Chapter 50 Seeds Of Doubt
Ella sat on the edge of her bed, her thoughts racing. The encounter with Morgana earlier had left her unsettled. The woman spoke in riddles, her words carrying a weight Ella couldn’t ignore. And Valen—he hadn’t said a word. He's avoiding her questions, hiding behind a wall she couldn’t break.
“What is he keeping from me?” she muttered under her breath.
After pacing for what felt like an eternity, she decided she couldn’t let this go. If Valen wouldn’t talk, maybe Scottie, his sister, could. Scottie had always been friendly, even warm. Surely, she’d help.
Ella found Scottie in the garden, pruning the roses with care. The younger woman’s vibrant smile lit up the space, but it faltered slightly when she saw Ella approaching.
“Ella!” Scottie greeted, her voice cheerful but with a hint of nervousness. “What brings you here?”
“I need to talk,” Ella said, her tone serious.
Scottie set down the shears, wiping her hands on a cloth. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”
Ella hesitated, unsure how to start. “It’s about Valen. And Morgana.”
Scottie’s smile vanished. “Morgana? What about her?”
“She said things—things about Valen that didn’t make sense. And Valen hasn’t told me anything. I feel like I’m being kept in the dark.”
Scottie’s brows furrowed. “What exactly did Morgana say?”
“She talked about things Valen didn’t tell me. Secrets. Something about me being blind to the truth.” Ella’s voice trembled slightly, frustration seeping in. “Scottie, please. I need to know. What’s going on?”
Scottie looked away, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Ella, it’s not my place to say. Valen—he has his reasons for keeping certain things private.”
Ella’s eyes widened in disbelief. “So, you’re just going to keep quiet too? Do you know how frustrating this is? Everyone’s speaking in riddles, and I’m left guessing!”
“Ella, it’s not that simple—”
“Then make it simple!” Ella snapped, her voice rising.
Before Scottie could respond, a slow, mocking clap interrupted them. Both women turned to see Morgana sauntering into the garden, her smile dripping with malice.
“Well, well,” Morgana purred. “If it isn’t the clueless little mate and the overprotective sister.”
Ella stiffened. “What do you want, Morgana?”
“Me?” Morgana feigned innocence. “I was just passing by. But I couldn’t help overhearing your… conversation.”
Scottie stepped forward, her tone sharp. “Morgana, this isn’t your business. Leave.”
Morgana ignored her, turning her full attention to Ella. “You want answers, don’t you, dear? About Valen. About what he’s hiding.”
Ella hesitated but nodded. “Yes.”
Scottie’s eyes widened. “Ella, don’t—”
Morgana smirked. “Oh, Scottie, don’t be so dramatic. If Valen truly cared for her, he wouldn’t keep her in the dark, would he?”
“Morgana, stop!” Scottie’s voice was firm, but there was a hint of desperation.
“No, Scottie,” Ella said, her tone cutting through the tension. “Let her talk. She’s the only one actually saying something.”
Morgana’s smirk widened. “Smart girl. You deserve to know the truth, Ella. Valen isn’t who you think he is. He’s dangerous. His hatred for healers runs so deep, he’d rather see them suffer than admit one might actually be worth trusting.”
Ella’s breath hitched. “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, didn’t he tell you?” Morgana leaned in closer, her voice a whisper. “He blames healers for Lydia’s death. His precious mate. The one he lost. That hatred? It’s why he doesn’t trust you. Why he keeps secrets. Why do you think you were brought here in the first place? Do you think your meeting was a mere coincidence?”
“Enough, Morgana!” Scottie snapped, stepping between them. “You’re twisting things. Ella, don’t listen to her.”
But Ella’s mind was already spinning. “This name Lydia again, who’s she exactly?” she asked, her voice barely audible.
Scottie froze, glancing at Morgana, who looked all too pleased with herself.
“You mean he hasn’t even told you about her?” Morgana gasped mockingly. “Wow. He really is keeping you in the dark.”
“Ella, don’t believe her,” Scottie said, her tone pleading. “She’s trying to create doubt. Morgana thrives on chaos.”
“But is she lying?” Ella demanded, her voice breaking. “Scottie, tell me the truth. Who’s Lydia and what does she mean to Valen?”
Scottie hesitated, her silence speaking volumes.
Ella’s heart sank. “You won’t even tell me, will you? You expect me to trust you and Valen when neither of you trusts me enough to be honest?”
“It’s not like that,” Scottie said, reaching for her.
Ella pulled away, her eyes brimming with tears. “No. It’s exactly like that.”
Morgana’s smile returned, subtle but victorious. “See? Even Scottie won’t tell you. What does that say about your beloved Valen?”
“Stop it, Morgana!” Scottie hissed.
“Why? Because I’m telling her the truth?” Morgana shot back. “Or because you’re afraid she’ll finally see Valen for who he really is?”
Scottie glared at her. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, I know more than you think,” Morgana said, her voice dripping with malice. “And so does Ella now.”
Ella took a shaky step back, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Morgana’s words, Scottie’s silence, Valen’s avoidance—it all painted a picture she couldn’t ignore.
“I can’t do this,” Ella whispered. Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving the two women behind.
As soon as Ella disappeared into the house, Scottie rounded on Morgana.
“What is wrong with you?” she demanded.
Morgana shrugged. “I told her what she needed to know. If Valen won’t be honest with her, someone has to. You both know she doesn't belong here and someone needs to make that very clear to her and that's where I come in.”
“You didn’t tell her the truth,” Scottie snapped. “You told her just enough to make her doubt him. You’re trying to tear them apart.”
Morgana’s smile turned cold. “Maybe I am. Or maybe I’m just showing her who Valen really is. Either way, it’s not my fault he’s too much of a coward to tell her himself. I know you don't really like me nor want me to be your brother's queen, but that she wolf would never be his Queen.”
Scottie’s hands clenched into fists. “You don’t care about Ella or Valen. You just want to cause them pain.”
Morgana leaned in, her voice low and taunting. “And you’re too naive to see that this little fairy tale of theirs is doomed. She’ll leave him, Scottie. It’s only a matter of time.”
Scottie glared at her. “You don’t know that.”
Morgana chuckled. “We’ll see.”
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Scottie fuming in the garden.
Meanwhile Ella entered her room and shut the door to her room, leaning against it as tears streamed down her face. Her chest tightened with anger, hurt, and confusion.
She had trusted Valen, believed in him. But now, doubts clouded her heart. There's more to this Lydia. Why hadn’t he told her about his hatred for healers? And why was Morgana the only one willing to say anything?
“Why won’t he just talk to me?” she whispered, sliding down to the floor. “Why am I even here in the first place?”
As the night deepened, Ella’s confusion turned to anger. She wasn’t sure who to believe anymore—Morgana, Scottie, or even Valen.
But one thing was certain: she couldn’t keep pretending everything was fine.