Chapter 217

Chapter 217
Eleanor's POV

Nia swallowed painfully. "He wanted to create attacks in Forestvale to scare Alpha Quinn. Then he visited to prevent Alpha Edward from discovering what he'd done. He convinced Alpha Quinn to ally with Alpha Killian Halloway. Alpha Edward agreed because he and Alpha Quinn are close."

She paused, coughing weakly before continuing. "My uncle used the opportunity to create problems that would force Alpha King Levenston to attack. Then he could send me as a tribute and get rid of you, Natalie, and Maggie so Claire could control Forestvale." Her eyes flickered with resentment. "But Claire didn't do what he told her to. This is bigger than all of us, and I was just following orders. My uncle said I had to."

"You expect me to believe you're just an innocent pawn?" I asked skeptically.

"I can give you something," Nia said, desperation creeping into her voice. "I know the names of Elder Council members involved in the organization. I'll trade them for a lighter punishment."

Remy nodded vigorously from her chains. "Me too. I'll cooperate."

"Why should I believe either of you?" I asked, studying their faces carefully.

"I didn't have a choice," Nia insisted. "My uncle raised me after my parents died. I depended on him."

Remy's eyes filled with fresh tears. "They killed my mate. I wanted revenge."

I considered their offers. Names of Elder Council members would be valuable information, especially with the planned arrests tomorrow night.

"If you can provide and verify the identities of Elder Council members in the organization, I'll consider a lesser punishment," I said. "Go on."

"My uncle's associates started visiting secretly about three years ago," Nia explained. "I don't remember names, but I'd recognize their voices."

I pulled out my phone and began scrolling through a list of council members. "I'll read names, and you tell me if they're involved."

Nia nodded, water still dripping from her hair.

"Sebastian Holbrooke."

She shook her head firmly.

"Quentor Westerfield."

Another negative response.

"Francis Va—"

"Yes," she interrupted, her pupils dilating slightly.

I felt a surge of satisfaction. One confirmed.

"Glenn Cole."

She furrowed her brow and shook her head.

"Azalea Gray."

"No," she replied. I felt a twinge of disappointment; I'd been hoping to catch more of them.

"Gregory Savidge."

She shook her head without hesitation.

"Bruce Wayat."

Nia frowned, then nodded slowly.

"Anyone else?" I pressed.

"Theron Caudill," she offered. "He's quiet in the meetings. Just passes notes for the leader to sign." She hesitated. "He and Helena Holbrooke worked together to kill the leader of the Elder Council, Ewan Holbrooke, Sebastian's father. I think he hates Sebastian Holbrooke."

Her eyes had the clear look of someone telling the truth. I made mental notes of all these details.

"I can give you more," Nia said quickly. "I have a computer with emails, passwords. I'll help you organize everything if you'll reduce my sentence."

Maggie crossed her arms. "We'll consider it after we verify what you've told us."

"One more thing," Nia added, looking directly at me. "Eliza betrayed you. She told them you knew about the plan."

I stilled, processing this information. If Eliza had warned the organization, it could explain why Qiana had vanished.

"You want us to catch your uncle, don't you?" I asked, suddenly realizing her angle.

Nia lowered her head, wet hair falling over her face. "Yes," she admitted softly.

"Why?"

"Being in prison would be better than living under his control," she whispered. "He's kept me prisoner my whole life anyway."

Remy looked confused. "But you always seemed so loyal to him."

Nia laughed bitterly. "The organization talks about freedom for wolf packs, but they want to install this 'Sovereign' as the ruler. It's all lies."

I studied her, noting the fear and relief alternating in her eyes. She seemed mentally unstable, and I couldn't help feeling a twinge of pity for her.

"We're done for now," I announced, nodding to Natalie and Maggie. We left the room, locking it securely behind us.

In the hallway, Maggie and Natalie looked tired but satisfied. My own mind was racing with all the new information.

"We need to rest before I see Claire," I told them as we walked back toward my side hall. "I'll fill you in on everything later."

Sebastian, I called through our link as we walked. We've identified three more Elder Council members: Francis Vasquez, Bruce Wayat, and Theron Caudill.

What? His voice in my mind sounded shocked. Theron? Are you certain?

That's what Nia says. She claims he and Helena worked together to kill Ewan Holbrooke.

This is getting more complicated by the hour, he responded, concern evident in his tone. And we still don't know who the Sovereign is.

The plan is still to arrest everyone tomorrow night and hope the Sovereign and others reveal themselves? I asked.

Yes. We don't have much choice at this point.

I ended the link, feeling both anxious and excited about what tomorrow would bring.

I returned to my side hall to rest with Maggie and Natalie. My body ached from standing too long, and my mind felt like it had been through a blender. But beneath the exhaustion, a current of satisfaction ran through me. We had the list. We had names. We were making progress.

"I still can't believe some of the names on that list," Maggie said, lounging across from me in a plush armchair. "Elder Council members... it's no wonder Sebastian's been having so much trouble."

I nodded, rubbing my temples. "I just wish we could have identified the Sovereign. Having all these pawns is great, but I want the Sovereign."

"We'll get there," Natalie assured me, her eyes thoughtful. "The more people we question, the closer we'll get."

"Sebastian's plan is insanely complicated," I admitted. "The coordinated arrests across all territories, the timing, the secrecy... one wrong move and everything falls apart." I didn't want to bother him with updates right now. He was busy working out final details with Edward and Killian, and that kind of precision planning required focus.

Maggie stretched her legs out in front of her. "Speaking of falling apart, we went too easy on Eliza." A smile played at her lips.

"I think she got off too easy," she continued, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. "After everything she did."

Natalie snorted. "Easy? She's in a silver jail cell waiting for a trial that may never come. I'd say that's pretty fitting."

"True," Maggie conceded with a laugh. "Nothing worse than mental torture. Sitting there day after day, knowing your fate, unable to defend yourself..."

I joined their laughter. "Death would have been too easy an escape for her. If she values her life, she'll make good use of the gift I've given her instead of throwing everything away for nothing."

"I'll never understand people like her," I added, shaking my head. "She had everything, comfort, safety, a potential future. And she threw it away. For what? For someone who wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice her? So fucking stupid."

Suddenly, a link brushed against my mind. Berry, I need a favor.