Chapter 188

Chapter 188
Mason's POV

A few hours ago

"Something doesn't feel right," Madilyn said, scrunching up her nose. We had been going through the investigation reports Caleb brought after I asked for them, right after we heard the news of my father's death. For hours, we studied them, looking for clues.

"Why would the killer leave no prints? No signs of a struggle? Yet, the body scent in the room was so strong," she said with growing frustration.

I let out a tired sigh and leaned back on the couch. My body felt heavy, my mind worn out. "Something is definitely off here."

Then, as if our minds had clicked together, we both said, "Maybe it's not their real body scent."

Madilyn sat up straight, realization lighting up her face.

"Oh my God. What if it was one of my perfumes?" she said, her eyes wide. "I might be able to prove it."

I watched her as she quickly explained her idea.

"Each perfume I make has a unique base scent. Even after it mixes with someone's body scent, that base always stays the same. Werewolves never forget scents. If I can isolate that base, I can show it to the officer who smelled the room. If he senses it's the same, we can prove someone used a perfume to hide their true scent."

"How long will it take you to prepare this?" I asked, rubbing my hands over my face.

"At least three days," she replied, a bit unsure. "We need to delay Jayden and Alaska for that long."

I turned to her. "Leave that to me."

I tried to smile, but I could still feel the pain in my chest. She reached over and sat beside me.

"This can't be easy for you," she said softly. "Even if you and your father didn’t always agree, he was still your only family."

I nodded, the pressure building behind my eyes.

"I blamed him for marrying again, for how he treated my mother. But I never wanted him dead. And I never tried to understand him. Now... I just feel guilty."

She took my face in her hands and gently stroked my cheek. "Guilt won’t change what happened. But you can still find peace by finding the truth."

She kissed my forehead, then placed small, warm kisses across my face. Every kiss made the pain a little lighter.

"You’re not alone in this," she whispered. "I’m with you."

I took a deep breath, letting her words wash over me.

"Then the least I can do is find the real killer," I said with new determination.

She smiled and took my hand.

"And we’ll do it together."

I leaned into her, burying my face into her neck.

"Thank you," I murmured. "I don’t know what I would do without you."

"Good thing you won’t have to find out," she whispered back.

\---

Third Person POV

Present Day

"Let the countdown begin, brother."

Mason's words echoed in the Great Hall, heavy and sharp. Jayden stiffened, feeling a chill run down his spine. He had no choice but to accept Mason's challenge. But he set one condition—Johnson would be the judge.

"Why Johnson?" Mason asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jayden replied quickly, "Everyone knows Amanda was once close to you. Johnson, her father, was also close to our late father. It’s only fair to let him judge."

Mason frowned. "Amanda was never my girlfriend. But it doesn’t matter who you choose as judge. Because the truth won’t change."

He turned and walked away without another word.

In the days that followed, Jayden became restless. He had men watching Mason's every move and made sure Leila got updates every hour. But no matter what, Mason seemed calm, as if nothing worried him.

"What has Mason done today?" Jayden asked again, pacing the room.

Leila sighed and looked out the window.

"The same thing. He sits in a chair outside the Coronation Hall, soaking up the sun. And when he’s not doing that, he visits his parents’ graves."

Jayden scoffed.

"He’s trying to confuse us. I need to be sure. The perfume you gave me—are you sure no one will find out about it?"

Leila smiled. "That was Amanda’s idea. The perfume is from Mistyca, a company in Riverdale. They haven’t sold it in Bloodmoon. No one around Mason understands perfumes like Fiona did. And she’s dead."

She chuckled softly.

Three days passed quickly.

It was time.

The Great Hall filled with people. Outside, the sun shone bright. Mason was still lounging outside, looking like he had no care in the world.

Jayden’s ministers laughed.

"Look at the future king's brother, sunbathing like a lazy cat."

"Maybe this is his way of solving crimes."

Jayden watched from inside with a smirk. He was confident Mason had failed. His mother, Alaska, sipped her drink, equally pleased. Johnson looked at his watch, ready to end the matter in Jayden’s favor. Leila and Amanda whispered on the side.

Finally, Jayden spoke up.

"Mason, have you found anything? Or are you just wasting our time?"

Mason stood slowly, stretched, and walked into the Hall. The doors closed behind him.

He looked around.

"There’s a company in Riverdale called Mistyca," he began. "They make special perfumes. These perfumes mix with the user's scent, creating something new. It was meant to help scentless wolves blend in. But now... they’re being used for darker things. Like murder."

The room went quiet.

Jayden's face twitched. "What are you saying? Be clear."

Mason looked right at him. "I’m saying the killer is here. They used that perfume to hide who they really were."

Jayden laughed. "Perfume? Seriously? You have no proof. Are you suddenly an expert in scents?"

Mason smirked.

"No. But I know someone who is."

He turned toward the doors.

"Everyone, meet the creator of those perfumes. The founder of Mistyca. You all know her as my wife."

The doors burst open.

And Madilyn—the woman everyone believed was dead—walked in, her eyes cold, her presence powerful.

Gasps filled the air.

The room held its breath.

Madilyn was alive.

And the truth was about to come out.