*****Erika''s POV*****


    We sat before Elder Gridshade, patiently waiting for his exnation since the only thing he had been doing for the past few minutes was sniffing and sobbing.


    I nced at the others who also seemed impatient as a frown appeared on their faces. Pa was calm as always while sitting close to her mate, Gage.


    Kat sat alone, just like me and Alex. I wasn''t about to cozy up to anyone being the Alpha that everyone should be afraid of.


    Finally, after the whole time of sniffing and all, Elder Gridshade finally stopped crying. A part of me felt touched, even if he had just tried to fight me a few minutes ago. Even though I appeared heartless, I could still understand that his actions were for his daughter. But I also couldn''t stand by and watch him insult my position as Alpha, talking shit about women ascending or not ascending as Alpha.


    After we were sure that he had calmed down, I began again, "So tell us what happened."


    He nced up at me and our eyes met. He then kept on a poker face as he began his exnation.


    "Tasyra had woken up as usual and Informed me of a party she needed to attend. At first I was against it because I suddenly had the strange feeling in me that things wouldn''t turn out well." He paused for a few minutes and we all gave him an expectant look, waiting for the rest of the words.


    "I asked her not to attend the party, but she insisted, saying it was for a friend. I relented after much pressure from her and I let her go for that party. But on her way back from the party, she gets abducted." His voice broke towards the ending, making me feel for him a little. I watched him wipe his tears again, acting strong.


    "Now, I can''t tell the people behind this, but you shouldn''t have ascended this throne in the first ce. I had warned you, hoping you would listen to me, but no you didn''t." He brought up the issue of my reign again and I instantly silenced him.


    I would ept any other mockery and scolding, but not the fact that I wasn''t allowed to sit on my father''s throne.


    Also, that letter from earlier that had thest text that Jace wasn''t my brother, it still needed lots of confirmation.


    If Jace was really not a ckwood, then it would be pointless talking about the throne. He couldn''t ascend the throne even if he wanted to.


    But Jace was in the hospital, trying to recuperate himself and at least get back to normal. That was also the only way he could tell us what happened to him and where he was taken to.


    I nced at the others again, seeing the same look from Earlier in their eyes. Then I turned to look into Gridshade''s eyes.


    "Elder Gridshade, a letter came in a while ago before you arrived." I informed, waiting for him to act, but he just raised a brow.


    "What letter?" He asked in confusion and I released a small smile that never reached my eyes.


    "A letter that stated that Jace isn''t a ckwood." I exined and Elder Gridshade''s eyes went wide in shock.


    "What?!" He yelled out and I nodded.


    "Yes, they said that Jace is not my brother."


    "That''s impossible!" Gridshade shook his head in denial as if he was Jace and my father.


    "You talk like you know Jace personally." I let out in a disdainful tone and he shook his head.


    "It''s not about knowing Jace personally, I''m a friend of the Alpha. He never told me this news." Gridshade replied and I blinked.


    Deep down, I wanted it all to be one


    hell of a le, but these same


    anonymous people and their messages couldn''t be false. Why would they just make up such a lie and tell for no reason.


    "Where is Jace?" Gridshade asked again and I sighed.


    "Pack hospital, he''ll be fine." I said, but Gridshade didn''t react.


    After a moment of silence, my mind began to wander around the content of the letter.


    Just how did they know that Jace wasn''t a ckwood and how was that even possible.


    Jace not being a ckwood was far from impossible.


    Father would have told me about it, but on a second thought, Father couldn''t possibly know that Jace wasn''t a ckwood.


    I shook my head as if to clear the sudden fog that clouded my mind. "Elder Gridshade, we''ll find Tasyra and bring her back, you don''t have to worry about that." I said with a determined look and I saw a little relief shed in his eyes.


    He bowed respectfully for the first time, earning a surprised gasp from Pa and Kat.


    I was also surprised, but I held it in better than they did.


    Gridshade''s nose was still a bit injured and bloodied, and it made my mind


    wander back to Alex''s actions just now of fighting for me.


    What did he mean by that?


    I already made up my mind that I would never forgive Alex easily for all he did to


    me. It wouldn''t change anytime soon either.


    I watched as reluctance shed in Gridshade''s eyes before he said slowly, Don''t worry, the news about Jace must be all made up. Jace is a ckwood." He assured me and I had no other choice but to believe him.  ?wnovel


    I gave a little nod as I watched Gridshade get on his feet, saying he would be


    leaving for a while and would definitely return.


    "The search for Tasyra wouldmence immediately." I informed him and he nodded before walking out of the room.


    I turned to the others, "You all heard


    him, I think these people are just trying to mess with us. Jace is a ckwood and Tasyra was taken by them." I concluded and I watched them all nod in approval.


    "But, if Tasyra was really taken by them, what was it for? Why would they take Tasyra?" Pa asked confused and before I could answer, Kat gave the answer.


    "Because she has feelings for Jace."