Chapter 45 Chapter forty-five
"I noticed you hitting him on my way here; is there some conflict between the two of you that I'm unaware of?" he inquired, focusing his gaze on me this time.
I still couldn’t manage to get any words out. It felt like my ability to think clearly had vanished. I couldn't conjure a lie, even if it would have come in handy.
"It not what you’re thinking... Ellie is just experiencing a little mood swing... It's quite normal for every pregnant woman to have those moments." Sylvia stepped in, providing an explanation.
All I could do was nod, agreeing with his assessment since I had no explanation to defend myself.
"Really?" Claus raised his eyebrows and gave a faint smile.
Phew, thank goodness he is buying what Sylvia said.
I heard the soft sound of his feet tapping against the floor. Claus always does this when he is perturbed by something.
Oh no. He doesn’t buy any of it, even if it’s a genuine fact. I managed to lift my head; Claus was studying me intently as if he'd pierce right through me. I shivered under his gaze. His expression conveyed that he was suspicious of something.
I parted my lips to speak, "Babe..."
“How is the investigation proceeding?” Sylvia interjected.
Sylvia cut me off as if he understood the urgency of the situation. Right now, I didn’t know what to say to Claus. Thank goodness Sylvia switched the topic.
But wait, what investigation is happening?
Claus exhaled, “The healer is still looking for a way to neutralize the poison in the water,” he explained.
“We need to act quickly. The pack won't survive if we don’t have water,” Sylvia expressed his concern.
I felt like my head was about to burst. Everything they were discussing seemed incomprehensible to me. In just a few hours away from the pack, what has transpired?
“Claus, Sylvia, what’s going on? What investigation is underway, and what’s wrong with the pack's water?” I asked, shifting my gaze between the two of them.
“Love, it’s nothing. Everything is under control; you don’t need to worry,” he reassured me.
I turned to Sylvia; his face indicated that there was indeed a problem. Then why was Claus trying to downplay the situation? Claus has always been like that, concealing the pack's issues from me.
“Claus?” I pressed for information.
“Claus, I think you should tell her. She’s the pack’s Luna and has the right to know what’s happening... Or should I be the one to tell her?” Sylvia stepped forward.
"Just shut your mouth, Sylvia," he mocked his brother, a tinge of envy coloring his tone.
I know Sylvia means well, but on the other hand, he's complicating things; he shouldn't have intervened. Claus despises when someone attempts to take over his responsibilities.
"Ellie, not too long ago, we learned that the pack's water supply was tainted, and it's not just any poison; it was silver that was used," Claus explained.
"Oh my goodness," I exclaimed, covering my mouth with my hand. "S-silver?" I asked to clarify.
"Yes, Ellie, we consulted the healer to confirm it, and she verified that it is indeed silver. As of now, the pack has no alternative water source, and I'm doing everything possible to find a solution," he continued.
"W-who could have done something so horrible?" I found myself asking, my words trembling.
If the water was contaminated with silver, then it was rendered useless. That water is the pack's only source, and they won't survive long without it.
"We still don’t know who is responsible, Ellie; the soldiers have confirmed that they couldn’t find anyone suspicious near the water. It remains a mystery to us," Sylvia remarked.
"And there have been several recorded deaths so far. That traitor better stay hidden because if I find him, he'll wish he were dead," Claus said, his fists clenched.
"Several deaths," I whispered under my breath.
There’s real trouble. If multiple deaths have occurred, the pack's safety is at risk.
"This act could not have been carried out by an outsider," I stated, watching them closely.
From Sylvia’s expression, it was clear he agreed with my thoughts, but Claus seemed unconvinced.
"So are you suggesting that we have a traitor among us?" he questioned skeptically.
"Look, an outsider wouldn’t know when the guard soldiers take their breaks; it has to be someone within the pack, someone familiar with all its ins and outs," I elaborated on my theory.