Chapter 91

Milla had put me in a position I didn’t anticipate and if I didn’t help her, I knew it wouldn’t be long before she started spilling all of my secrets. She knew too much and too many things. 

I needed help, and I needed them now. I decided to go to Rowan. If there was anyone that could get her mate out of prison it was the alpha king himself. He was the only one who could do that. 

But as I made my way to his chambers, a figure stepped into my path.

It was Isabelle. Queen Isabelle. 

I had forgotten about her. I wondered what she was doing, I thought as I looked at the beautiful pink gown she donned. There was something in her hands. A small black satchel, but I didn’t know what it was. I also didn’t really care what it was. 

"And where do you think you're going lady Arin?" she demanded, her voice sharp and accusing.

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. "It’s princess Arin now. And this is none of your concern, Queen Isabelle."

She stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. "I thought they were lying when they said you’re always sneaking around here, but then perhaps the rumours have been true all this while. What do you want with the alpha king? What do you want with my husband?  Do you think I don't notice you sneaking around? What are you plotting?"

"I'm not sneaking," I lied. "I need to discuss something about my husband Prince Lucian  with the King. It’s very urgent. Now if you will please, make way for me.” 

Her lips curled into a sneer. "Do you take me for a fool? You're lying."

I tried to sidestep her, but she blocked my path.

"Get out of my way, Isabelle," I said through clenched teeth.

"Isabelle?! How dare you! Did you just call me by my name you human scum?!" she hissed. "You think you can worm your way into the Alpha King’s favour don’t you?! But you're nothing more than a Braamin scum. You’ll never be one of us, no matter how hard you try."

Her words stung, but I refused to show it. "Move," I said firmly.

She didn't. Instead, she shoved me, her hand striking my shoulder. I stumbled back, my balance slipping. My heel caught on the edge of the carpet, and I fell to the ground.

I looked up at her, my eyes burning with fury. 

“You crazy woman!” 

"What is going on here?" Rowan's voice cut through the tension like a blade.

I looked up to see him standing in the doorway of his chambers, his expression a mix of anger and confusion.

Isabelle turned to him, her face twisting into a mask of innocence. "She was trying to stop me from seeing you, your Majesty. She's been scheming—"

"That's a lie," I snapped, climbing to my feet.

"Isabelle," Rowan said, his voice low and cold. "Enough."

She looked at him, her mouth opening to protest, but the look in his eyes silenced her.

I didn't wait for her to say anything else. I brushed past both of them, my anger bubbling over.

"Arin," Rowan called after me, but I didn't turn around.

“Don’t worry your Majesty. I’ll leave the two of you to it.” 

Let him deal with Isabelle since she wanted to prove so difficult. I had bigger problems to worry about

………………..

As I hurried down the corridor, my head spinning after my argument with Isabelle. My thoughts were a whirlwind of frustration and confusion when I nearly ran straight into Royal Concubine Elana.

"Royal Concubine?" I said, startled. I hadn't expected to see her here. "I thought you were at the temple. I came to your chambers to see you and I was told you were at the temple.” 

She stopped, tilting her head slightly as her sharp gaze settled on me. "Princess," she said, her voice calm but curt. "I'm here only briefly. There are important matters I must attend to.” 

I frowned, her words immediately raising my suspicions. "Important matters? What could be so urgent that it brings you back to the castle so suddenly?” 

Elana's lips curved into a faint, almost mocking smile. "It's not something you need to concern yourself with, Your Highness. Just mind your own business.” 

My frustration boiled over. "I disagree. If there's something happening in the castle, I have a right to know. What's going on?"

Her smile thinned, and her tone hardened. "You overstep, Princess. Not everything revolves around you. Now if you will, I have urgent matters to attend to.” 

Before I could respond, she turned and walked away without another word, leaving me standing there with my fists clenched. Something was going on, and I wasn't about to let it slide.

I stormed to my room, my patience wearing thin. When I entered, I found Milla in my room  folding linens. She looked up, startled by my sudden arrival.

"Milla," I said sharply, closing the door behind me.

"Your Highness," she stammered. “Have you met with the Alpha King? Were you able to plead my mate’s case?” 

"Oh please not now," I interrupted. "I need answers. Something is going on with the Royal Concubine and I need to know what it is.” 

She hesitated, her hands faltering over the fabric. "Answers about what?"

"The Royal Concubine," I said, narrowing my eyes. "I just saw her in the castle. She claimed she had urgent business, but she wouldn't tell me what it was. But only a few hours ago, her handmaiden had told me she was in the temple. Is she avoiding me? Do you know what's going on?"

Milla's expression shifted, guilt flickering in her eyes. She looked down, avoiding my gaze.

"I might know something," she said cautiously.

"Then tell me," I demanded.

She sighed, wringing her hands together. "Your Highness, with all due respect, you haven't kept your promise to me. You haven’t pleaded my mate’s case.” 

I froze. "What does that have to do with this? Will you tell me what you know or not?” 

"You said you'd help my mate," she said, her voice trembling. "He's still rotting in the dungeons for a crime he didn't commit. And now you're here, asking for more. Why should I help you?"

I softened my tone, guilt gnawing at me. "I'm working on it, Milla. I am just coming back from the Alpha King’s chambers, I couldn’t see him but I’m sure I’ll be able to see him soon. But this is important. If you know something about Elana, I need you to tell me."

Her gaze hardened as she crossed her arms. "You want me to risk everything for you, but you've done nothing for me. How is that fair?"

I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my frustration. "Because if Elana is involved in something dangerous, it could affect me—all of us, including you and your mate."

Milla hesitated, clearly torn. After a long pause, she sighed and set the linens aside. "Fine," she muttered. "But don't think I'll forget your promise."

"I won't," I assured her. "Now, what do you know?"

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The Royal concubine has been secretly meeting with members of the wolf clans. I overheard the guards talking about it. She's been planning something, but no one knows exactly what. All they know is that they’ve had a few meetings together already.” 

My stomach twisted. "When's their next meeting?"

"Tomorrow night," she said. "Just before the full moon."

"Where?" I pressed.

Milla hesitated before answering. "In the northern wing, near the old council chambers. But..." She trailed off, biting her lip.

"But what?"

"Be careful," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "Elana isn't someone you want to cross. If she finds out you're meddling..."

I nodded. "Thank you, Milla. I'll handle it from here."

As I turned to leave, she grabbed my arm. "Wait," she said urgently. "I also heard that Prince Lucian is coming back. They are trying to garner enough support for him to fight alpha king Rowan for the throne.” 

My knees went weak as I heard her.

“What?”

“He might be back right after the full moon. Your husband is coming back home.”