The mark
Cleopatra's POV
I lay still, pretending to be in pain as the maid attended to me.
I briefly thought about how we crept through a hidden route to get close.
This plan was one of the dumbest Beta Jack has ever come up with, I thought.
Just then I remembered, the masking spray should have worn off by now. I haven't sprayed the substance and it's long overdue, I peered open my eyes and called out to the maid.
“Water,” I croaked out. “I need water.”
Just as the door closed behind the maid, I rushed to where I hid the bottle and sprayed it all over my body before returning it to the spot where I hid it earlier.
Just as I was trying to go back to the bed and continue my quiet pretense, a wave of nausea slammed into me. It felt like the floor was rotating and I couldn't match its rhythm.
What is happening to me? I thought before losing consciousness and collapsing on the floor, the last sound I heard being that of a crystal flower vase shattering.
The world spun as I came to, my vision blurry and a throbbing pain pulsing in my head. I remembered how I fainted and hit my head on the floor board.
I was in a plush bed. The room didn't seem familiar. Panic surged. Was I still in the Stone Heart Pack? I thought to myself.
Across the room, a maid bustled about, humming a tune while she was cleaning up the place.
“Where am I?” My voice hoarse as I rasped.
The maid jumped, startled. “The east wing, miss, Alpha Williams carried you here after we found you on the floor. The doctor just left like an hour ago after examining you,” she said amidst carrying out her duties.
East wing? A doctor examined me? Why is fate going against me? I thought.
This whole game my pack played reeked of suspicion. Alpha Williams would be dumb if he doesn't feel anything off. I told them I got this whole situation under control but Beta Jack wouldn't listen.
Suddenly, the door flung open revealing a furious Renee and Alpha Williams, who had a look I can't decipher masked on his face. Renee’s eyes narrowed at me, suspicion etched on her face.
“Miss Cleopatra,” she said, her voice cold, “I heard you were found close to the watchtower. I've got some questions, how did the rogues get past our parameters? You have to get past there to get to the watchtower. And even if they did manage to sneak past, why didn't we detect their scent?”
Williams who has been staring intently at me flinched, a flicker of unease crossing his features.
My heart pounded but I tried to remain calm. This confirmed my worries. They knew something was off but how do I cover this up? How do I get out of this?
“You haven't answered my questions, miss,” Renee's urgent voice lashed out once again.
My gut clenched. “All I remember was waking up to the sound of someone in my room but I was too late, I couldn't fight them off. They put a piece of cloth over my nose and I passed out. Next thing I remember is lying on the floor, I just got up and ran,” I said, stopping briefly to meet her eyes. “I don't know how it happened… But,” I paused, thinking about this carefully, the only way to get out of this is to rat the spy out. Beta Jack got me into this mess, he should be ready to lose an insider.
“But what,” Alpha Williams said for the first time since they entered.
“I think there is an insider working for the rogues because minutes before I passed out, someone said they had the back door opened for them.” I finished and Alpha Williams sighed as if I confirmed his thoughts.
William's POV
Cleopatra's words echoed in the room, each syllable a hammer blow to my already fractured nerves. My wolf snarled within, confused and agitated. Then there was that scent that clung to Cleopatra, a strange intoxicating musk. What was that?
“Leave us,” I said to Renee in a calm tone.
She hesitated but left quietly with the maid hot on her trail.
“Now tell me,” I said in a low growl, eyes fixed on Cleopatra, as I closed the space between us, “Was the rescue staged? Is someone toying with me? Who are you really?”
I watched closely as a flicker of unease crossed her features. She seemed a little uncomfortable but she quickly masked it with a defiant look and bursted out laughing like a possessed person.
“So you think I would stage my own kidnap and rescue? All for what? To win your goddamn heart? Or better still be the new luna of your pack? She asked amidst laughing, “Mr Alpha, I can leave this minute if you want me to and I think that's better than having you insult my person, ” she scoffed.
I searched her eyes for any hint of lies but there was none. It's either she is very good at concealing things or she's being truthful.
The whole situation seemed staged. There is this feeling tugging at my chest that says so. But the problem is why would this happen and who is playing this trick?
“Instead of throwing unnecessary accusations at me, why not try and figure out who the spy is among your people?” I heard her say.
“You mentioned you heard the person's voice. Can you confirm it if I have all my staff repeat what was said before you?” I asked her, a little distracted, other thoughts clouding my mind.
Someone is toying with me and it's beginning to piss me off.
“Yes,” she replied firmly.
“That settles it then, I'll bring all the staff on duty that day and have them repeat the statement before you in an hour,” I said to her and got up from the bed.
“Am I not welcomed here anymore? I can leave if you want me to, I have a home you know,” she said, sounding a little bit hurt and uncertain.
“I have so many growing questions for you, Cleopatra,” I drawled “Do you think you can give me an honest reply?”
“Of course,” she answered almost immediately, “As long as it's something I have answers to.”
I hesitated for a while in my attempt to put the questions in the best way possible.
“Why do you have the symbol of the Night Wolves branded on your back?”
Cleopatra's breath hitched as her eyes widened in confusion and fear? Isn't she aware of the mark?
Just immediately, the room plunged into darkness as a deafening roar erupted from outside the chamber. We both turned towards the door at the same time, different thoughts weighing in our minds.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
