Chapter 70. Buried Investigation
Chapter 70. Buried Investigation
Alpha Ashton's POV
I must find out the truth. About all that happened to me last night. Shapeshifters exist. I've heard a lot about them.
They transformed into other werewolves just to carry out their evil plans or even deceive others.
No doubt, this case could be one of them.
The Annabelle I know would never slip into the pack house without me noticing,let alone force herself on me. She's far too disciplined and chaste for such a weird attitude.
Pondering harder on the matter, my eyes reddened as if I would just transform into my wolf but I had no power to transform.
The wolfbane poison has rendered me wolfless by weakening my powers to transform into my wolf.
When I arrived at the large meeting room, I immediately summoned all the maids and the guards before me—all twenty-five of them—fifteen gallant men and ten ladies.
In a short while, the meeting room became crowded. I scanned their faces. They had no idea why I summoned them so early.
“Who were the guards on duty last night?” My voice echoed with authority.
Jared stepped forward including some four other men.
“Alpha, did anything go wrong?” Jared said, his voice trembling.
I shifted my gaze first to Jared and then to the four men standing by him.
“I need to verify something very urgently” I said, my eyes darting around.
“What could that be, Alpha? My men can help out.” Jared was keen to find out what the matter was.
I hesitated for a while before speaking.
“Which one of you saw Mira walk through that door around some minutes past 9pm last night?” I demanded.
The question had barely left my lips when the room fell silent.
They all turned to one another with eyes wide, exchanging surprising glances as if I had just asked something that sounds strangely abominable.
No one could speak.
Jared cleared his throat after talking briefly with the four guards at the front. I guess he was trying to confirm the truth from them before facing me.
“Mira was never here last night, Alpha” Jared revealed. “ Luna Annabelle came last night—alone. Not Mira” Jared clarified and everyone supported his judgment.
My jaw jotted. Is this some joke? Does it mean I have been hallucinating?
Everyone keeps saying the same thing. But I saw Mira clearly. I could still remember the outfit she wore. We spoke too.
I kept silent for a while then raised another question.
“ Fiona,” my eyes narrowed towards her direction. “ Where were you last night after serving me dinner?” I demanded. Maybe I could hear the truth from her.
Fiona stepped forward with her head lowered.
” After serving you dinner last night, I was heading back to the maids’ quarters when I suddenly ran into Luna Annabelle. She was walking in just moments after I had finished serving your meal. We spoke for some minutes before she made her way to your chambers” Fiona said, her voice steady.
This one confirmation from Fiona didn't help clarify the matter.
If I spoke with Mira last night then Fiona should be aware of it also. She had walked out of the dinner room shortly after I finished speaking with Mira.
Does it mean no one saw Mira or something? I thought to myself.
“Alpha,” Jared's voice struck. “I’m sure Mira didn't enter the pack house last night. I could have found it out myself if she did. Because I was with the other guards outside till it was late In the night”
The certainty in Jared's voice made me more bewildered.
Did I speak to a ghost last night other than Mira? This is strange.
Lifting my blank face up, my voice echoed.
“ You all can return to your duties” I dismissed the maids and guards and turned to Jared. “ Wait behind for me”
Once the maids and guards walked away, I rose up from my seat, walking towards Jared, my features motionless.
“Guild the royal chamber. If Annabelle must move anywhere, you must follow her around. I'll be right back” I commanded and began to leave.
Jared opened his mouth, as if to speak, but then abruptly shut it, swallowing his words and following my instructions instead.
Heading outside, I commanded one of the guards to quickly untie one of the horses.
He bowed and hurried to get the horse.
Abruptly I mounted the horse and pulled the reins with my trembling fingers.
The horse neighed and sped.
Some hours later, I arrived at the Dark Wolf Pack and began heading towards Beta Drew place.
Something wasn't right about last night and I needed to get to the root of the matter.
Why would I be the only one who saw Mira last night?
‘Is she now a ghost or shapeshifter?’ I thought to myself.
There's something mysterious about Mira but the more I try to unveil her hidden identity, the more shrouded she becomes.
The front door to Beta Drew's house was opened when I arrived. I could hear a female voice faintly from inside also.
The atmosphere was strangely peaceful too.
My heart kept beating fast in my chest. I was in Beta's chambers for a mission—to find out if mate Annabelle is truly the one in my pack house.
A still small voice kept whispering to me that Mira might be up to something–something dark and hidden.
Mira is desperate just like Sarah. She can do anything just to have me all to herself.
Jumping down from the horse, I quickly tied it to a tree very close to the house and hurried inside.
Since the door was flung open, I didn't bother to knock but just walked in.
The living room was empty but I could hear soft chuckles coming from the kitchen.
Attempting to walk to the kitchen, my eyes immediately caught with Beta Drew's.
He was walking out from his inner chambers with his hands rubbing his stomach gently.
Immediately he sighted me, his brows lifted.
“Alpha Ashton?” He gave me a surprise glance.
I quickly walked towards him and we exchanged pleasantries.
“I'm here to see Annabelle. Where's she?” I thoughtfully asked so I could hear the truth from Beta himself.
Somehow, I noticed Beta's chest tightening. His face became blank as well.
“What do you mean, Alpha?” Beta's brow furrowed. “ Annabelle left for your pack yesterday. Isn't she in your pack house?”
Beta could barely finish speaking when Mira walked in from the kitchen, holding a small clean tray in her hands.
Immediately our gazes met, I noticed how her lower lips etched in a triumphant smile.