Chapter 10 Make a wish
~Kael's POV~
The moment she stepped into the dining room, a deep and unfamiliar satisfaction spread through me. It was not something I had expected to feel.
I had not chosen the outfit she was wearing, Kaitlyn had. Yet somehow, that simple peach-colored shirt and black pants transformed her entirely. The light from the window brushed against her face, and for a fleeting moment, I forgot why she was here. She looked beautiful in a way that unsettled me, and my thoughts began to wander to places I had no business visiting.
Rudy could not hide his excitement, but I masked mine completely. My face remained unreadable, the picture of control. This was supposed to be an interrogation, nothing more. Yet the truth was that I only wanted to see her again, to hear her voice and watch how her eyes moved when she spoke.
When the door opened and Dagan entered, the irritation on his face was unmistakable. He did not bother to hide it. What interested me more, however, was the shift in her demeanor the instant she saw him. Her shoulders stiffened. Discomfort rolled off her in waves, followed by a hint of annoyance.
“A prisoner and our Alpha at the same table,” Dagan said, his voice laced with mockery. “Isn’t this a sight to behold?” He took the seat to my left, his gaze fixed on the girl, while Elder Rowan, who entered behind him, settled into the chair on my right.
“Greetings, Alpha,” Elder Rowan said as he sat.
“Morning, Elder Rowan. I trust you rested well,” I replied, ignoring Dagan and his usual comments.
“I did,” Rowan said, his tone calm but curious. “Are we interrupting something?”
“Of course we are,” Dagan said before I could respond. “Because whatever makes a prisoner share a table with the Alpha must be serious. What is going on here, Alpha? Why are you having breakfast with a criminal?”
“If only we were having breakfast,” I said, returning my attention to her. “She refused to eat because, in her words, I am her enemy, and she cannot eat at her enemy’s table.”
Dagan leaned back, a smirk curling at his lips. “Then what is she doing here?”
“She was undergoing interrogation,” I said. “Which you just interrupted.”
“Oh, pardon me. I was not informed that an interrogation would be held in the Alpha’s dining room,” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“It was an impromptu decision,” I explained. “Our prisoner happens to be rather shy. I suspected she might faint or fall ill if questioned in front of a crowd, so I decided to conduct the session privately. But since you are here, we can all listen to what she has to say.”
Dagan had been my Beta since the day I assumed the position of Alpha of Ironfang. We had grown up together as pups, but the position had not been meant for him. It had been meant for my best friend—the one who died the night before his crowning. By default, Dagan inherited the title. Out of everyone in the high council and the pack, only he ever dared to speak to me with such boldness. I tolerated it because I was used to him, as long as he never crossed the line and did his job right.
I shifted my attention back to her.
“So, Lyra, are you still denying having any connection with the Shadow Pack or the Void Wolf?”
“I already told you I do not know anything about them until yesterday,” she answered, her tone edged with offense though she tried to conceal it.
“This fell from your hand the day you were captured.” I pulled a folded piece of paper from my pocket and placed it on the table. “Who lives there?”
Her eyes widened, and a frown overtook her expression. “I do not know.”
“Should I pay them a visit to find out?” I asked calmly, though the effect was anything but.
Her body tensed. “No, please. Leave them alone, I am begging you. They have nothing to do with this. I do not know anyone else personally apart from my aunt, the chief of Dorhaven, and a few others in town. I have always obeyed the law and have never harmed anyone. I do not even know why I am here.” The defiance in her tone melted into desperation.
“If that is the truth,” I said, “then why were you running when we captured you?”
“The devil was attacking neighboring towns,” she replied. “We knew if he reached Dorhaven, we would not survive. We were trying to save our lives.”
Her answer caught me off guard.
“The devil?” I asked, and she lowered her eyes.
“That is what everyone calls you,” she murmured.
Dagan chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “Poor child does not even know why she is here. We should probably compensate her for infringing on her rights. Name your price, witch. Anything you want. Or perhaps a wish you would like us to grant.”
Elder Rowan and I both turned toward him, but his face remained perfectly serious.
“Go on,” Dagan said when she did not answer. “I am waiting.”
Lyra hesitated. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the uncertainty pulling at her thoughts. For a moment, I hoped she would remain silent, that she would see through his mockery, but she eventually spoke. Her voice was soft, almost fragile, yet it carried a weight that quieted the room.
“I only have one wish,” she said. “Apart from being released. I want to attend my aunt’s funeral and pay my last respects.”
Dagan burst out laughing. “Wait, she actually made a wish? You really think we are all fools, don’t you?”
“Dagan,” Elder Rowan said sharply, but he only shook his head and stood.
“I am sorry, Elder Rowan, but I am done listening to this con artist. She does not fool me.” He straightened his clothes, his expression turning cold. He turned to me. “I only came to inform you that the meeting with the hunters has been approved for tomorrow. You just need to set the time and inform them.” With that, he turned and walked away.
I exhaled quietly, the weight of his presence lifting as the door closed behind him.
“Take her back, Taren,” I ordered.
Lyra was escorted out of the room, her steps hesitant but obedient.
Elder Rowan’s thoughtful gaze lingered on the empty doorway before he finally spoke. “Something feels wrong,” he said, his eyes narrowing. “I do not think she is the witch the Shadow Pack is after.”
“She is,” I replied. “The guards said the rogues and Shadow Pack leaders rejoiced when they saw her. They praised the Void Wolf for helping them find her. She recounted the same when I asked her earlier.”
Elder Rowan leaned back in his chair, humming in thought. “But I heard the one they seek is supposed to be half wolf, half witch. This girl has no wolf in her at all. What if she truly is a fraud?”