Chapter 12: Shadows Within the Palace

The palace had never been quieter.

Following the Alpha King's orders, every gate leading in and out of the Royal Palace had been sealed. Royal guards stood watch at every entrance while patrols doubled throughout the corridors. Even the visiting Alphas found themselves confined within the palace grounds until the investigation into the Moonstone incident was complete.

Fear settled over everyone like a heavy fog.

No one knew who could be trusted anymore.

Least of all Micaela.

Although the Alpha King had publicly declared her innocent, the whispers hadn't disappeared. If anything, they had become even louder.

"The Moonstone protected her."

"She's blessed by the Moon Goddess."

"Or cursed."

"Humans don't survive royal attention without a reason."

Micaela kept her head lowered as she walked through the eastern corridor carrying fresh linens to the royal chambers. Every passing servant either avoided her completely or stared openly. The kindness she once received from familiar faces had vanished overnight.

Only Clara remained by her side.

"Ignore them," Clara whispered.

"I'm trying."

"You're innocent."

"That doesn't seem to matter."

Clara sighed.

"People fear things they don't understand."

"I'm beginning to fear myself."

Before Clara could respond, Lady Eleanor appeared.

"Micaela."

"Yes, my lady?"

"His Majesty has requested your presence in the western library."

Micaela froze.

"Now?"

"Immediately."

"Yes, my lady."

Clara looked worried.

"I'll wait for you."

Micaela offered a weak smile before making her way through the palace.

The western library was one of the oldest rooms in the castle. Towering bookshelves stretched toward the ceiling while sunlight filtered through enormous stained-glass windows depicting generations of Alpha Kings.

The Alpha King stood alone near one of the windows.

His back was turned.

"Your Majesty," Micaela greeted softly.

"Come closer."

She obeyed.

For several long moments, neither of them spoke.

Finally, he turned toward her.

"How are you feeling?"

She looked surprised.

"I'm... fine."

"You're lying."

Micaela looked down.

"I've never been accused of something so terrible before."

"I know."

"I thought I was going to die."

The King's jaw tightened.

"You won't."

"How can you be so certain?"

"Because I won't allow it."

The confidence in his voice made her heart race.

"Why?"

He hesitated.

"Because you're under my protection."

The answer was truthful.

But incomplete.

His wolf growled quietly beneath the surface.

"Tell her the truth."

"Not yet."

"Every day you wait makes the bond stronger."

"I know."

"She deserves to know."

"Not until I understand it myself."

The King looked back toward Micaela.

"Someone wanted you blamed."

"Princess Anastasia?"

The words escaped before she could stop them.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

"Why would you think that?"

"She warned me."

"Warned you?"

"She told me servants who forget their place disappear."

Silence filled the room.

The King's expression darkened noticeably.

"Did anyone else hear this conversation?"

"No."

"Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I didn't think it mattered."

"Everything concerning your safety matters."

Before Micaela could respond, a sharp knock echoed through the library.

"Enter," the King ordered.

Marcus stepped inside.

"Your Majesty, we've discovered something."

"Speak."

"The poison used to kill the Royal Archivist is extremely rare."

"Where does it come from?"

"Only one place in the kingdom."

"Which is?"

"The Silver Forest."

The King's eyes narrowed.

"Continue."

"More importantly... someone inside the palace recently purchased a large quantity."

"Who?"

Marcus handed over a folded document.

The King's face remained unreadable as he scanned the report.

"Interesting."

"Do you recognize the name?" Marcus asked.

"Yes."

"Should we arrest them?"

"Not yet."

"Why not?"

"Because whoever planned this expects us to act immediately."

"Then what do you intend to do?"

"Watch them."

"Very closely."

Marcus nodded before leaving.

Micaela looked confused.

"Was it the real criminal?"

"Perhaps."

"You're not going to tell me?"

A faint smile crossed his face.

"The less you know... the safer you are."

She wasn't convinced.

"That doesn't feel very safe."

"No."

"It doesn't."

Elsewhere...

Princess Anastasia stood inside her private chambers, staring out over the palace gardens.

Cedric entered quietly.

"The Moonstone ruined everything," he said.

"No."

"Your Highness?"

"It changed everything."

She slowly turned.

"The King publicly defended her."

"The council noticed."

"Exactly."

"They're beginning to suspect."

"Then our time is running out."

Cedric frowned.

"What are your orders?"

Anastasia walked toward a hidden cabinet built into the wall.

Inside rested an ancient silver dagger covered in strange runes.

"Do you know what this is?"

"A relic?"

"Older."

"Much older."

"It was forged before the kingdoms united."

"Its blade can wound creatures that ordinary weapons cannot."

Cedric stared at it uneasily.

"Why show me this?"

"Because if the King truly has found his mate..."

She gently traced a finger along the blade.

"Breaking the bond requires more than politics."

"You're planning to kill her?"

Anastasia smiled coldly.

"Only if necessary."

"And if the King protects her?"

"Then he'll have to choose."

"The throne..."

"Or the human."

Late that evening...

Micaela returned to the servants' quarters exhausted.

Clara immediately noticed her troubled expression.

"What happened?"

"The King questioned me."

"About the Moonstone?"

"About Princess Anastasia."

"Did you tell him?"

"Everything."

"Good."

"Do you really think she's behind this?"

Clara hesitated.

"I don't know."

"But I do know powerful people rarely lose gracefully."

That night, long after the palace had fallen silent, a shadow moved silently across the rooftops.

Hidden beneath a dark cloak, the mysterious figure climbed toward the servants' wing.

In one gloved hand rested the ancient silver dagger.

Moonlight reflected off its enchanted blade.

"Tonight," the figure whispered.

"The human dies."

Completely unaware of the danger approaching, Micaela slept peacefully.

Only one person remained awake.

Far across the palace, standing alone on his balcony, the Alpha King suddenly felt his wolf roar inside him.

"She's in danger!"

The King didn't hesitate.

Within seconds, he was already running toward the servants' quarters.

Too late...

Or perhaps...

Just in time.