Chapter 122
Soren wasn’t happy when he found out. I still remember the look on his face when he saw the first article–a mix of shock and anger. “How did this get leaked?” he’d asked, his voice tight, as if he was barely holding back his frustration. “I haven‘ t even announced it yet. The council doesn’t even know.”
I have my suspicions, of course. Rhett. He’s the only one who could’ve done it, the only one who would benefit from this kind of chaos. He knows exactly how to get under my skin. But I can’t prove it, and the last thing I want to do is accuse Rhett outright without any evidence. So I’ve kept my suspicions to myself, watching as Soren tries to figure out. how the news got out.
And I have too much on my mind for me to add my opinion on it when he has questioned if I’ve told anyone. All I can think about is Rhett’s threat–the text message he sent me, telling me to come home, or I’d regret it. Every time I glance at my phone, I expect to see another message from him, something.
worse.
But the texts have stopped. And now it’s the silence that
scares me more now.
Getting ready for bed by myself once again. Max is asleep in the room next door, after Soren had his room moved closer and the castle is quiet, the only sound is the faint hum of the wind outside. I pull the curtains shut, wrapping my arms around myself.
I hear the door creak open behind me, and for a second, I
0.00%
<
Chapter 122
think maybe it’s Soren finally coming to bed early, but it’s just one of the guards checking the hall. He nods at me briefly before continuing his rounds. I sigh, turning back to the window, the view of the darkened grounds hidden behind the thick curtains.
I need to tell Soren. Every day I spend lying to him feels like another piece of myself is breaking away. And now, with our engagement out in the open, I feel like I’m drowning in a web of lies that I don’t know how to untangle.
I want to believe that everything will be okay–that Soren will find a way to stop the war before it starts, that Rhett will back off and leave me alone–but I know better. Things are spiraling out of control, and I’m at the center of it.
The door clicks open again, and this time, it’s Soren. He steps. inside, his shoulders tense, his face drawn with exhaustion. Hel looks at me, and I can see the weariness in his eyes.
“Hey,” I say softly, offering a small smile.
He walks over to me, placing a hand on my shoulder, his touch gentle as he leans down to peck my lips. “I’m sorry I’ve been so busy. Things are… escalating faster than I thought.”
I nod, leaning into his touch as he lifts his hand to my cheek. “I understand.”
He sighs, sitting down on the edge of the bed, his eyes fixed on the floor. “The council’s been on edge ever since the engagement news broke. They think it’ll make us more of a target. They’re already questioning whether I can keep you and Max safe.”
“You are keeping us safe,” I say firmly. “The extra guards, the
Chapter 122
security… we’re fine.”
288 Woche
Soren runs a hand through his hair, frustration flashing in his eyes. “But that’s not enough. The fact that someone leaked the news before we were ready–before the council event approved–means that someone’s watching us, Bree. Someone inside or close enough to know our plans. And I need to figure out who, those I’ve told, wouldn’t dare speak of it.”
I swallow hard, the suspicion tightening in my chest. It has to be Rhett. “Do you have any idea who it might be? What about that Alpha, you introduced me as your fiancé?” I ask carefully.
He shakes his head, standing up and pacing the room. “Not yet. But I will. No, Rhett can be a dick, but I’ve known him since he was born, he wouldn’t. He’s arrogant, not stupid.”
“Are you really that close to him?” I ask nervously.
“His father, yes, his father was a good man, his son is still to be seen. I keep giving him the benefit of the doubt with how he runs his pack, but he is nothing like his father when it comes to business.”
The room feels colder suddenly, the weight of his words
pressing down on me. The fear that’s been gnawing at me for days resurfaces, stronger than ever. I watch him, feeling the distance between us growing, even though we’re only a few feet apart.
“I’ll find out who did this,” Soren says again, his voice hardening with determination. “And when I do, they’ll answer for it.”
I nod, but inside, I’m terrified.
