End Of The Villian
A few minutes after Miko left, Matt arrived at the Alpha’s study, slightly breathless, sensing the tension in the air. Theo was standing by the window, his hands clenched behind his back, eyes fixed on the vast expanse of the Dam-Nighade Pack territory below. His expression was calm, yet something in the set of his jaw betrayed restrained fury.
“Alpha,” Matt greeted respectfully, bowing his head slightly. “You sent for me?”
Theo turned slowly, his eyes sharp, calculating. “Yes, I did.” His voice was quiet — too quiet — and that made Matt’s heart beat faster. Theo never used that tone unless something serious had happened.
He gestured toward the chair opposite him. “Sit.”
Matt obeyed immediately, waiting.
Theo walked back to his desk, placed both hands on it, and said evenly, “I believe there’s something more happening inside this estate — something dangerous.”
Matt frowned. “Dangerous? How do you mean, Alpha?”
Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You remember Samantha, don’t you?My late mate’s attendant.”
Matt nodded cautiously. “Yes, Alpha. The one who tried to—”
Theo cut him off with a curt wave of his hand. “Yes, that one. I’ve just learned she visited Mina last night. And that she intends to bring my meal herself tonight.” He straightened, his gaze hardening. “That’s not a coincidence, Matt. Not after everything that’s happened.”
Matt’s brows furrowed deeply. “Do you think she’s plotting something again?”
Theo exhaled, pacing slowly. “I don’t think, Matt — I know she is. That woman has always been deceitful. I ignored her before because I thought grief had driven her mad, but now…” His tone dropped lower, heavier. “Now I suspect she’s hiding a far darker secret.”
Matt leaned forward. “Then what do you want me to do, Alpha?”
Theo’s eyes gleamed, cold but calm. “I want her watched. Closely. No one must suspect she’s under surveillance — not even the maids. Have Jihoo assign two of our best trackers to keep eyes on her every movement. If she speaks to anyone suspicious or leaves her room tonight, I want to know immediately.”
Matt nodded firmly. “Understood.”
“Also,” Theo added, pausing as if weighing his words, “make sure no one tampers with my meal tonight. I’ll handle the rest myself.”
A shadow crossed Theo’s face — a mix of anger and restrained anticipation.
Matt studied him silently for a moment, then asked quietly, “Alpha… does this have anything to do with deceased Luna Rina?”
Theo’s gaze darkened at the mention of her name. For a long moment, he said nothing. Then finally, he replied, his voice low and cold, “Everything in this pack seems to trace back to her — even in death. And I intend to find out why.”
The silence that followed was heavy, charged with unspoken memories and a coming storm.
Matt rose, bowed respectfully, and said, “I’ll see to it immediately.”
Theo gave a short nod, turning his gaze back toward the window — the sunrise reflecting faintly in his silver eyes.
“Good,” he murmured. “Because tonight, Matt… I’ll finally uncover the truth.”
Matt nodded once, hard and quick, then pushed himself up from the chair. He moved like a man with a single, clean purpose.
“Good,” he said. “I’ll get a team together now. Quietly. We don’t panic the pack or tip Samantha off. We find proof — not rumor. If she’s guilty, we bring her in cleanly and let the elders judge.”
Theo exhaled, relief and exhaustion mixed in his face. He sank into the chair and tried to breathe steady. Matt left at once.
\---
Matt worked fast. He chose three of his most trusted scouts and two senior female warriors who knew the servants’ quarters and kitchen routes better than anyone. He kept the group small on purpose — too many eyes would spread fear and gossip, and that would ruin any careful trail.
Before they left, Matt pulled Miko close. “You watch Mina like the Alpha told you,” he ordered quietly. “No blunt moves. Shadow her at a distance. If Samantha approaches Mina again, I want to be the first to know who, what, and where. If Mina needs anything, you bring it straight to me or to the Alpha. Understood?”
Miko’s jaw tightened. “Understood, Beta.”
Matt’s next stop was the kitchen. He stepped inside with the calm authority of a man used to command. Merida, head of the Alpha’s kitchens, lifted her head and saw him. Her face tightened with a small, professional worry — the kitchens always felt the first tremors of trouble.
“Merida,” Matt said without fanfare. “We’re conducting a routine inquiry. I’ll need a list of who’s on duty last fortnight, access to the herb storeroom inventory, and permission to briefly check the maids’ pantry boxes. Discreetly. No one alarmed.”
Merida opened her mouth, then nodded. “Of course. I’ll fetch the records.”
While Merida worked, Matt moved on to the servants’ quarters. He asked the head- chamberlain maid — for the names of those closest to Rina over the last months. Matilda ’s face was tight with grief, but she gave him the list. Matt also requested that the three maids who often moved between Rina’s room and the kitchen be brought for quiet questions.
He didn’t interrogate them in front of others. He sat with each, one by one, in the small, curtained office used for private matters. He kept his voice low, neutral, never accusing. He asked who had been allowed in Rina’s chamber, if anyone had swapped medicines, who had access to the herb stores, and whether anyone had seen Samantha acting strangely. Most answered with anxious faces and shook their heads.
A few hesitated; one or two names came up again and again — Samantha among them, Mina’s name as the girl who had taken the tray to the Alpha that night, and Menar’s frequent trips to the healer and the training ground late at night....
Something was beginning to make sense....