329- The Cemetery of Women
POV Viktor Averwyn:
“I didn't know anything, and I smelled something different when the pup was born. You know that's a fact, there's no way to hide which wolf sired him. I arrived at the forest at the exact moment Jasmina had just killed the baby. She was going to get rid of him, invent some excuse about an attack or something. That way, I would never discover the betrayal. My wolf took over when I saw the scene, that innocent lifeless being. And I understood everything. I killed her. That's the responsibility I bear. So, damn it, don't compare me to Lucian! The wretched woman was false, a murderer, a liar! I didn't kill an innocent!”
I snarled, furious. It was hard to maintain composure, to stay there.
“Why did you never say that?” Aldren asked.
“Would it have changed anything? Everyone drew their own conclusions about me.”
“And you didn't change them. Who was the baby's father?” I smiled without enthusiasm at Edric.
“Konrad.”
They were surprised and looked at each other. The younger one wanted to know:
“Viktor, if you knew this, why did you never confront him or kill him?”
“The scent was faint, the pup was dead. I didn't identify it. But I felt it again in the human, when his wolf attacked her. Konrad himself confessed.”
“What a mess... everyone says something different...” Aldren huffed.
“Enough talk, we're not getting anywhere.” I took a step back. The atmosphere was tense, my wolves remained on alert. “Do what you think is best. Just be careful not to be unfair. If you were in my situation, I doubt you would act differently.”
“Your daughter is important to you, but the human... it's impossible to understand! So talk to the Elders, ask for more time to investigate, to show your side.” Edric sighed. “If you don't do that, a war will begin.”
“Let it begin.” I turned my back on them and reached the gigantic gate, flanked by Boris and Cezar. I turned around before ending the conversation for good. “Konrad is lying. And he has support, or he wouldn't have gone this far. Be careful. Today I'm in the crosshairs, tomorrow it could be you. Take care of your she-wolves and your pups. There's a lot stinking in this story.”
“Viktor... we asked the Elders for an extension, but the orders have already been given. You need to give an answer today. Think,” Aldren insisted.
“I've already given my answer.”
They cursed, but I entered and headed into my territory.
Rage was eating me alive, for being pressured, for knowing that no one would believe me. If I were at least a little political or a marketer like Konrad, I could fool them all.
As I ran back to the village, my mind worked, actions being demanded quickly. It was all or nothing.
The image of Seraphine invaded me. She was not my destined one. I had long stopped deluding myself and believing what my supposed mother said, about her being human. Or feeling drawn to that gypsy village, as if my destiny were there.
It was idiotic! Several women died in my eagerness to have a family, another betrayed and deceived me. I wouldn't fall into the same trap, especially not with a girl who had the same dirty blood as Jasmina.
I didn't know what she was to me, how to explain that obsession that wouldn't even let me sleep at night, crazy to touch her, to smell her, lick her, bite her, make her mine. It was agony to turn in bed, feel her perfume, vibrate with sickening physical and emotional need.
I could have ordered her locked in another room, but just thinking about being far away made hatred surge. I wouldn't touch her, it was dangerous. But I would keep her with me. Until I understood what it meant, why she affected me in that hungry and desperate way.
Nor would I hand her over to die. Konrad played a fundamental role in this whole mess, and Seraphine was the pivot.
When I entered the village with Boris and Cezar, I ordered them to summon a meeting with all the residents who were not on guard duty, for the end of that afternoon, near the tower in the center of the village.
Then I went to my office, to work, solve problems, organize my strategy.
(...)
POV Seraphine Valerian:
When I woke up, Viktor was no longer in bed.
I sat up, frightened, looking to the side, thinking I had only taken a nap. I was surprised to realize that I was alive, unharmed, and that I had slept soundly through the entire night.
It took me a while to put my thoughts in order, worried and confused, without really understanding what he wanted with me. Nor was there time to find out. I had to act, find a way out, escape from that madness as soon as possible.
I took a shower and used again the black knit leggings and top that Adelina had lent me the day before, along with the slightly large sandals. I untangled my hair haphazardly and felt relieved to realize the door was not locked. I didn't leave immediately.
I walked around the immense, beautiful suite. I went through drawers, personal objects. And I went to a small private room where there were furniture, racks, and shelves with clothes, shoes, and men's accessories. The warm, musky perfume invaded me, stirred my insides. It was impossible not to think of Viktor.
There was nothing I could use as a weapon or a means of escape. Just scissors, needles, and thread, but that wouldn't help me much. Even so, I kept looking, touching the heavy coats of velvet or lighter fabric, some with brocade details.
Tunics and monochromatic shirts, dark pants, leather boots, handmade shoes. Embroidered vests. He liked old, quality things. I doubted those pieces could be found in regular stores.
Would it be a quirk, for being 413 years old? Preferring the fashion of filthy rich nobles from bygone eras? Nothing was old, everything still in excellent condition. He must renew his wardrobe constantly. I felt curious about that.
There were also more common clothes, like the gray pants he wore to sleep that had outlined his... things. I didn't even want to remember! But apparently they weren't his favorites, kept in drawers. I avoided intimate pieces and left there quickly, not understanding why I was snooping.
I went to the hallway, silent. I didn't want Daciana or Adelina to catch me prying, so I opened doors slowly, carefully. Only entering when the room was empty.
Guest rooms, bathrooms, a locked door. What would it be? An office? A torture chamber? One of the rooms was Adelina's, large, with her clothes on an armchair. I left quickly, unhappy that I hadn't found a secret passage or relevant information.