Kadus was already there by the time I returned back to our room.
That could only mean one thing
“Where did you go?” I
he asked, his voice carefully neutral.
My heart skipped a beat. “I needed to take some alt… why?
There was a moment of uncomfortable silence between us. His eyes Harrowed slightly, studying my face,
“You are back early.” I tried to keep my tone casual, though my pulse was racing.
His
gaze never left my face, studying every micro–expression.
Any luck tracking down the rebel? I asked, moving to the dresser to avoid his penetrating
nu stare.
Lets
not talk about that right now,” he said, rising from the bed and approaching me. His movements were fluid, predatory.
“You are very special to me,” he said, and my heart fluttered. This was the second time he had told me that. “I want you to tell me now, i
there anything I need to know, Elowen?”
There it was. He knew something. I was almost sure about it, but I would never give my mother up.
“I am not hiding anything from you, Kalus,” I lied, and he nodded.
He brought my hands to his lips, placing a kiss on it
I miss t
this a lot,” he said softly.
My heart pounded in my chest. Tll be here… always.”
Cold dread washed through me. “Yes, you will be.”
A subtle shift occurred in his demeanor, the gentle lover replaced by the calculating Alpha. “You stepped out for some fresh air… Yet you ended up in your mother’s apartment; could you explain that?”
My blood turned to ice. He knew. Somehow, he knew, “So what? I visited her.”
Had you
been a part of the plan?” His voice hardened.
“What plan? I don’t understand what you are saying, and you are freaking me out. I pulled against his grip, but he held firm.
ng you out?” His tone was deadly quiet now.
“Am I freaking
I my hand.” I tried to project confidence didn’t feel.
“Yes, how about you let go of my hand”
“Perhaps 1
could refresh your memory. He nodded toward the door, and I heard it open behind me.
I turned to see two soldiers entering, dragging my mother between them. Her arms were bound behind her back, her face bruised, but her eyes–those eyes so like my own–were defiant.
“Mother!… Let her go, Kaius.” I yanked free of his grip and moved toward her, but he caught my arm.
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“Leave us,” he ondered the soldiers, who released my
maller and related, closing the door behind th
Katus approached her slowly, his movements calculated to intimidat He grasped her bound arms, turning them to reveal the wound I’d noticed earlier–an angry slash that had begun to heal but was clearly recent.
“An injury that would only be inflicted by a silver weapon… n slagget inaybe,” he said, releasing her arm with a dismissive gesture.
“She had no part in this. It was all me,” My mother’s voice was steady, her gaze locked on Kalus.
“Mom, stop it!” I shouted frantically, then whirled toward Kaius. “For God’s sake, Kalus, I’m begging you–spare my mother! Pleaser
“Why would I do that? Kaius turned to me, his expression coldly analytical.
“Because I am your Luna,” I responded, trying to invoke what little authority I had.
Kaius laughed, the sound devoid of humor. “I must admit, you held on to tell me, what had the both of you planned next?”
in your little secret longer than I expected you would. So now
“Please, she is all I have; she
he knew nothing; it was all on me, my mother insisted.
“I do not believe that,” Kaius countered.
“Let her go; you can have me. It confess to my deeds and bear the punishment. My mother’s voice broke slightly, her eyes pleading.
“She paid you a visit when you were away, and when I asked if she met you, her response was yes. So tell me why she would hide a thing like that if she hadn’t been a part of this plan,”
“Kaius, I must confess, my mother said, her voice laced with bitter Satisfaction. I’ve wanted that bastard dead for years. Yes, I planned it all–the sleeping pills, the timing, everything, I watched him lie there helpless, unable to move a muscle, and 1 enjoyed every second of his powerlessness. And you were next on my list. My only regret is that I failed.‘ She spoke firmly, her chin raised in
defiance.
“No, mom, please.” I moved to stand between them, as if my body could shield her from his wrath.
“And I would do it again if I had the chance. If there is an afterlife, would come for you.” My mother’s voice gained strength, her eyes burning with unwavering resolve.
Kaius’s expression hardened further at this blatant disrespect. “Alaric wants you dead, so I guess you know what the punishment
would be?”
“Il die either way,” she replied, sounding almost resigned to her fate
“You made a very insensitive move, woman, Kaius said, a hint of genuine curiosity in his voice.
“I do not regret a thing, my mother responded, her eyes flashing with the hatred of decades.
And what makes you think you can kill me, now or in another life?” Kaius asked, his voice cold with contempt.
“Mom, please stop, I begged, seeing the situation deteriorating rapidly.
“He is right,” she said, turning to me, her expression softening. “I was foolish to think I could succeed…”
“If you truly cared for your daughter, you would have tried to stay alive instead of pursuing this vendetta,” Kajus said indifferently
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My mother nodded slowly. Tshould have thought of you first,” she dmitted to me,
“I’ll find a way to save
save you,‘ I promised her, desperation making my dolce tremble.
I will not ask for that,” she said firmly, her eyes holding mine.
“I made my choice, and 1 do not deserve your forgiveness.”
“I forgive you anyway,” I whispered, tears blurring my vision.
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