Chapter 47 Chapter 47

Chapter 47 Chapter 47
Ethan's POV

I couldn't breathe.

The smoke filled my lungs, it's thick, choking and I tried to cough it out but it kept coming.

Around me, guards dropped to their knees. Gasping. Marcus was bent over, his hands on his knees as he kept struggling.

Sophia was beside me., I pulled her close. I tried to shield her from the smoke even though I could barely breathe.

"What the hell…" I choked out.

Through the purple haze, I saw her.

Violet.

Standing there like the smoke didn't touch her, her hands still glowing with a face calm. While we all are choking to death here.

Fury shot through me.

What was she doing? We were about to handle Marcus, about to end this madness of his here and she interfered. Is she now working with him?

This bitch!

The smoke started to thin. Slowly, it was like Violet was pulling it back.

I took a shaky breath, my throat burned and my eyes watered.

Sophia coughed beside me, I held her tighter. I could protect her first, make sure she is okay.

"Are you insane? Do you want us all dead?" I yelled at Violet, immediately I found my voice.

She looked at me, unfazed by my words. "No. But you two were about to be."

"We had it under control," I snapped.

"Really?" Violet raised an eyebrow. "Because from where I stood, you were seconds away from ripping each other apart."

Marcus straightened up. Still coughing. His face red with rage. "You….. you attacked us."

"I stopped you from killing each other," Violet corrected. "There's a difference."

"You had no right…" Marcus started.

"I had every right." Violet's voice was sharp. "You're both acting like idiots. Fighting over nothing."

"Nothing?" Marcus's voice rose. "Lila's body was stolen. From my territory. And these two…" he pointed at me and Sophia, "..are responsible."

"Are they?" Violet crossed her arms. "Or are you just looking for someone to blame?"

Marcus glared at her. "You're working with them. You showed up at the ceremony. Exposed Lila. And now you're defending them."

"I'm not defending anyone," Violet said. "I'm telling you the truth. Which you'd see if you weren't so blind."

"Blind?" Marcus took a step toward her. "I found Sophia's hair pin. Right where Lila's body was. That's proof."

"Proof that someone planted it," Violet shot back. "You really think Sophia's that stupid? That she'd break into your palace and leave evidence behind?"

Marcus's jaw clenched.

"She's not the one you should be looking at," Violet continued. "There's more going on here than you realize."

"Like what?" I demanded.

Violet's eyes shifted to me. "I've been tracking something. Something that doesn't add up."

"What are you talking about?" Sophia asked. Her voice was hoarse from the smoke.

"I can't say yet," Violet said. "But trust me. This goes deeper than Lila. Deeper than Marcus."

"That's convenient," Marcus sneered. "You can't say. Or you won't."

"Believe what you want," Violet said flatly.

Footsteps came from behind. Fast.

Max appeared. Out of breath. He looked at Violet. Then at the scene around us. "What happened?"

"Your mate decided to attack everyone," I said coldly.

Max's eyes widened. "Violet…"

"I stopped the fight," Violet said. Not apologizing. "They were about to kill each other."

Max looked between me and Marcus. Sighed. "Violet, you can't just…"

"I can and I did," she interrupted. "And I'd do it again."

Marcus pointed at her. "She's working with them. Can't you see that?"

"She's not working with anyone," Max said firmly. "She's trying to help."

"Help?" Marcus laughed. Bitter. "By attacking my warriors? By defending thieves?"

"We're not thieves," Sophia said. Her voice was steady now. Stronger. "We didn't take Lila's body. And you know it."

"I know what I found," Marcus said.

"You found a hair pin," I said. "That's all. Not proof. Not evidence. Just a pin that could've been planted by anyone."

"Including you," Marcus shot back.

I stepped forward. Close enough to see the fury in his eyes. "Get off my territory. Now."

"Or what?" Marcus challenged. "You'll attack me? Kill me like you tried before?"

"I never tried to kill you," I said through gritted teeth. "But you sent assassins after me. We have proof."

"Proof you made up."

"Leave," I said. Voice low. Dangerous. "Before I make you."

Marcus looked around. At his warriors. Then at mine.

He was outnumbered. On my land. Surrounded by my guards.

He knew it.

"This isn't over," Marcus said.

"It never is with you," I replied.

Marcus turned. Started walking back toward his warriors.

"Wait," Violet said.

Everyone stopped.

Marcus looked back at her. "What?"

"If you really want to find out what happened to Lila," Violet said. "Start looking at your own pack. And search for yourself. Ask if you're not under an illusion too. How do we believe you? Maybe you want to cover up for sending assassins to Ethan."

Marcus froze.

"What do you mean?" His voice was quiet now.

"Stop asking me questions," Violet said. "Ask yourself those questions."

Silence.

Marcus stared at her. His face shifted. Confusion. Shock. Anger. All at once.

Then he turned and walked away. Fast. His warriors followed.

We stood there. Watching.

Marcus's shoulders were tense. His steps are heavy.

He looked like a man who'd just been hit with something he didn't want to believe.

"Go," I said to him. Even though he was already leaving. "And don't come back."

Marcus didn't respond. Just kept walking until he and his warriors disappeared beyond the border.

I turned to Sophia. She was pale. Tired.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She nodded. But I could see the exhaustion in her eyes.

Max stood beside Violet. His hand on her shoulder. She looked calm. Like she hadn't just stopped a war.

"What did you mean?" I asked her. "About Marcus's own pack?"

Violet met my eyes. "Exactly what I said."

"You think someone in Shadowmoon moved the body?" Sophia asked.

"I think," Violet said slowly, "that Marcus should stop looking outward. And start looking inward."

"That's not an answer," I said.

"It's the only one I have right now," Violet replied.

I wanted to push. Demand more. But I could see she wasn't going to say anything else.

I looked back at the border. Where Marcus had disappeared.

Something about this whole situation felt wrong.

Lila's body is missing. The hair pin. Marcus accusing us.

It was too convenient. Too planned.

Someone was playing a game.

And we were all pieces on the board.

"Let's go inside," I said finally. "We need to talk. Figure this out."

Sophia nodded.

We turned and headed back toward the palace, Violet and Max followed.

But I couldn't shake the image of Marcus's face.

That shock, that confusion written so clearly on his face.

Like he'd just realized something he didn't want to admit.

Whatever Violet said hit him hard.

And I had a feeling this was far from over.