "As senior elder, your presence may be required to restore order. We'll continue reviewing these records while you attend to the matter."

For a brief moment, Matthias hesitated, clearly reluctant to leave us alone in his study. But Kieran's expression brooked no argument, and the sounds—which I couldn't hear but assumed were real given both werewolves' reactions—apparently grew more concerning.

"I'll return shortly," Matthias conceded with obvious reluctance. "The supplementary records are in the third volume on the second shelf, should you require them."