Chapter 19 Finding the culprit
Kael's POV
After ensuring she was safe I headed for the meeting hall, already knowing that most of the cabinet members would be gathered long before my arrival.
By the time I stepped into the hall they were all seated and the moment their eyes lifted to meet mine they instantly understood that I was not there to entertain pleasantries or tolerate foolishness.
“Welcome back Alpha,” they chorused, but their greeting meant nothing to me. I walked past it as if it had never been uttered.
“Who exactly gave the order to take the witch out of the dungeon to Dorhaven?” I demanded. I went straight to the point because all I needed in that moment were answers. That was the only thing capable of grounding the fury that simmered in my chest.
I had always feared the possibility of a traitor hiding within my inner circle, but it seemed that the nightmare had finally taken form, and I was not even sure how to begin dealing with it.
Seconds dragged by without a single word spoken. They all kept their heads bowed as though they were praying for deliverance, and the sight of them only aggravated my anger because I could not believe any one of them would dare pull an act like this.
“Dagan, how did Gordon get to know that the prisoner wished to attend her aunt's funeral?” I asked, deciding to address the one person who had absolutely no excuse for letting this happen in the first place.
“I don't know how he got that information, Alpha,” he replied. His denial was immediate.
“You suggested it, remember,” I reminded him.
He nodded. “Of course I did, but that does not mean I gave it to him. I was not the only person present at that time. Elder Rowan was there as well. He could have given out the information.”
Elder Rowan instantly shot him a side look filled with sharp irritation.
“I beg your pardon, Beta Dagan. Stop throwing unfounded accusations you cannot prove,” Rowan said, his tone rising with visible agitation. Lately he had been having issues with Dagan, and I still could not understand why.
“I was not accusing you. I was only stating facts. You were there, were you not?” Dagan replied.
“Yes I was there, but that does not answer the question you were asked. Moreover, I was out with Alpha this morning,” Rowan responded.
“Being out with Alpha does not change anything. You could have done it before you left,” Dagan insisted.
“Are you crazy?” Elder Rowan shot at him.
“No, I am not crazy. I am stating facts as I said. Taren was there too. He could have also given the information out,” Dagan countered.
At this point Elder Rowan looked genuinely stunned. His expression revealed that he could not believe the words coming out of Dagan’s mouth. Truthfully, neither could I. I did not expect Dagan to randomly point fingers at everyone present instead of simply answering the question directly and leaving it at that.
“Leave Taren out of this. He was the one who reported it, wasn't he?” Rowan said, speaking in Taren’s defense.
“Reporting it does not mean he could not have done it,” Dagan replied without hesitation.
“Reporting it meant he cared and understood the urgency of the situation, unlike you who appeared relaxed instead of treating it with the seriousness it deserved,” Rowan fired back.
Before Dagan could respond I cut sharply into the conversation, silencing both of them. I was tired of the back and forth because it was producing nothing useful.
“I left you in charge, Dagan. How did this happen under your nose, and why did you treat it with so much laxity?” I growled.
“You should not be asking me that, Alpha. You know very well that you have been taking decisions concerning that witch without informing me or bringing me into it. How was I supposed to know this was not another one of your impromptu decisions that you would later discuss with me?” he said.
“That is your excuse for almost bringing ruin to our Pack and others? I cannot believe you, Dagan,” I said, shocked by the audacity of his reasoning.
“I apologize, Alpha. That was a grave mistake on my part. I am prepared to accept whatever punishment you give,” he replied, offering an apology that came out of nowhere.
“Whoever gave that order, if you do not turn yourself in now I will find you, and you know there will be no mercy when I do,” I announced in a low growl. I waited for a moment, giving them an opportunity to speak up, but when silence persisted, I turned and began to walk away.
“Alpha Kael,” Elder Parish called out. I halted immediately and narrowed my eyes, already hoping he was not the culprit. When I turned to face him he continued. “I understand that what happened today was wrong and could have cost us greatly, but I do not believe that is enough reason to take the prisoner to your quarters.”
A deep frown formed on my face. That was what he stopped me for?
“He took her to his quarters?” Elder Cross asked, frowning as well.
“Miss Brenda informed me that she saw him taking her there and asked what was going on,” Elder Parish explained.
“She was in the dungeon yet all of you sat blindly while a mere warrior took her away from the Pack house. Since none of you can ensure her safety in the dungeon, I am keeping her in my personal prison, and she will remain there until further notice,” I replied.
“It would be an insult to our people to know that the Alpha is sharing his quarters with a witch,” Elder Cross said.
“Wouldn’t it be a greater insult for them to discover that their Alpha had an opportunity to save them from unwarranted bloodshed, but let it slip through his fingers simply because he cared too much about their opinion of him keeping a witch safe in his personal prison?” I asked and no answer came.
Exactly. That was what I thought.